*Official* England in South Africa Thread

[Richard]

With Omar Henry deposed, there's talk that Jennings favours the return of Andre Nel. Chance for me to ask again, i) what has his form been like in domestic cricket this season, ii) was injury the only reason he hasn't been in the South African team?

Idiot, I totally forgot to mention him!
Andre Nel should go straight back into the side IMO - a much better Test bowler than Ntini for me, and certainly a better bet than Boje on a typical South African pitch - but not until he's played a few First-Class games and ideally got good sets of figures.
I'm pretty sure the reason for his non-selection recently has been solely injury - he was dropped (and not without good reason) at one point, but hopefully that was just a blip.
His domestic season so far, incidentally, has consisted of 2 good one-day games and one shocker (9 overs for 57).

 

[Spetsnatz]

Indeed, before these recent subcontinent series, when was the last time they lost to anyone other than Australia?
When, indeed, was the last time they lost a home Test to anyone other than Australia?

Didn't they lose a test to England in 1999-2000 ? Of course that test did attract attention for reasons other than cricket.

Before that, Mushy spun Pakistan to a test victory there in early 1998.

 

[Steulen]

Didn't they lose a test to England in 1999-2000 ? Of course that test did attract attention for reasons other than cricket.

Before that, Mushy spun Pakistan to a test victory there in early 1998.

A declaration by Cronje and England won. 'Nuff said.

 

[Steulen]

Just in: SA squad for the first Test:

Smith
De Villiers
Boje
Hall
De Bruyn
Pollock
Ntini
Tsolekile
Rudolph
Dippenaar
Amla
Kallis
Steyn

So no Ontong, Boucher, van Jaarsveld, Gibbs, Peterson, Adams or Nel.

It seems quite likely that De Villiers will be Smith's opening partner. Steyn and Amla to miss out?

 

[twctopcat]

Gibbs misses the first test which is a nice bonus, see here

 

[wpdavid]

Just in: SA squad for the first Test:

Smith
De Villiers
Boje
Hall
De Bruyn
Pollock
Ntini
Tsolekile
Rudolph
Dippenaar
Amla
Kallis
Steyn

So no Ontong, Boucher, van Jaarsveld, Gibbs, Peterson, Adams or Nel.

It seems quite likely that De Villiers will be Smith's opening partner. Steyn and Amla to miss out?

Well, I'm amazed, even though a lot of you got it dead right regarding Gibbs.
Admittedly I don't know a thing about De Villiers, but I'm happy enough not to be facing Gibbs. Maybe that will come back to haunt me though. I'm also happy not to have Boucher coming in at 7.

The one thing that does worry me is the ludicrous itinerary. Four days of cricket before the 1st test is a nonsense, and that will give SA a significant advanatges, IMHO.

 

[superkingdave]

England Team for Nicky Oppenhiemer XI match:

Tresco
Key
Butcher
Thorpe
Flintoff
Collingwood
Reid
Batty
Jones
Hoggard
Harmison

Jones gets nod over Anderson, suppose the team for the FC match will be more revealing though

 

[Scaly piscine]

I'd imagine Anderson & S Jones would both play in the FC match, the Test team is pretty much inked in apart from the last pace bowler slot.

 

[superkingdave]

Somehow cant see both playing in the FC match as neither Harmison, Hoggard or Flintoff has played any cricket since the Oval and since they've already been going on about not wanting to be 'undercooked' for the first test, they will all presumably play in the FC match.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Somehow cant see both playing in the FC match as neither Harmison, Hoggard or Flintoff has played any cricket since the Oval and since they've already been going on about not wanting to be 'undercooked' for the first test, they will all presumably play in the FC match.

They could still rest one of the batsmen or Giles to make room.

 

[Richard]

England Team for Nicky Oppenhiemer XI match:

Tresco
Key
Butcher
Thorpe
Flintoff
Collingwood
Reid
Batty
Jones
Hoggard
Harmison

Jones gets nod over Anderson, suppose the team for the FC match will be more revealing though

This is a charity tour-opener - it doesn't mean a thing.

 

[Richard]

Just in: SA squad for the first Test:

Smith
De Villiers
Boje
Hall
De Bruyn
Pollock
Ntini
Tsolekile
Rudolph
Dippenaar
Amla
Kallis
Steyn

So no Ontong, Boucher, van Jaarsveld, Gibbs, Peterson, Adams or Nel.

It seems quite likely that De Villiers will be Smith's opening partner. Steyn and Amla to miss out?

Anyone else pick the name AB De Villiers, I wonder? Haven't seen anyone else mention him in this thread.
Surprised there's no Van Jaarsveld, I've gotta say.
Other than that, Steyn is the only thing I didn't expect. Never even heard of him.
My prediction now:
Smith
De Villiers
Rudolph
Kallis
Dippenaar
De Bruyn
Hall
Pollock
Boje
Tselokile
Ntini
It could be one from two of Dippenaar and Amla; other than that I'd say it's pretty close to set-in-stone.

 

[Richard]

Well, I'm amazed, even though a lot of you got it dead right regarding Gibbs.
Admittedly I don't know a thing about De Villiers, but I'm happy enough not to be facing Gibbs. Maybe that will come back to haunt me though. I'm also happy not to have Boucher coming in at 7.

The one thing that does worry me is the ludicrous itinerary. Four days of cricket before the 1st test is a nonsense, and that will give SA a significant advanatges, IMHO.

Sadly that's the case on almost every tour ATM.
AB De Villiers has impressed me enormously ever since the u19 series last year. I'm loath to judge too much by u19s, but his play there followed by his achievements in South African domestic cricket have both contributed.
I don't know whether he's as good as Gibbs but Gibbs' form of last year can't really go on for ever - it might benefit South Africa for him not to play.
I hope Tselokile gets dropped after this Test.

 

[Richard Rash]

South Africa to win this series in a canter...

 

[Langeveldt]

South Africa to win this series in a canter...

How come? I can't see this series being a walkover for anyone..

 

[Langeveldt]

Anyone else pick the name AB De Villiers, I wonder? Haven't seen anyone else mention him in this thread.
Surprised there's no Van Jaarsveld, I've gotta say.
Other than that, Steyn is the only thing I didn't expect. Never even heard of him.
My prediction now:
Smith
De Villiers
Rudolph
Kallis
Dippenaar
De Bruyn
Hall
Pollock
Boje
Tselokile
Ntini
It could be one from two of Dippenaar and Amla; other than that I'd say it's pretty close to set-in-stone.

Richard, I'm very impressed with your knowledge of SA cricket.. If you are a closet supporter, you can come out

 

[Richard Rash]

How come? I can't see this series being a walkover for anyone..

I just feel that S.A have had a poor 12 months and at home i think they will be fired up and prove to be far too good for England. It's just a gut feeling i cannot really explain it lol. I will probably be proved wrong but it's not as if England haven't given false hope in the past and i don't think they will be able to live up to the expectations of their public. When does the first test start?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

I just feel that S.A have had a poor 12 months and at home i think they will be fired up and prove to be far too good for England. It's just a gut feeling i cannot really explain it lol. I will probably be proved wrong but it's not as if England haven't given false hope in the past and i don't think they will be able to live up to the expectations of their public. When does the first test start?

I believe England have a team suited to win in South Africa. In Harmison they've a quick spearhead to the attack. Hoggard is steady and seams it. Flintoff gets the pace and the bounce to do well on South African tracks. The batting lineup, in general, I believe is well-equipped to deal with pace in return.

 

[wpdavid]

When does the first test start?

17th December. The second one starts on 26th December, the third on 2nd January, the fourth on 13th January and the fifth on 21st January.

 

[wpdavid]

Richard, I'm very impressed with your knowledge of SA cricket.. If you are a closet supporter, you can come out

I don't think Richard's support for SA has ever been in the closet.
The words "fifth" & "column" spring immediately to mind.