South African summer 2009-10 : SA vs England

[ESPN]

Broad bowls Eng to brink of victory Broad bowls Eng to brink of victory Stuart Broad put his 2007 Kingsmead nightmare behind him to help bowl England to the brink of victory against South Africa. England were hailing a perfect day, after Stuart Broad put his country to the brink of victory in the second Test. Broad's three wickets for one run from 15 balls followed an Ian Bell century which opposition fast bowler Dale Steyn described as "career-saving", and combined with three scalps too for Graeme Swann (three for 22) to leave South Africa 76 for six at stumps on day four. Proteas staring at defeat in Durban Still 156 behind, the hosts have slim chances of keeping the series at 0-0 with two to play. As for Broad (three for 18), who was hit for six sixes in one over by Yuvraj Singh in the World Twenty20 at this venue two years ago, Bell confirmed it is entirely in character for him to respond so well. "I remember sitting with him before the game started, joking about those (sixes)," said England's latest centurion. "I don't think it really fazes him. He just seems to shrug it off and get on with the next day - that's his character. He'll keep running in for England all day, and tonight was a great example of how he is maturing. "It was another very good display from a young bowler who is improving all the time." Swann played his part too, snaring the top three in the South Africa order as England began their attempt to bowl their hosts out inside four-and-a-half sessions after Bell's ninth Test hundred had helped them pile up 575 for nine declared. "Swanny's been fantastic, making things happen straightaway," said Bell. "Then against world-class players, Broady seems to ask questions all the time. If you put pressure on top of that, it's an absolutely perfect bowling display." Super Selector: Four top cricketing nations are battling it out for Test honours. Australia faces the resurgent Pakistan team and South Africa lock horns with England. Are these players in your Super Selector team? Pick now! Bell conceded, meanwhile, that his 141 - his first hundred since making 199 against South Africa at Lord's 17 months ago - was a hugely significant personal performance. Asked whether Steyn may be right about the innings saving his career at the highest level, he said: "Definitely. I knew I was under the pump a little bit. "I knew I needed an innings to save my place. There was no doubt about that. I hadn't scored a hundred this year. It was nice to give us enough scoreboard pressure for our bowlers to go out and get six wickets." Bell's hundred was hard won and notably celebrated - hands aloft and with a tug of his England crest - and his former Warwickshire team-mate Paul Harris made him sweat till the end, reminding him of his near miss when he fell caught-and-bowled to him one run short of that 2008 200. "I had a bit of a chirp from 'Harry', in terms of reminding me of the 199 at Lord's," he said. "It's been a while; it's been a hard 12 months for me, in and out of the side. But being involved in a team that's got six wickets for 50 runs, the whole day has been just what we wanted. I don't think we'll get a much better day in Test cricket."

[jusarrived]

not surprised , I said Eng would either win or Draw this series before start

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England call up Carberry as cover for Collingwood England have called up Hampshire batsman Michael Carberry as cover for Paul Collingwood for the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.More... England call up Michael Carberry as cover for injured batsman Paul Collingwood By Sportsmail Reporter 12:54 AM on 31st December 2009 England have called up Hampshire batsman Michael Carberry as cover for Paul Collingwood for the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. Collingwood dislocated his left index finger on the fourth morning of the second Test, which ended with an innings-and-98-run victory for England today. X-rays revealed Collingwood had broken no bones, and England are optimistic that he will still be fit to take part at Newlands in the next Test of the four-match series, starting on January 3. Collingwood made 91 in England's 574 for nine declared at Kingsmead and was not required to bat again, after the tourists bowled South Africa out for 133 in their second innings. Uncapped 29-year-old Carberry made a century for England Lions against New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in May last year, having joined his third county Hampshire from Kent in 2005. He had a prolific 2009 in county cricket, making more than 1,200 championship runs at an average of almost 70. The left-handed top-order batsman was rewarded with a place on the England Performance Programme trip this winter to Pretoria, where he recently made a hundred against the Gauteng Strikers.

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Proteas in sorry state Personnel changes are needed for the Newlands Test if South Africa are to have any chance of salvaging this series against England, writes Stuart Hess. More... Proteas in sorry state Stuart Hess December 31 2009 at 07:45AM A mere 12 months after contemplating the creation of a dynasty to take over Australia's place as Test cricket's top dogs, Graeme Smith's side have been reduced to a creaky mass of confusion with no idea what to do for the next Test against England. Almost a year ago to the day, Smith sat in the bowels of the Melbourne Cricket Ground and spoke of maintaining and improving on the standards that enabled them to become the first side to win a Test series in Australia in 16 years. However, instead of progression, there's been regression on the part of the South African side. The bitter disappointment of Wednesday's innings and 98-run defeat was etched on his face and reflected in his words, and Smith knows he and his side have a mountain to climb in order to turn the series around in Cape Town. "As a team, we reached a point and we haven't been able to go to the next level and that's something we need to address as a unit and as a leadership group. "From a coaching perspective, we have to look at why we haven't been able to take that next step," Smith mused after the match. Where South Africa's top six had looked steady in the last two years, here they were fragile - Smith described the batting in the second innings as "tentative" - the bowling lacked discipline and was downright poor in the first 25 overs of the England innings, and Paul Harris failed to provide the control Smith has so come to rely on in recent seasons. There will have to be personnel changes for the third Test, starting on Sunday. South Africa had chosen a 15-man squad - and selection convener Mike Procter confirmed on Wednesday that the starting XI for the Newlands Test would have to come from that squad. "It's quite clear in our own heads the things we need to look at going into Cape Town," said Smith. "We need to be quite precise in terms of the things we need to improve on at training. "It's important to take the emotion out of the decision-making process. "Cape Town now becomes a crucial Test and we have to make the right decisions to ensure we win it." The most obvious change would be to drop Makhaya Ntini and include Friedel de Wet, but could and should there be changes to the batting, too? Ashwell Prince had expressed his dislike for the opening berth in March before making 150 in that position against Australia at Newlands. He was at it again before this series, explaining how he preferred to play in the middle order but would make do with his current lot. JP Duminy is the other player who has looked wholly out of touch. Just a year out from his dream-like innings at the MCG, he has the look of a deer in the headlights about him now. He appears intimidated by the threat of England attacking his body and his normally fluid stroke play has been hand-cuffed. Alviro Petersen is the other specialist batsman in the squad and, given his excellent performances under trying circumstances in the one-day series, his inclusion would be merited. England captain Andrew Strauss said it was a measure of his side's success that they had sown confusion in the South African ranks. But he also stressed the importance of his team keeping their feet on the ground ahead of the Newlands Test. South Africa have seen how quickly euphoria can turn to despair and they must reinstall the building blocks of what once made them a successful team - but they must do so rapidly - time is not on their side.

[achilles]

Hmm. The SA media is just jumping the gun, I believe. Their players will come back hard at England, I believe

[Dravid]

colly was in the form of his life... damn, hope he is fit to play

[urbestfriend]

What happened to Owais shah?

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Proteas decline shown in figures Compare their numbers with those of last year and you can see who went wrong, when and where - but numbers can't tell us who and why. More... Proteas decline shown in figures December 31 2009 at 11:57AM South African captain Graeme Smith said after his team's crushing innings defeat in the second Test against England in Durban on Wednesday that his side had failed to "go to the next level" after a glorious 2008. His concerns are reflected in the year-end statistics. In the 2008 calendar year, South Africa won Test series in England and Australia, as well as sharing a series in India, winning at home against the West Indies and beating Bangladesh away and at home. They won 11 out of 15 Tests, with just two defeats and two draws. In 2009, starting with the "dead rubber" third Test of the series in Australia, they have been much less active in Test cricket, playing only six Tests, with just one win, four defeats and one draw. Most of the South African players who starred in 2008 have gone backwards in statistical terms, although AB de Villiers has been a shining exception, scoring 572 runs in the calendar year at an average of 57.20. The fast bowling attack, which was a key factor in 2008, together with a settled top six batting order and safe catching behind the wicket, has been particularly poor. Dale Steyn took 22 wickets in five matches at an average of 32.86 but Morne Morkel's 15 wickets came at a costly 40.66 each, while Makhaya Ntini could manage only 13 wickets in six Tests at a high average of 57.00 apiece. The fast bowlers were outshone by left-arm spinner Paul Harris, who took 26 wickets at 33.15. South Africa named a squad of 14 for the second and third Tests against England and selection convenor Mike Procter said the team for the third Test starting in Cape Town on Sunday would come from those players. Ntini looks like the most likely player to be axed. He is the only black African in the squad, which could be a factor in race-conscious South Africa but Cricket SA chief executive Gerald Majola has told the team management they must pick their final eleven on cricket considerations only. If Ntini was left out, he would be replaced by Friedel de Wet, the fast bowler who engineered an England collapse on the final afternoon of the drawn first Test in Centurion. Batsman Alviro Petersen and all-rounder Ryan McLaren, the only uncapped players in the squad, are less likely to play in Cape Town. - Sapa-AFP

[achilles]

They're tired. Overworked. They need to learn something from our cricketers :--D

[PotterManiac]

They're tired. Overworked. They need to learn something from our cricketers :--D

:--D

[Block hole]

Broad exorcises his Durban ghost Stuart Broad can now remember Durban for the good times. His fourth-afternoon spell of three wickets in 15 balls helped put England on course for their crushing innings-and-98-run victory and it was far cry from his previous experience on his ground. During the 2007 World Twenty20 he was clobbered for six sixes in an over by Yuvraj Singh and has been reminded about it many times since. Now, though, after ripping out Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers and JP Duminy in a dramatic post-tea session there is a different Kingsmead story to talk about. "I made sure I bowled at the other end," he said with a laugh. "It's a very different format of the game - and I can't remember what happened yesterday, let alone years ago. "But I've learned a lot since back then and I'm feeling confident with where my game is at the moment. It was nice to get six wickets in the game at a ground I didn't have too many fond memories of. To have won one of the best Test matches abroad that I've been involved in will certainly diminish the memories I had left of that poor day. He also believes that such experiences have helped him develop on the world stage, although that may have been quite hard to see while Yuvraj was launching him towards the ocean. "I've always been a big believer that you learn most from your mistakes," he added. "It was a pretty brutal way to be introduced to international cricket. I'm pleased the way I've reacted to failures in the past, and it's up to me to keep doing that." For a bowler who was on the verge of being dropped four Tests ago, Broad has made significant strides to now be a key part of England's four-man attack. He has ended 2009 as the third-highest wicket-taker for the year with 47 wickets at 28.36, six behind his destroyer-in-arms, Graeme Swann. Still, if it hadn't been for Andrew Flintoff's omission at Headingley due to injury Broad would have been left out after a poor start to the Ashes series. Instead he took 6 for 91 - a flattering analysis as Australia romped to victory, but still career-best - and then there was his day in the sun at The Oval. What people really wanted to know, though, was could he do it again? His most recent spell provided the answer. In 15 balls he extracted three high-class batsmen as Kallis, de Villiers and Duminy each departed to a variety of leaves. Kallis' was the most dramatic as the off-stump went cart-wheeling then de Villiers padded up and Duminy dragged on. "It was pleasing to get Kallis with one that nipped back when the seam was wobbling," he said. "One thing that helped me before this series was to watch a bit of footage on Shaun Pollock because he's the sort of bowler I want to be like. "He seemed to get the ball to talk when the seam wasn't exactly perfectly bolt upright, when it was just wobbling slightly. It just nipped either way, on the South African wickets. It was a very happy moment when I saw Kallis raising his arms - because I knew it was not missing the off-stump; I just felt like it was tailing back." Broad's development as a Test cricketer mirrors, in many ways, that of the team from an inconsistent performer capable of occasional glimpses of something special to a consistent threat on the world stage. People still point to an average the wrong side of thirty, but it's on the way down and as batsman's averages have climbed over the last decade so have bowler's. Broad has been the only ever-present in the England attack this year, which shows a wise investment from the management and they are now getting the rewards. "I'm fortunate at my age to have experienced quite a lot of different conditions round the world," he said. "We're learning as a bowling unit that pressure is getting us wickets. We're not necessarily bowling huge, reverse-swinging yorkers. It's the pressure we're building from both ends." "We're improving all the time. It's crucial that we don't get carried away, though. It was a great lesson in the Ashes series in the Test where we could have won the Ashes but were terrible at Headingley. It just shows we shouldn't look too far ahead. We're always a better team when we're talking about winning the next hour or the next session. "The shorter targets are really helping us as a team, and that's something we'll take into Cape Town. We've got a great opportunity over here in South Africa - one of the hardest places to come and win Test cricket - and that first hour at Newlands will be crucial, whether with bat or ball, that we strike the first blow."

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Paul Collingwood comes through practice session in bid to be fit for Cape Town Test Paul Collingwood has through a tentative practice session as he seeks to prove his fitness for the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.More...

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de Villiers slams SA selectors Former pacer Fanie de Villiers has slammed South African selectors for including "half-fit" bowlers in the national side. More...

[PotterManiac]

I thought it was AB De Villiers...my bad :giggle:

[ESPN]

Flower confident despite Colly dilemma Flower confident despite Colly dilemma Coach Andy Flower is confident England have the personnel to carry them out for the third Test against South Africa without Paul Collingwood. Middle-order batsman Collingwood is rated only "50-50" to be fit to face South Africa at Newlands, and his absence would almost certainly mean a debut for either Michael Carberry or Luke Wright. A final fitness test tomorrow will decide whether Collingwood takes the field on Sunday in a series England lead 1-0 with two to play after their innings victory in Durban. Flower made it clear that - specifically in Carberry, called up as specialist batting cover when Collingwood dislocated his left index finger at Kingsmead - he has supreme confidence. Collingwood is in perhaps the best form of his life in all formats, but Flower appears unfazed by the prospect of having to get by without him in such a crucial Test. "If he goes out, we'll lose some of that experience," he concedes. "But you gain in another way if the debutant comes in and kicks off his international career. "We're not worried. If he can't play, he can't play - we'll get on with it." Left-hander Carberry, used to playing higher up the order in county cricket than Collingwood's Test number five slot, had a prolific 2009 season for Hampshire - and has impressed Flower so far in the Newlands nets. There are also no regrets about having no existing batting cover in the tour squad, and therefore having to fly Carberry back to South Africa from England at short notice. "We made that decision in the knowledge that if a specialist batsman got injured, we'd have to pull someone out of the performance squad that has been training in South Africa and has gone back to England only very recently," Flower explained. "Carberry is in good form. He's been scoring runs out here in South Africa, so we're quite comfortable with that situation. "Michael Carberry coming in is like any debutant. He'll be excited and nervous but certainly looking forward to the opportunity. "The way he batted in the nets this morning, I'd feel very confident when he strode out to the middle." If 29-year-old Carberry was not already optimistic of a debut, the vibes from Flower indicate he should be. Wright should not despair, though - because the coach added: "The all-rounder option is always there, has been for the first two Tests and is again for this one." Whoever faces South Africa in a Test which could result in England wrapping up a series victory, Flower is wary of the hosts' outstanding track record at Newlands. "It's a challenge for all our players to take on South Africa here," he said. "They've got a very good record here - they've won 14 out of the last 18 Test matches - and I'm sure they'll feel confident coming back here." In fact, only Australia have beaten South Africa at this ground in the modern era - and England have lost in each of their three attempts. Their innings victory in Durban, however, means they arrive this time with enviable confidence. Reflecting on the Kingsmead success, Flower is hugely heartened - but still mindful England's job is just half done. "All round, it was a great performance from our side," he agreed. "We're one up - a great position to be in - but we're only halfway through a Test series. "That means there's a lot of hard work to do in this Cape Town Test. But I know that our guys are looking forward to the challenge of taking South Africa on here. "We're in the lead now, so the challenge for us is to actually improve on our performance from the last Test. "I'm not talking specifically about the margins. But I am talking about our attitude, our work ethic and how we approach this battle." South Africa have tougher questions to answer - namely whether to change a losing side, and the feasibility of keeping faith with out-of-form veteran pace bowler Makhaya Ntini. Middle-order batsman JP Duminy is another whose place could be under threat, and coach Mickey Arthur today hinted there is likely to be at least one change to captain Graeme Smith's team.

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Paul Collingwood set to play third South Africa Test, says Andrew Strauss • Batsman takes part in full net session without discomfort • 'At this stage, everything looks fine ... We're very hopeful' Paul Collingwood appears to be winning his battle to be fit for tomorrow's third Test against South Africa, despite the England coach Andy Flower having previously rated his chances of playing as only "50-50". The Hampshire batsman Michael Carberry had looked set for an unexpected Test debut but the captain, Andrew Strauss, was optimistic this morning, having seen Collingwood join fielding drills and start a full net against bowlers of all paces at Newlands without experiencing significant pain from the left index finger he dislocated four days ago during the second Test. "At this stage, everything looks fine. He was batting without any real discomfort," Strauss reported. "We're very hopeful, barring any last-minute incidents." England could therefore select an unchanged team for the second Test in succession, having taken a 1-0 lead in Durban. Collingwood's availability, Strauss confirmed, will be a major confidence boost for the tourists who could wrap up an early series victory if they can become only the second country to beat South Africa at this venue in the modern era. "He's obviously contributed a huge amount, both this series and previously and is an experienced player as well – so it would have been a shame if he'd missed out," said Strauss.

• England Cricket Team
• England in South Africa 2009-2010
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Ntini overshadows Proteas preparations Ntini overshadows Proteas preparations The thorny issue of whether to keep faith with veteran fast bowler Makhaya Ntini continues to overshadow South Africa's preparations. Graeme Smith’s team can will afford the added distraction of a subject which the captain acknowledges is "sensitive" in his country, and has refused to go away thanks to Ntini's poor form. Figures of two for 233 in the two Tests so far this winter have undoubtedly contributed to South Africa going 1-0 down with two to play. The 32-year-old was retained for last week's match at Durban - which ended in an unexpected innings defeat for the hosts - at the expense of Friedel de Wet, who marked his debut in the first Test with a spell which put South Africa within one wicket of victory. It is a mixture of sentiment, though, for a 'national treasure' cricketer - who played his 100th Test at Centurion - and South Africa's divisive social history which would make dropping Ntini so controversial. In a country where racial equality was unachievable for generations, Ntini was the first black South African Test cricketer - and his continued success over the past decade has made him a proud symbol of the 'rainbow nation'. South Africa will not announce until Sunday for the third Test against England at Newlands, which personnel changes they have made after their Durban disappointment. But Smith admitted: "Obviously it is a sensitive issue in South Africa - that's being honest." Whichever call is made; it will not be Smith's - because he is not on the selection panel. He trusts, though, that cricketing reasons will prevail. "We want to make the right decision, so we can win a Test match over the next five days," he spelled out. "Makhaya is an icon, through the country, not only the most iconic player of colour that we have but also one of our most iconic cricketers in terms of performance over the last decade. "When senior players are at the point where there are a lot of questions being asked about them it's always a terrible, tough time for any leadership group to manage. "We've really tried to support Makhaya and give him as much as we can behind the scenes. He's been working hard at his game. Let's hope there's confidence left in him for the future." "Mickey will have the final call" South Africa coach Mickey Arthur sensed Ntini was on the way back, despite going wicketless, at Kingsmead - suggesting he may be retained after all at the ground where he made his debut almost 12 years ago. Smith appeared less convinced of that on Saturday. "It's always tough when a guy hasn't taken a wicket in a game to say you've seen improvements," he said. "Makhaya will fall into the same place as everyone else. We want to pick the best team for tomorrow. "Mickey is meeting with the selection panel this afternoon. We'll have the team by tonight and announce it tomorrow morning. "As far as I know, the selection process is that Mickey will have the final call. I'll have an input. But since I've been captain, I can't remember having a vote in the selection. I'm not passing the buck ... it's always been that way." Whoever plays for South Africa, the stakes are high - at a venue where they have won 14 of their last 18 Tests, but at a time when they will rarely have needed to win any more urgently. "I can't say I'm feeling any extra pressure" "We've had many, many important Test matches. But obviously being one down in the series so far, this is a crucial one," added Smith. "We're ready for tomorrow. We were outplayed in Durban but we've been honest about that, had a look in the mirror - and guys have trained and prepared well." Should South Africa fall short again, it is not inconceivable that questions may be asked about Smith's future as captain - despite the fact it is less than a month since his team were inched off the top of the world rankings by India. If he is under the microscope, though, it is nothing new to him. "As international sportsmen, whatever code you play, pressure doesn't go away whether you are playing your first game, are captain, or whether you've played 101 games," he said. "You find ways to cope and deal with that and enjoy what you are good at. "There will be times when the game is on the line, but let's hope we can manage those breaking points better than England. I can't say I'm feeling any extra pressure."

[ESPN]

Ruthless Strauss demands focus Ruthless Strauss demands focus England are under orders to deny South Africa even a "sniff" of victory in the third Test match. England would look to deny South Africa even a "sniff" of victory - at a venue where their hosts have only ever lost to Australia in the modern era. Andrew Strauss is determined his team will not fall into the 'Headingley trap'. Leeds last summer is still fresh in many England minds, even though almost five months have passed since they suffered a landslide defeat there just when it seemed they were already close to clinching the Ashes. Instead, England's 'small targets' mentality will again be their guiding force on Sunday as they set out to consolidate a 1-0 lead, with two matches left in this four-Test series. England exposed South African frailties in Durban last week with a ruthless approach which has often been part of Strauss' mantra since he took over the captaincy a year ago. This time, the hosts have major selection issues to resolve - most notably whether or not to stick with out-of-form veteran fast bowler Makhaya Ntini. By contrast, after ascertaining in a lunchtime practice on Saturday that Paul Collingwood’s dislocated left index finger is unlikely to keep him out of the action, England have no such complications to distract them. Strauss expects Colly to come through They can therefore concentrate on captain's orders - which are broadly a repeat, or even improvement, on their impressive Kingsmead performance. "In Test matches, you've always got to earn the right to get on top of the opposition - and that's what I thought we did well in Durban, where we forced them to stay in the field for over two days," said Strauss, reflecting on England's innings victory. "We've got to make sure we do that again this week. You don't win a Test match on day one. But it's very, very important that you start the Test match well - so that the opposition don't get on top of you." Strauss is not frightened either, for fear of negative associations, to utter the 'H' word. "In a lot of ways it is the kind of lesson we learned from Headingley in the Ashes - when we started talking about 'we could finish it this week; let's realise our dreams', and all that sort of stuff," he remembers. "We should have been talking about just winning the first hour. That's very much been the talk in the dressing room so far - right back to square one again, work hard to contest every over and hope, if we do that well enough, we'll get into a position to win the game later on in the week." The balance for Strauss is to foster confidence without complacency. "It's very much a case of keeping our feet on the ground," he added. I've seen enough instances of teams losing one week and then coming back to win the next to know that nothing is guaranteed. "If we're slightly off our game we'll get a pretty rude surprise. You want to be ruthless and just as desperate to win when you're up. "Sometimes there's a thing in the back of your mind that you can pat yourselves on the back a little bit and think 'we've got some breathing space'. "But as soon as you think like that, you're going to get beaten pretty quickly. "It's important to learn how to win when you're up and be just as clinical and not give the opposition a sniff." England will hope to use one Cape Town factor to their advantage, meanwhile. Although South Africa's record here is formidable - 14 victories from the last 18 Tests - and England's is poor, a major influx of touring supporters is expected to dominate a 21,000 capacity crowd. "There will be a huge amount of support - and it's one of the great occasions, playing the Newlands Test," Strauss notes. "It's generally a result wicket as well, so there are plenty of reasons to be excited." Expectations, of course, will be raised after England's Durban success - but Strauss is adamant his team will not be getting any omens, good or bad, out of proportion "Our record here hasn't been great in the past," he acknowledges. "But I think I'm the only one who played in the last Newlands Test, so the guys have no fear of the ground. "It's very much a case of being desperate to win again, and I like the feeling in the dressing room at the moment."

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King Kallis deserves a monument in his honour Cricket Writer Zaahier Adams thinks Jacques Kallis deserves a stand at Newlands named in his honour. More...

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South Africa take control over England South Africa captain Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla each hit 50s in an unbroken century stand which threatened to take the third Test away from England at Newlands. More...