Eng v SA (cricket)

I hope DW gets some but all depends if there’s any swing early.

Thank Aguero that woakes is out. we might actually have a chance.

🎣

Heh

If Woakes were bowling they’d be 24 for 0.

Go Topley!

Probably would have dropped a couple of catches too

And then got 5 in 20 balls when batting…*

*where’s RR when you need a good argument?

Probably off somewhere coping hard

Much better powerplay than the last few games. Would like another wicket or two but I might be being greedy.

Oh dear - I don’t think England will get the runs because they’ve all got the runs.

The problem with playing in India is that English bottoms can’t cope.

Just back from watching some grassroots football. Glad you guys missed me. We seem to be doing shit without woakes.

Better than we would be with him: 59 for 1 after ten v SA as opposed to 79 for 0 v Afghan.

Although we are doing “shit” as half the team are continually running off the pitch to empty their bowels.

Jim, you've developed a nasty streak recently. I like it. I have only seen you use it in reference to risky before but now Woakes has got right under your skin. I have a similar reaction to Raheem Sterling tbf.

Woakes’ replacement has only gone for 13 off 3 👍

Woakes would be 13-3 if he was bowling though and SA would be 80-5 with Woakes taking two smart catches. 👌

Heh.

I love Woakes but only at home.
Tbf I’m being a bit overly mean to him, it’s Buttler I’m really grumpy with as he’s an old-fashioned shit captain and not in the Stokes/Morgan mould at all. We are going backwards now. His selection of Woakes from the start and his bowling changes (or lack) in the last match showed this.

We’re going to struggle today unless we can bat with freedom and recent showing suggests the confidence has been lost.

With Stokes back anything is possible, but I just think this tournament came at the wrong moment in the cycle for England. I intend to enjoy as many matches as possible and will basically be supporting whoever can stop India. Likely nobody.

Did you see that Atherton's son got a call up for England Lions?

Agree re jos. I’m a massive fan of him as a player but not as a Captain.

I completely agree with you both. Missed Athers jnr. If he plays like his old man he won’t get into the test squad no matter how good he is, too slow.

I think they’ll be pushing 400 and we’ll lose by 150 or so.

He's a spinner. Taken a 7fer and an 8fer in 1st class already and scored a 50. 21yrs old. No idea if he plods with the bat or not.

Ooooh. That’s interesting. We need a young spinner to partner Raheem in the new era.

I shall look into this.

Athers was a reasonable leggie until his back went

He is Josh de Caires. Taken his mum's name.

Do you mean Rehan?

Do better x

Didn’t realise De Caires was Ather’s boy! Definitely one to watch.

Oops I do. RR put me off with his worship of Sterling above.

Although maybe Raheem would do better trying a bit of left arm spin?

His floppy arms might be ideal for leg spin.

Even with a major injury to his bowling hand, Topley outperforms the others. What a star.

when was the last time we played the same nation in 2 different sports on the same day?

Every Olympic cycle?

not sure we even manage 2 play the same nation 1v1 even then, do we

Brutal few overs- will be challenging to chase but they can do it 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

This could be a dark day for English sport tbf. At least in the rugby we expect to be swept aside. Unless STOKES.

My money’s on the Yorkies to put up a fight.

Hmmmmmmm.

Could I be any more wrong?

Dubtun needed for Big Ben

We needed Woakes in this match. Strange decision to drop him. Utterly wrong.

It’s what I’ve been saying from the toss. What a ridiculous decision. Woakes is the first name on the team sheet for me.

Particularly abroad. I’m actually angry.

Everyone knows he is the glue that holds the team together. Who wanted Stokes to come in and to leave Woakes sorting the drinks?

On a more serious note, this tournament may mean that Buttler decides to concentrate on his batting and pass the armband on. That would be a decent consolation.