Hard going for Hales

England 470-7 declared (or 5 if you ignore the Retired Outs)
v South Africa Invitational XI 188 all out
England 99-3 
close on Day 2

Wednesday 16 December 2015

Senwes Park, Potchefstroom

27 South African Beer Ticks

Twitter @ball_sup

The Squad

I've had a quick look back at my last Blog from the UAE. I wrote more about the Test Team than about the Squad.

I wanted Ballance for Bell. So that possibility is ticking along. I wanted them to go Compton instead of Hales. Well, Compton is out here. Which, I confess did surprise me. But, all indications are that Hales will open at Durban. Maybe Compton will get in at Three.

I wanted Bairstow to keep wicket rather than Buttler. That is what is happening in this game.

Disappointed they've not brought Rashid.

Disappointed & surprised they've not brought Plunkett. Although, I see they've managed to get Finn here. All things equal, I do prefer Finn over Liam.

Day 1 & 2 Swingometer Movers and Shakers

Taylor & Stokes have moved up. The Saffer Invites are unknown to me. Difficult to judge quality. It looked like they bowled well at times. But these two were utterly imperious on Day 1

Hales. Oh come on. He's gone down. Anointed One. Next Cab. 1st Innings, he's mown one over the slips. Alright, it was a Saffer Jaffa which got him just a little bit later. But, he shouldered. Looked ugly.

2nd Innings. Wow. Moribund. Nervy. Shotless. Eventually played back and on. Looked ugly.

We need an opener who will play calmly. Who will see off the new ball & get us to & through the First Change. Someone who Looks The Part. Please prove me wrong mate. But, he doesn't to me.

Bairstow, I'll put down slightly. He made quick runs. But, he finds a way to get out. And, it's Bowled.

Get On With It

It is unbelievably slow out here. Even with the extra half hour, Day 1 finished 2 overs short of the 90. And remember, no replays nor DRS to get in the way. I'd prefer England to hustle. You know what they say - Lethargic in the Warm Up games, gets right on my Tits.

This morning, the Umpires waddle down the stairs at 0958. Not a prayer of starting on time.

Partly, that's because it's got Non Event written on the Non Existent Ticket.  It's a worldwide phenomenon. Poor opposition in warm up games. The game v Australia A in Hobart, Tasmania is the only one worth a beer in the current World Game.

What do teams need to do to prepare for a Series. Back off, that's rhetorical.

Get used to the heat/cold
Get used to the light
Get used to the outfield conditions  (different grass, more spongy, etc)
Get used to the different Ball
I'll put that as Acclimatisation. That doesn't require a game situation. That requires DRILLS and time.

Get miles in their legs
Find rhythm
Spend time with a bat in their hands.
Face pace
Face bounce
Face spin
Spend time with a ball in their hands
I'll put that all as Time In The Middle. That can be done in The Nets. In The Middle against your teammates. In The Middle against available local weaker opponents. For eg, this SA Invitational XI.

If you want to practice batting, Nets or Middle Practice v anyone in Whites.

If you want to practice bowling. Nets or Middle Practice v anyone in Whites.

But, if you want to practice WINNING. Performing under pressure. Reacting to changing game situations. Out thinking & witting opponents who are determined to do that to you. If you want to learn about a candidate (Hales). That has to be a truly competitive game.

This ain't.

The Beer

Mainly bottle jobs in the room on this leg. Today's were;

Long Mountain Brewery, American Pale Ale from a bottle at 4.5%. Smuggled into the ground. Upfront Hop Bomber. Ginger bitterness. Rich & chewy. Marmalade.

Long Mountain Brewery, Pale Ale from a bottle at 5.5%. Pleasant. Nice bitter finish. But, no Wow Factor. Tangy in the mouth.

249/512