TT Boy
Hall of Fame Member
Strauss was struggling for form and Ntini has done sweet FA domestically this season to suggest he will be much of a factor.
-
Welcome to the Cricket Web forums, one of the biggest forums in the world dedicated to cricket.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join the Cricket Web community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.
*Official* England in South Africa
- Thread starter James
- Start date
Uppercut
Request Your Custom Title Now!
Personally I probably wouldn't play Ntini. I don't know how much form had to do with it, the series was sandwiched between his monster-ton in New Zealand and twin tons in India. I think they just bowled very well to him.
Expect Parnell to trouble Strauss though, no?
Expect Parnell to trouble Strauss though, no?
King Pietersen
International Captain
Howsie, Bresnan didn't look particularly threatening, but he bowled well. Bowled a good length and line and kept the runs down. Does a good job in this side I think. Didn't like his selection at first, but it's making sense now, when/if Fred comes back it'd be Wright that makes way for me.
Botham's Test XI would be:
Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Collingwood
Prior +
Broad
Swann
Seamer (Sidebottom/Plunkett/whoever else is in the side)
Anderson
Onions
Probably a better option than picking Luke Wright, as I don't see how he'd be helping in taking 20 wickets in a Test match. Adil Rashid or Tim Bresnan would be better options if we insist on picking an all-rounder. I just don't think we've got an all-rounder good enough to help take 20 wickets. It's all well and good Botham talking about it being negative picking 6 batsmen, but I'd rather pick the best XI cricketers, and I don't believe Wright or Bresnan are good enough.
I'd personally go in with:
Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Collingwood
Bell
Prior +
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Onions
Looks a much stronger line-up to me. Bell's proven his worth at #6 in the past, and the bowling is too much weaker than if Wright or Bresnan were in the side. Collingwood's proven he can bowl a few overs, Trott's got a decent FC record and KP can chip in if it's turning. I just think if Anderson, Onions, Broad and Swann aren't good enough to take 20 wickets in a Test, then we've got serious problems, bringing in Luke Wright or Tim Bresnan wouldn't suddenly change that.
As for this ODi, I'm glad Ryan McLaren picked South Africa...
Botham's Test XI would be:
Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Collingwood
Prior +
Broad
Swann
Seamer (Sidebottom/Plunkett/whoever else is in the side)
Anderson
Onions
Probably a better option than picking Luke Wright, as I don't see how he'd be helping in taking 20 wickets in a Test match. Adil Rashid or Tim Bresnan would be better options if we insist on picking an all-rounder. I just don't think we've got an all-rounder good enough to help take 20 wickets. It's all well and good Botham talking about it being negative picking 6 batsmen, but I'd rather pick the best XI cricketers, and I don't believe Wright or Bresnan are good enough.
I'd personally go in with:
Strauss
Cook
Trott
Pietersen
Collingwood
Bell
Prior +
Broad
Swann
Anderson
Onions
Looks a much stronger line-up to me. Bell's proven his worth at #6 in the past, and the bowling is too much weaker than if Wright or Bresnan were in the side. Collingwood's proven he can bowl a few overs, Trott's got a decent FC record and KP can chip in if it's turning. I just think if Anderson, Onions, Broad and Swann aren't good enough to take 20 wickets in a Test, then we've got serious problems, bringing in Luke Wright or Tim Bresnan wouldn't suddenly change that.
As for this ODi, I'm glad Ryan McLaren picked South Africa...
Last edited:
TT Boy
Hall of Fame Member
Ntini has to play first test, on 99 and sentiment dictates that he will get the 100. Best thing would be for him to make way once reaching that landmark.
As for Parnell, he doesn't have the necessary experience and patience yet for the longer form of the game. Rob Key said he gets bored easily and at the moment he doesn't do much with the ball. He has a quick arm and surprises people with his pace and subtle changes of pace but he doesn't swing the ball anymore.
Briony
International Debutant
England looks stronger on paper so it's hardly surprising they're smashing SA, despite their poor form the other night. McLaren is not up to international standard, it's hard to believe he's picked but without Kallis they have no other allrounders of quality. It will take Parnell some time to get up to speed but he shows promise.
Briony
International Debutant
SA selectors should have done everything to retain Trott and let McLaren play for England.Bring back Louw or hell, fat boy Philander! Imagine if CSA did buy out McLaren's contract.
Trott's pulled him with absolute contempt.
GIMH
Norwood's on Fire
Didn't we take a shortened one in the Windies by ten?
And failing that, twas against Saffa at Trent Bridge last year
Jimmeh
Briony
International Debutant
Is 354 to 119 the biggest turnaround in totals from one ODI to another? SA is a very inconsistent team these days, perhaps lacking a bit of leadership. Some suggestion that Smith is a bit distracted with Minki causing problems in his private life. They certainly lack stability or something. Strauss in contrast has been very impressive on this tour.
King Pietersen
International Captain
McLaren's not having much luck really is he. Genuinely good delivery to Pietersen, and one he wasn't expecting. Terrible shot from Pietersen but even worse fielding from Morkel. Been a comical performance from SA.
King Pietersen
International Captain
Pietersen looks in terrible nick. Understandable given he's just got back from a surgery on a nasty injury and then an infection, but it's been a while since he looked good at the crease, quite worrying. He needs to get his form back by the time we hit the Test series.
TT Boy
Hall of Fame Member
King Pietersen
International Captain
Starting to look more and more likely. Only England could make chasing down 119 look so difficult. McLaren's bowled well though tbf to him, definitely a marked improvement over his previous efforts in the series.
TT Boy
Hall of Fame Member
He has bowled ok but he should be, there is enough in the wicket for the seamers. Performances on flat tracks like the one seen on Friday which implies he won't have much longevity.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
He's never been a crash-hot one day bowler domestically; his forte has always been with the red ball. He's actually more of a bat in one day cricket really but obviously he hasn't really shown that yet either. I've never seen him play a First Class game but if you compare his career bowling figures to his one day stuff, it shouldn't be terribly surprising that he's averaging 40 and going at 5s in ODIs.
I'd be really interested to see him given a crack at Tests although he probably won't if he keeps looking so ineffective in ODI cricket, which is a shame.
Last edited:
Uppercut
Request Your Custom Title Now!
I think he's a useful part of their test attack, personally. He's not exactly a star strike bowler but on even on the flattest decks he often finds a way to nab a wicket from somewhere. He bowled horrendously in the home series against Aus where conditions demanded holding a line and length, and there are a lot of bowlers better than him when accuracy is crucial, but I'd quite like him in the side on dead tracks. It's hard to read his length so there's a bit of an unsettling effect for batsmen, and at least you know his edges aren't going to drop short.
Uppercut
Request Your Custom Title Now!
Has he really stopped swinging the red ball altogether?
