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[northernboy1987]

Think Cam sums him up perfectly. In terms of players who kids can also get excited about he sticks out alongside Root by a country mile. At the moment it's probably to say he's a 'feast or famine' player and I'm sure with time it'll work out fine, but when he's on song he's so much fun to watch. Doesn't back down from a fight and has some grit about him.

This is exactly how I feel, I hope no one thought I was trying to knock him. I think he could be one of England's all time great all rounders, he admits himself though that he needs to try and find some consistency which I think is fair. He certainly has the skills, he has pretty sound technique as a batsman yet hits the ball as hard as anyone and his bowling is streets ahead of what his figures suggest. He has the rare ability to pretty much win a test match single handedly with bat or ball.

[iand123]

I think Stokes attacking play at the new ball nudged England in front. would love to see him go on and get a ton tomorrow morning and set a real platform for England.

Did anyone see the stat about root getting out between 50-99 10 times in tests in 2015. He's had an awesome year but if he'd gone and converted them it could have been an exceptional year

[FattusCattus]

Just watching 'The Verdict' - how good is Trott as a pundit?  I'm pretty impressed with him - I can listen to him and Butch all evening, the other two old farts can take a hike though!

[petehosk]

That could have gone either way but for the last partnership!!
You can never tell for sure which team is on top until both have batted, but if we push on to 400-450 tomorrow then the pressure will be on SA.
And we already know that confidence is rather low amongst SA batting so a decent knock tomorrow could hurt SA! Although never write off ABdV!!!
 

[ppccopener]

Just watching 'The Verdict' - how good is Trott as a pundit?  I'm pretty impressed with him - I can listen to him and Butch all evening, the other two old farts can take a hike though!

I presume you mean Charles Coalville who plays for someone's sevenths when they are short but are you putting him and Bob in the same boat? Surely not ?
 
Is it the monotone drone of his voice? Or the better in my day undertone?

 

[ppccopener]

Also.... Nick Compton...what a valuable pla.... Oh forget that

Has anyone else noticed the quality of the South African women in bikinis today in the crowd? Yes...far easier to look good on a blistering hot day but some of the crumpet on show is truly eye popping
Still can't get my head around them drinking pints but apart from that the highlights are worth watching just for the quality on show.

[JB]

One of the lads at our club went to a full tour of South Africa a few years ago. He said he's never been to any other country where the quality of the women was as good!

[northernboy1987]

Also.... Nick Compton...what a valuable pla.... Oh forget that

Has anyone else noticed the quality of the South African women in bikinis today in the crowd? Yes...far easier to look good on a blistering hot day but some of the crumpet on show is truly eye popping
Still can't get my head around them drinking pints but apart from that the highlights are worth watching just for the quality on show.

Easy tiger haha

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[Woodyspin]

My mate went to the football world cup in Brazil last year and said the women their are incredible! Having said that ive never met an ugly Saffa

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[Aussie In England]

Think it's time for Russell Domingo to hold his hands up and admit he's out of his depth. He inherited an all conquering side from Gary Kirsten. But post Smith and Kallis' retirements, Domingo has been totally exposed. In some aspects he's like former England coach Peter Moores eg stats obsessed. Unfortunately, as Moores found out, the game isn't played on paper.

I think the Proteas should appoint Graeme Smith as their head coach. This is a man who bleeds for his country, is as hard as nails and a natural born winner. Throw in Pollock/Klusenar/Kallis and the sinking ship can still be salvaged.

One final change would be Dean Elgar replacing Hashim Amla as skipper. Amla's too laid back to be skipper. Elgar has been South Africa A's skipper and he's been positive and aggressive(from the match I've seen against Australia A). Someone like AB de Villiers is too important to be saddled with captaincy.

[Gingerbusiness]

Any team which loses Steyn and Philander is going to struggle to look as impressive. Also, the SA team still does not have a quality spinner. England do not have a world beater, but he can put 6 balls there or thereabouts.

Amla is still learning as skipper. Still making mistakes on the odd occasion.

However, credit where credit is due - some of the England players have really stepped up. Compton looks at home at 3, Bairstow and Stokes looking like chief destroyers in the lower middle order and Root... Just continuing to look like a player who will eventually define a generation.

[WalkingWicket37]

Amla's captaincy seems to be a hot topic.

It was a curious decision to bring his part timers on midway through day one admitedly, and he's getting some stick for it. Had one of the part timers snared a wicket would he have been a genius today?
Cricket is a game with so many ifs, but and what ifs. Either Give Amla a chance to establish himself as a skipper or make the change sooneer rather than later. His position now isn't that different to our own Captain Cook's was 18 months ago and he's turned out alright...

[Aussie In England]

Any team which loses Steyn and Philander is going to struggle to look as impressive. Also, the SA team still does not have a quality spinner. England do not have a world beater, but he can put 6 balls there or thereabouts.

Amla is still learning as skipper. Still making mistakes on the odd occasion.

However, credit where credit is due - some of the England players have really stepped up. Compton looks at home at 3, Bairstow and Stokes looking like chief destroyers in the lower middle order and Root... Just continuing to look like a player who will eventually define a generation.

You're wrong about Piedt, the kid is the real deal. He's coming back from a shoulder reconstruction as well.

Your coach needs to show tough love if your side isn't performing. Yet Domingo fails to bag out his players ever.

Regardless whether Steyn and Philander are missing. Why didn't they call up a line bowler as a replacement? Instead they chose three hit the pitch bowlers at a venue where Philander takes wickets for fun by pitching it up.

[Aussie In England]

Amla's captaincy seems to be a hot topic.

It was a curious decision to bring his part timers on midway through day one admitedly, and he's getting some stick for it. Had one of the part timers snared a wicket would he have been a genius today?
Cricket is a game with so many ifs, but and what ifs. Either Give Amla a chance to establish himself as a skipper or make the change sooneer rather than later. His position now isn't that different to our own Captain Cook's was 18 months ago and he's turned out alright...

Reading on other forums there's a general consensus from South Africans Amla is too reactive and the added responsibility has damaged his batting. I'd rather have him averaging 50 and not be skipper, then saddling him with the captaincy and he can't buy a run.

[northernboy1987]

Agree with the above. Especially the bit about AB. No way should the captaincy be put on him, let him do his thing, which is score runs. Although as an Englishman maybe I should be pushing for him to get bogged down by captaincy haha

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