**** SA v Windies Port Elizabeth ****

I feel reasonably convinced Windies will have a better showing, after the shell shock of the first test!

Come on Windies!

Thoughts?

They might have a better showing but I can't see them winning it.

Now that Roach has gone the one world class bowler is gone; so, 20 wickets from the current lot is asking a heck of a lot.

As for the batting, an innings score of 400 is no guarantee of safety. The averages of the test line up, apart from Shiv, makes sorry reading. They will really have to bat out of their skins in both innings just to get a draw.

At least that's the way I see it.

Boqui,

But that has to be the initial aim of teh west Indies....compete.

The bowlers are bowling quite well today.

Holder although very economical, does not look threatening.

Taylor is showing glimses.

Peters ok but why would he leapfrog Rampaul who, amazingly, is quicker.

Gabe is looking good but not sure why he did not open with Taylor.

I do not care if his control is not spot on, he is the fastest on the park so i would give him  a burst at the start!

Ramdin is doing ok as skipper but he should attack more.

Really Johnson?

First ball and a nothing shot to boot!

He is not a number 3 batsman and if he is to retain a place in the etam, it has to be lower down!

Once again the old debate about Shiv batting higher up at least at 4.

Alternatively have Samuels at 3, Blackwood at 4 leave Shiv at 5 and Johnson at 6.

This way the two youngsters have some experience around them.

Ah well it could be 5 down by the end of the day!

Good to see young Brathers and Samuels batting well and stringing a partnership together.


It beggars belief what was going through Johnson's mind!


I am enjoying my viewing experience for a change on this chilly Sunday afternoon!


Go Windies!

Did not see anything about Bavuma to suggest taking van Zyl's number 6 spot!

I am all for positive discrimination, especially in post apartheid South Africa, but you have to put your best foot forward!

van Zyl made a good debut and should not have been shuffled!

He would have a right to be pissed and would like to see how he responds to better oppositions!

On the other hand, I do not think Bavuma will progress much from what I have seen.

The commentators indicated that van Zyl moved down to number 7 because he had neck problems, so hopefully next time round he'll be back at number 6.

As far as Bavuma is concerned, it's really not possible to judge a player on one innings. Back in the 1990s Jacques Kallis had a really bad start to his test career and was lucky that the selectors persisted with him.

Also the young man I look forward to seeing is Kagiso Rabada.

A fantastic run up and great delivery stride but at 19 after only a handful of games, he should be honing his skills in FC and a couple of A Team tours.

Granted he had a good U19 world cup and a decent introduction to FC cricket but I think this elevation to the squad is premature!

3.5 wickets per FC match is a good and impressive start though as when you get to 4 that is a good return!

[glow=red,2,300]I do not accept the issue with van Zyl's neck as he came in an over (1.1) after!
[/glow]
If it was bad then either he would not batted at all or come much lower.

Bavuma seemed to have a good defence but you can tell how a batsman shapes up and for me I would be surprised, athough I do not wish him ill,  if he carries on. He would have been better served batting at 7 and being eased into it.

I dare say Gina, Kallis' FC record on debut was not the same as Bavuma who has a modest record!