The winter tour started in earnest (or was it Johannesbourg?) today with the first of two Twenty20 games, and what a start the Angleterres have made, with an Oirish Eowaghaughaghan Morgan-inspired innings of 86 helping his adopted homeland to a hyooge score of 202-6.

Now then Smithy (no, not you Smudger), what ya gonna do about that?

Well, that's a bloody shame, with the game evenly poised the heavens open up and drop some moisture to dampen the spirits of all involved in this enthralling match. With the Afrikans seemingly needing a miracle to get the 203 runs required to win this game, they're currently 127-3 off just 13 overs.
By Mssrs Duckworth & Lewis' reckoning, South Africa needed to have 128 on the board with three down at 13 overs so it looks like England may win this in very unfortunate circumstances..

Eoin Morgan = Chinaman ( tis true I googlied it ).

1st ODI won easily by England, restricting the home side to 250, then thanks to Trott and Collingwood, knocking off the runs with 4 overs to spare.

I thought England were superb yesterday, with the African batsmen finding the middle overs difficult to score off, and Trott, Colly and the newest of English heroes Morgan being brilliant.

On my way to Cape town tomorrow for the third ODI at newlands. Can't wait I tell thee..

Well, that was only slightly disappointing given that as soon as the toss was won in Cape town by Proteas Captain Smith everyone in the stadium knew that they'd bat first and win the game, as it's nigh on impossible to chase a target under the Newlands lights.

Newlands is by and far the best cricket ground i've been to thus ergo far as the backdrop of table mountain is simply stunning viewage. Met quite a few of the barmy army who were very entertaining throughout the 39 degree heat. We even had a streaker right at the end of the game who entered the pich right in front of where we were sitting, although I must say I was glad he kept his underwears on, that would have been too close..

Ahhhhhh now I get it...Durrrhhhh!

Sounds beautiful Stret, was it a better ground than Marston Green?

Tis easily the most picturesque piece of cricketing pitchage, lobby..

Is that broccoli?

Panj wouldnt have taken the photo if it was..

I am a bit biased but I think Durham is certainly one of the prettiest grounds in England.

Click to view attachment

True, very true. But where's the broccolli?

..and the first day has probably gone to South Africa after they were sent into bat 262 for 4 a steady days play for them,we need to get among the wickets in the morning,if you put a side in you are certainly looking at getting most of the side out on the first day but we finished up a couple or three wickets short..
K.R.O.

Smudger, I've merged your 1st test thread in with this one. Saves all the bollocks of having five dirfferent threads, loike..

The home team are accumulating slowly but surely on a pitch that even I'd get fifty on. I think Strauss was right to bowl first as history shows that the team batting first often loses. Still, it's going to be hard to force a result on this pitch, methunkens..

It's turning into a yawn-fest with just 11 runs scored off the last ten overs before tea. on the other side of the Indian ocean did anyone see Chris Gayle's innings this morning? He scored the fifth fastest century in test cricket and it was subliminal to watch. One of his five sixes ended up on the roof some 140m away from where Gayle was standing - brilliant stuff, hurrah!

It was a 'bit of a gamble' by Strauss to put 'em in and the opposition get 400 +,but we are ticking over very nicely 88 for 1 at well over three and half an over,we might even snatch a first innings lead..??
K.R.O.

....at least we should save being asked to follow on but we will save the match . ..half the side out still 220 odd behind and nobody even got an half-century yet...!!
K.R.O.

Ian Bell - End of his career right there, methunkens. Quite simply it's been awful batting that has done for us today, with a bit of accurate bowling from Morkel and the slippery de Wet..

Can we save the match,we really needed a 'captains innings' and in Strauss came and promptly went back !...11 for 1 at the close ,only another 353 needed now..!!,just hope the dozy viler Bell don't give his wicket away ...again.!!
K.R.O..

Just about hung on for a draw..!!...it was certainly a gamble by Strauss to put them in and he very nearly paid the penalty but what the hell are we going to do with Bell...??, it appears his record v the 'better sides' is mediocre to say the least,will they give him another chance....
K.R.O.

Hasn't he enough chances, Sid? Time to go, Ian.

England now 242 for 3 and Cook has just got his century...(mind you he was overdue a good score,as is Bell when he gets in..!)...looking a draw one would think now..
K.R.O.

..Fair play to Bell he 'done the business' today can he go on and get a century..
K.R.O.

Well can we win it now..??,is there a shock on the cards..??, can South Africa bat well enough to save the match..??,come on England lets give a real good go ..!!
K.R.O.

Good knock by Bell...he needed it or it would have been the end for him...a bell end if you like

South Africa 37 for 2 at tea trailing by 195 runs. Swann giving the ball plenty of air and finding a bit of turn to dismiss Beardy.

I thought 230 odd wouldn't quite be a big enough target to set them but the wicket seems to doing something for Swann and Anderson?

Well even if they get 260 or so we should still have enough time to knock off the runs and go one up ..!!
K.R.O.

S Africa currently 49 for 5.

Only their skipper Smith is showing any bottle.

And now Smith uses up their last review and is out LBW to Swanny. 6 down, 4 to go.

All over by a lunch of biltong and droewors.

England had it all wrapped up well before lunch, with Swann taking five wickets and Anderson weighing in with a wicket this morning.

Now it's off to Capetown.

No mention of Broad then Jim?

I didn't see him take a wicket this morning. I missed his 4th as I was making a cuppa.

I thought Broad bowled beeyotifully yesterday and today. I don't know what's happened to him lately, maybe Otis has worked wonders with him or maybe he got a DVD of Glenn McGrath for Christmas but gone are the days where he would bowl wide of the off stump or too short. He had all the batsmen in difficulty here.

Interesting stat from yesterday's play; After 25 tests played, Broad has got more wickets than Freddie flintoff and a batting average to match.

The next Beef?

Naaaaaaa, his hair is too long

Excellent result...!!.. now how will the South Africans react to that good bollocking....a bigger bollocking in the third test...
K.R.O.

On a sporting front I can't remember a Xmas like this with Blues putting all before them to the sword, the Vile getting tanked at Arsenal and losing in the last minute to Liverpool and an Ian Bell inspired England shelacking the South Efricans. Nice!

Methinks you've got your metaphors a bit mixed here, Panjapops!

Flintoff's stats do not place him near the top of the pops as far as all-rounders go, so it's a bit of a leap of faith to go from comparison with Flintoff to naming the kid as the new Ian Botham, don't you think?

I'll match that metaphor James and I'll see it with a double helping of leaps of faith. The kid is a genius and the sooner we all realise it the better this planet will be..

Genius???















Have you started the New Year celebrations early, or what?

Youve never disguised your dislike of Broad Jim, with silly comments about his hair etc, but you will eat Humble pie sooner or later when you accept that the kid has a great deal of talent and a great future. Don't let your pride blind you to the facts and figures this kid has produced so far in a very short career.

I think it's a little early to label a promising youngster as 'genius', don't you???

Inconsistent bowler who's in the England team because of his dad?

Or the rightful heir to Beefy's throne?

I'm sitting roite on the fence, but wholeheatedly support the selectors decisions to keep young players in the team regardless of minor drops in form etc. to aid their development.

[quote name='davekermito' date='Dec 31 2009, 11:38 AM' post='323333']


I'm sitting roite on the fence, but wholeheatedly support the selectors decisions

I don't care how you get your sexual thrills, No Show, just express an opinion once in a while, huh?

There will never be another Ian Terence Botham but I like Broad a lot and so does my wife.

Absolutely 100% agree, but I also recognise the kid has enough talent and nous to to be very good indeed and, as an England fan, it gives me much joy to see him growing up every series he plays.

Lobs mate, I think he has proven himself to be an even better all round player than his old man. Chris may have helped in the early part of his career but he is way above where the "old tie" can get you if you dont have talent.

Heard today that Swann became the first English spinner to take 50 test wickets in a calendar year,lets hope he gets a good few more in the next test.!
K.R.O.

I agree mate, I think he's got enormous potential but to start mentioning his name alongside the great I.T.Botham is premature. As for his dad, he was a decent opener and for a young up and coming club cricketer such as I circa 1987/88 Chris Broad was at the top of his game but he wasn't anywhere near as good as Stuart Broad could be?

So, in short, ergo thus, I'm perched handsomely upon the picket fence with DaveyK sharing a bag of weed and sipping on gin and juice.

SA are 1-1, Prince c Prior b Anderson 0

Strauss won the toss and stuck em in on a cloudy, misty morning in Cape Town.

Onions start the 2nd over and Smith is dropped by Swann first ball!