1st Test - A Verdict...... Options

[Guest_HarmyArmy_*]

Not been at work while the test has been on, hence lack of posts and am now so busy that this probably be my only post between now and the new year so before i rant and rave

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year to you all (IMG:http://abcofcricket.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

Right............

As i said all along, this England side again proved that it has match winners and turners all the way through it.
Barry Big Pants (andrew strauss) looks more and more the part, born to play test cricket. The lad showed the composure of a 50 test veteran, not a bloke playing in just his 8th test and his 1st away Test
Simon Jones stepped up in all areas of the game, again showing that even the tail of the England side can wag effectivly.
Michael Vaughan's captaincy was inspired on the 4th day. To have 3 bowling changes take wickets in there 1st over just shows his understanding of situations and players getting better every game - Stephan Flemming now has a serious contender for the best skipper tag
And this victory has been achieved with Englands really big hitters not on song yet. Harmy looked like a man who hadnt bowled for 3 months and Freddie never really got going with the bat - this has to be excellent news.
England are now 1-0 up in the series with at least 2 match winning performances to come from these 2 in the bag

All that said, not all doom and gloom for the Saffies.
Once Steyn learns how to bowl an over without overstepping he looks like a real gem of a find - Pacy, aggresive and able to move the ball.
Neither Kallis or Smith looked in great nic and they will be bound to get a big score each this series.

So still all to play for in what looks like a series that is going to be facinating to watch. Especially with some pitches that suit Harmy coming up

[SurreyBoy]

Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to you too Harmy!

See you in January.

As for the win, yep, it was a great result.

8 in a row!!! Us? England? With our reputation?! (IMG:http://abcofcricket.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Guest_Finisher_*]

Merry Xmas!

Yeah I really enjoyed it, and am looking forward to the rest of the series. Strauss was certainly a highlight - a real pleasure to watch. The first time I saw him bat in a test I knew he'd go far. Strauss vs Clarke for the young gun award in the Ashes next year? Can't wait.

And this may just be an Aussie viewpoint, but I'd be concerned about Harmy if I were you. There's something about him - I just don't know that he's up to the task that everyone seems to assume he is. Could go either way really with him in this series.

But ... the question on my mind is: what about Butch? He got a few runs in the first innings, but I reckon you could see his nervousness. And then the second innings ...

I like Butch but I wonder when they'll give someone else a go ...?

This post has been edited by Finisher: Dec 21 2004, 09:46 PM

[Greeny]

Merry Xmas!

Yeah I really enjoyed it, and am looking forward to the rest of the series. Strauss was certainly a highlight - a real pleasure to watch. The first time I saw him bat in a test I knew he'd go far. Strauss vs Clarke in the Ashes next year? Can't wait.

And this may just be an Aussie viewpoint, but I'd be concerned about Harmy if I were you. There's something about him - I just don't know that he's up to the task that everyone seems to assume he is. Could go either way really with him in this series.

But ... the question on my mind is: what about Butch? He got a few runs in the first innings, but I reckon you could see his nervousness. And then the second innings ...

I like Butch but I wonder when they'll give someone else a go ...?

If Bell was touring I'd give him a chance in the second test. As he isn't there I would give Butch another chance, if he fails then give the pieman a chance.

[Greeny]

It's a good job England finished the match quickly, it's absolutely pissing down at the ground now!!!

If only SA hadn't bowled so many no balls......

Fair play to the SA keeper though, no byes in the match!

[Shane]

A good win guys, very impressed with Mr Strauss, very umnimpressed with Mr Harmison. IT would appear old Harmy simply cannot perform very well when away from English wickets.

The win was one you can chalk up, but I wouldn't say it was a very convincing win.

Eight on the trot looks good on paper, but the opposition has not been much of late, not that there is much opposition around since the Aussies have mentally destroyed all before them. Most teams are still in shock from their recent encounters.

Wait till the Sef Efricans get hold of your boys in the Bullring.

[Shane]

Not been at work while the test has been on, hence lack of posts and am now so busy that this probably be my only post between now and the new year so before i rant and rave

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year to you all (IMG:http://abcofcricket.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

Right............

As i said all along, this England side again proved that it has match winners and turners all the way through it.
Barry Big Pants (andrew strauss) looks more and more the part, born to play test cricket. The lad showed the composure of a 50 test veteran, not a bloke playing in just his 8th test and his 1st away Test
Simon Jones stepped up in all areas of the game, again showing that even the tail of the England side can wag effectivly.
Michael Vaughan's captaincy was inspired on the 4th day. To have 3 bowling changes take wickets in there 1st over just shows his understanding of situations and players getting better every game - Stephan Flemming now has a serious contender for the best skipper tag
And this victory has been achieved with Englands really big hitters not on song yet. Harmy looked like a man who hadnt bowled for 3 months and Freddie never really got going with the bat - this has to be excellent news.
England are now 1-0 up in the series with at least 2 match winning performances to come from these 2 in the bag

All that said, not all doom and gloom for the Saffies.
Once Steyn learns how to bowl an over without overstepping he looks like a real gem of a find - Pacy, aggresive and able to move the ball.
Neither Kallis or Smith looked in great nic and they will be bound to get a big score each this series.

So still all to play for in what looks like a series that is going to be facinating to watch. Especially with some pitches that suit Harmy coming up

Harmy you old toad, where ya been man?

Good to see you've applied a bandaid to the Statistic scars and we do hope you are able to drown out the mental side of it whilst you have yerself a break over chrissy.

If I were you Harmy I'd be slipping in a few rabbit punches on Greeny when you see him down the local.

Can't wait till ya come downunder and we can toss a few balls down at yer. Even me missus said she'd come and watch, she simply can't believe there is a worse batsman than me going around. (IMG:http://abcofcricket.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Might even take yer up to Daylesford and stick you in front of the bowling machine and crank it up a little. We'll see if ya can handle the bounce of the Aussie pitches!