Cricket

[Gre]

I haven't really followed this series for some reason, but the current game is coming to a good finish, England need 466 to win on a pancake pitch, currently 128-2 - there should be a result one way or the other.

[timespeedsup]

I haven't really followed this series for some reason, but the current game is coming to a good finish, England need 466 to win on a pancake pitch, currently 128-2 - there should be a result one way or the other.

England's best ever run chase was 320 runs, so despite them not being too bad at the moment I think it's a result one way and not the other

But does anyone remember Atherton and Russell batting out the last day to frsutrate the South Africans way back when?

[TheGayTent]

England's best ever run chase was 320 runs, so despite them not being too bad at the moment I think it's a result one way and not the other

But does anyone remember Atherton and Russell batting out the last day to frsutrate the South Africans way back when?

Yes I do. As well as Athers batted, he was slightly fortuitous. He nicked one off Donald but the umpire didn't give it.

At tea 33 overs remain, with 5 wickets in hand.

If Colly goes early we'll collapse.

[Gre]

England's best ever run chase was 320 runs, so despite them not being too bad at the moment I think it's a result one way and not the other

But does anyone remember Atherton and Russell batting out the last day to frsutrate the South Africans way back when?

681 minutes or something wasn't it?

I think we did have a chance at the win at the start of the innings, but have played (probably correctly) for the draw; England have scored 250 in the time it took SA to score almost 450.

We're probably going to need Prior and even Broad to put in a good performance in the final session.

Edited January 7, 2010 by Gre

[TheGayTent]

I think we did have a chance at the win at the start of the innings, but have played (probably correctly) for the draw; England have scored 250 in the time it took SA to score almost 450.

In situations like that, you have to begin with the aim of saving the game. Then if you reach say 200 with the loss of no or maybe one wicket, you can risk your arm for a bit. However, once they lost the 3 wickets last night, there was no chance of even attempting the win.

Come on Colly.

[Gre]

In situations like that, you have to begin with the aim of saving the game. Then if you reach say 200 with the loss of no or maybe one wicket, you can risk your arm for a bit. However, once they lost the 3 wickets last night, there was no chance of even attempting the win.

Come on Colly.

True - the scoring has slowed a lot since the first pair.

36 overs for the first 100

26 overs for the next 50

27 overs for the next 50

27 overs for the 50 after that.

I suppose you also have to take the state of the series into account - 1-0 with one more to play. Can't lose the series if we draw here and all that.

[TheGayTent]

True - the scoring has slowed a lot since the first pair.

36 overs for the first 100

26 overs for the next 50

27 overs for the next 50

27 overs for the 50 after that.

I suppose you also have to take the state of the series into account - 1-0 with one more to play. Can't lose the series if we draw here and all that.

True. However SA will retain the Basil trophy if the series finishes 1-1.

[TheGayTent]

Colly gone. Long last 14 overs...

[Gre]

Colly gone. Long last 14 overs...

Anderson & Monty, that's who we want

[TheGayTent]

Prior gone too...

[Gre]

Come on Broady...

[Ed209]

Sir Onions!!

Christ that was nerve-racking!!

[Steve P]

In the end I had to nip out to the car to listen to the last few balls. Brilliantly exciting stuff - what other sport could produce that sort of tension after 5 days?

[TheGayTent]

In the end I had to nip out to the car to listen to the last few balls. Brilliantly exciting stuff - what other sport could produce that sort of tension after 5 days?

Exactly. Stick your one dayers and T20 where the sun don't shine!

[Kowalski]

what other sport could produce that sort of tension after 5 days?

Or a draw when the scores aren't the same.

[llcoolphil]

Or a draw when the scores aren't the same.

Which is infinitely better than 'lets see who can tip a big stick over on its end'

And Scottish football actually.

[oafc0000]

Great stuff!! Well done England...

I love test matches... One day matches are alright but T20 are awful I find

[timespeedsup]

Or a draw when the scores aren't the same.

That always confused me when I was much younger (cricket is not a simple game after all). But you do realise there is a tie option?

Meh, had to finish work early, spent most of the day tracking Colly and Bell. My last action as I logged off was to see Colly gone. Strange to return to a draw a couple of hours later, did fully expect the worst.

[chappiepunk]

That always confused me when I was much younger (cricket is not a simple game after all). But you do realise there is a tie option?

Meh, had to finish work early, spent most of the day tracking Colly and Bell. My last action as I logged off was to see Colly gone. Strange to return to a draw a couple of hours later, did fully expect the worst.

pretty much the same! got a bit nervy towards the end tho! So we lead the series 1-0 with just one match left to play? Think thats right, if it is.. woohooo!

[Gre]

Or a draw when the scores aren't the same.

Boxing

[harper11]

another magnificent english non win

complete with slow bowling tactics, ball tampering and defeatist batting style

i hope SA can get that one more wicket they need in the last match

[timespeedsup]

another magnificent english non win

complete with slow bowling tactics, ball tampering and defeatist batting style

i hope SA can get that one more wicket they need in the last match

That's one of the beauties of cricket though - SA were the better team, but they couldn't finish it off in 5 days. England have been known occasionally to be unable to finish teams off. Very tough on SA though, to have failed by a wicket twice but been trounced meantime. Degrees of daylight robbery if England ultimately claim the series.

[jk1]

Great hundred from Ponting. So much for people saying he shouldn't bat at number 3.

As for England scraping the draw.. at least they have shown some fight over the past year. Many an England team in the past would have folded, think we have a good mix of grit and determination and class in our batting lineup now, and a solid bowling unit. Not sure Onions is good enought to operate in a 4 man atack though. To go to South Africa and not lose in 3 tests is a great effort.

Think we've turned the corner a little on selection too. Swann was given a run to establish himself now Onions and Trott are too. There is no point propping up county cricket with millions of investment from the ECB if they just ignore the performances in it and only pick from development camps or players who have worked their way up through the age groups.

[Steve P]

F#ck

[TheGayTent]

What's the point in a referral system, if they get it wrong after reviewing the video??