South Africa Tour of England

3rd Test to go ahead tomorrow, Saturday 10th September, on what will be Day 3, & the follow-on target will now be 150, as it is now a 3 day match. South Africa have planned to depart the UK on Tuesday, so an extension to the match couldn't be agreed.

Damn what a crazy first session by England South Africa currently 66-6 England could well be batting at some point this afternoon

(08-09-2022 11:24 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  England v South Africa 3rd Test The Oval Day 3 Close
England elected to field
SA 118 (36.2 overs) Zondo 21 no Jansen 17 no Robinson 5-49 Broad 4-41
ENG 154-7 (33.4 overs) Pope 67 Root 23 Jansen 4-34 Rabada 2-78

Somewhat of a recovery from 36-6.

Brainless batting from England, who have thrown away a great chance of a big lead.

Brook looked a capable batter but got himself out to a stupid shot. Root also when chasing quick runs. But that's the brand of batting that's expected underr Stokes and McCullan.

The positive seems to be that England may found a competant no3 in Pope.

But Crawley again struggled his way through his innings, and Foakes dropped the easiest chance that I seen in ages.

Just hat seeing Root throw his wicket away, he has no need to change the way he bats, as the Test No.1 batsman in the world, he always scores at a good rate, only Stokes has a higher strike-rate The captain reverted back to batting like a headless chicken, after finding the perfect tempo with a century at Old Trafford.
Brook played a similar shot in a Hundred game, I think before he'd scored, some excuse, but none in a Test, he probably backed himself to hit it for six, he's not short of confidence. I just hate the obsession with hitting everything in the air.
Crawley his one nice shot for a boundary, but looked terrible, as he has all year.

(10-09-2022 13:02 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(08-09-2022 11:24 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  England v South Africa 3rd Test The Oval Day 4 Tea
England elected to field
SA 118 & 146-7 (48.4 overs) Elgar 36 Erwee 26 Petersen 23 Stokes2-29 Broad2-40 Robinson 2-40
ENG 158 (36.2 overs) Pope 67 Root 23 Jansen 5-35 Rabada 4-81

This is one of the weirdest test matches I've watched in the last few years at least

There really has to be some proper thought given to determination of bad light imo.

Specifically the value of floodlights needs proper deliberation. This evening saw a combination of natural light and floodlights on full power deemed insufficient to constitute playable light.
I rather take the view if floodlights are not deemed capable of replacing natural light in test matches they should not be used at all UNLESS there is a willingness to switch to a pink ball of the same state to allow day night test conditions to take effect.

Either there is a clear value to floodlights or there is not. In test matches it feels almost as if there is one foot on one side of the door and one foot on the other side of the door.

The situation tonight and last night was farcical. It is also morally questionable to waste electricity given the rising cost of energy and environmental consequence.

ICC, make a decision please.