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[northernboy1987]

I think the toss will be extra important. If England bat first and can go big against an inexperienced seam attack, this time including a possibly reduced Morkel (who along with Finn I thought was the pick of the bowlers in the last test), they could put real pressure on a SA batting unit looking to save the series.

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[Mr_Orange]

From reading a few reports the track should be a better contest, the groundsman reckons 350 would be a very good score and Cricinfo's preview said 300+ generally happens in the first innings.

I think it'll a 'he who bats first wins' game. Can't wait, hoping to see more progress from Hales, Cook find some form and Root to stop making an easy 60-80 and going to a bigger score. Oh, and a few catches to be held this time!

[Buzz]

I think bowl first and bat once might be the order of the day here. brave call though. Could be a good toss to lose.

[northernboy1987]

I think bowl first and bat once might be the order of the day here. brave call though. Could be a good toss to lose.

Too brave a call for Cook I think, he'd get crucified if he did that and SA put on 400+

[ppccopener]

if this wicket has a bit more in not sure if that's good news or bad news for us. Jimmy can look a bit ordinary when it's not moving,Finn is bowling well and so is Broad. Ali...well unless it turns big don't think he will get wickets.

I just hope we hav'nt lost the 'momentum' from the last match.The break between matches hopefully maybe has done us good?

I still think even if it's 1-1 at the end we have done well

[northernboy1987]

I still think even if it's 1-1 at the end we have done well

Fair point, I think a lot of English fans would have settled for 1-1 against SA away before the tour started.

[ppccopener]

Fair point, I think a lot of English fans would have settled for 1-1 against SA away before the tour started.

yeah but it's the same old story as fans...yeah 1-1 we'd take that.  Now we are 1-0 up thou we want a series victory!   

I just worry we have played so well so far we can't keep it up....there's always a big collapse waiting around the corner somewhere with England.

Steyn being out is handy thou..

[northernboy1987]

yeah but it's the same old story as fans...yeah 1-1 we'd take that.  Now we are 1-0 up thou we want a series victory!   

I just worry we have played so well so far we can't keep it up....there's always a big collapse waiting around the corner somewhere with England.

Steyn being out is handy thou..

We have played well but it has been our less consistent players who have played well, surely Cook or Root is due a ton, I also fancy a maiden test ton for Taylor by the end of the series.

[Aussie In England]

Whilst the South African attack seems weakened on paper, should Morris and Viljoen play the Wanderers is their home ground. So that normally gets a players juices following.

[cricketbadger]

Viljoen bowls a quick but heavy ball, he could get up a few of our batsmen so I'd like to see him play and test the boys out.

I'd get rid of Peidt I don't really see him to be good enough. We've been paying him far too much respect

[Aussie In England]

Viljoen bowls a quick but heavy ball, he could get up a few of our batsmen so I'd like to see him play and test the boys out.

I'd get rid of Peidt I don't really see him to be good enough. We've been paying him far too much respect

I'm always inclined to have a spinner and I think Piedt could become South Africa's Lyon.

But with de Villiers as skipper they could play their four quicks plus Duminy as their spinner. Elgar also bowls some left arm 'spin'

[cricketbadger]

Yes I forgot to mention I'd utilise Duminy as the spinner, I don't see Peidt as being any better than him, so bolsters the batting aswell

So yeh, I agree with you

[edge]

Piedt doesn't look anything much at first glance but he's bowled pretty well to be fair, not going to run through a side but he does a decent job and picked up good wickets. If it seams it'll spin, so I'd be keeping him in. England have the luxury of not having to make the choice with Stokes in the side.

Love the suspense going into a test where the wicket looks like it'll do a bit, hopefully pace and seam will be there and make a good test. Suspect the test will hinge on one or two good innings, fingers crossed they're by the English top order!

[Seniorplayer]

 Cooks  tactics being one up win the toss bat get a big score ensure you don't lose

[edge]

Cooks  tactics being one up win the toss bat get a big score ensure you don't lose

Fingers crossed! Don't see it happening if all the chat about the wicket is somewhere near the mark though.