*Official* England in South Africa

[TT Boy]

Not really. Though, the opposition for that game in comparison to what they have faced, is relatively 'strong'. In one game, Amjad Khan was bowling for the opposition and I think Gale batted for the opposition and was the top scorer. Too contrived to have any significance.

 

[Jungle Jumbo]

Was wondering why it didn't turn up as his latest FC game then I saw it was 13v14. Is there all that much point in them?

In a word, no.

 

[straw man]

Feels like this series has been going for ever and the tests which I am looking forward to are only just about to begin on Wednesday. One hundred and five pages of posts in this thread before the cricket has even started

 

[FBU]

Tough choices for the selectors, personally I think (and hope) that they will opt for the extra batsman in Ian Bell at number 6. Luke Wright has not done enough to warrant selection in this side, and I would also hope they only pick Jimmy Anderson if he is 100% fit. It is difficult to predict if he will cope with the rigours of a Test match, only a two-day game under his belt of late, and there were similar concerns of Ryan Sidebottom, returning recently from a side strain, but 'Siddy' was believed to be 'hitting the gloves of Prior hard' suggesting he has his nip back, and if he is fit I would have no quarms in selecting him rather than risk the rest of Jimmy's tour to be included in the opener.
So my side would be -
1. Strauss
2. Cook
3. Trott
4. KP
5. Collingwood
6. Bell
7. Prior
8. Broad
9. Swann
10. Anderson (if fit) / Sidebottom
11. Onions

I agree with only playing Anderson if he is 100% fit. In the 4th and 5th Ashes he was injured and pretty ineffective. He pulled his hamstring at Headingley and also the knee started giving him trouble by the time they got to the Oval.

 

[tooextracool]

I agree with only playing Anderson if he is 100% fit. In the 4th and 5th Ashes he was injured and pretty ineffective. He pulled his hamstring at Headingley and also the knee started giving him trouble by the time they got to the Oval.

Hmm didnt realize that he was carrying an injury during those games.

Nonetheless, I think its interesting that all 5 of England's main bowlers are returning from or have missed games due to injury on this tour. Ordinarily, I would suggest going in with 4 bowlers, but perhaps it makes sense to go in with 5 in this scenario. Don't think Wright adds anything with the ball so either Broad bats 7 or Prior does.

 

[Prince EWS]

Hmm didnt realize that he was carrying an injury during those games.

Nonetheless, I think its interesting that all 5 of England's main bowlers are returning from or have missed games due to injury on this tour. Ordinarily, I would suggest going in with 4 bowlers, but perhaps it makes sense to go in with 5 in this scenario. Don't think Wright adds anything with the ball so either Broad bats 7 or Prior does.

Yeah, even though I generally feel five bowlers is the wrong tactic, I can understand it. I can't really understand Wright though - as he he doesn't play I'll be happy.

 

[marc71178]

Just checking on cricinfo Flintoff's test batting average over the last 2 years is about 27 are you weakening the batting that much by replacing him with Sidebottom who averages 17?

It's not as simple as losing 10 runs, because Sidebottom wouldn't bat 7 so everyone moving up one in the order turns a big strength into a weakness.

 

[FBU]

Tredwell called up to England Test squad as cover for Swann who is recovering from a side strain. Swann will play in the 1st Test but they have to think about the 3 other Tests. Like for like they say. Where does that leave Rashid?

 

[Scaly piscine]

Tredwell called up to England Test squad as cover for Swann who is recovering from a side strain. Swann will play in the 1st Test but they have to think about the 3 other Tests. Like for like they say. Where does that leave Rashid?

As someone who has been messed around with by being picked in meaningless limited overs fixtures which will only teach him how to bowl flat and fast negative rubbish. Meanwhile in the sort of situations where he should have been in the squad - ie when a second spinner is needed (tour in WI for instance) - he was nowhere to be seen.

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah I was totally against Rashid being given in a run in the ODI side tbh but I thought he would've (and should've) been called up here. That he's a genuine allrounder could have really helped too; if Swann was out Rashid could have batted seven with Broad at eight and then three specialist quicks. I don't really mind that balance so much.

Tredwell can bat too obviously but he'd still leave Broad at seven if he played which really isn't desirable at this point IMO. To be fair to him he took 69 wickets @ 26 last season but it's the first time he's ever really done anything of note with the ball - he had never taken his wickets at under 36 in a county season before 2009 and he's been playing for 8 years.

 

[GIMH]

You're assuming we're going to be playing five bowlers there though, which might not be the case

 

[Prince EWS]

You're assuming we're going to be playing five bowlers there though, which might not be the case

Yeah, my preference is actually for Bell to bat six, but I somehow don't see that happening tbh.

 

[GIMH]

I think it will tbh

 

[King Pietersen]

The reason Rashid wasn't called up here is because he's already in the squad. Tredwell's just been brought in as extra cover in the spin department. I'd presume, given that Adil was already in the squad that he'd be next in line if Swann was unfit.

Really looking forward to this Test series getting under way. Luckily I'm not working on the first day, so I'll get to watch the full day's play but annoyingly I'll miss the majority of days 2, 3, 4 and 5 due to work. Lame. I'd been so lucky with work and recent England games as well, missed only 1 game since the CT because of work, the luck was bound to run out eventually.

I don't think Bell will play, he should, but I see the selectors going for an 'all-rounder' at 7 be it either Broad or Wright.

 

[Pothas]

Would be a travesty if Wright played, would probably favour Bell at 6 to be honest but would not complain at Broad batting at 7 and playing 5 bowlers.

 

[Prince EWS]

The reason Rashid wasn't called up here is because he's already in the squad. Tredwell's just been brought in as extra cover in the spin department. I'd presume, given that Adil was already in the squad that he'd be next in line if Swann was unfit.

Hahaha, egg firmly planted on face here.

Don't really see the need to fly out another bowler when you already have cover on tour though.

 

[popepouri]

Kallis is playing...

Revised South Africa squad Graeme Smith (capt), Ashwell Prince, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher (wk), Paul Harris, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Friedel de Wet

Morne also comes back into the side. I'm not sure if Kallis will bowl so extra work for Duminy and especially Harro.

 

[aussie]

Looking forward to seeing De Wet..

 

[The Baconator]

Yeah, can't wait for this series. So glad it starts the day I get home.

 

[Jarquis]

Would've thought he'd be the one to miss out.