South Africa v England, 4th Test, Day 2 - Alastair Cook leads England's fight back

I used to read a lot of praises about Alex Hales. A section of the cricket experts rated him highly and wanted him to feature in the Test side. Sadly, I simply feel pity about their cricketing knowledge as because, success in today’s limited-overs cricket is never enough to prove a point in Test cricket. Hales might have plundered big sixes in the Twenty20 or Power-play obsessed 50-over matches, but Test cricket is different. Here one needs to be technically well-equipped to survive.

So far, Hales always seemed to me an uncertain batsman. Neither his defence nor his footwork has been impressive enough to claim a place in the England Test side. I am sure, England have better openers than Hales in the County circuit. Stop this bloody practice of glorifying bits-and-pieces cricketers of the so-called Twenty20 Leagues. Let them perish, and vanish in the circus shows. Test cricket needs high quality players and not mediocrity.

Meanwhile, Nick Compton also has not been up to the mark, but he can ensure stability and assurance which Hales can’t. Compton can occupy the crease to assure the batsmen at the other end, which helps them to fetch runs. This is a very good quality which more often is undermined by the circus-show-obsessed cricket experts of today.

Quinton de Kock’s knock was an attacking one and helped South Africa to post a good total which can ensure victory, but Alastair Cook seemed to have got back his Test mood. His defence was good while he was sure about his offstump. He accumulated runs steadily and hinted that, he is looking for some big runs on day 3. South Africa will need early wickets tomorrow. 

Thank You

Faisal Caesar