The Cricket Thread

Dawson dismisses Rabada.

 

Dawson got 2 -67 but only 15 overs?

 

He didn't bowl particularly well. Too many short balls. Moeen was much better.

 

Designated night watchman but not needed!

 

Yeah Dawson's bowling was quite disappointing, although it seemed the Saffers were targeting him, particularly in his first few overs.

 

Can be difficult for a spinner in the first innings, especially when making your debut. The SA second innings will tell us more about whether Dawson has got what it takes.

 

Oh wow, that is horrible. Please let Fletcher be OK.

 

If any of the players want the game called off, they should. I still feel sick myself.

Just hope that Fletcher is OK.

 

Christ that was horrible.

 

From the outside, it appears to have been handled excellently by all. And the fact that play continues hopefully means that it is not a serious injury.

 

Luke Fletcher set to be discharged from hospital. He was diagnosed with concussion but it could have been so much worse. Thank goodness he didn't have time to turn his head - if he did he would have been in the temple area which could have been fatal. As it was he was hit flush on the forehead where the skull would have protected the brain well.

 

146-4

Good spell for SA. Two batsman in on 0. Dangerous time for England. Pitch doing all sorts though.

 

Gripping cricket. This is so much better than the usual 500 plays 450 at Lords.

 

Looks like a result pitch.

 

Oh Liam.

 

I hope we manage to get as much out of this pitch as SA. South Africa are putting themselves in the frame.

 

I'm fully confident we have enough of a lead. This pitch is not easy. 280 is a big lead.

 

Hope we get past a 300 lead just for the psychological effect.

I was about to say Dawson won't keep his place for the next game at Trent Bridge but I'm actually not sure. Hard to believe Rashid would have done worse than him in this match though.

 

Probably not. But that's just because Dawson has sadly set the bar quite low, rather than Rashid being anything special. Instead of playing in this match, Rashid took 2-74 off 13 (economy of over 5) and 0-47 off 10 (economy of over 4).

I'd have never picked Dawson for this match. But equally I'd have never picked Rashid either. I'd have picked a proper number 3, with Ballance down at 5 and the others all shifted down a place. Five bowlers is sufficient, we don't need six.

Rashid had his chance in India, and for me - as I said at the time - he totally below it. So until he goes away and starts banging the door down through performing for Yorkshire (just like Ballance), he doesn't back into for me.

 

Another 30 wouldn't hurt though