South Africa v England: 3rd Test, Day 1: Two Fallible Sides Lacking The Knock-Out Punch

 

 

 

 

South Africa v England: 3^rd Test, Day 1

Two Fallible Sides Lacking The Knock-Out Punch

 

January 14^th 2016

 

It has been a first day of fortunes swinging one way and another. England were poor in the morning, good after Lunch and briefly threatened to be devastating after Tea. South Africa had their foot firmly on the England windpipe at 117-1 but, instead of batting England out of the game, offered to roll over and have their belly tickled.

England’s bowlers only took two wickets, but South Africa ended 267-7 and indebted to a fighting eighth wicket partnership to avoid the danger of being bowled out for fewer than 250 on the first day. The South African batsmen seemed convinced that England’s fielders were as bad as the press had suggested and genuinely seemed to believe that, if they lofted the ball, there was no danger of it ever being caught. Not a single catch went to the slips, but that did not stop an epidemic of batsmen expressing surprise that balls would (a) lodge safely in Jonny Bairstow’s gloves and (b) that he might take advantage of this situation to complete a dismissal. Four catches and an acrobatic run-out later, the batsmen caught on that this was a day instead to lob gentle catches to outfielders such as Hales and Moeen because the wicket-keeper had no intention of missing any.

Do not judge a pitch until both sides have batted. There is pace and bounce, but batting is far from impossible. However, despite every single batsman so far reaching double figures, only one batsman has passed 40 and the top score is just 46.

If South Africa scramble over 300 – with the current pair batting serenely, 350 is not impossible – you can think of reasons why England might fold for 120, or make 500+.

Can either side provide a knock-out punch? We will find out. A result though, looks very likely.