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England v South Africa - 1st Test

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NorthCountryBoy said:
Can't believe the stick Bresnan is getting on here.

Massive 'if' but if we can nick a draw here I fancy us to beat them at Headingley on a proper pitch.
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we will get rolled inside 3 days, we always do, its a myth we can play the swinging ball, philander and steyn will have a field day

also if we batted all day today there would be no way we'd be behind south africa come the last ball of the day
 
scotch said:
Predict the time this will finish...
3pm from me.

Drop Bresnan who still looks like he's strggling to recover from his injury. Play Finn. Onions for Bopara because Headingly will swing.
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Our batting has been crap, so weaken it considerably more? I agree play Finn over Bresnan, but to bring in Onions for Bopara would mean Prior at 6, Broad at 7 and Swann at 8.

Give Bopara the rest of this series, then when he inevitably fails yet again he should never be seen in the test arena again.
 
dangermows said:
He should be saying he has still be bog standard this test match and has a wicket to his name because Strauss played a stupid shot.
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It's absolutely set up for him here. Day five and - crucially - runs aren't an issue. If he goes for 5 an over but England are out by tea, it doesn't matter.
 
Andy.SAFC said:
Our batting has been crap, so weaken it considerably more? I agree play Finn over Bresnan, but to bring in Onions for Bopara would mean Prior at 6, Broad at 7 and Swann at 8.

Give Bopara the rest of this series, then when he inevitably fails yet again he should never be seen in the test arena again.
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I get what you're saying, but with the inevitability that Bopara will fail, why pick a walking wicket as a 'specialist' batsman when we could replace him with a walking wicket who is a true specialist bowler. Personally, I would stick with Bresnan as I think the Headingley conditions will suit him, but I would pick Finn for Bopara. That gives us specialist batting down to 6, bowlers who can bat at 7, 8 and 9 with Bresnan, Broad and Swann and 2 number 11s.

There's no doubt it's a risk, but whether we lose or draw today, taking a risk might be the best way to try and win the series. I can't see the safe option of 4 bowlers and Bopara winning us 2 tests against such a talented and stubborn batting line up.
 
NorthCountryBoy said:
Can't believe the stick Bresnan is getting on here.

Massive 'if' but if we can nick a draw here I fancy us to beat them at Headingley on a proper pitch.
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I dont think he is mind. Finn looks in tremendous form and I would like to see him as i think he offers a bit more but thats no slight on Bresnan who has done a great job for England - much better than I thought he would thats for sure.
 
Fuck sake Bopara. We have to bat all day and the prat slashes at one right out there

chelt_mackem said:
I get what you're saying, but with the inevitability that Bopara will fail, why pick a walking wicket as a 'specialist' batsman when we could replace him with a walking wicket who is a true specialist bowler. Personally, I would stick with Bresnan as I think the Headingley conditions will suit him, but I would pick Finn for Bopara. That gives us specialist batting down to 6, bowlers who can bat at 7, 8 and 9 with Bresnan, Broad and Swann and 2 number 11s.

There's no doubt it's a risk, but whether we lose or draw today, taking a risk might be the best way to try and win the series. I can't see the safe option of 4 bowlers and Bopara winning us 2 tests against such a talented and stubborn batting line up.
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I agree with that. It's probably the best compromise
 
Silly Ravi! Shouldn't be playing shots like that when trying to save a game.
 
Andy Reids Love Chil said:
Silly Ravi! Shouldn't be playing shots like that when trying to save a game.
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Amazing that he played at that but an over ago shoulders arms at a ball that missed the stumps by 0.8 millimeters
 
Andy.SAFC said:
Amazing that he played at that but an over ago shoulders arms at a ball that missed the stumps by 0.8 millimeters
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Takes me back to his mental attitude. I'm not doubting his technical ability but he Just doesn't seen to have the attitude of a top Test player.
 
Safc_Luke said:
And Bopara fails......again.

I hope they look at Taylor for the winter like.
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Shouldnt have played this Test. Prior up to 6 and get Finn in the side.
 
Safc_Luke said:
Not happening that like, they like the 4 bowlers/6 batsman balance. keeper at 7.
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With Bopara, Morgan and Bairstow all recently duffing the number 6 job they may as well give up on that philosophy and play to our strengths i.e. bowling

I agree though, probably wont happen
 
Am I the only one who thinks Bopara has neither the technical nor mental capabilities for international cricket?

I just genuinely don't see this talent he's supposed to have, and that's before we get onto that pitiful excuse for a brain he has.
 
Bopara is simply not a test match player, its not about talent, alot of players have a good technique its about mental strength, concentration, discipline.

I am amazed he got picked again, he is an ok pick for the one day side but should be nowhere near the test side.

This just highlights again how vital Collingwood was, although that Atherton willnever admit it
 
If we're going to play 6 batsmen and 4 bowlers then we need a proper batsmen at 6 and not Bopara.

I think we should go with our best players and bring Finn in for Bopara.

But then everyone but the selectors seem to think the same.
 
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