Fantasy Versus Tour
A brief South Africa vs England Preview which examines the possible outcomes of the 2nd Twenty20, 5 ODIs, and matches.England 4 test 's Tour of Africa South begins in earnest today in Johannesburg with the first of two international T20. Amuse Bouche is the route before outside Âœuvre of five one day internationals and a delicious dish of four trials, starting with the first Test at Centurion, December 16.
Andrew Strauss side "have a tough assignment in three forms reverse side strong South African who is ranked number one test side in the world, and who, before their dismal performance of the Champions Trophy was also to lead the ODI rankings too. Tests are certainly a tempting prospect. England able to kick in the Ashes triumph rather fortuitous and repeat their success on the high veld in 2004/05? Unfortunately, the tests are still far away, so the focus is now on the preview Part of the tour pajamas.
Amuse Bouche
An indication of the paucity of England in the game is that the T20 reports suggest that they are waiting impatiently to see if the sore throat victim Alastair Cook will be able to take his place in the line up today. Regarding what to cook other international organizations (or even county) side would be too concerned whether it was not in their line up T20? Chris Gayle, Graeme Smith and Virender Sehwag of course, but not Cook. England are further weakened by the absence of Kevin Pietersen, who is saved for the ODI series, and shoulder injury victims Stuart Broad, who gives a patchwork look to the team will be led by Paul Collingwood in the absence of Strauss.
Fortunately, Graeme Swann, James Anderson and Graham Onions have all been declared fit after injury and their concerns are all likely to take their place in the XI. Onions Mickey Arthur impressed during the Champions Trophy with the last coach of Africa South said the Wisden cricketer as onions "… is like for like replacement for Harmison. Significantly, Arthur went on to say that "Harmy would have been a handful and a lot of our hitters are happy, it does not … "
With the need to create a dynamic and another early T20 World Cup next spring on the horizon in the Caribbean, the T20 series is more important than would otherwise be the case. Assuming that Cook is fit to take his place atop the order with Joe Denly – just a pair of leverage Fielding restrictions in the first six overs in England are likely to match following the final choice to return to Adil Rashid and Tim Bresnan:
Cook, Denly, Jonathan Trott, Collingwood (C), Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Luke Wright, Rashid / Bresnan, Swann, Anderson and onions.
As a prediction, it is not beyond a comfortable 2-0 victory for the Proteas, who fears that one should not forget the side were most impressive in the world before they imploded T20 semi-final against Pakistan.
Outside Âœuvre
The victory of the Champions Trophy against Africa South suggests that England should have a better chance in the ODI series that follows. Certainly the staff will be significantly strengthened with the return of Strauss and Pietersen and Broad hopefully be back to strengthen the bowling and the balance later.
However, a warning may be necessary. South Africa May continually under perform and sometimes choking in major tournaments of the limited overs ICC, as the World Cup and Champions Trophy, but they are a formidable side with an excellent record in one day series, especially at home. Even the triumphant England side test of 2004/05 were easily beaten 4-1 by the Proteas in the series a day after the tests, despite three centuries from Pietersen. Any side effects and includes Smith, Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy, AB de Villiers, Albie Morkel and Dale Steyn will be extremely difficult to beat on their own patch.
Nevertheless, Despite the evident strength of the Proteas, England really should be trying to make a contest closing the ODI series, even if they are likely to lose 3-2 or 4-1. Assuming that large returns and that England will want to retain some flexibility in their bowling line up, the next line up could be the strongest available to Strauss and Andy Flower:
Strauss (C), Trott, Pietersen, Collingwood, Morgan, Prior, Wright, Broad, Swann, Anderson and onions.
This means that unfortunately Denly would miss out. On the other hand, if Strauss and flowers are comfortable with Collingwood as the fifth bowler, then Denly could return to Wright.
The fun begins.
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