475 at end. Very disappointing to let them get that but we will see. We will do well to get a couple centuries.
England's hope rest on the usual. Have scans Compton fail again and it's cook and root in. Need both with tons scores I think. Good work so far from cook
Cook is key to this innings. He is due a decent score and if he and Root can dig in and get to 200-2 maybe 250-2 then I can see our middle lower doing okay and getting somewhere near their score. Tomorrow is the key day to this test.
Yes cook root and stokes are all key. If England can get through first 1/2 hour then kick on then they can get up there. Yes tomorrow will be key. The pitch looks to be already going. Need 400 here and skittle them.
Root needs to start converting these scores into 100's. It's his one weakness at the moment, would love to see a stat for amount of times he's got out between 50-100 in the last few years, imagine it's incredibly high. Can't knock him for consistently scoring 70odd, if a few more did similar than you'd have a base of 300 to work from every innings, but it seems the team are very hot and cold. Either they all do well or one or two do well and rest fail. Not much consistency at the moment. Going to do well not to lose it form here, SA should be able to build up a big lead and it'll be a case of batting day 5 to save the test. Still won the series though so can't complain too much!
It's all about a good ball today but the trend has been getting out after a break for England every time. Every time we've come back out after getting into a decent position a wicket or two go. We are needing a 90 run skittering of sa now They have bowling injury to Abbott but I still think they can clean us up if they get 300 lead.
Alastair Cook: "I'm looking forward to getting home and, within a week, I'll be back doing something to sheep." Erm...
an shambles england as per. the.. well we won so we don't care attitude that they seem to have constantly is odd. they bascially didn't try in this game "very hard"