Cricket: England vs South Africa

[Dirk07]

these two are key.... maybe i shouldnt be saying this but think bell is turning the corner (as if by magic he edges one)

[dww]

Yep, I'm amazed. Didn't expect Bell to show this sort of backbone. However Brigadier Block has been great, as always in these situations. He ****ing loves it.

Lot of cricket to be played yet though, 40 odd overs.

Still credit to both Bell and the selectors - they have put him back in and he looks to have added the mental toughness and discipline he always needed to his game.

[Reece]

[dww]

1334: Eng 231-5
So then - this is it - Harris will have the first over after tea. Slip, short gully, silly point, forward short leg, leg slip - dabbed away late by Bell, and he'll jog a single there. Come on Colly - back in the groove - yup, that's the one, blocking and padding with grim, relentless determination. 32 overs left.

Only in cricket could grim, relentless determination seem such a good thing.

[Reece]

From Chris in snowy Norfolk, TMS inbox: "My one-year-old boy keeps kissing the TV screen and saying 'ma-ma' whenever Ian Bell is shown. Should I be concerned that my wife looks like Ian Bell, sad for Bell that he has a slightly effeminate appearance or proud that my boy already recognises and appreciates great, dogged Test cricket when he sees it?"

lolz

[Vermilion]

21 overs left... if england pull this off it'll seem like a defeat to SA, and would be so very frustrating.

Totally unexpected this...thought it would be well over by now, or as good as.

Would like to see Bell & Colly see it through now, would be good.

[Shaggy]

Well they can't win the series if we draw this so yeah, it'll slay them.

[dww]

Collie has taken 173 balls for his 34. A bizarre form of genius. To think his place was under question both before the series because of form and before this match because of injury.

[Shaggy]

Collie has taken 173 balls for his 34. A bizarre form of genius. To think his place was under question both before the series because of form and before this match because of injury.

Shades of Chris Tavare, the most boring batsman ever!! Thing with Tavare is he did it every time and regardless of the match situation. Bit like Boycott. Funny as **** though.

I dare say we've saved this now....16 overs left.

[Shaggy]

****, Colly out. An hour to go.

[Shaggy]

And Prior now. Here we go.

[Neil Young]

Bowler bowls.

Batter bats.

England implode.

Same old story.

[Reece]

Swann and Anderson will save the day again

[Shaggy]

Bowler bowls.

Batter bats.

England implode.

Same old story.

[Guest]

Keith Lard