England Tour of South Africa

[Yorkshire Blue]

Following in the foot-steps of the Lions who lost in the rugby this summer, and preceding the England football team's world cup bid next summer, the focus of the third of the big three sports is also South Africa.

England arrived the other day and are playing their first warm-up game today. At dinner (not tea!) England are 294/7 from their 50 overs. Morgan (Ireland) made 67 off 52 balls, whilst Trott (South Africa) made 85 off 104. As the skipper (72 off 85), like the coach, is also South African born, the top scoring English born player made 24 (although Luke Wright's cameo was off just 11 balls)

Hopefully it will be as every bit thrilling as the fantastic Lions tour, but with a happier result.

 

[canveyshrimper]

I'm not overly optimistic about this tour from an England perspective. The Saffers are powerful in all forms of the game, even if they are one dimensional. They don't have a tournament to **** up, so I expect them to win the T20 & ODI's easily.

I think the test series will be closer as England are a much better test side that one day side. It's worth remembering since readmission SA have only been beaten on their own soil by the convicts & England in 2004/5, I expect SA to take revenge for that and win the series 2-1.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

South Africa managed to lose to Australia at home, so they are definitely vulnerable. However unless Anderson and Broad are on top form, I can't see England bowling them out regularly and cheaply enough.

 

[canveyshrimper]

That was a strange series, they certainly didn't work Phil Hughes out like England did. I agree about Broad & Anderson as there doesn't look to be much back up.

 

[canveyshrimper]

The first T20 is under way with England batting. Denly out first ball, and only two wides coming off the first over.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Morgan is the man! Hit the biggest six I've ever seen and got the highest score by an England player in T20 (85 off 45). We finished on 202, also a highest score by an England team! :stunned:

 

[Swiss Tony]

Morgan is the man! Hit the biggest six I've ever seen and got the highest score by an England player in T20 (85 off 45). We finished on 202, also a highest score by an England team! :stunned:

Good knocks by colly and Trott also,can't lose me thinks.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Good knocks by colly and Trott also,can't lose me thinks.

76-0 off 7 overs!

 

[Swiss Tony]

76-0 off 7 overs!

Don't panic,wickets will tumble.

 

[BrettieAngell]

Don't panic,wickets will tumble.

Just got Smuff!! 97-1.

 

[BrettieAngell]

2nd wicket, looks like you might be right Swiss!

 

[Swiss Tony]

2nd wicket, looks like you might be right Swiss!

Yes sir,those colonials have no backbone what.

 

[canveyshrimper]

The heavens have opened, England apparently just ahead courtesy of Mr Duckworth & Mr Lewis.

 

[Boreham Shrimper]

Match abandoned. England win by 1 run thanks to Duckworth Lewis :D

 

[canveyshrimper]

ODI Series

The 50 over series finally gets under way with the Saffers 170/6. Fantastic catch by Morgan to get rid of the dangerous Morkel. Trott bowling military medium has gone for 12 in his 6 overs so far.

 

[Ailsa Road Shrimper]

Great win for England today. Hopefully Collingwood can take the confidence from this match into the Tests after his disappointing Ashes performances. Perhaps his bowling could be useful in the Test matches too without Flintoff, England could potentially pick 4 bowlers with Collingwood chipping in with a few overs too.

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

We've now beaten South Africa in 6 straight ODIs*

Great performance from Colly today, but the one I'm most intrigued by is Luke Wright who appears to have bowled well again today. I wouldn't be surprised if he forces himself into the test team this tour.


*Ignoring the 2 which were abandoned with NR because of rain.

 

[canveyshrimper]

We've now beaten South Africa in 6 straight ODIs*

Great performance from Colly today, but the one I'm most intrigued by is Luke Wright who appears to have bowled well again today. I wouldn't be surprised if he forces himself into the test team this tour.


*Ignoring the 2 which were abandoned with NR because of rain.

Agreed about Wright, I think he's pencilled in to bat at 7. Just hope he doesn't finish with the same Test record as Gavin Hamilton.

 

[southend4ever]

Colly was on fire.
I agree with Vaughan that it is too early to pencil Cook in as the next skipper.

 

[canveyshrimper]

After being battered on Friday England have the Saffers at 56/4 in the 15th over, with Smith, Amla, Dunimy & de Villiers back in the hutch.