Result : South Africa v England | 2nd Test | Jan 2-6, 2016 | Cape Town | Match Drawn

[Bilal7]

They have to take chances against Bhai,optimistic and Root and attack them. Force Cook to overbowl his seamers . Can't afford to let the likes of Bhai bowl maidens at this stage of the game.

That worked out great for India, eh? Ali is a full-fledged test spinner now and taking him lightly won't do any batting lineup any favors. Well, except Pakistan who are indestructible against off-spin.

 

[dandapinda]

That worked out great for India, eh? Ali is a full-fledged test spinner now and taking him lightly won't do any batting lineup any favors. Well, except Pakistan who are indestructible against off-spin.

Ali averages 37 in test cricket...

 

[Bilal7]

Second ball that the English have gotten changed.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

That worked out great for India, eh? Ali is a full-fledged test spinner now and taking him lightly won't do any batting lineup any favors. Well, except Pakistan who are indestructible against off-spin.

Different conditions completely. Anderson and co. did the real damage and Moeen Bhai happily lapped up the scraps of a batting lineup that was in no mood to compete anymore. If Moeen is not taken apart, English seamers will be fresh throughout.

 

[Bilal7]

Ali averages 37 in test cricket...

What is his strike-rate?

 

[Bilal7]

Different conditions completely. Anderson and co. did the real damage and Moeen Bhai happily lapped up the scraps of a batting lineup that was in no mood to compete anymore. If Moeen is not taken apart, English seamers will be fresh throughout.

Is that what happened when Ali got s six-fer? He owned India when they tried the same thing you're advocating here. South Africa need to play his deliveries on merit.

Besides, it isn't like the Saffers can't hit Jimmy around the park.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Is that what happened when Ali got s six-fer? He owned India when they tried the same thing you're advocating here. South Africa need to play his deliveries on merit.

Yeah so basically thrash all the pieshe has been serving up. Moeen averages 37 in test cricket for a reason. He is not a good spinner. Period. If Amla cannot dominate Moeen of all people, then his ability has declined for sure. He had massacred Graeme Dwann last time these two teams met and Swann was ten times the spinner Bhai is.

 

[dandapinda]

What is his strike-rate?

60

 

[Bilal7]

Yeah so basically thrash all the pieshe has been serving up. Moeen averages 37 in test cricket for a reason. He is not a good spinner. Period. If Amla cannot dominate Moeen of all people, then his ability has declined for sure. He had massacred Graeme Dwann last time these two teams met and Swann was ten times the spinner Bhai is.

He also had a SR of under 60 before this match. He's a spinner who thrives on batsmen going after him and he's shown time and time again that he will get you out if you underestimate him. If you cannot understand this, then I can't help you out any further.

South Africa are 200+ runs behind parity and these two need to bat out the first session, at least. I'm sure they would have a better idea of how to play Ali than yourself.

60

Which means he gets wickets and South Africa don't want to give him any wickets.

 

[Aman]

Another triple against England for Amla?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

He also had a SR of under 60 before this match. He's a spinner who thrives on batsmen going after him and he's shown time and time again that he will get you out if you underestimate him. If you cannot understand this, then I can't help you out any further.

South Africa are 200+ runs behind parity and these two need to bat out the first session, at least. I'm sure they would have a better idea of how to play Ali than yourself.



Which means he gets wickets and South Africa don't want to give him any wickets.

Strike rates don't matter when your average is as high as 37 else Ishant isca very good bowler as well. Bhai is a mediocre bowler and needs to be treated as such especially when the seam attack is pretty good. If you can't understand a simple strategy like this I can't help you either.

 

[Aman]

Both Amla and de Villiers are one of the most overrated cricketers of all time.

Nah, it's only on PPers and Indian's. Most others rate them about right.

 

[Bilal7]

Strike rates don't matter when your average is as high as 37 else Ishant isca very good bowler as well. Bhai is a mediocre bowler and needs to be treated as such especially when the seam attack is pretty good. If you can't understand a simple strategy like this I can't help you either.

You can help me by re-watching the series where he proved your theory wrong. You can also help me by realizing that a low SR and high average means that a bowler picks up wickets, despite going for runs. South Africa can hit him around but they would be risking a wicket or two.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

You can help me by re-watching the series where he proved your theory wrong. You can also help me by realizing that a low SR and high average means that a bowler picks up wickets, despite going for runs. South Africa can hit him around but they would be risking a wicket or two.

Unless Bhai shaves off his beard tonight, theres no helping you bro

 

[Bilal7]

Unless Bhai shaves off his beard tonight, theres no helping you bro

When the argument surpasses your pitiful intellect, you can always bring in the beard, folks. Grow up.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

When the argument surpasses your pitiful intellect, you can always bring in the beard, folks. Grow up.

Yep I'm not grown up enough norvdo I have the intellect to realise that the value of a cricket er is directly proportional to the length of his beard. But you've shown me true wisdom now

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Another over of broads successfully blocked. Good stuff from hash but it wouldve been much better if Faf were to face the seamer and Bhai facing Bhai.

 

[Bilal7]

Moving on from a pointless discussion, England need to find another fast bowler like Finn to bowl on pitches that don't offer any lateral movement. Anderson has looked toothless in this match.

 

[Bilal7]

Lol, Faf tries to hit Ali out of the park and almost gets caught at slip.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Good over. Six off Bhai. Need more of these.

 

[dandapinda]

A result is still possible in this match. This might turn out like that Abu Dhabi test, but it remains to be seen if the South African bowlers have any confidence left at all.

Not going to make any difference in such flat wickets.

 

[Bilal7]

Not going to make any difference in such flat wickets.

Did you watch the Abu Dhabi test?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Faf needs to attack root atleast

 

[Robert]

Moving on from a pointless discussion, England need to find another fast bowler like Finn to bowl on pitches that don't offer any lateral movement. Anderson has looked toothless in this match.

I think he is easing himself back from injury. I think Broad is tired after his efforts in the first test. Making a shirt-front wicket immediately after the first test is too much.

 

[Aman]

If SA bat out the day, do England bowl the batsmen tomorrow? #Needmorepitcheslikethis

 

[Bilal7]

I think he is easing himself back from injury. I think Broad is tired after his efforts in the first test. Making a shirt-front wicket immediately after the first test is too much.

Broad has been better and he has always had more pace than Anderson. England's attack seems one-dimensional with Anderson, Broad and Stokes being fast-medium pacers, who are at their best when the ball is moving around. They need a left-armer or someone with more pace.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Brilliant pitch.

 

[Bilal7]

Who is the guy with the sarcastic, old-guy voice? Him and Nasser have lots of commentary.

 

[dandapinda]

South Africa v England | 2nd Test | Jan 2-6, 2016 | Cape Town | Match Thread

Broad has been better and he has always had more pace than Anderson. England's attack seems one-dimensional with Anderson, Broad and Stokes being fast-medium pacers, who are at their best when the ball is moving around. They need a left-armer or someone with more pace.

Every fast bowlers struggled in flat wickets... No need to blame bowlers for this.

It's hindsight but England is foolish not to score 750/800 runs in this pitch.

 

[Firebreaker]

What a pathetic player Moeen is.Don't know why he's still playing.Useless with bat and useless with ball as well

 

[Bilal7]

Who is the guy with the sarcastic, old-guy voice? Him and Nasser have lots of commentary.

*chemistry.

 

[dandapinda]

What a pathetic player Moeen is.Don't know why he's still playing.Useless with bat and useless with ball as well

Flukes few wickets against India & also took some wickets in first match where little bit spin is enough for FTB SA batsmen to crumble.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

What a pathetic player Moeen is.Don't know why he's still playing.Useless with bat and useless with ball as well

Should drop him for a proper bowler in my opinion. Mark Wood would be my guess.

 

[Firebreaker]

Should drop him for a proper bowler in my opinion. Mark Wood would be my guess.

Sadly Mark Wood is injured.Samit is the one on the bench who is a worse player than him

 

[Firebreaker]

I think Amla could go for 400 in this innings

 

[Bilal7]

197*.

300 is a very realistic target here.

 

[f.b.m]

Beard almost gets the beard. If the catch was taken, the bhai brigade would've imploded.

 

[Bilal7]

Lol, Amla almost loses his wicket trying to go after Ali.

 

[street cricketer]

That worked out great for India, eh? Ali is a full-fledged test spinner now and taking him lightly won't do any batting lineup any favors. Well, except Pakistan who are indestructible against off-spin*.

*except when the bowler's name isn't Marcus North, Mark Craig and Rangana Herath.

 

[Firebreaker]

I don't get that why England can't just drop Moeen?

 

[Bilal7]

MashAllah, whattay knock! Under pressure with people predicting innings defeats, average dropping under 50, early dismissal to one of the pacers, etc.

Great response from the crowd and his team-mates. You cannot dislike this man.

 

[Bilal7]

*except when the bowler's name isn't Marcus North, Mark Craig and Rangana Herath.

Herath is the best off-spinner of all time.

I don't get that why England can't just drop Moeen?

He won MOTM in the last game they played and is England's best spinner. What is your problem exactly? He's not going to get dropped until Adil Rashid improves his consistency.

 

[Firebreaker]

Herath is the best off-spinner of all time.



He won MOTM in the last game they played and is England's best spinner. What is your problem exactly? He's not going to get dropped until Adil Rashid improves his consistency.

He's not the best England spinner.When he is playing even then he is not dropped.He has been in England line up for like two years now

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Sadly Mark Wood is injured.Samit is the one on the bench who is a worse player than him

Agreed. Their spinners are all rubbish.

 

[Ozymandiasza]

Congrats to Amla. That look Graeme's face when Amla was almost caught was priceless.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Well done Amla, looks like a nailed on draw now.

Can Amla get his 2nd triple ton against england?

 

[Bilal7]

He's not the best England spinner.When he is playing even then he is not dropped.He has been in England line up for like two years now

Who is better? He also has a test century, so with his all-round skills, he should play over guys like Panesar too.

 

[leatherface58]

Even South Africa making dead pitches. Apparently, subcontinental tracks are better for ensuring health of test cricket than South African and especially Australian pitches.

 

[khalil1986]

Even South Africa making dead pitches. Apparently, subcontinental tracks are better for ensuring health of test cricket than South African and especially Australian pitches.

Hopefully just a one off, SA wickets are generally more supportive but this has been a road.

 

[dauntless]

Very nice knock by amla.it does not matter what people say he is surely one of the best batsman in the world right now.

 

[dandapinda]

Very nice knock by amla.it does not matter what people say he is surely one of the best batsman in the world right now.

Based on last 1 year he is not.

 

[dandapinda]

Even South Africa making dead pitches. Apparently, subcontinental tracks are better for ensuring health of test cricket than South African and especially Australian pitches.

With Australian pitches and least OZ takes lot of wickets,here pitch is created to just save face of supposed ATGs

 

[dandapinda]

Who is better? He also has a test century, so with his all-round skills, he should play over guys like Panesar too.

28 avg when batting & 37 when bowling I guess any ordinary English spin bowling all rounder can achieve this if they given enough chance.

 

[Bilal7]

28 avg when batting & 37 when bowling I guess any ordinary English spin bowling all rounder can achieve this if they given enough chance.

19 wickets against India, superb century against Sri Lanka, consistent counter-attacks against Australia MOTM in Durban and a SR of around 60. All while being used in a variety of roles. Your guess is wrong.

 

[Sherlock]

What in heaven are England upto? This is rather odd and I think as the commies say, they've lost their minds. #SilentTreatment

 

[Mamoon]

Nah, it's only on PPers and Indian's. Most others rate them about right.

Correct, they're not overrated if you ignore PPers.

 

[Mamoon]

Alhamdulillah, Bilal defending the honor of Amla bhai and Moeen bhai at the same time.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Correct, they're not overrated if you ignore PPers.

AB has not done much since Australia toured SA but Bhai is back to his best I reckon. This has been a great innings by the captain under pressure.

 

[dandapinda]

19 wickets against India, superb century against Sri Lanka, consistent counter-attacks against Australia MOTM in Durban and a SR of around 60. All while being used in a variety of roles. Your guess is wrong.

If you take that 19 out his performance is abysmal....one or 2 good innings here and there not going to make a good long term prospect

England should try anew spinner even if he is bit weak in bowling....Finn & Anderson can bat a bit...so 3 out and out tail benders doesn't really affect this team.

 

[Sherlock]

Excellent delivery. 4 down.

 

[Bilal7]

If you take that 19 out his performance is abysmal....one or 2 good innings here and there not going to make a good long term prospect

England should try anew spinner even if he is bit weak in bowling....Finn & Anderson can bat a bit...so 3 out and out tail benders doesn't really affect this team.

You don't take that 19 out of his record. He's not getting dropped anytime soon so you just gotta deal with it.

 

[dandapinda]

South Africa v England | 2nd Test | Jan 2-6, 2016 | Cape Town | Match Thread

You don't take that 19 out of his record. He's not getting dropped anytime soon so you just gotta deal with it.

Not taking out....just saying how skewed his performance is.

It's England's call whether drop him or not,I am just a neutral cricket fan saying what is obvious to see

 

[Bilal7]

Brilliant delivery, well-played Amla. Now Faf needs to ensure that South Africa knock off the deficit along with the youngsters.

 

[Betterpolo]

Hello...

 

[dandapinda]

Choke is on

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Faf gone

 

[Firebreaker]

[MENTION=129948]Bilal7[/MENTION] must be happy.Amla scored a double and Moeen score a ton

 

[MarkCooper]

the collapse is on lol. Just kidding, game is a draw

 

[dandapinda]

Brilliant partnership though.

 

[Mamoon]

I hope Amla bhai scores a double-hundred but England win the match, so that his average is not disturbed.

SubhanAllah, now all England have to do is win the match.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Bavuma averages less than 40 in domestic lol. No wonder SA batting is rubbish nowadays.

 

[Bilal7]

Alhamdulillah, Bilal defending the honor of Amla bhai and Moeen bhai at the same time.

Sad times for the haters. MOTM for Ali, double for Amla and nothing of note for Cookie.

"Hashim, Hashim-Hashim, Hashim-Hashim, Hashim-Hashim-Hashim,"

"Moeen, Moeen-Moeen, Moeen-Moeen, Moeen-Moeen-Moeen,"

 

[dandapinda]

After 30 overs Anderson have economy of 2.....nice bowling on a road.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Now Faf gone lol. England still can win this. Bhais efforts in vain.

 

[dandapinda]

Sad times for the haters. MOTM for Ali, double for Amla and nothing of note for Cookie.

"Hashim, Hashim-Hashim, Hashim-Hashim, Hashim-Hashim-Hashim,"

"Moeen, Moeen-Moeen, Moeen-Moeen, Moeen-Moeen-Moeen,"

Moon is getting by phainta here....

 

[Betterpolo]

If you take that 19 out his performance is abysmal....one or 2 good innings here and there not going to make a good long term prospect

England should try anew spinner even if he is bit weak in bowling....Finn & Anderson can bat a bit...so 3 out and out tail benders doesn't really affect this team.

One of the problems is how little English spinners are bowling in the county season. They're simply not developing and learning their trade. The Lions are not even playing any FC cricket this winter, even though the 1st team are touring Bangladesh and India next winter. The situation won't improve either as FC cricket in England is increasingly moved away from that part of the season that would help spin bowling.

 

[Firebreaker]

I hope Temba 'I have shown more composure' Bavuma has something to do other than failing again and again

 

[dandapinda]

Now Faf gone lol. England still can win this. Bhais efforts in vain.

Don't worry....this Is still flat wicket...SA will reCh 600

 

[Mamoon]

Sad times for the haters. MOTM for Ali, double for Amla and nothing of note for Cookie.

"Hashim, Hashim-Hashim, Hashim-Hashim, Hashim-Hashim-Hashim,"

"Moeen, Moeen-Moeen, Moeen-Moeen, Moeen-Moeen-Moeen,"

MashAllah brother, let me congratulate you with all my heart. This has been a tough year for our role-models. Both failed at the World Cup and didn't do anything of note since.

 

[dandapinda]

One of the problems is how little English spinners are bowling in the county season. They're simply not developing and learning their trade. The Lions are not even playing any FC cricket this winter, even though the 1st team are touring Bangladesh and India next winter. The situation won't improve either as FC cricket in England is increasingly moved away from that part of the season that would help spin bowling.

Unfortunately for them none of the SC teams allows foreign players in domestic matches otherwise they should have sent few of them there to develop.