Can't see anything other than a SA victory here. And well deserved too.
That said, it would be nice if two of Trott, Collingwood or Bell could hang around until tea tomorrow. The pitch is starting to go, but it's still possible to get going if you concentrate early on (and keep on concentrating FWIW Cook and Strauss). The SAs don't cope well under pressure, and we bat long so if two of those three can get centuries and Prior and the tail are't given too much work, we could still get a draw. Highly unlikely though.
I'm unconvinced with the 6 batsmen and only a 4 man bowling attack, but I think it's worth persevering with. However, the bowlers must be royally f*cked off when they have to work so hard (mostly this series with success) to see so many of the top 6 give their wickets away so often. It's time for more of the top 6 to make a big score.
Captaincy wise, Strauss has been very good this series (possibly not a great decision to bat last on this strip, but I think our bowling performance in the first two sessions justified his choice to field), but he needed to have a 'captain's innings' today and he didn't do it. In fact, he's been disappointing with the bat all series.
Still, well done to SA and Smith on a superb knock (deserving of a double ton) and bring on the decider.
Anderson won't last long so we'll be 4 down early on.
