The Ashes

[Moscow Mule]

Time for a SA vs Eng placeholder thread seeing as they are off there next. 3-0?

It's a 4 test series, so maybe

 

[TykeMerc]

True that SA may maul them, but that's fairly irrelevant compared to the Ashes. I know that there are only two teams that can play in the Ashes series, but it's the only one that really counts (at least to an Englishman or an Aussie).

 

[oracleslave]

True that SA may maul them, but that's fairly irrelevant compared to the Ashes. I know that there are only two teams that can play in the Ashes series, but it's the only one that really counts (at least to an Englishman or an Aussie).

Love the fact that you assumed I meant 3-0 to SA

 

[Moscow Mule]

Love the fact that you assumed I meant 3-0 to SA

Why wouldn't you? Top rated side vs 5th rated side

 

[DS23]

we beat the number 1 team at the weekend. don't see why we can't do it again.

 

[Jet Setter]

Beating Australia ranked 1 in 2009 is very different to beating Australia ranked 1 in 2005. I think the Saffas have the bit of extra class in the bowling to clean up where the Aussies couldn't.

 

[oracleslave]

we beat the number 1 team at the weekend. don't see why we can't do it again.

When did Eng last beat a decent test team away from home?

 

[DS23]

it is a good question. there have been a few wins away from home in the last 10 years: new zealand, south africa and west indies spring to mind but i don’t think any of these teams were higher placed in the rankings than england at the time.

however the windies and saffers tours were both significant in that we had not won at those places for a very, very long time (40 years or so). i think the saffers tour 04/05 was the last time. most of 04 had seen south africa as the number 2 team and England way down the list but then we all remember what happened in 05 don’t we? i still don’t see why this can’t happen again. iirc the most recent tour of south africa was a draw. though that would require a bit more trawling of cricinfo an the site has too much flash for work perusal.

i'm not convinced that south africa are that much superior. it will be a good test. damn sky! anybody know the schedule?

 

[oracleslave]

i'm not convinced that south africa are that much superior. it will be a good test. ?

Agreed. Schedule I found as follows:

Revised itinerary for England’s tour of South Africa:
Nov 1: England squad arrives in SA
Nov 6: President's XI - 50-over tour match, OUTsurance Oval, Bloemfontein
Nov 8: President's XI - 50-over tour match, De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley
Nov 10: South Africa A - 20-over tour match, OUTsurance Oval, Bloemfontein (d/n)
Nov 13: 1st Standard Bank Pro20 International, Wanderers, Johannesburg (d/n)
Nov 15: 2nd Standard Bank Pro20 International, SuperSport Park, Centurion
Nov 17: South Africa A - 50-over tour match, Senwes Park, Potchefstroom (d/n)
Nov 20: 1st MTN one-day international, Wanderers, Johannesburg (d/n)
Nov 22: 2nd MTN one-day international, SuperSport Park, Centurion
Nov 27: 3rd MTN one-day international, Sahara Park, Newlands, Cape Town (d/n)
Nov 29: 4th MTN one-day international, Sahara Oval, St. George’s, Port Elizabeth
Dec 4: 5th MTN one-day international, Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead, Durban
Dec 9-10: SA Airways XI, tour match, Buffalo Park, East London
Dec 11-12: SA Airways XI, tour match, Buffalo Park, East London
Dec 16-20: 1st Castle Test, SuperSport Park, Centurion
Dec 26-30: 2nd Castle Test, Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead, Durban
Jan 3-7: 3rd Castle Test, Sahara Park, Newlands, Cape Town
Jan 14-18: 4th Castle Test, Wanderers, Johannesburg
Jan 19: England squad departs

 

[DS23]

thanks os. that is a lot of cricket. managing injuries is going to be absolutely key.