Cricket

Anyone remember this?

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/249223.html

Obviously the intention is to bat out the end of the day, but if we get 15 more overs I reckon we'll just about be OK even if they just go for it...

I'd blanked it.

157 lead with 37 overs left in the day. Two overs go for the change of innings so that leaves 35.

England scoring at 2.5 an over. SA have a batting lineup that would be happy to chase something at at least 6 an over. That would mean England need to bat for at least another 7 overs. But that leaves SA 28 overs to get 174 which could still be quite easy for them, so probably need at least 15 overs.

Covers coming on due to drizzle though...

We've been saved!

Still, only England could score 629 runs and not win...

Two higher 1st innings scores have gone on to lose.

Wasn't listening to see whether they were in days of old of timeless tests or 4 or 8 ball overs or in grounds with stupidly short boundaries.

Hmm, must have been hearing things.

http://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Records/Test/Overall/Team/Highest_First_Innings_Totals_To_Lose.html

586 is the highest first innings score that ended in a loss.

Ah, 3rd highest was that England horror in Adelaide 2006.

Ha, speaking of records.

If they hadn't gone off for rain and England hadn't collapsed further then it could have been a record for a test match going the full 5 days using the fewest batsmen.

Broad, Anderson and Finn haven't batted at all during this match. Nor have Piedt or Morkel.

Was wondering how long it would be before someone summoned the spirit of Adelaide...

As Cook and Anderson were in that team that contrived to lose in Melbourne,
they should have remembered to bat through, even if the bowlers only made jaunty
10s or 20s to chew up the time to ensure there was no possibility of a 4th innings,
barring England collapsing all out for 50-odd.
I mean when has that ever happened?
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/352661.html

Back on the rollercoaster for another 5 days...

I had a dream last night where I woke up to SA being 8 for 8 and everything was amazing.

Jonny Bairstow is a really good wicketkeeper. Yeah.

Well this is going well.

286 behind at lunch, not bad - Stokes can rattle out his usual 250, and as long as some of the other guys pitch in, should be a straightforward innings victory.

I thought the SA wickets were expensive on that ground.

A characteristic England collapse could leave us in the poo now.

Really need to weather the storm for a bit.

Bow down to Joe Root, for we are not worthy

^this, Joe Root has been the main run scorer steadyed the ship so many times over past year or so.

Joe Root - built from stainless steel

I wonder about Hales tho.. hope he hits a big score soon

Pretty fascinating match so far. Didn't listen at all today; will be sure to tomorrow though. I bloody love test matches.

WE HAVE A LEAD

Broady you beauty

WHAT THE HELL JAMES TAYLOR

SJ Broad! He has a nice habit of producing these sort of spells.