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[PM7]

It has been such an incredible Test match and England have lost the last 2 sessions today. These I feel was the most crucial sessions in the entire Test and Finn had a storming end to the Saffers innings. SA will wrap things up comfortably by tea. Bairstow has come good and I feel that Finn is much better than Broad in attitude and also more of a wicket taker. Amla just never fails and Philander seems to have all the attributes of an allrounder in the Pollock mould.

[Dan W]

We only have 2 wishful thinking aspects that make a series defeat a probablity rather than a certainty

1) The Team wants to show it can win without Peiterson

2) A draw does nothing for us - in fact it will infuriate me if they block out 90 overs

[steiner]

I actually think fighting for a draw is very important tomorrow. Assuming there isn't a miracle England will have won only 3 from 11 in 2012 (2 of those vs windies at home!)

Essentially this is a side in no real form with some important series to come. Add to that the fact they are a side in transition - Pietersen gone for a while (hopefully) no established no. 6, probably needing to 'rest' Broad for both his bowling and to break up the 'clique'
Openers unable to score runs etc.

Think a battling draw would do wonders - far better to end the test season on a more positive note and address these issues than following another drubbing.

[Dan W]

I actually think fighting for a draw is very important tomorrow. Assuming there isn't a miracle England will have won only 3 from 11 in 2012 (2 of those vs windies at home!)

Essentially this is a side in no real form with some important series to come. Add to that the fact they are a side in transition - Pietersen gone for a while (hopefully) no established no. 6, probably needing to 'rest' Broad for both his bowling and to break up the 'clique'
Openers unable to score runs etc.

Think a battling draw would do wonders - far better to end the test season on a more positive note and address these issues than following another drubbing.

It's just such an....English thing to do!

[PedalsMcgrew]

I can see what you're saying, a battling draw is actually an improvement on what we've seen recently, and I can't disagree with your logic regarding KP and Broad but I just don't see England doing that. Flower wouldn't let them. Nothing is gained by a draw so they'll go for it and they'll come up short....I hope they do it, I have a day off tomorrow and I'll be watching it all but I just don't think England are playing well enough to cope with SA's seamers....Tahir doesn't count as he's rubbish although I imagine Bell will struggle against him.

It's no bad thing that we lose this series, SA are a better side and this might just be the kick up the backside we need to kick on again. Maybe things have just got a bit stale? Broad bowling at 79mph all series surely won't be tolerated again?

[steiner]

But it wouldn't be possible to set out to try and win the game from here.

Also Bairstow, Taylor and Broad have a lot to gain by battling and avoiding defeat (arguably Bell too)

[PM7]

Broad shouldnt be in the team purely on being a highly annoying chap that bowls at 79mph.
All that "best bumper in world cricket is just crap". Finn has proven himself to no end and must me made a regular.
And what about Onions who is in sizzling form? Time for a big shake up for Team England.
Trotts been sussed out and Strauss has finished the season on a low ebb. Pietersen might never play again.
This is has been a poor year for England and its time they woke up, which will feel different as the number 2 team.

[PedalsMcgrew]

Not too sure that Trott has been 'sussed out' it would be a very brave person to leave him out of the current England side. So, he's had a poor run with the bat, so has everyone else in this side.....he's a class player. Boring, but classy and he's done no worse than anyone else this summer! Unlike a few others, his temperament for Test Cricket is unquestionable.....

Onions is a good shout, I would have had him in for Broad in this test but they would never have done it. Broad bats, Onions doesn't. Seems daft really doesn't it! We have a 4 man attack and one of them (previously 2 with Bresnan) are/were being picked for their batting ability! If we're to stick with 4 bowlers then we have to pick them purely for their bowling ability....not for anything they might offer with the bat which is only ever going to be a bonus.

[PM7]

Trott will be a mainstay in the team for years ahead as his temprement and concentration is fantastic, as is Cooks.
This has been a poor series for him against his old countrymen and he will come back strong.

[Tail Ender]

This series has confirmed to me that Steve Finn should be a constant in the bowling ranks. Bowled superbly.

[rbanners]

oh dear

[junter97]

Go on Johnny lad, 37 off 24, keep it up lad

[RightArmRapid]

Looks like we can win this, provided we don't lose a couple of quick wickets.

[ajmw89]

Bairstow isn't going out without a fight!

[junter97]

Looks like we can win this, provided we don't lose a couple of quick wickets.

I think we can as well, Trott is the key though I think. He needs to just stay there and keep the scoreboard ticking over and rotating the strike. Bairstow is on a roll here, with him going like this and if Prior is on form then the runs shouldn't be a problem, just the wickets.