England [458 & 233] beat South Africa [361 & 119] by 211 runs in the 1st Test at Lord's

[A.A.Z]

England have won the toss and have opted to bat

Teams:

England (Playing XI): Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Gary Ballance, Joe Root(c), Jonny Bairstow(w), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson

South Africa (Playing XI): Heino Kuhn, Dean Elgar(c), Hashim Amla, Jean-Paul Duminy, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock(w), Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel

 

[ExpressPacer]

Don't think South Africa can pull this off, despite their outstandingly superior record at Lord's. Missing their premier batsmen AB and Dad, their premier bowlers Steyn and Abbott, I'm not very optimistic.

 

[boomboomcheema]

England Massive favorites to win here.

 

[James]

Great toss to win for England. Match strategy will be to put up 400 and then maintain a lead on a deteriorating pitch throughout the game. South Africa have solid bowlers though, so could be interesting.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

I'm not very confident about this match or series. Can only hope for the best.

At least we're back to watching/playing "real" cricket

 

[Markhor]

Love the first Test match of the English summer.

Weather looks good and a green tinge to the pitch.

Gary Ballance returns to the side after impressive domestic form but has he rectified his technical issues ?

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Ballance back again. England never learn.

 

[Markhor]

Wow that Sky package gave me chills. Such a rich history and rivalry between these two teams.

That 1998 series was one of my favourites growing up - those Trent Bridge and Headingley Tests were so intensely fought.

 

[Bilal7]

Test cricket in England is just that much more exciting. Can't wait.

 

[Markhor]

Out, England have started nervously.

 

[Markhor]

Ballance bats at 5 at Yorkshire but asked to bat at 3 with England which is curious.

Given his international struggles, you'd think he'd be cushioned lower down the order at 4 or 5 with Root at 3.

 

[Sarwar89]

Alaister Cook's days set to be numbered, his test form is constantly on decline recently.

 

[Sarwar89]

England has not won a Test Series against South Africa since 1998 in England. There have been 2 other bogey teams for England at Home Test matches. Pakistan did not lose a Test Series against England in England from 1982 onwards till 2006. (82 series poms won 2-1) and Aussies from 1989-2001.

 

[Markhor]

Ballance and Jennings would NOT be the partnership I'd want at the crease so early in the innings on this green tinged pitch against Morkel-Philander-Rabada.

Ballance is susceptible to fuller deliveries which have been responsible for 70% of his Test dismissals. He hangs back in his crease and his footwork is almost nonexistent.

 

[HitWicket]

That looked to pitch outside leg.

 

[Markhor]

Jennings out LBW.

England are in trouble. Brand new era under Root ? Seems like same old batting weaknesses being exposed again.

 

[HitWicket]

Ballance LBW.

England are in trouble. Brand new era under Root ? Seems like same old batting weaknesses being exposed again.

Jennings...

 

[Markhor]

Jennings...

Getting too old...

Yep it was pitching outside. Why didn't he review ?

 

[Markhor]

Didn't even hit the stumps !

Awful umpiring and even worse not to review.

 

[James]

Not sure what was worse there - the decision to give out (village umpiring) or the decision not to review (infant school indecisive idiocy). Ballance owes us a century for that one.

 

[Jabo]

18-2

See if they can rebuild

 

[Sarwar89]

Lord's slope is helping philander with this new cherry.

 

[Markhor]

Rabada bowling too wide and not making Root play. Easy to leave these balls outside off.

 

[Markhor]

Markram's misjudged that, missed opportunity to dismiss Root.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Wonder how many years Philander has in him.

Quite an underrated bowler imho.

 

[Sarwar89]

Philander reminds me of refined version of Matthew Hoggard. He is injury prone, that is one issue he has to deal with and he can bat as well.

 

[mak36]

Philander has looked impressive.

Problem for Elgar is he only has three seamers and so he will have to manage their workload carefully- it's likely England will be able to capitalise on the lack of a fifth bowling option (barring Duminy).

 

[Sarwar89]

Full delivery by Morkel
And Ballance is plumb lbw. Poms in trouble.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Now I see why AB isn't playing. Broad is....

 

[Sarwar89]

Luck is favoring Root, just got away again, could have been out twice. Might score a century today.

 

[James]

Poor performance from England so far. South Africa have been solid but wholly unspectacular. At most England should be losing 1 wicket before lunch, after winning the toss in these conditions, but could be as many as 5 at this rate. Dreadful.

 

[bujhee kom]

Saffers going well here.

 

[Bilal7]

Get Root and Ali and South Africa would have already won this test.

 

[Markhor]

Big wicket, Bairstow gone after Philander comes back into the attack.

Been South Africa's session. 4 wickets taken and England look like they could be bundled out for a cheap score.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Philander

 

[GLORY OF '92]

England have selected poorly.

Ballance just isn't Test class.

SA should win this series.

 

[JaDed]

Will Cook retire after the series? Cmon Saffers!!

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Unfortunately, I'm at work and following on cricinfo. How's the pitch looking?

 

[Bilal7]

England have selected poorly.

Ballance just isn't Test class.

SA should win this series.

He's one batsman. England are four down and none of those dismissed have scored as many as Ballance did.

 

[Bilal7]

Unfortunately, I'm at work and following on cricinfo. How's the pitch looking?

It's seaming a little and the bounce is good.

 

[Markhor]

Philander bowling beautifully.

 

[Sarwar89]

300-320 will be a par score on this pitch. Stokes can play big and Moeen Ali yet to come.

 

[Markhor]

Unfortunately, I'm at work and following on cricinfo. How's the pitch looking?

Green tinged pitch but quite dry and hard with decent carry. Some cracks so there may be uneven bounce as the match progresses.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

It's seaming a little and the bounce is good.

Green tinged pitch but quite dry and hard with decent carry. Some cracks so there may be uneven bounce as the match progresses.

Thanks.

 

[santos11]

Time for Stokes and Moeen to counter attack.

Doesn't look like a pitch where a batsman can afford to wait and survive and then look forward to score.

 

[ssuhaide]

Why isn't Hasseeb playing?

 

[Markhor]

Why isn't Hasseeb playing?

Out of form. In 15 first-class innings this season, he has failed to make a 50 and only reached 25 three times. He's been out for a duck four times.

 

[shaz619]

He's one batsman. England are four down and none of those dismissed have scored as many as Ballance did.

He's not very sound technically and an England TTF; did you watch him bat this innings? always deep in his crease and minimal foot movement, he was dismissed in the same fashion for more then 90% of his previous stint, it's a weakness he has not rectified. I would have given someone else a chance but Ballance is well acquainted with Joe Root.

 

[shaz619]

Why isn't Hasseeb playing?

Out of form. In 15 first-class innings this season, he has failed to make a 50 and only reached 25 three times. He's been out for a duck four times.

Yep, Hameed has been struggling with deliveries moving away from his body and especially playing on the early season pitches which always have a bit in it for the bowlers. SA seamers are not easy to negotiate and it's a blessing in disguise that he has not been picked here given his lack of experience, now Hameed can work hard on his flaw to ensure he is not exposed at the international level when he inevitably stages a return to the England team

 

[ssuhaide]

A pity. Haseeb looked good in his early appearances in an England shirt. Hopefully he will rediscover form. England don't look right with Ballance in the team

 

[Sarwar89]

Gary ballance is new Garheme Hick of English cricket or Mansoor Akhtar of Pak, loads of runs in domestic but TTF at international level.

 

[Sarwar89]

Test Match is gradually slipping away from Proteas. Stokes and Rooty set to play big, 300 would be a par score. Strong English bowling line up might be too much for Saffers. They are without AB and FaF

 

[hafeezrocks]

Nice innings by Stokes here. Keep going.

 

[James]

LOL several people already calling the match, and one poster even calling the series! On the basis of 35 overs?! Crazy.

It will be a long series. Looks like a good contest so far. Both teams look closely matched, and the conditions are lovely - genuinely sporting for both bowler and batsman.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

I feel this game is slipping away here.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Has Root's conversion rate improved?

I remember him having problems converting those 50s to 100s.

 

[HitWicket]

Wasn't that a clear no ball...?

 

[shaz619]

Ian Botham: It was a no ball.

Off course it was beefy, regardless

 

[James]

Has Root's conversion rate improved?

I remember him having problems converting those 50s to 100s.

Still has the same problems.

Again today he is playing an expert innings, but tends to throw it away on 80 or so.

 

[Buffet]

Need to pick 2 quick wickets now.

 

[Sarwar89]

South Africa desperately missing Dale Steyn here. This Maharaj looks like a total waste.

 

[Markhor]

Pitch is looking flat and easier to bat on.

 

[Sarwar89]

Morne Morkel clean bowled Stokes, but it is a big no
Ball. Perhaps that is the turning point of this test and series.

 

[Markhor]

Stokes gone. Moeen needs to stay with Root and get England to 300 at least.

 

[Sarwar89]

Stokes finally gone, a very soft dismissal, but the damage has been done already. England almost 200 up with 5 wickets in hand and Root looking good.

 

[Big Mac]

 

[Sarwar89]

Root, Test hundred on Debut as Captain. Before that Cook, Lamb and Strauss have done it. Proteas are completely rattled now, be ready for 3-0 or 4-0 series result.

 

[majiz]

maharaj is absolute pants lol

 

[majiz]

laughable he's playing instead of harmer, harmer actually gives the ball a rip, mahavag is pretty much the worst bowler i have ever seen

 

[Ozymandiasza]

This time, to a bit later, is when Steyn is so damn deadly. He use to dial it to 11 for the last bit/spell of the day and completely lift the energy levels of the team.

Damn, I really miss him What a champ test bowler.

 

[Robert]

Rooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot

 

[majiz]

really think the quota system, racist at best, is seriously misguided and flawed if an indian can start ahead of a white person, at the very least it should be about african participation, it shouldnt be explicitly anti-white. sad. poor harmer

 

[Muhammad10]

The real CLH.

 

[HitWicket]

really think the quota system, racist at best, is seriously misguided and flawed if an indian can start ahead of a white person, at the very least it should be about african participation, it shouldnt be explicitly anti-white. sad. poor harmer

The quota system isn't getting Maharaj picked, it's consistently out performing Harmer in domestic cricket that is.

 

[James]

This is an abysmal over-rate from South Africa. Scheduled finish in less than 1 hour - and we have only had 67 overs bowled. What a joke!!

 

[majiz]

The quota system isn't getting Maharaj picked, it's consistently out performing Harmer in domestic cricket that is.

do me a favour, im watching right now and can see mahavag is absolute trash, harmer is a spinner of the ball and is rated extremely highly in england. he's very similar to swann

 

[Ozymandiasza]

This is an abysmal over-rate from South Africa. Scheduled finish in less than 1 hour - and we have only had 67 overs bowled. What a joke!!

Hey now, at least England is still batting. Might want to thank us for that

 

[Sarwar89]

South Africa and West indies have no chance of beating Poms this summer in test series, neither India has any chance next year, however Pakistan might beat them next year in 2 match Test series or worse case could be a draw.

 

[Billy1999]

South Africa and West indies have no chance of beating Poms this summer in test series, neither India has any chance next year, however Pakistan might beat them next year in 2 match Test series or worse case could be a draw.

I feel to beat them all you have to do is to wear baggy greens

 

[Billy1999]

Wow that Sky package gave me chills. Such a rich history and rivalry between these two teams.

That 1998 series was one of my favourites growing up - those Trent Bridge and Headingley Tests were so intensely fought.

Did you watch how Athers batted to save the test,what a player