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SA, England set for gripping series

Brad Morgan

1 July 2008

The South African cricket team's tour of England is under way - the side made an encouraging start against Somerset in its first game - and a gripping test series is expected between a settled England side and a Proteas team that has enjoyed a fine season so far.

South African captain Graeme Smith, after tours of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India this season, believes playing in England will be easier on his players than the extremely demanding Asian tours where massive, rabidly fanatical crowds and continuous travel can be very draining.

Touring England might be less demanding away from the field of play, but on the field it is sure to be every bit as tough. This much is certain, the winners will be the fans of the game. Past history and current form suggests that the upcoming series could be one for the ages.

Remarkably well matched

Since South Africa returned to international cricket in 1992, the two countries have been remarkably well matched. They have played six test series, with both sides winning two and the other two resulting in draws.

England, in their most recent test series, defeated New Zealand 2-0. That series victory lifted them above South Africa, into third in the ICC test rankings, in a positional swop.

If the Proteas top England in their four-test series, they could vault both the English and India and move up to second place, which would set up a two versus one showdown when South Africa tours Australia in December. Thus, there is plenty of motivation for Graeme Smith's team to win.

Motivation

Adding further motivation for the South Africans is the fact that England won the most recent series between the two countries, in 2004/05, and their win was achieved on South African soil. The visitors, under Michael Vaughan, claimed a 2-1 series victory, with two matches drawn.

A glance at the South African squad reveals that seven of the 11 players who contested the final test of the 2004/05 series are on tour in England. They give the side a good experienced spine, but it is some of the newcomers that have in recent times grabbed the headlines and the imagination of the cricket lovers.

Fast bowler Dale Steyn stands out above all others. The winner of four South African Cricket Awards – including the Mutual & Federal SA Cricketer of the Year, the Castle Test Cricketer of the Year, the SA Players' Player of the Year, and the SuperSport Fans' Cricketer of the Year – his ascension to the elite of the game has been rocket-propelled.

100-wicket milestone

During the course of the current season, he became the fastest South African to the 100-test-wicket milestone, reaching it in 20 matches - two games less than Allan Donald and Hugh Tayfield required.

His recent form, though, has been ever better than that milestone suggests. In 12 tests this season, he has knocked over 78 batsmen, a feat which briefly lifted him to top of the ICC test bowling rankings before he moved back to second place behind Muttiah Muralitharan, the all-time leader for test dismissals.

However, it is not Steyn's pace and swing alone that makes the South African bowling attack exciting. Far from it. Morne Morkel, another of the young guns, brings fearsome pace to the mix and with his two-metre height generates steep bounce. He also possesses one of the better Yorkers in the game.

In form

Adding further ammunition to the pace attack is Makhaya Ntini, whose 344 test wickets ranks second only to Shaun Pollock among South Africans. While he hasn't always been at his best during the current season, most recently he was among the best opening bowlers in the Indian Premier League (IPL). It was an encouraging sign for Proteas coach Mickey Arthur.

He said he was impressed by Ntini's performances, adding that it was good to see him bowling at around the 140km/h mark again. Good for South Africa maybe, but not so good for any opposition because Steyn and Morkel regularly bowl above that speed, often at around the express 150km/h mark.

There is a fourth paceman to add to the mix: Andre Nel. The fiery Nel is a 100 percent effort man who wears his heart on his sleeve. If a batsman has less than ideal temperament, Nel is guaranteed to ruffle him somewhat. With 34 tests to his credit, he brings valuable experience to the bowling attack.

Spinner Paul Harris has emerged as a class performer, proving his ability in Asia where batsmen are brought up on turning tracks. He has the ability not only to take wickets, but he is adept at holding up one end and slowly putting the pressure on the batsmen to score runs by constricting their strokeplay.

England bowling

What makes matters interesting is that England is a settled team, having fielded the same test starting line-up for five matches in succession. Coach Peter Moores is more than happy with his bowling attack, he is excited by it.

Left-arm paceman Ryan Sidebottom, who father Arnold played for Orange Free State in the 1980s, leads the attack. His is ranked sixth in the ICC rankings, just behind Makhaya Ntini, who occupies fifth place and was England's spearhead in home and away series wins over New Zealand.

James Anderson, the other opening bowler, has in the past been prone to spells of inconsistency, but he is currently full of confidence and after the recent test series win against New Zealand has a career-high number of points in the rankings.

Stuart Broad, whose father Chris also played for Orange Free State in the 1980s, is starting to make his presence felt, according to Moores.

For a spin option, England, like South Africa, employs a left-armer, Monty Panesar, who has from time to time proven to be a match winner.

Andrew Flintoff

The big question surrounding England at present is whether or not Andrew Flintoff should be brought back into the squad, and beyond that into a very settled starting eleven.

The talented all-rounder has played little cricket, only recently returning to action after recovering from a side-strain, but at his best he is a world-class performer. One suspects that coach Moores will ease him back into action, rather than pitch him headlong into what is sure to be a hard-fought series against the Proteas.

SA batting and injuries

There are some concerns about South Africa's batting. Captain Graeme Smith was in excellent form in the IPL before he pulled a hamstring, but his recovery from the injury is reportedly coming along well. He is expected to lead a test-strength team in South Africa's second warm-up match against Middlesex, a three-day clash that starts on Friday.

Jacques Kallis took a blow to his right elbow in the game against Somerset and was forced to retire injured shortly afterwards. Encouragingly, he was unbeaten on 160 at the time. More encouragingly, Proteas' physiotherapist Shane Jabaar is confident Kallis will be fit to face Middlesex.

Hashim Amla, the man with whom Kallis has shared many telling partnerships in recent times, including 216 against Somerset, mildly strained a groin during his innings of 172, but it isn't regarded as a serious problem.

One to watch

The performances of AB de Villiers will be observed with interest. Most recently in a three-test series against India, he showed signs of coming into his own. His talent and ability has never been in doubt, but he has at times in the past given his wicket away too cheaply. The more he can cut back on such incidents, the more opposing bowlers are certain to suffer.

Coach Mickey Arthur, in looking for an edge over England, has turned to South African fast bowling great, Shaun Pollock, a man who not so long ago was part of the Proteas' line-up, and man who is greatly respected by Graeme Smith and company.

Pollock, who will follow the tour as part of Sky Sports' commentary team, will be used as an adviser to the SA team and, says Arthur, he can also be called upon to help with net sessions.

SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD

• Graeme Smith
• Ashwell Prince
• Hashim Amla
• Mark Boucher
• AB de Villiers
• Jean-Paul Duminy
• Paul Harris
• Jacques Kallis
• Neil McKenzie
• Morne Morkel
• Andre Nel
• Makhaya Ntini
• Robin Peterson
• Dale Steyn
• Monde Zondeki

Fixtures

29 June - 1 July
Somerset v SA

4-6 July
Middlesex v SA

10-14 July
1st Test - England v SA, Lord's

18-22 July
2nd Test - England v SA, Headingley

25-27 July
Bangladesh A v SA

30 July - 3 August
3rd Test - England v SA, Edgbaston

7-11 August
4th Test - England v SA, The Oval

13 August
PCA Masters XI v SA

14 August
England Lions v SA

16 August
England Lions v SA

20 August
Twenty20 International - England v SA, Riverside Ground

22 August
1st ODI - England v SA, Headingley

26 August
2nd ODI - England v SA, Trent Bridge

29 August
3rd ODI - England v SA, The Oval

31 August
4th ODI - England v South Africa, Lord's

3 September
5th ODI - England v SA, Sophia Gardens