Comments on: England boldly enter the post-Flintoff age

By: Fisher Price

Fisher Price — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:51:34 +0000

I’d expect Onions to play ahead of Sidebottom.

Rashid for Swann? No way. Too inexperienced. Swann’s underrated.

Ntini’s been retained out of sentiment – this’ll be his 100th Test.

South Africa look better on paper but Strauss’s looks to be the most popular leadership, what with many South Africans not happy with the Smith-Arthur axis.

England will no doubt fancy their chances against Ntini and Morne Morkel, but likewise wil be crossing their fingers Anderson and Broad can produce away from home.

By: vinay verma

vinay verma — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:53:22 +0000

And going further ,Brett..a strong West Indies,Sri Lanka,Bangladesh,et al . Memo to ICC strengthen what you have before looking at new frontiers.

By: Brett McKay

Brett McKay — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:05:45 +0000

It’s interesting, for sure, that despite the presence of Pietersen that observations about unity, team performances and work ethic are now being made from inside and outside the team. Strauss reminds me of Mark Taylor – a solid but not spectacular bat, but with an uncanny knack of bringing a bunch of blokes together and bringing out their best.

The old adage that “a strong England is good for Test cricket” still holds true..

By: vinay verma

vinay verma — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:11:14 +0000

Viscount,apparently Parnell is out and Ntini in. I think Ntini is past his best and Parnell offers more potency.

By: vinay verma

vinay verma — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:53:45 +0000

Viscount, it will be a competitive series and a lot will depend on the starts provided by Strauss and Cook. For Pietersen to flourish, the top three,includding Trott,have to lay the foundation. I am expecting Strauss to have a good series as his form has been good over the last two years. Cook has to convert his promise into solid runs. He has the talent but needs to concentrate for long periods. He seems to give it away after doing the hard work initially. Bell has been much maligned by the Aussies but showed admirable steel in the last Ashes Test. He was well shielded by Strauss and this is where Strauss’s strength as a captain comes through. He is thinking about his team.

South Africa have more match winners than England in De Villiers,Duminy,Steyn and Parnell. I am expecting Wayne Parnell to be a stand out and his partnership with Steyn will go a long way in determining the outcome of the series.

In the final analysis the one clear edge SAF have is in their fielding and catching.Smith, Kallis,Amla,De Villiers and Duminy will pouch everything between first slip and covers. Apart from Collingwood England look pedestrian in this regard.

I hope that England can build on the success of their deserved Ashes win and believe they can win. All the prematch bravado is for naught if they cannot produce on the field. Anderson and Broad have to set the tone and Sidebottom has to keep it tight. I would like to see Rashid play ahead of Swann as he can be a match winner .I haven’t heard him come into calculations. It is time England blooded a young cricketer. Why is it that only Pakistan has the courage to give a young man with talent a chance?

By: Justin

Justin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:46:14 +0000

Nice write up VC, I am really looking forward to this series to see where SA are at and also if England’s Ashes victory can catapult them up the rankings.

The betting would indicate that SA are far superior (2.20 v 4.40) however I dont think there is that much between them. Sidebottom would have been a great inclusion with his swing at Centurion but it look like Onions will get the nod. Parnell has been left out for SA which surprised me as he could be anything.

I favour the home side but I think they will trade higher at some point in the match so will wait for an opportunity to pounce

Either way I dont see a draw coming in this match.