*Official* England in South Africa

[Uppercut]

@ Uppercut.

As you know though, different kettle of fish when the ball is turning away from the bat. Hopefully Swanneh can make Smith look as bad as he did when I saw him play against Harbhajan.

Quite right, yes. I was just pointing out a case of Smith playing spin very well.

Harbhajan's got Smith twice in five matches, incidentally. He might not be the best player of spin in the world but I'd still say you're clutching at straws if you think Swanny's going to thoroughly expose an underlying weakness against spin.

Has never scored a century against India in 15 innings though. Interesting.

 

[Briony]

In the Australia/SA series, it was only the CT pitch which was at all conducive to spin and McGain went for 0/149 off 18 overs. Harris did well but the batsmen were also taking him on. The pitches in Durban and Joburg were so seam friendly that Australia went for all pace and won them both.

 

[TT Boy]

In the Australia/SA series, it was only the CT pitch which was at all conducive to spin and McGain went for 0/149 off 18 overs. Harris did well but the batsmen were also taking him on. The pitches in Durban and Joburg were so seam friendly that Australia went for all pace and won them both.

At Cape Town, Harris only got stick from Johnson and still his match figures and economy were fantastic. The Australian top order were not interested in taking him on because Harris had the ball on a piece of string. McGain's performance must rate as one of the worst of recent time given the conditions.

The first test is at Centurion and the home franchise there, the Titans have been known to play three spinners and open the bowling attack on occasion with Paul Harris and Martin van Jaarsveld.

So Swann will play every test as he can bat and Harris will if Parnell/Albie Morkel is playing. Also favours the spinners at Kingsmead (the second test) but usually not finger spinners. A guy like Imran Tahir has a very good record in Durban.

 

[SeamUp]

Dead right TT boy it's good to play a spinner at Durban due to the extra bounce. Tahir does have a good record there but with Harris delivering from a height he gets good bounce there.

I think Tahir does well at Durban mainly due to when the suns out in Durban it can be a belter and obviusly on any belter a leggie would be preferred to a finger spinner.

Centurion has become as a close to a dust bowl you will get in SA but spinners love the wind at Cape Town and use it for drift and not really down to the wicket itself. Harris does know how to use the South-easter at Newlands having grown up in CT and you saw that in the last test he played.

 

[SeamUp]

It looks like the English selectors aren't going to pick Harmison because he doesn't sound like he has the drive for international cricket let alone touring again.

Probable squad...selectors will choose

1. COOK
2.STRAUSS
3. TROTT
4.KP
5. BELL
6. COLLINGWOOD
7. PRIOR (w-k)
8. BROAD
9. SWANN
10.ANDERSON
11. ONIONS

12. Batting spot open
13. RASHID
14. DAVIES (w-k)
15. BRESNAN
16. SIDEBOTTOM

Batters potentially fighting it out are Carbery and Key but surely they aren't going to push the team forwards. Bopara and Shah seem to be the past.
Then its the younger batsman like Denly and James Taylor.

Potential all-rounder slot for Luke Wright.

Fast bolwers like Mahmood and Plunkett are the best performers domestically but surely you England supporters can't be happy with them getting re-calls. Then theres the potential of Chris Woakes.

Interesting dilemma, thought I would bring this up because your selectors are set to announce the squad this week.

 

[kingkallis]

Denly is hyped as someone correctly mentioned in some other thread!

It should be Robert Key or Carberry.

 

[SeamUp]

Key was given his chance and did worse than Bopara so I cannot see it though.

I haven't seen Carberry so he may get the nod because he plays in the first division and has out-scored most English batsmen available for selection. But to me is he better than a Key for example. A good county cricketer that cannot handle international cricket.

The sooner the English realise strength vs strength is the way forwards they will improve.

 

[wpdavid]

Key was given his chance and did worse than Bopara so I cannot see it though.

I haven't seen Carberry so he may get the nod because he plays in the first division and has out-scored most English batsmen available for selection. But to me is he better than a Key for example. A good county cricketer that cannot handle international cricket.

The sooner the English realise strength vs strength is the way forwards they will improve.

Key's never been given a proper run in the side though. I wouldn't be unhappy to see him in the squad for SA, although I'd have to admit to not having seen anything of Carberry this year.

tbh we're struggling to find options with bat and ball right now. I wouldn't be surprised to see Mark Davies make the cut if Harmy's time is indeed up. Obviously he's totally different type of bowler, but his FC record is peerless, he did well for the Lions last winter and he's actually fit.

 

[Uppercut]

I'd be surprised to see Mark Davies make the cut, on the grounds that he's so obviously the best option and England's selectors don't really do the obvious thing.

 

[fredfertang]

I agree Will - my fear is that after a few cheap wickets in the last game of the season dear old Saj will get the gig

 

[grecian]

Can't see how Davies is the best option at all, has just got himself fit and has played 7 championship games all season.

I'm not unhappy with Broad, Sidebottom, Bresnan, Anderson and Onions.

Davies better then Harmi, Plunkett, Woakes or Saj, probably though

 

[popepouri]

Here's hoping either CJ De Villiers or Morne Morkel gets a bucket of wickets in the SSS. After watching Albie's recent bowling, I can't see him getting another game. He's definitely a top 6 batsmen who can bowl and a possible replacement for Kallis.

 

[SeamUp]

CJ De Villiers is a decent domestic bowler thats all.

The number 8 spot will either go to Morne, Parnell or McLaren.

 

[LegionOfBrad]

Can't see how Davies is the best option at all, has just got himself fit and has played 7 championship games all season.

I would agree with that, if he can stay fit (and its a huge if) then i can see him getting into the side at some point next year.

But then i remember that are selectors are muppets.

 

[Uppercut]

Can't see how Davies is the best option at all, has just got himself fit and has played 7 championship games all season.

I'm not unhappy with Broad, Sidebottom, Bresnan, Anderson and Onions.

Davies better then Harmi, Plunkett, Woakes or Saj, probably though

Thing is, Davies has played about 90% of his county cricket career whilst on the comeback trail, and he averages 21.17. I think he's pretty sorted with regards to finding form immediately after injuries. Pitches in South Africa should suit him down to the ground. If he's fit, I'd take him there for sure.

 

[Penguinissimo]

Squad I would like to see:

Strauss
Carberry (but they will pick Cook)
Pietersen
Trott
Anyone Other Than Bell (but they will pick Bell )
Collingwood
Bopara

Prior
G Jones (but they will pick Ambrose)

Broad
Rashid
Wright (but they will pick Bresnan)

Swann
Anderson
Onions
Sidebottom

 

[Briony]

If the ball swings in SA, Onions, Sidebottom and Anderson could be handy. The SA attack will be weak if they play Ntini and Albertus. I also think the former is past it but they seem to love him. (the selectors that is)

 

[Penguinissimo]

If the ball swings in SA, Onions, Sidebottom and Anderson could be handy.

The necessary implication therefore being that if it doesn't swing, they won't. Which I agree with, and is our major problem.

 

[BoyBrumby]

That's why I'd have reservations about including Davies along with Sid & Jimmy A (don't think Onions is quite so swing reliant myself). If the ball refuses to swing I think Davies would be absolute fodder.

Plus obviously we need another injury prone bowler in the squad about as much as a bout of swine flu.

 

[Marius]

It's definitely going to be a tight series, but I reckon SA will take it with the home advantage.

But series between SA and England are always very tight and exciting, hard to call this one.