GLuvsMtb

A like-for-like comparison is a bit difficult as I changed rubber as well, but something that was noticeable was that the steering seemed more precise and cornering is much better than before. Complete rebuild, all new spokes and brass nipples, and hub service was about R15k all-in.

they'll use square wheels if you pay them enough to do so.

Hopefully its the first step in replacing the coaching staff as well. I wonder if Andy Flower would be willing to vacate his job in Pakistan to come and take on the Proteas. Being a born South African, having to deal with English Cricket politics and coming from a Zimbabwe cricket background also strewn with racial equality challenges, he may just be the right man to take SA Cricket forward.

I see that Bavuma is getting some serious media attention. I don't know if this is good or not. I am not disputing the significance of the event of the first Black South African to score a test hundred. I just don't know if so much emphasis should be placed on this in the middle of an important series. I'd much rather have the kiddo focus on his batting and fielding than doing press conferences at this stage.

Hash stepping down as captain. Probably better for his game and SA.

Pity about that no-ball. I'm sure that our boys would love a crack at those gingers.

If England held their 9 dropped catches it would have seemed less of a "road". Our discipline combined with England's horrendous catching were bigger factors than a very good batting strip.

Lately my interwebs is full of this type of thing.

Hash had to give Bavuma the chance of getting to 100. Lets see what happens now.

Now to watch an extra-crispy England opening pair survive the SA onslaught.

Now talk about boring... 90 minutes and often not a goal to show for it. The most action in that game are grown men running around grabbing their shins every time an opponent gets near them.

Football? Is that the game the Aussies play on cricket fields?

SA fans are a tough crowd. Bouch averaged just above 30, QdK with a bad run of form averages 33. Bouch had the likes of Donald, de Villiers, Ntini and Steyn to work with, QdK is sitting with old pros and a lot of inexperience. Bouch also took some time to settle as a batsman in particular.

Same can be said about the ESPN cricinfo crowd. De Kock falling cheaply, sonnow its probably game on.

Not quite yet. Bavuma, Quinny and Morris can all bat. I have to giggle listening to Radio 2000 and then reading the ESPN Cricinfo commentary here at work. Its like 2 different matches.

200 up for Hash. Well played - SIR.

I can't see any rain later today, and I don't think it would matter. Unless the pitch had a dramatic deterioration since yesterday, it will still be good for batting. An amazing stat is that Hash has been on the field for about 1040 minutes out of 1080 minutes of play. I dare say that 2 more sessions in the field would mean some extra crispy rooinekke.

If we can bat until at least tea tomorrow the game should be safe. The bounce is still true and it is only showing signs of spin late on day 3. We lack experience in the middle order, either Faf or Hash should look to guide the middle order to tea tomorrow.

50 up for Faf. Its been a while...

150* for Hash. Hopefully he is setting the tone for 2016 here.

Reading the English fans comments on ESPN cricinfo is pure gold. It seems like our approach is frustrating them to no end, no doubt that the England Fielders are feeling the same way. A score of 629 is of little consequence if the opposition is taking their time to get to it. I think that the England bowlers are already counting the balls until they can put their feet up.

England was worse off being 167 / 3. No heroes required, just good test cricket. We know that # has hardly broken as sweat today, he's just THAT cool. Faf is due for some runs and both Quinny and Morris are coming off good batting performances for their Sunfoil franchises. The aim would certainly have to be to bat until tea time tomorrow. By then those souties will be medium-well.

150 run partnership.

100 up for # - Its good to have him back in form!

All seems quiet on the Western front this morning. SA does not seem in any rush to chase down England's total and with the pitch still playing like it did on day 1, it seems like there is little danger at present. A wicket-less session is what was called for, regardless of how many runs were scored. With this box ticked we will probably digest our lunch a bit better than yesterday. With England doing an excellent job in progressing the test match, we have no option but to slow things down without getting bogged down. Spin is not yet a factor, and even with a ball change has not induced any swing for the fast bowlers with little or no reverse swing on offer. One gets the impression that England is buying time until the second new ball, and SA is not giving anything away until then. AB De Villiers reached 8000 runs, and Amla is a few short of 7000, and n/o on 91, so this partnership remains the key to SA playing out a draw / England pushing for a win.