Today was a throwback to the good old days – an age when test cricket was actually a test. So many games meander along at a snail’s pace these days, with batsmen cashing in on slow, lifeless decks. Who’d be a bowler, eh? Who’d be a spectator either? In the UAE and at Cape Town, you could confidently leave your seat for half an hour without worrying you’d miss something vital.
This test match has been different. For starters we’ve got a pitch with something for everyone. Secondly we’ve got some proper fast bowlers steaming in and trying to knock the batsmen’s head off. And finally we’ve got a game that’s in the balance too. I don’t want to use the phrase ‘ebb and flow’ because the action has been too electric for that. ‘End to end’ stuff is almost there (but obviously the wrong sport).
As you can probably tell, I’m loving every minute of this test. Techniques are being tested; tickers are being tested; and physical fitness has also come into play. This contest also has a bit of edge: it’s been ferociously competitive at times without going over the top. The battle between Morkel and Stokes this evening was edge-of-the-seat stuff. It was almost back to the days of Donald against Atherton.
The crowd have also been pretty good, although the atmosphere over the weekend will be better when more people come to watch. If the weather stays fair they’re in for a treat. I really, really wish we’d play South Africa more. The games are usually pretty spicy.
So how are things shaping up? I’ve said all along that this was a pivotal test for England. Questions will be asked and answers delivered. Would our batsmen shatter like balsa wood being struck by a sledgehammer or would they fight, counter-attack and prove they’re finally a side to be reckoned with?
Interestingly both happened today. Cook, Hales, Compton and Taylor were tossed aside like waste paper. They simply couldn’t handle the heat generated by Morkel, Viljoen, Rabada and Morris.
But then our two most talented players, Root and Stokes, counter-attacked pugnaciously and gloriously. England were on the ropes at 91-4 but the two nuggety northerners punched their way out of trouble. It was a hell of a lot of fun.
Stokes was initially the aggressor. The bloke just doesn’t care less who’s bowling at him. Reputations and circumstances mean sod all. He’s just coming for you. After a couple of streaky boundaries and lustier blows the Saffers panicked. They lost their lines, their lengths, and their grip on the match.
Meanwhile Joe Root proved, yet again, that he’s one of the top five batsmen in the world. By my reckoning, he’s the best young batsman England have produced for twenty-five years. He’s just ahead of Thorpe in my book. Can you think of anyone better who’s come through our system?
Root thrives in all conditions against all comers. The locals in Joburg reckoned it was one of the best hundreds they’d seen at the ground. It’s certainly one of the best, if not the best, of Root’s England career.
South Africa managed to fight their way back into the game by picking up Stokes’ wicket just before bad light and rain ended the day’s play prematurely. Morkel’s celebration showed just how intense this test match has been.
With England on 238-5 (that’s 75 runs behind) it’s very much game on. The (extended) morning session tomorrow, as always, will be crucial. England have a chance to cruise past the Cricket Boks score and exert real pressure in the second innings. You expect England to bowl a bit better second time around.
However, South Africa are still very much alive and kicking. With England set to bat last on what could become a tricky surface on day’s four and five, any kind of lead for the Saffers could prove extremely valuable. I suggest we all sit down and enjoy the show.
James Morgan
Great test match, real blow to England that it ended early.
In other news, did you see they’ve announced the location of the 6 Women’s super league teams.
Of the 75 UK cities with populations of over 100,000 people (Worcester being 75th), the only ones they shouldn’t have considered were the 18 cities that already have a professional cricket team. That still leaves them 57 cities to choose from.
But what did they do? They chose 6 cities out of the 18 which already have a cricket team. How painfully predictable as well as mind-blowingly stupid and short-sighted. Its as if they want the superleague to fail.
Awesome cricket. Great batting from Root and Stokes – sheer joy to (stealthily) follow the ball by ball coverage!
I love what Stokes offers this team – such a game changer, it’s like having a twelfth man. But what I found most interesting was the impact it had on Root at the other end who suddenly seemed to also find a higher gear after initially playing rather more cautiously. And it’s so fast! In the blink of an eye the match situation completely changes…
Very much looking forward tomorrow. Could still go very much either way – I imagine it won’t take long to see which way it’s going though…
A great Test in the making. Maybe the Saffers are just a nose in front still, but England looked gone at 91-4. It was a scintillating counter. I didn’t think Stokes was good enough to bat at 6 long term, but looking increasingly like I was wrong. What an asset he’s becoming. Chasing 200 in the 4th innings will be tricky though so England probably need about another 150 tomorrow to be favourites.
Root is the best English batsman since David Gower in my view. He has everything. Hales’ tribulations were utterly predictable given his technique (still a totally baffling selection after he didn’t play in the UAE), Compton and Taylor haven’t yet convinced and Cook, as ever, has looked pretty ordinary outside Asia. I hope Gary Ballance gets another chance soon. Only England would discard someone who averages nearly 50 in 15 Tests.
Can’t wait for 8.30…:)
Dobell makes the Gower comparison, too:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-england-2015-16/content/story/962585.html
and I wouldn’t argue with either of you.
I actually think Root might be a better batsman than Gower, if only because he seems to have the patience to grind out the hard runs when needed. I only hope he stays fit.
Loved watching Gower bat, more so than any other batsman of his generation. Starting to feel the same way about Root.
Good innings from Bairstow, but I think England wanted a few more runs from Root this morning. Is his body feeling the strain (needed treatment, and was occasionally struggling on the second day) ?
Notable that after 11 innings as keeper, Bairstow is averaging more than Gilchrist, which rather justifies his selection ahead of Buttler. Very sharp runout yesterday, too.
Finely poised; this is real test cricket.