Mntboy

That would be nice but I doubt that he'll do an AB and unretire for one match.

A certain Katy Perry song comes to mind wrt AB and his international availability. What's sadder is that both Bouch and Faf seem to want him to come back in the team. Imho I think this sends a really poor message to that guys who have been working hard to get a spot in the team. AB will at best be a short term cure at best and potentially a divisive figure within the team at worst.

KG's ban is beyond ridiculous!!! What's wrong with a bit of passion? Test Cricket is fighting for survival in a world that loves instant everything. Surely being passionate about competing with the best and getting the better of them is actually a good thing and not something to get a demerit for!?!?!?! I want to watch guys who are putting everything in to get the win for their team!

I think we all know Faf is a class player and a pretty decent captain. The real problem, as you've highlighted, is that the better candidates are as yet not fully settled members of the team. So yes Faf is highly unlikely to be dropped. That said he does need to score and that is where the heart of the issue is. His batting form. Personally I believe he is just one good innings away from regaining his form/confidence. If he does it'll help stabilize the team and give the newbies some breathing room. Also I stand by my belief that both Hamza and Van der Dussen deserve a proper run in the team so Bavuma finding form in the domestic set up just gives the selectors a semi good headache over who to pick to play.

Agreed 100%. No real good choices ito the captaincy.

Yeah I also feel that giving Temba the captaincy would be a bad move especially right now. Elgar is the only one I reckon that would make sense in a temporary capacity until QdK or Markram or even Temba (if he can secure his place first) can take over. But I reckon FdP is still good enough to be the captain he just needs a proper score under the belt and he'll have his batting confidence back.

Just had this conversation with a colleague of mine. My feeling is that the captaincy is the only thing saving FdP right now. However if he gets a score then it does set the cat among the pigeons doesn't it. The problem is more, for me at least, that both Hamza and Van der Dussen deserve a proper run in the team so it's likely that Temba remains having to play domestic cricket for the remainder of the season. It might be fairer to try and give Temba game time in ODI's and T20I's.

Currently a 164* at the tea break. Also this is now his highest FC score. As for the Test match: Nicely balanced given the slow/flat nature of the pitch.

Thanks Howard.

That's quite correct Ed. If you're going to make use of any trails within the Table Mountain National Park you are required to either have a day permit (the cost of which escapes me as I haven't made use of one in a long time) or a my activity card which costs around a R1200 per person or around R350 per person if you purchase it as a family or with a group of other riders (4 people total). The my activity card is the one I use and is valid for a year from purchase. Day permits should be available at most entry points to the Park and the my activity card can be purchased from SANParks offices throughout the Southern Suburbs. For the my activity card you'll need to ID photos, a completed application form and the fee.

Biff as DoC is definitely a big step in the right direction. A lot needs fixing though and we are going to have to accept that it is going to be a rough ride ahead.

Would you care to elaborate as to why you believe that's the case?

Deon Davids coached at the Southern Kings for a while. Can't off hand remember how long but he generally struggled to hold onto a squad but the one season he did he managed 11th in SR back when it was an 18 team tournament. IIRC a young Mapimpi was his star wing and Lionel Cronje his go to flyhalf.

My surprise pick for Bok coach post RWC would be Deon Davids. I was genuinely impressed at how he handled the rotten deal he was given at the Kings. I think he is a lot better than what his record there would suggest he is. It would however be a surprise if he does get the job.

Smith has been incredible and is very deserving of his Man of the Match award. Will also probably win the Man of the Series award as well. That said the Aussie bowlers have been fantastic as well generally converting the scoreboard pressure that Smith has help provide with able support from Labuschagne. And that has been the biggest difference between the two teams. So yes agreeing with you but also pointing to England's flaws as well.

Crisis averted. Aussies retain the Urn. A crushing 185 run defeat to do so!

Gemmerbal and I might, and I stress the might, get some egg on our faces. Overton and Leach making the Aussies work hard. Aussies need 2 inside 16 overs!

I must admit I quite like the Aussie bowling unit in this test. Aussies in a rather remarkably good situation ito fast bowlers. They actually seem like a good bunch people. Like you I feel the English a tad suspect under scoreboard pressure and I'm certain that the Aussies could very well manage to put them under hefty scoreboard pressure. And thanks for the kind words!

That makes you a fair way better than me, even though I was probably my school's best bowler I was far from being a big fish in the Southern Suburbs/Peninsula pond.

Have had a love affair with cricket since I was about 8 years old. Even wanted to be a professional player until I realised how limited my ability was. Still follow the game as close as I can. It's an amazing sport if you get down to the basics of it.

It was a relatively good match. We took it beyond during the first half and in the second pretty much capitalised on their errors. And their sole try was against the run of play.

Agree with you regarding Root. Not much of a captain and I'm not sure that giving Stokes the captaincy will be a good long term solution either. That fortunately is England's problem to solve and not ours. Starc was always going to be a bit rusty with the ball but I'm sure he does what he needs to last night and this morning wrt his bowling rhythm. Get it right especially if there's swing about he and Cummins should roll this England side with relative ease. And yes he reminded the Aussie selectors of how destructive his batting can be as well.

Day 3 today but yes enough time in the match. Also I think Mitch Starc will have a big influence on this match and it's outcome.

I think that the Aussies will win this game provided that the rain remains at bay. Certainly enough time!

Like I said it is an obscure statistic/metric so it stands to reason that people wouldn't necessarily jump to that conclusion. I suspect that Leach's will drop below his FC average at some point being a non batsman. As for the rest they might or might not depending on form. And also this is pretty similar to how some batsmen might get refered to as playing a 'Cowan' ie batting very slowly in a similar manner to ex Aussie opener Ed Cowan. Not something that occurs regularly.