***Official*** England in South Africa 2015/16

[Marius]

How can it be sold out and tickets go on sale the 7th? I don't understand the logic here.

Edit: Nevermind, it's for the temporary seating.

Edit: Edit: Looks like Day 3 is also sold out and day 4 and 5 are close. This is insane. :S

Cape Town is going to be insane over New Years - can't wait.

 

[Cabinet96]

Really starting to think we can get something out of this series with the injuries to SA's bowling attack and the lack of form for some of their batsmen, albeit it in completely different conditions.

 

[Niall]

10/3 with Ladbrokes for England to win this series, thank you.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

While SA will be delighted to be back on home soil and more familiar pitches the out of form batsmen have very little time to find some decent form going into this series. Might be our best way of exploiting them, striking in the first test.

 

[Black_Warrior]

I doubt we can take a lot from the India series for this series though. Expect guys like Elgar, Faf, Duminy to find it relatively easier to play on their own pitches. Not sure about the extent of Steyn's injury though. A recuperating Steyn short on match practice might be a blow.

 

[Cabinet96]

Steyn usually takes a while to get into his rhythm. We won our only test in 09/10 in his first test back when he wasn't quite at his best.

The batsman will enjoy being back in familiar conditions but at the same time their confidence is likely shot and they just haven't had much time in the middle. Biggest worry for England is the backup bowling with Wood and Finn injured, but if Anderson and Broad get on song and skittle through SA once it could be enough to win a test.

 

[Black_Warrior]

Is Wood ruled out of the entire series?

 

[FBU]

Is Wood ruled out of the entire series?

He's out for 8 weeks. Had his operation 24 Nov. Could play some part in ODIs and 20/20s.

 

[Garson007]

When can we expect the South African squad announcement? Will be an interesting one.

 

[Daemon]

Yeah, wonder if any of the performances in India will have a major impact in their selection. Vilas will probably be replaced but I reckon van Zyl will survive.

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah, wonder if any of the performances in India will have a major impact in their selection. Vilas will probably be replaced but I reckon van Zyl will survive.

I think de Kock would've been back already had he actually been in the squad so Vilas is gone for sure.

van Zyl's an interesting one. I'm sure he would have survived if he played out the series, but given he actually got dropped I'm not so sure anymore, particularly given it was for Bavuma who they'll be roundly criticised for not giving a fair go if they drop him after one game.

 

[morgieb]

Wouldn't be wholly surprised if Duminy gets dumped.

Bavuma shouldn't be dropped straight away after his efforts in the last Test IMO.

 

[Prince EWS]

Wouldn't be wholly surprised if Duminy gets dumped.

Nah Duminy actually did okay in Nagpur given the circumstances, is only just coming back from injury, and will also be important at home if they want to play four specialist quicks.

 

[cnerd123]

Does Bavuma open normally? Seemed fairly adept at it. Then again, Yadav/Ishant with the new ball on that pitch aren't really that threatening

Duminy has to play. Need his spin.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Pace attack will be even trickier to pick. Abbott was awesome in the last test, so do you still have Rabada ahead of him? Do you drop Philander? Harmer, Piedt or Tahir as the spinner?

 

[Prince EWS]

Does Bavuma open normally?

Nah that was literally the first time he'd ever opened in professional cricket. He usually bats five in domestic cricket; he had a crack at three but it didn't really work out.

 

[Prince EWS]

Pace attack will be even trickier to pick. Abbott was awesome in the last test, so do you still have Rabada ahead of him? Do you drop Philander? Harmer, Piedt or Tahir as the spinner?

Duminy as the spinner at home with some help from Elgar, IMO.

It is a worry that Duminy sent down such pies in India but hopefully now that he's fully fit he can start bowling properlyish. Having four seamers in South Africa is massive.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Yeah I'd go with Steyn, Morkel, Philander abd Abbott. Harsh on Rabada since he was impressive.

 

[Howe_zat]

Duminy got heaps outbowled by Elgar this year. Decent one day bowler but not convinced he actually plays much of a role with the ball in Tests. Seems to be one of those things that's talked about more than actually happens.

 

[Daemon]

I think de Kock would've been back already had he actually been in the squad so Vilas is gone for sure.

van Zyl's an interesting one. I'm sure he would have survived if he played out the series, but given he actually got dropped I'm not so sure anymore, particularly given it was for Bavuma who they'll be roundly criticised for not giving a fair go if they drop him after one game.

True. He'll still be the first back up if Bavuma fails though imo. Clueless in India but despite half of his innings being in there he's still averaging 35.