posted Aug 1, 2008

I read a comment earlier today suggesting England should leave KP out of the side for the Oval to teach him a lesson, even if that meant throwing the game.
Can anyone conceive of an Aussie suggesting that about their best batsman, or do you think they'd see remaining competitive as mildly more important than schooling their batsmen in how to be dull? We have to applaud Collingwood for true character, but if we ever want to consistently compete with the best sides in the world, England has to learn to love a winner.

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posted Aug 1, 2008

Come on South Africa.

Got to redeem urselves and put on a fight tomorrow.

South Africa cricket are on the BRINK - If only they can fight for the remaining of this test match and test series - they will be up there with the Aussies and the Aussies will be sweating.

Come on South Africa - one last push to win a Test series in England backyard and to avenge what England did in 2004/5 in SA.

Come on Saffers - Balls in your court - dont throw it away.

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The situation regarding Collingwood - well looks like his one-off fluke, century which saves England blushes and keep his place in the England team for the next 15 Test matches - injuries permitting.

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posted Aug 1, 2008

OK 80 to go now. Anyone else? I am a board and sad little man.

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posted Aug 1, 2008

What does it take for England to lose a Test Match or a Test series in their own backyard?

Collingwood is one lucky get - if it wasnt for his century - he wud be finito and never heard of again apart from the ODI & 20/20.

I seriously hope SA bowlers approach S.Pollock tommorrow morning about pitching the ball fuller and near the off-stump. They were bowling ridiciulously.

I really hope they bat out of their skin and really go for it in the 4th and final innings in what cud define South Africa best cricketing moment in their entire history.

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posted Aug 1, 2008

This has been one of the most exciting test matches England have played since 2005. Colly's smash for six to reach his century, Pieterson comically skying his similar attempt... Freddie's ferocious return to bowling glory yesterday... The momentum swings back and forth. No matter who wins this game, it has been a first rate advertisement for test cricket and I, for one, doubt that anything in 20/20 could match this.

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posted Aug 1, 2008

well said sven i was at work and i just could not pull my self away

the brillant thing about test there is still days to go and we dont know who will win where as 20/20 its over in 1 day

long live the test serise

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posted Aug 1, 2008

A decent day from England's view, but helped by some 'interesting' bowling from South Africa today.

Collingwood will sleep easy tonight. He'll be in the team for the next two years after today's innings. But fair play to him - he did what he had to do, and did it in some pretty good style, too. Saved his skin for the next Test match, and I seriously hope he continues to get big scores.

Staggered at the calls for KP to be dropped. Yes, he did play a rash shot, but what other Test nation would drop a player who, throughout his career, has almost constantly been in and around the top 10 ICC Test batsmen rankings, and averages over 50, and you can pretty much guarantee to make a telling score and contribution in at least one match in a Test series?

People say it is a team game and he doesn't play for the team. Yet Pietersen has repeatedly saved his team time and time again with his performances and natural ability and talent. The others around him generally make a good score once every two, three or four series. Pietersen can be frustrating, but he is more often than not the saviour of an innings, match and often series.

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posted Aug 2, 2008

Philrotunda

Don't worry there are always posters on these boards who know as much about cricket as my pet goldfish. Most of us England fans are just as passionate about England as the average Aussie fan and there is no way we would suggest leaving out England's best batsman!

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posted Aug 2, 2008

There are possibly some players who do need to go to the counties and get form but KP isn't one of them.

That guy can't win. He can slog most spin bowlers over the fence pretty easily and you can't blame him for wanting to get to the hundred quickly it is the way he plays.

He was really angry with himself for getting out.

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posted Aug 4, 2008

Surely now Saffers are on the BRINK of becoming the No 1 Test team in the World. Aussies will definitely be sweating - they'll be wanting Langer, Gilchrist, Warne, McGrath to come out of retirement.

Go on Saffers make the scoreline look a little bit more flattering - 3-0 to Saffers wud be brilliant and will certainly help their cause to become the No 1 Test team in the World.

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