*Official* England in South Africa

[tooextracool]

South Africa are doing themselves a constant disfavor by looking the other way with regards to Ntini

 

[popepouri]

South Africa are doing themselves a constant disfavor by looking the other way with regards to Ntini

His record over the last year and half:
Bowling records | One-Day Internationals | Cricinfo Statsguru | Cricinfo.com

 

[Marius]

Looks like Neil Manthorpe agrees. Can't see Albie keeping his place much longer. Fantastic hitter, but if you're coming in at number 7, you're not really contributing that much to the team except for 6 hitting down the order, which South Africa has plenty of in Bouch, VDM and Parnell.


Looks like Morne is hitting some form domestically and I can see him making a comeback at first change. Tsotsobe is more of a swing bowler so I don't see him doing much with the older ball and he's just not quick enough, however I haven't seen him bowl recently.

The line up should be:

Smith
Amla/Gibbs
Kallis
AB
Duminy
Boucher
VDM
Parnell
Botha
Morne/Lopsy
Steyn

If they drop him, I don't see this as the end of Albie. He looks like a fantastic no. 6 when Kallis retires.

Ryan Mclaren has apparently said he's available for South Africa, so perhaps he could be the answer. Have him at seven. I don't think he's as great a batsman as Albie, but I think he's a better bowler, and the 5th bowler is where SA's been coming short.

 

[popepouri]

Ryan Mclaren has apparently said he's available for South Africa, so perhaps he could be the answer. Have him at seven. I don't think he's as great a batsman as Albie, but I think he's a better bowler, and the 5th bowler is where SA's been coming short.

I have a feeling Langeveldt will play instead. Totally forgot about him.

 

[Penguinissimo]

England Squads for SA

Tests:

Strauss (c)
Cook
Bell
Trott
KP
Colly
Prior
Davies
Wright
Broad
Swann
Rashid
Anderson
Onions
Plunkett
Sidebum

Wright? Plunkett? Seriously?

And no reserve opener in case Cook can't cut it?

Pleased about the lack of Harmison, though.

ODIs

Strauss
Cook
Denly
Trott
KP
Morgan
Colly
Prior
Rashid
Wright
Broad
Bresnan
Saj Mahmood
Swann
Onions
Anderson

EDIT: missed Onions in the ODI squad.

Saj Mahmood? Cook for ODIs? Please, no...

 

[Shri]

Lol Harmy...

 

[grecian]

Well, Plunkers had a good season, so maybe he's improved. Yet Luke Wright, WTF

The end for Harmison in all likelihood.

 

[marc71178]

I'd had a thought earlier and had only named 15 (by mistake) but had Denly for Wright, Foster for Davies and no Plunkett.

To be fair, Liam's probably about next in line and has the added benefit of batting skills which with Broad at 7 we need.

 

[Uppercut]

Plunkett's been awesome this season. Seems a bit unfair that everyone's against him because he wasn't up to standard when he was picked a whole two and a half years ago.

 

[S Chanderpaul]

Well, Plunkers had a good season, so maybe he's improved. Yet Luke Wright, WTF

The end for Harmison in all likelihood.

Luke Wright also had a very good first class season, so maybe he's improved?

Or does that logic only work on certain players?

 

[Penguinissimo]

No Bopara for either, which (although I think he'll be good in the long run) is a good thing.

Was hoping G Jones would have got the reserve spot in SA, though.

 

[Uppercut]

Can't argue with Davies as reserve though, good keeper.

 

[Penguinissimo]

Can't argue with Davies as reserve though, good keeper.

No, true, but couldn't come in and bat at 6 if Prior got injured.

 

[grecian]

Plunkett's been awesome this season. Seems a bit unfair that everyone's against him because he wasn't up to standard when he was picked a whole two and a half years ago.

Has he been that awesome, 5th in Durhams bowling averages. I think Bresnan has been a bit hard done by, but I'm not that bothered with Plunkers pick. He probably won't play. Also wouldn't of minded a Finn or someone being giving a go as a long term successor to Harmy.

Wright is a waste of a space though, utterly bizarre.

In answer to S. Chanderpaul, Luke Wright had a good eight games, which isn't much of a basis to feel he can suddenly become a Test player.

 

[marc71178]

No, true, but couldn't come in and bat at 6 if Prior got injured.

Which keeper in England could though? I'd say pretty much none of them.

 

[GIMH]

Glad Davies has been picked as backup, hopefully it will end the Kieswetter campaign round these parts.

Won't comment on the rest.

Edit. Actually I will. Looking at that squad, we are either going to play six bats with Prior at seven (fine by me) or Luke Wright gets Freddie's spot, as far as I can tell. Hmmmmm. Should have picked one more batsman I reckon, as an injury could really hurt us.

 

[Penguinissimo]

Which keeper in England could though? I'd say pretty much none of them.

I reckon G Jones would have the best chance of anybody.

 

[GIMH]

If Luke Wright ever plays a Test-match I shall probably kill the person responsible.

Just saying...

 

[Prince EWS]

Looking at that squad, we are either going to play six bats with Prior at seven (fine by me)..

I don't really think so, actually. You're only taking six bats in the squad, so I think one of them is probably backup.

 

[GIMH]

Yeah, so Luke Wright it is, then

Strauss
Cook
Bell
Pietersen
Trott
Prior
Wright
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Onions

??