England v South Africa | 2nd Test | Headingley | Aug 02-06, 2012

[Bullet Drive]

Swing again but well left by the little soon to be master ;)

[Bullet Drive]

Taylor vs Tahir now.

[Bullet Drive]

his first runs in test cricket!

[Bullet Drive]

Safely negotiated by Taylor. Looked quite good out there. 4 to his name and now its tea. 20 mins!

[truthseer]

England should be gutted, they gifted two wickets to the Saffers. That shot from Trott was dreadful. Pathetic from a number 3 supposed to be defensive.

England could have been 180/2 with a chance for a lead. Now they're 180/4 with a chance of conceding a deficit, with KP, a debutant and the best keeper batsman their hope to get over 300 more runs to get a good lead. Impossible now

[Zamee]

Seems like a decent cricketer

[Shayan]

Will be very interesting after tea, should be a good session.

[Bullet Drive]

Post tea session to start now.

[AdidasBeard]

To say KP was pumped up would be an understatement. Couldnt think of a situation where a team would be bowling to 2 such different batsman in such different mindsets

[khalil1986]

Check Macho man Pietersen out, if he gets out playing like he is, he is going to get slaughtered in the media. Don't really see what he is trying to do to be honest they are still over 200 runs away as it is.

[Shayan]

It's been fantastic cricket over the past hour, Pietersen's really gone after Steyn and Morkel. Hope he sticks around.

[Ruri]

This is a tricky situation. Can't afford to get out for under SA's score, and don't have Swann in batting order. Used to be at 4 down, you think you have another 5 that can bat, but with Prior, Bresnan and Broad the only ones left, it's less reassuring!

[Ruri]

And seriously Pietersen, on a rampage, but if he doesn't stick around till 180-odd, no point!

[Shayan]

Phenomenal stuff from KP, a pleasure to watch.

[chaiwala]

So many full tosses...

[Ruri]

Taylor's helmet is so strange...

[Ruri]

How much can England get before the dreaded New ball?

[KingKhanWC]

Good fight here by England esp KP taking the attack to the opposition. Having said that today is the best day for batting, day 3 and the sun has been out after lunch. South Africa have the new ball coming up, a wicket could bring a collapse.

Taylor looking good too, so far.

[KingKhanWC]

100 up. Well played KP.

Still plenty to do yet.

[Ruri]

Oh Pietersen. You are a beauty when you play like this!

[cricketworm]

KP shutting up his critics. Brilliant dominating batsman.

[Anfield]

KP is a bit of moody player. In last test he didn't want to be out there.

[Robert]

KP level with Strauss on 21 centuries!

Right, back to the Velodrome.......

[KingKhanWC]

Scooped in the air, lucky to get away with this. I think he will fall before the end of play. KP always gives the opposition a chance.

[Ruri]

KP on Nelson. Oh dear!

[Ruri]

If only Trott and Bell weren't idiots... England might have been ahead.

[rooster]

Amazing and attacking inns by KP. He even did it to the best fast bowling lineup in the world. You just imagine an Asian batsman standing against those barrage of bouncers you'll see them either shitting in the pants or looking very very ugly. It's not an odd instance, he even did it to the best bowlers in his era McGrath, Warne, Pollock, Murali, Steyn and so on.

[Ruri]

Oh that gorgeous shot just now.


Why is KP so hit and miss? On some days he looks the best batsman in the world.

And wow, follows that up with a six against Steyn.

[cricketworm]

OMG KP YOU MONSTER!!

Hitting number 1 bowler in the world with the will! Exceptional.

[Sherlock]

KP treating Steyn like Sami

[KingKhanWC]

Steyn being butchered by KP.

Huge six back over his head, followed by an ugly club. Surely it's just a matter of time before he throws it away.

[Sherlock]

It's knocks like these that make KP such a pleasure to watch. The way his hit Steyn for a FOUR then a SIX was just WOW.

[rooster]

Originally Posted by KingKhanWC Scooped in the air, lucky to get away with this. I think he will fall before the end of play. KP always gives the opposition a chance.

I've seen KP in an interview saying he always tries to attack the opposition at the end of the day because the bowlers will be tired and he always does that and a few times lost his wicket, but that is seriously the extreme of positive cricket.

[Sherlock]

Thats the issue with SA, if the two fast bowlers cannot take wickets they look pretty average.

[cricketworm]

Why some idiots are booing? Must be drunk I reckon.

[cricketworm]

Morne is bowling well here.

[Sherlock]

Booing whom or what?

[KingKhanWC]

Originally Posted by rooster I've seen KP in an interview saying he always tries to attack the opposition at the end of the day because the bowlers will be tired and he always does that and a few times lost his wicket, but that is seriously the extreme of positive cricket.

It's a dumb tactic to be frank. He's been lucky to get away with a few hoiks today. His team needs him to bat on and on, throwing it away now would harm the good works he's done. Bowlers may be tired but will tire even more if he;s batting after lunch on day 4. His team will also be in a great position to try and force a result of they get a lead of a hundred or so.

An hour or so left yet so let's see what happens.

[AdidasBeard]

Originally Posted by KingKhanWC It's a dumb tactic to be frank. He's been lucky to get away with a few hoiks today. His team needs him to bat on and on, throwing it away now would harm the good works he's done. Bowlers may be tired but will tire even more if he;s batting after lunch on day 4. His team will also be in a great position to try and force a result of they get a lead of a hundred or so. An hour or so left yet so let's see what happens.

Disagree, when its going like this let Kevin be Kevin. England have been 2nd best throughout the 1 and a half matches so far, this innings, played in this way is a potential momentum switcher.

[KingKhanWC]

^ It could be but involves a lot of luck. Taylor meanwhile still looking solid.

[rooster]

Originally Posted by KingKhanWC It's a dumb tactic to be frank. He's been lucky to get away with a few hoiks today. His team needs him to bat on and on, throwing it away now would harm the good works he's done. Bowlers may be tired but will tire even more if he;s batting after lunch on day 4. His team will also be in a great position to try and force a result of they get a lead of a hundred or so. An hour or so left yet so let's see what happens.

Well thats how an most Asian cricketers think and that's why we draw more matches than we should win. This is a tremendous inns by KP, had he kept playing the way Trott and Bell, by the time he gets out his team will be in terrible position.

[rooster]

Well I think Steyn will have a second thought on this

www.espn.co.uk/cricket/sport/story/160093.html

[AdidasBeard]

Originally Posted by KingKhanWC ^ It could be but involves a lot of luck. Taylor meanwhile still looking solid.

Agree Taylor is played well so far, I think KPs innings has taken alot of pressure of him. Would love to have KP take the limelight off me and mess up bowlers line and length if I was making my test debut.

[Ruri]

Great shot by Taylor, and lasts 100 balls on debut, not bad, keep it up lad. We need more!

[SOSami]

Taylor has shown his limpet-like ability in this innings.

Hasn't timed everything, but wasn't phased. Proper debut.

[KingKhanWC]

Yet to get to fifty but this could be the end of Bopara, Morgan, Bairstow or any others, Taylor at no.6 looking to become permanent. A future England captain too.

If England can get to the close without no or little damage, they can push on to aim for victory.

[Ruri]

Exactly 100 runs behind SA now. If these two can make it to the close, England looks set for a lead. If not, it could be tricky.

[SOSami]

Damnit!

[KingKhanWC]

Taylor bowled. Oh man, gutted for him. Well played young man, can keep the head held up high.

[Ruri]

Ouch, there it is, the wicket. Trouble now!

[KingKhanWC]

35 mins to go. Saffers will give it a big push till the close. Another wicket and the balance tips again to evens. Great test match.

lol@people watching cycling when this is going on.

[Ruri]

Originally Posted by KingKhanWC 35 mins to go. Saffers will give it a big push till the close. Another wicket and the balance tips again to evens. Great test match. lol@people watching cycling when this is going on.

I will admit that I'll be following the Tennis tomorrow over watching the cricket! This is a gorgeous contest, but these kind of positions make me nervous and watching Murray's best chance to beat Federer for first is very interesting.

[KingKhanWC]

Originally Posted by Ruri I will admit that I'll be following the Tennis tomorrow over watching the cricket! This is a gorgeous contest, but these kind of positions make me nervous and watching Murray's best chance to beat Federer for first is very interesting.

Don't bother, Murray will not beat Federer, remember he's Scottish.

Tahir getting a bit of turn now, KP misses a switch hit. Saffers re-gain some control here. One more wicket, KP's would put them on top going into day 4.

[Ruri]

Originally Posted by KingKhanWC Don't bother, Murray will not beat Federer, remember he's Scottish. Tahir getting a bit of turn now, KP misses a switch hit. Saffers re-gain some control here. One more wicket, KP's would put them on top going into day 4.

After Federer nearly lost to del Potro on grass and played the longest set ever in Olympics history? Federer must be knackered, Murray wont get a better chance anywhere, especially with the home support.

[KingKhanWC]

Originally Posted by Ruri After Federer nearly lost to del Potro on grass and played the longest set ever in Olympics history? Federer must be knackered, Murray wont get a better chance anywhere, especially with the home support.

Good luck to him.

Smith injured, chasing a ball to the rope. Stiffness.

He should just go off instead of wasting time. SA should be looking for a another wicket but may just want the day to end after KP's charge.

[Ruri]

Can't be too serious, should be fine to play tomorrow.

[KingKhanWC]

Steyn v KP for one last time today. Can Steyn get the last laugh?

[Justcrazy]

South Africa lead by 51 runs with 10 wickets remaining

[Justcrazy]

The match heading for a draw, England would still like to get wickets and get some mind games.

[Justcrazy]

Good over by Broad here.

[Justcrazy]

59 / 0

[Justcrazy]

SA would like to use this day as a batting practice.

[velu]

this is the perfect situation for saffers to choke
but i doubt it this time

[Justcrazy]

South Africa lead by 63 runs with 10 wickets remaining

[Amjid Javed]

Interesting to see if S.A opt for batting practice here or try and look for a way to maybe win the game?

Rudolph looks in good touch at moment.

[Justcrazy]

[Justcrazy]

Smith already 8252 runs , he looks good for 12 k at least , if not more

[Justcrazy]

Rain again

[Justcrazy]

SA loose chance of more batting practice

[Justcrazy]

My gut feeling is they'll stick with the same balance but Swann has to play. I also wonder Onions, who bowls a tight line, is worth it. Finn and Bresnan could drop out, although some discussion about Broad too. Basically, Swann has to come back as the starting point.

Interesting comment on Cricinfo

[Justcrazy]

Still covers on.

[Amjid Javed]

I think Rain is going to be the victor here in this match!

[Amjid Javed]

Tough for england to level series now with last games at Lords.

S.A have won 3 and drawn once at Lords since re-admission.

Also england need to find a way of taking 20 S.A wickets.

[Sherlock]

Kallis may not be fit for the 3rd Test nor Patterson so England have a great chance to level it.

In any case I think questions are gonna be asked of Strauss's form with the bat and his captaincy.

[Amjid Javed]

Originally Posted by Sherlock Kallis may not be fit for the 3rd Test nor Patterson so England have a great chance to level it. In any case I think questions are gonna be asked of Strauss's form with the bat and his captaincy.

Peterson from reports will be fit to play as hamstring injury is only minor.

Kallis i reckon may end up playing as just a pure batsmen for the last test if he cant bowl.

Would be a blow if kallis cant play though.

[Amjid Javed]

England need to try and take some wickets and try and maybe bowl S.A out, so why are there hardly any attack fields in place? Strauss seems to be going through the motions.

S.A 96/0

[Amjid Javed]

Rudolph has rode his luck in this Inns but has helped S.A get off to a solid start here!

[Sherlock]

SA for me are the best team in the world, unofficially. You can see why too. Really good team.

[Ibad17]

England in desperate need of wickets..

[leatherface58]

rudolph the red nosed reindeer doing a great job. saffers plugging holes like plumbers. peterson was a weak link he was plugged. rudolph was a weak link. he is plugged.