The Cricket Thread

[dagraham]

No offence but surely if you know it's a mug's game why do it??
Happy and prosperous New Year btw.

Because there are plenty of times when it does come off and providing you only bet what you can afford to lose its just a bit of fun. It was just some money left in my Skybet account so it's no big deal. It's just a bit annoying when you bet on Cook at 4-1 to be Englands top 1st Inns scorer and he gets out for a duck .

 

[LeSoupeKitchen]

RIP test cricket. And we have australia to thank. Praying for a good SA v England series to give some hope.

 

[Phill Barrs]

Its been a great first test so far and could go to the wie, to great bowling teams with good batsman.

 

[wooderz]

SA making a good fist of it, but the best they can do would be a draw I'd say - however who knows. Need Broad to get his eye in and then bam, before you know it they're 4 down and it's ours to lose (well, not win)

 

[dickieven]

2nd test starting today and really hoping that it follows the same path as the first test.

South Africa are a strange team. I remember their batsmen taking us apart. I sat through a day at the oval on their last tour (i think) and we only got 1 or 2 wickets all day. What has hapened to Amla, AB etc. A real loss of form and confidence, it is amazing.

Anyway big hopes for Cook to get in the runs this game as it really sets the right mood if the captain and opener gets a big score.

I'm hopeful rather than confident of a win as I am just worried the SA batsmen will find some form from somewhere.

 

[wooderz]

We never win here so id be surprised!

 

[alfie103]

Two poor dismissals already. Cook we can forgive a rare moment, but I hope I'm wrong but I cant see Hales lasting long in Test cricket.

Come on mate, it was his first test.

 

[alfie103]

England doing well here. Need to keep going but South Africa starting to look a bit ragged in the field which is very strange for them.

 

[mpickard2087]

Come on mate, it was his first test.

I'm just concerned about how he plays and whether he can transfer his game across all formats. I like him in one day cricket but think his tekkers might be a bit too loose in test cricket, especially outside off stump in English conditions with a bit of movement. He's made a decent, albeit streaky at times, contribution today though and I'd like him to prove my fears wrong.

 

[johnnyallen]

stokes is looking majestic right now. Well worth watching.

 

[mpickard2087]

Decent counter attack from these two. South Africa have completely lost the plot during that last session. Poor bowling, poor fields, poor captaincy.

England well placed but still need a good morning tomorrow to see the job through and get into a strong position.

 

[longtimespur]

Not much of a tail with Finn and Anderson at 10 and 11

 

[alfie103]

Not much of a tail with Finn and Anderson at 10 and 11

Both have a test 50 so they aren't rabbits.

 

[longtimespur]

Both have a test 50 so they aren't rabbits.

True but..........would you like to rely on their batting contributions.

 

[alfie103]

True but..........would you like to rely on their batting contributions.

England have an extremely strong batting line up so we shouldn't have to rely on their batting. If you are then you know you are in trouble.

 

[Riandor]

England have an extremely strong batting line up so we shouldn't have to rely on their batting. If you are then you know you are in trouble.

Think it's fair to say we won't be relying on them for batting on this test.
Stokes is destroying SA. Brutal...

 

[longtimespur]

Haven't got Sky so can't watch this onslaught. Hope they keep it up until just before tea. Could have 700 on the board and give the Proteas a few overs before the tea break.

 

[mpickard2087]

England well placed but still need a good morning tomorrow to see the job through and get into a strong position.

Could have been worse I suppose...

 

[Spurs1960]

Haven't got Sky so can't watch this onslaught. Hope they keep it up until just before tea. Could have 700 on the board and give the Proteas a few overs before the tea break.

Utterly bloody brilliant. You can go online and find a stream, same as football. Tis how I'm enjoying it.

 

[CosmicHotspur]

Talented young Sussex cricketer Matthew Hobden, only 22, has died. The cause has not yet been disclosed. Tragic news, he was tipped to have a future in the England cricket team. RIP.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/35215453