South Africa in England

[brod]

Ravi Bopara is back in the England Test side for the first match against South Africa at The Oval next week after being included in a 13-man squad. There is also a full complement of fast bowlers with Graham Onions named alongside Steven Finn and Tim Bresnan with one of those to be chosen to form the pace trio alongside James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

Squad Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Matt Prior, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Steven Finn

[Squids]

Go the Saffies

on Morkel for most wickets in the series for SA

[Interceptor]

Will be interesting to see how Philander goes in England.
Destroyed us in SAf and was very good against NZ.

[stampy]

to and froms won the toss and elected to bat, 0/0 in the first over

[Squids]

Morne!!!

gets a wicket in the first over, great review.

[brod]

Lunch DAY 1

England 1/70
Cook 33* (including a six..only his 6th in 81 tests matches)
Trott 27*

[brod]

England v South Africa
1st Test
The Oval

STUMPS DAY ONE

England 3/267
AN Cook 114*
IJL Trott 71
KP Pietersen 42
Extras 30
M Morkel 2/44

[Brodlach]

Cook is one of the most under-rated players in world cricket

[Squids]

Cook is one of the most under-rated players in world cricket

[the joker]

Good old Ravi

[stampy]

marvi out for a gozza

[Jim05]

Good old Ravi

How does Ravi Nohoper get a game?
This spud would of struggled to get a gig in the shite pommy teams of the past.

[Jim05]

And the worst spinner in world cricket just picks up a wicket

[Jim05]

End of Day 2
Poms 385
Yarpies 1/86

[Media Park]

And the worst spinner in world cricket just picks up a wicket

Didn't know Steven Smith transferred.

[Squids]

Good start by my man Morne

SA will continue to struggle with Amla Smith Kallis Devilliers being five times as good as anyone else they have in the batting line up.

[RustyCage]

South Africa have never lost a Test in which Smith has scored a 100.

[brod]

Smith and Amla both score centuries
(Smith becomes 7th player to score 100 in 100th test)

SA 1/214

[RustyCage]

2/277

Amla 131*
Kallis 10*

Smith b Bresnan 131

[RustyCage]

South Africa trail by 108 at tea on day 3