SA v Eng: Reaction – Test Cricket At Its Best

South Africa and England played out a thrilling draw in the first Test at Centurion. This was Test match cricket at its very, very best; providing twists and turns, changes in balance of power and drama to the final ball of the match.

Many will look at England, who were left clinging on against a rampant Friedel de Wet, and suggest they were lucky to escape with a draw.

But the tourists more than played their part in the match and a number of individuals turned-in excellent performances. Jonathan Trott continues to show his maturity, Graham Onions bowled well and showed his nerves are strong with the bat, Paul Collingwood demonstrated the determination and skills he has made his name for, and Kevin Pietersen’s swagger seemed to be returning during his vital 81 this afternoon.

Swann on song

And then there was Graeme Swann. Swann has enjoyed a superb year as England’s premier spinner and that continued at Supersport Park. A hard-earned five-fer and an innings-saving 85 saw him pick up the man of the match award.

But there are some concerns for the tourists, heading to Durban for the second Test. Alaistar Cook and Stuart Broad look horribly out of form and Matt Prior doesn’t appear to have the stomach for a fight, despite his improvment behind the stumps.

The biggest problem, however, is the continued selection of the gutless Ian Bell.

End of Bell?

How many times has Bell got to show the selectors what a poor player he is? Yes, his cover drive is nice to look at, but if you lack the mental qualities to apply that ability at the highest level, you haven’t got a hope.

The time has surely come to throw Bell on the scrapheap where he has regularly shown he belongs and look to the future.

Looking ahead to the second Test at Durban, starting on Boxing Day, the England selectors have a few big calls to make. Luke Wright should replace Bell, as a poll by the Guardian suggests; he has as much chance of scoring runs and offers something with the ball – it has clearly been a mistake to go in with only four bowlers.

Cook and Broad will probably get another chance, but chances are quickly running out.

Until then, we can all enjoy Christmas safe in the knowledge that Test match cricket is alive and well…. and England are just about level in the series.

South Africa v England: Twenty20 Preview

England’s tour of South Africa kicks in to gear on Friday with the first of two Twenty20 internationals, at Johannesburg.

The tourists’ preparations had been going well with two big victories over the Eagles and the Warriors in 50-over matches. But they were brought back down to earth with a bang by a strong South African ‘A’ side on Tuesday – losing by four wickets in quick time.

Still, England will head into Friday’s match in good spirits after their surprisingly good showing at the Champions Trophy here in September and October, when they beat the hosts in the run-fest at Centurion.

The make-up of the Twenty20 side is perhaps the most interesting selection headache of the tour.

With Strauss unlikely to feature after claiming he was “not comfortable” with Twenty20 in April and Alastair Cook not nearly aggressive or inventive enough for the format, it remains to be seen who will partner Joe Denly at the top of the order.

Denly, the 23-year-old Kent batsman has already shown glimpses of his immense talent in his nine One Day Internationals to date. And, despite a first-ball duck in the abandoned Twenty20 against Australia, at Old Trafford, in the summer, he should be given an extended run in the shorter formats of the game.

Matt Prior and Luke Wright have both opened for England in Twenty20 but neither has looked comfortable with the role. A more likely option would be Jonathan Trott.

Having made a century on debut in the deciding Ashes Test this summer, Trott has been thrust into both squads for this tour. He has plenty of experience opening-up for Warwickshire and averages more than 40 for them in Twenty20.

The middle order – likely to be without Kevin Pietersen, who is still missing with a troublesome achilles – will consist of Wright and Prior, Eoin Morgan and Paul Collingwood.

Pietersen’s absence does leave England a batsman light and the tourists will need to think about options down the order in assembling their bowling attack.

Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad – who can comfortably bat at 8 and 9 – and Jimmy Anderson are shoe-ins. Tim Bresnan could get the nod, owing to his all-round ability, leaving one final spot.

It could be time for England to take the plunge and place some confidence in Adil Rashid. At just 21 years old, Rashid bowled with great heart and maturity at the World Twenty20 in June and impressed when given the chance in the one-dayers against Australia later in the summer.

He also showed his talent with the bat in making an unbeaten 31 – in spite of receiving a tirade of bouncers from Brett Lee – as England came desperately close to winning the first ODI of the Australia series. He has earned his chance and would add depth to the batting order.

South Africa will provide a stiff challenge, tougher than they did at the Champions Trophy, and England will have to be at their best to triumph in either game.

 

Probable England line-up: Denly, Trott, Prior, Collingwood, Morgan, Wright, Bresnan, Rashid, Broad, Swann, Anderson

Fixtures:

1st Twenty20 Friday, Nov 13, Johannesburg

2nd Twenty20 Sunday, Nov 15, Centurion