Long-awaited highlight of this dismal summer and we might just be getting some summery weather for it. Really odd having a 1st test rather than the last test at the Oval which is usually a good batting strip so the toss will be an important one to win. Two well-matched sides and really looking forward to seeing the Springbok's pace attack. Steyn & Morkel need no introduction but the new boy with the wonderful name of Vernon Philander could prove to be their surprise packet. The loss of Boucher will be to our advantage, hope he recovers from that awful injury, they'll miss his runs down the order. I just think we'll have the edge but it's so close winning the toss might prove pivotal...
Good man Sooper for doing this, was going to do a thread fot the cricket and The Open, what a great few days of sport we have in store. Also if Wiggins can avoid any mishaps we might just have a TdeF winner to celebrate on Sunday. Test should be a cracker, two very good and evenly matched sides, win toss and bat, aim for 450+ and see how SA respond.
Really looking forward to this match. They having been bigging Philander up but he has got his wickets against NZ and Sri Lanka and it will be interesting to see if he tries to dish out the chin music agaisnt our openers.
Yeah, it really is a hard one to call, as you say getting a decent score to defend is the key. I saw a recent T20 game at The Oval and the pitch was a belter so we won't have any excuses. The Golf looks like it should be a belter too. I've had an each-way on Harrington at 18/1 who looks to be getting back to something like his best and also an each way on Molinari at 40/1, he looked really good last week...
The Sri Lankan batsmen are no mugs, it'll be interesting to see if they give him the new ball, Morkel and Steyn are the pacier...
Golf is very open (excuse pun) but is it 15 different winners of last 15 majors or something close to that, like to see Westwood win his first major, been so close in past few years, one of the most consistant players around, McIlroy seems to be starting to believe his own publicity a little too much of late, needs to just play the game the way he knows best. Just read on beeb website that some poor sole in first group has gone from -1 after 1 to +8 after 9!!!!!
What a weekend cricket, golf, F1, cycling and some friendly football And for people who have sky but not the sports channels, remember they are all FREE this weekend
Have had £100 on first test to be a draw at 6/5,two strong batting line ups and the weather is looking grim.Fancy England to win the series 1-0 with the other two being drawn,but why is this series only 3 tests,it should have been at least 4 and probably 5 between the two current best test teams!
Morkel got little control-Trott will leave those wide balls all day They are hoping Philander will swing it with reduced pace.. Hang in for the first hour then runs to be had.. i might have a punt on KP scoring big..
Strauss fell early in the first Ashes Test and England walloped us. You'll be fine. SAF don't have the mental toughness to go the distance.
Agree HH should be a 5 test series, but unfortunately they have to squeeze in 20 or so 1 day matches (slight exageration) Sky calling the shots again, money talks!
Lucky bugger,have a great day mate.I can tell you now your gonna have a fantastic day,let's hope you get to see KP in full flow!
they have completely wasted the new ball.. fatty Kallis jut bowled an over with 5 balls that Cook left.. we get 400 then Swann will bowl them out on the last day.. i reckon SA are there for the taking in this series..
