Rep South Africa in England Test Series and Tour

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

"It's the highlight of the summer. It is hard, competitive cricket between two good sides going toe-to-toe."

Andrew Strauss ...

couldn't agree more ... a real measure of each side's capability ... looking forward to it immensely

no security no politicos just test match special ...heaven [and you can eat any chips you want]

starts today at the The Oval

[amateur51]

Andrew Strauss ...

couldn't agree more ... a real measure of each side's capability ... looking forward to it immensely

no security no politicos just test match special ...heaven [and you can eat any chips you want]

starts today at the The Oval

Yes I quite agree Calum and the weather is slowly getting better just in time.

I do hope that the selectors are able to give Bopara a good run in the team - he's been in & out so often poor bloke, none of it really the selectors' fault but it would be good to see him develop into the sort of batsman who can add an injection of stability + excitement in the middle order. As to the bowlers if it's down to Bresnan or Flynn that's tricky. I like Bresnan a lot, an inspired tryer giving 100% of a huge bowl of talent at all times. But Flynn has that huge advantage of his height. He's still very young and needs to build on that advantage to become the exciting fast bowler he certainly has the potential to be. I think that he has the necessary 'nasty streak' that Tremlett has had to find, he just needs experience at the highest level. A series against RSA might just be the crucible that turns him into something special. Let's hope so

[Lateralthinking1]

I hope it proves enjoyable for everyone looking forward to it. I'm not very well up on cricket but will probably follow a little of the golf in the next few days. There is also a fellow called Wiggins. His progress is worth noting too.

[AmpH]

Really looking forward to the return of TMS and this series which IMV is too close to call. If England play to their full capabilities they should be able to make the greater variety in their bowling attack count against an SA side who play a fairly formulaic brand of cricket. On the other hand the pace and aggression of the SA attack will test England's batsmen like no other in world cricket with some serious ' chin music '.

Shane Warne provided an interesting take on the series in yesterday's Telegraph.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/9406915/England-v-South-Africa-Andrew-Strausss-team-will-need-to-use-all-their-imagination-and-flair-to-retain-No-1-status.html

There is also the Pietersen question. With his continuing spat with the ECB will he be distracted from the job in hand ? I for one hope he is able to play the kind of innings he did at Guildford last week - I witnessed his 234no against Lancs ( tee hee ) which was quite extraordinary.

Finally, what a disgrace it is that this keenly anticipated Test series between the top 2 sides in the world has been restricted to only 3 matches, sandwiched as it is between another 2 meaningless one day series.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

Finally, what a disgrace it is that this keenly anticipated Test series between the top 2 sides in the world has been restricted to only 3 matches, sandwiched as it is between another 2 meaningless one day series.

yes 5 tests would be much better ... it is the 20 over stuff i find a waste

[AmpH]

Boycott strikes again !!

Here is the end of the now infamous recent Boycott interview from the BBC Sport website, which was referred to by Messrs Agnew / Boycott a few minutes ago on TMS.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/18872302

Priceless !!!

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

an excellent day of cricket yesterday tho gritty ... i do hope Cook can double his ton, but one must expect Steyn et al to get more wickets today ....

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

blast blast that banjaxed Cook out to Steyn!

[DracoM]

Bopara should never have been picked. He's a laid back, arrogant bottler, too cool to be cool.
Should have someone like Vince, or Hales, or Buttler, and not a player who has regularly failed at Test level.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

let us hope that prior and bell settle down again but the bowling is sounding v fierce ... [TMS is a wonder eh]

[amateur51]

let us hope that prior and bell settle down again but the bowling is sounding v fierce ... [TMS is a wonder eh]

Very exciting morning I agree. i've just e-mailed TMS asking them to tell the South African commentatot to stop SHOUTING, mind - too piercing, man!

Oops, there goes Bell - time for Prior: Swann:Bresnan stands

[Don Petter]

Very exciting morning I agree. i've just e-mailed TMS asking them to tell the South African commentatot to stop SHOUTING, mind - too piercing, man!

Yes. Very un-TMS-like, that shouting. Someone needs a (quiet) word with him.

[amateur51]

Bopara should never have been picked. He's a laid back, arrogant bottler, too cool to be cool.

You could have said the same about Graham Gooch, David Gower, Ian Bell, James Anderson etc etc at various times in their careers, unfortunately.

Bopara has 3 centuries under his belt from 12 Test matches and a batting average, before this morning, of about 33. Not conclusive either way, I'd say especially as he's in for Bairstow who the selectors want to hide from Steyn, Morkel et al

[anotherbob]

Michael Vaughan is becoming Dave Podmore.

[amateur51]

Michael Vaughan is becoming Dave Podmore.

Priceless!