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 All Out, Referrals Not Convincing

England dismissed South Africa for 418 in their first innings of the first Test at Centurion, in what is warming into a nicely balanced contest.

The tourists will be fairly happy with their display. The bowlers worked hard for their ten wickets,  Graeme Swann the pick of the bunch with 5 for 110.

For the hosts, Jacques Kallis stroked a chanceless hundred and there were decent contributions from Ashwell Prince, JP Duminy and Mark Boucher – but none made enough runs to take the game away from England.

The one contentious issue has been the new referral system. On day one it worked splendidly, giving reprieve to Prince and AB De Villiers.

But, on day two, Graeme Swann trapped Morne Morkel on the crease and everyone – umpire Steve Davies included – thought it was a straight forward decision.

Hawkeye, however, disagreed and Morkel was given another life. From every angle I saw, it looked as plum as an lbw can be.

If the system is there to make Test cricket better – and it needs something given the terrible crowd at Supersport Park – I’m not sure this system is it.

Watching Morkel, a hulk of a man, prod around for an extra half hour, blocking and nudging, is not going to turn anyone’s eye from Twenty20.

As if batsmen need any more help in this day and age; bigger bats and smaller boundries, now coupled with some extra lives, spells a dark era for the world’s bowlers.

SA v Eng First ODI Preview: Weather Set to Ruin First ODI

England’s first ODI against South Africa at the Wanderers today (12.30pm GMT) seems destined to be ruined by the weather.

The outlook from BBC Weather looks pretty glum for Johannesburg.

James Anderson said on Twitter this morning:

 JimmyAnderson9 Raining again today. Not looking good for game later

If the teams do see some action, Kent spinner James Tredwell looks set to make his England debut, less than 24 hours after being drafted in as cover for the injured Graeme Swann.

Stuart Broad has also been ruled out for the first two ODIs so Tim Bresnan is likely to play.

Paul Collingwood is set to make his 171st ODI appearance, making him England’s most capped player in the format, surpassing Alec Stewart’s record.

England (possible): Strauss, Denly, Trott, Pietersen, Collingwood, Morgan, Prior, Wright, Bresnan, Tredwell, Anderson.

Best bet: Top England batsman – Paul Collingwood at 9/2 with www.Coral.co.uk

Trott Stars as England Win in Final Warm-up

England, missing a handful of first-choice players, beat South Africa ‘A’ in their final warm-up match before the first ODI on Friday.
Jonathan Trott was once again the star, stroking 78 from 89 balls as England chased down a tough total.
Graham Onions, playing his first match on tour, and Luke Wright took two wickets apiece as a strong South African second-choice – skippered by Hashim Amla and including Herschelle Gibbs and Morne Morkel – made 279-8 batting first.
Andrew Strauss got England’s reply off to a flier, hitting 65, while Trott took over in the middle overs.
Matt Prior (54) and Luke Wright (25no) then finished the job for the tourists with 11 balls remaining, a timely confidence boost ahead of the ODI series.

Twenty20 Betting: South Africa Hot Favourites for Opening T20

England start today’s Twenty20 against South Africa as firm underdogs.
Coral and Ladbrokes both have England at 6/4 to win the match, with South Africa the clear favourites at 1/2.
In terms of batting, Jonathan Trott looks a good bet to be England’s top batsman at a best-priced 9/2 with Coral and Eoin Morgan’s form at the Champion’s Trophy makes him a decent shout at 13/2.
JP Duminy, a master in this form of the game, represents value as South Africa’s top batsman at 4/1 with Ladbrokes.
With rain predicted for the weekend in Centurion – where the two teams meet for the 2nd Twenty20 on Sunday – an England series victory could represent value with Ladbrokes at 9/2. Sneaking a win tonight for the tourists and a weather-ruined weekend would spell a good start to the tour.