It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

[G-Man]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

They are. They are a bowler short in Philander, plus Steyn's injury. Amla and Faf are totally out of sorts, and AB has struggled to kick on (his last century was the same test as the one in which Faf scored his last 50: the New Years's test against the West Indies).

The middle order is weak, as are the openers (though Elgar has tried his best to probe me wrong in this test). And, in fairness, Faf du Plessis is no Kallis and van Zyl is no Smith. Those two are impossible to replace.

The old self-confidence has been obliterated on the India tour. I fear SA are turning into Man Utd. Though I don't want to say that this means England are Bournemouth or Norwich. A year ago, I'd have backed SA to reach the target of 416, or get very close to it. Now I am quite certain they won't.

[Satchmo Distel]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

Test cricket is cyclical and success is harder to buy than in the Premier League. England have swung from quite poor only 9 months ago to probably as good as any team out there at present. South Africa are experiencing a less steep version of what Australia went through after they lost Warne, McGrath and Gilchrist. Eventually they'll find their own Steve Smith. They desperately need a spinner.

[G-Man]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

Coming the day after Dan Piedt took five wickets, that last statement is probably not perfectly timed. But I don't disagree, even though he seems ti be the best spinner SA has had in a long time, certainly better than Harris or Boje, or even Tahhir.

Piedt has taken four or five wickets in an innings in each of the tests he has played. He can take wickets, but he can also be quite expensive.

[G-Man]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

Well, that was a pretty pathetic collapse...

[Etienne]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

I think the really worrying thing for S Africa was the abject performance of the A team against England. They are still doing very well at youth team level, but it may be that the volume of players they have lost to English county cricket has substantially weakened the standard of domestic cricket so seriously that they are struggling to prepare players - especially batsmen for Test cricket. And SA play so little tests that they can't really learn on the job. Rabada is clearly a big talent, but he's basically gone straight from youth cricket into Tests, skipping first class cricket.

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

Got him! It's all over now.

I never celebrate an England victory until it's all over. I've been watching them for too long.

[Satchmo Distel]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

Piedt's strike rate is good but he has to also be able to maintain pressure, which is not going to happen with a career economy rate of 3.42

Paul Adams might be a parallel, at least while Cronje was captain.

Steyn's age is a worry: 32 years 186 days

[Etienne]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

England clearly trying to put the pressure on Rabada. This doesn't look a pitch where you can get by with two seamers.

[Satchmo Distel]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

South Africa very raw: 5 guys in their 7th Test or fewer:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-england-2015-16/engine/match/800463.html

Clearly a side in transition, whereas England are far further along their transition that began last year.

[Etienne]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

And Cook pays the price for trying to be too positive against Rabada.

[G-Man]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

The injury crisis is getting bizarre. Steyn and Philander are crucial, Abbot is a bit of a loss -- though I'm glad to see Rabada come in.

Fucking Stiaan van Zyl is still in as well, I see.

[Tony C]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

Stokes is an exciting player both with ball and bat. He's got that Flintoff/Botham thing about him: not always technically correct, and not the most patient of players, but liable to make something happen.

[Etienne]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

Brutal start from England, and especially Stokes.

[François dan un fez]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

More than 60 in first half hour

[François dan un fez]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

Stokes is ripping SA apart.

Canny innings from Bairstow.

Great morning listen.

[François dan un fez]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

200 partnership.
150 for stokes

[François dan un fez]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

Fastest ever 150 for England in tests

[François dan un fez]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

160 of last 20 overs.

Total mayhem

[Etienne]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

Revenge of the Gingers.

[G-Man]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

With SA's batting looking a lot like Manchester United under van Gaal, I reckon Stokes has just ensured that England can't lose this series.

[François dan un fez]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

250 partnership

[François dan un fez]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

Stokes 100 before lunch

Still half hour Togo

[François dan un fez]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

Stokes highest first class score

[Etienne]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

Needs to hit his next two balls for 6 to tie with Astle for quickest double century in tests. Tough, but he hit 3 of the last 4 for 6!

[François dan un fez]

It's the Morkel man - Sa vs Eng

200 for stokes
Fastest ever by English cricketer
2 fastest ever