1st Test: England v South Africa at The Oval Jul 19-23, 2012

[Hallatia]

Lalala

First tour match ended in a draw and the end of Boucher's international career.

Second tour match starts tomorrow and this first test in about a week.

Thami Tsolekile was brought into the squad to replace Boucher, but de Villiers is likely to keep in the first test.

SAfrica test squad for this series is:
Grahame Smith (captain), AB de Villiers (vc; keeper), Hashim Amla, Marchant de Lange Jean-Paul Duminy, Imran Tahir, Jacques Kallis, Morne Morkel, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Thami Tsolekile, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.

 

[Hallatia]

and the real reason I posted this thread right now was to share this article. Headline should have been better, because what he said was a bit stronger than that

Steyn: We don't need KP, Trott
South Africa fast bowler targeting top spot in the rankings
July 12, 2012

Dale Steyn has stoked the fires ahead of South African's series against England, stating that he does not believe Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott would necessarily be good enough to make the current Proteas side.

Fresh from Trott's declaration that he loves the rain of his adopted Birmingham more than the sun he grew up with in Cape Town, the topic of South African-born players representing England has once again come to the fore.

Trott, Pietersen and Craig Kieswetter are all South African exports currently in the England set-up and, while Steyn does not begrudge the decision they made, he insists they are not missed.

"I'm very open minded about life, and people have to do what they have to do,' he told the Daily Mail.

"I've got no problems with that. Pietersen, Trott and Kieswetter are the ones, really, and they're fantastic players but I'm not saying we're missing out because, if I look at our team, I feel who would they knock out? I think they'd have a hard time getting into our team now. Seriously.

Not missed

"I'm happy for them that they've come over here and made good lives for themselves and achieved fantastic things in cricket but I'm not saying that we miss them at all.

"I'm sure they would have done just as well if they'd stayed at home but they play for England. We've got loads of guys at home who want to play for South Africa who are very good players.

"The Proteas want to achieve fantastic things. Obviously we don't want players to leave to play in England, New Zealand and Australia but if they decide to do that what can we do?

"All I'd say to the England players is that they will soon be playing for the No. 2 team in the world because we want to get to No. 1."

The number one Test ranking his up for grabs when the two teams meet in a three-match series, with the Proteas requiring a series win to move ahead of their hosts.

Sauce

The bit in red is my favourite, he got unnecessarily diplomatic after that, but I love that attitude. Also, the guys he mentioned aren't the only ones, but they may be the only ones who really went through the South African system.

 

[Hallatia]

when my man Morne was asked about this stuff he refused to play those games. I just found it on my Facebook wall, he was asked

So when you guys get to England in the summer are you going to be in their ear about how many South Africans they have playing for them?

I love the first line of his response, his answer was

I don't think it's necessary to tell them things that they know. For all cricketers it's going to be a new series. The main thing is to focus on the task ahead. The last thing you want to do is to get caught up in things like that. Always there will be heated moments and the team that is going to handle those moments best and with the most maturity is going to come out on top. We focus on our processes and not on the result, so we don't need distractions like that.

Sauce

And this was actually in May, wow

 

[TheParraboy]

Am very much looking forward to the great man playing test cricket again

triple ton this year sometime im sure, possibly in this test

 

[Twizzle]

he looks pissed, took everything out of his bag and still couldn't find his lunch box

 

[Hallatia]

First day of the tour match v Kent went really well, Tahir bagged 4 wickets, my man Morne 3, 2 of them like this c †de Villiers b Morkel. The post Boucher era is upon us and I really love de Villiers at keeper because of what a good batsman he is, it opens up another spot in the 11 for whatever the conditions call for, I really think using de Villiers at keeper opens up great opportunities for the team, the only issue his general reluctance, but he is the type to do anything for the good of the team.

Anywho, Kent all out for 210, all the SAfrican bowlers did reasonably well. SAfricans 31/1 at stumps on day one of the tour match

 

[Hallatia]

Just on the bowlers this tour

'This tour could be the stuff of legend'
Former England and current South Africa bowling coach Allan Donald runs the rule over the bowling line-ups of both sides
Interview by George Dobell
July 13, 2012

I've been on lots of tours and seen lots of cricket. But this series is special: I honestly feel that those of us fortunate enough to be able to watch it can consider ourselves privileged. We are seeing two excellent teams with the two best attacks in world cricket go head to head in a series that could confirm which is the best. It really doesn't get any better.

How do I see it going? It's too tight to call. It could come down to one session, one dropped catch, one moment of inspiration. I know this is a big claim, but it could be as good a series as the 2005 Ashes.

South Africa have a daunting bowling attack, a formidable batting line-up and the desire and experience. But so do England. And, in all my cricket experience, I've never seen a country with a better crop of young quick bowlers than England have at present. Every tour to England is a joy, but this one could be the stuff of legend. I can't wait.

South Africa
Dale Steyn We all know what Steyn brings to the game: he bowls at good pace, swings the ball and has superb control. He is also a wonderful competitor and a fantastic leader of the attack. His fitness is so good that he is just as quick at the end of the day as at the start, and he is able to bowl long, fast spells. One of the factors that might be unappreciated is his experience of county cricket; it's something that he talks about at length. His experience of bowling on different pitches will count for a lot. His Test record - 272 wickets in 54 Tests - is simply amazing and I truly consider it a privilege to watch him operate at close quarters. What makes him special is his ability to pounce when small threats are imminent, and his five-wicket haul stats - he has taken 17 - prove why he is the world's No.1 strike bowler.

Vernon Philander He will share the new ball with Steyn. He is not the quickest, but he swings the ball both ways and asks question after question of the batsman. Facing him is an intense business: every delivery threatens and he wears teams down with his relentlessness. His Test record is ridiculous - he's really riding the crest of a wave at the moment - and with his experience and in English conditions, there is no reason why he should not be able to sustain it. He wasn't a bowler I knew a lot about when he was first picked - it was 2007 and I was out of the country - but I can now understand what Gary Kirsten saw in him: Philander is a tough nut and a clever bowler and he just keeps getting better.

Morne Morkel He has taken another step forward in the last six months. Maybe there were times, in the past, when he was not aggressive enough, but now he has found a way to harness his inner hostility and has become a truly formidable bowler. He is very tall, very strong and bowls in really ugly areas for a batsman. He is a silent assassin, and sometimes doesn't get enough credit for his hard work in partnership with Dale Steyn. The bounce he gets from just back of a length is horrible. He is a rhythm bowler, and the longer he bowls the better he bowls and, if the Oval pitch is as hard as it used to be, he could be a real handful there. He also complements Steyn in a very effective way: one of them pushes the batsman back, one of them drags him forward. Both of them gain movement. They make a hostile, skilful partnership on any pitch.

Marchant de Lange What a man to have waiting in the wings. He reminds me of Patrick Patterson: he is a big man, very strong, has a similar action, and he relies on brute force to propel a heavy ball. He really excites me, but he is a player we have to look after. He bowled a lot of overs in the nets during the IPL and he is at an age when he is still developing. He showed on his Test debut - when he took 7 for 81 against Sri Lanka - that he can make an impact at this level, and in a couple of years he could be a really special bowler. I think there is a good chance he will play in the first two-day game on the tour, and even if he doesn't play a Test on this trip, the experience will be beneficial. He will be back.

Jacques Kallis He is relishing this series. Despite his phenomenal record, he is still under-appreciated as a cricketer and as a bowler in particular. Yes, we all know he is a great batsman, but he has nearly 300 Test wickets too. That's incredible. He is a very placid man but, if angry and when required, he can still get the ball into the high 80s easily. He has kept himself wonderfully fit and even if there are times when his body aches a bit, he will never - never - shirk his responsibility for the team. His versatility makes him so useful: he can swing the ball; he can keep it tight with his excellent control and he can bowl with pace and attack the batsmen. He is the ideal third or fourth seamer. How long will he continue? Well, he wants to win the World Cup badly. Very badly.

Imran Tahir He is going to have a huge role to play in this series. He has only played a few Tests, but his first-class career record - with over 500 wickets at an unbelievably good strike rate - underlines the fact that he is a man who can take wickets on any surface. Such is his desire to attack that there are times when he can be a bit costly, but there is nothing better than taking wickets, and he has now learned when to attack and when to remain patient. At some stage in the series, he will find a pitch that helps him, and then watch out England. He has such variation and so many tricks that I think he is going to have a massive series. He is a quality man as well as a quality bowler, so he is an asset off the pitch too, and I think what you'll see on this tour is a man who not only has all the tricks but now knows when to use them. He went to Pakistan recently to work with his hero, Abdul Qadir, and that can only have helped. I can't wait to see him celebrating the wickets: his joy is infectious.

Lonwabo Tsotsobe Lonwabo is waiting in the wings if any of the top three fast bowlers are injured. He has worked very hard on his fitness and his bowling and, while he is not the quickest, he is very accurate and relentless in his areas and can swing the ball with good control. It's fantastic to know that he and Marchant de Lange are in the wings as back-up if we do have injuries.

England
James Anderson His stats talk for themselves these days. He used to be in and out of the side but now he knows his body and his game. Ever since he became the leader of the England attack, pretty much in 2008, he has been brilliant. He swings the ball both ways, he has incredible control and, while he is not quick, he is quick enough. He asks a lot of questions with the new ball, so South Africa will have to watch him closely. He is going to be one of the keys of the series.

Stuart Broad He has come into his own over the last couple of years and has formed a strong partnership with Anderson; a partnership very similar to Morkel and Steyn. He is tall and has genuine pace and hits areas very heavily. He is similar to Morkel as these two are of similar height and pace. I look forward to the tussle between these two.

Tim Bresnan Bresnan was tipped for big things from a young age but, for a while, it didn't look as if he was going to fulfil all that talent. He has now. He is a hell of a cricketer. I recall him coming through at U19 level. He was talented, but maybe a bit chubby. Now he is solid; a really strong man who is in great shape. I like him as a bowler and a man: he just gets on with it. He is happy to bowl the hard overs and can fulfil several different roles when required. He rushes batsmen a bit more than they are expecting, he can swing the ball and move it off the seam. The England management deserve some credit for the way they have backed him and invested in him. He is paying them back now that he has become the finished product.

Steven Finn I remember the first time I saw him. It was at Uxbridge in 2008 and I was really impressed. He is very tall, very quick - seriously quick - but, even more importantly, his attitude is ideal. He really gets stuck in these days, and it says a great deal for England's strength that he might need someone else to suffer an injury to win a place in the team.

Graham Onions It's crazy how many good bowlers England have. Both sides do, actually. Onions attacks the stumps, gives the batsmen little and constantly asks questions of them. From England's point of view it's good to see him back after the injury problems he has had, and he will be banging at the door to win another opportunity.

Graeme Swann I remember him from the tour to South Africa in 2000. He hardly played and it seemed for a few years as if he would be lost to international cricket. But he has seized his second chance and developed into a fantastic cricketer. The key with Swann is his control: he hardly bowls a bad ball. His record to left-handers is superb, and having taking 13 five-wicket hauls in 44 Tests, he is a player for whom the South Africa team has the upmost respect. He is a genuinely funny man too, but he is no joker on the pitch. He keeps it tight for England and, given any help, can attack very effectively. He really is the man that makes the attack work.

Sauce

I'm excited, AD's excited, just can't wait for this test series to get under way

 

[Hallatia]

I forgot to mention that de Lange is actually out of the tour, Albie Morkel replaces him in the squad

 

[TheParraboy]

he looks pissed, took everything out of his bag and still couldn't find his lunch box

eye of the tiger look mate

 

[Hallatia]

English squad was announced today. It is as follows

Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Matt Prior (keeper), Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Graham Onions.

 

[Hallatia]

tour match against Kent is still going on, most of the second day got washed out, the third is now an hour old and Kallis just reached his half century which included 9 fours

 

[vvvrulz]

I hope this series represents the humbling of the English and the rise of the South Africans, both long overdue.

 

[Hallatia]

I could not be more excited about this match/series, I wish I was in England right now.

Let the battle for No. 1 commence
The Preview by Alan Gardner
July 18, 2012

Match facts
Thursday, July 19
Start time 1100 (1000 GMT)

Big Picture
This series could be all about cart-wheeling stumps, bonce-bothering bouncers and catches in the cordon, as the world's two best bowling attacks go head to head in conditions favourable to pace and swing. It could also be overshadowed by the weather and the Olympics, with its attendant bureaucratic bungling, amid grumbles about the inadequacies of a three-Test series. For now, we can savour the prospect of a potentially thrilling clash between the two best sides in Test cricket - even if the rankings would perversely deny the fact.

Despite the ICC's annual recalculation dropping South Africa to third, victory in the series would lift them above England to No. 1 - a position they last occupied, briefly, in 2009. Graeme Smith was the last touring captain to secure victory in England, going back to the historic series success of 2008, and South Africa are also unbeaten away from home since losing a two-Test rubber to Sri Lanka in 2006. With four batsmen - AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla and Smith - in the top ten, they have a top-order on which to build a successful campaign; in Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, the bowlers to torment England in a manner they are more used to dishing out.

South Africa's last two tours have resulted in the end of an England captain's tenure but, fortified by back-to-back Test hundreds against West Indies, Andrew Strauss will fancy his chances of ending the hoodoo. Under Strauss and Andy Flower, England have become ruthless bullies in their own conditions, winning seven home series in a row. The quicks are programmed to bowl and relentless line and length - something which South Africa's attack are still adjusting to - and in Graeme Swann, England may hold the trump spin card. His fitness after a twinge in his troublesome right elbow, as well as The Oval's receptiveness to spin, could be a determining factor in the first Test.

Posturing aside, there will be a touch of sadness when the teams take the field, at the absence of Mark Boucher, who was set to reach 150 caps and more than 1,000 dismissals in international cricket during the series. Both teams have plenty of motivation but neither is confident enough to mutter "you guys are history" just yet.

Form guide
England DWWWL (most recent first)
South Africa DWDWL

Watch out for
England's No. 6 is just about the only area of long-standing uncertainty in the side and, after Jonny Bairstow's difficult introduction to Test cricket against West Indies, Ravi Bopara has been given another chance to establish himself in the middle order. He enjoyed a successful ODI series against Australia and seems more comfortable about meriting his place, though he is often a slow starter and South Africa's bowlers won't give him any help in getting going.

AB de Villiers is one of South Africa's most accomplished batsmen but he will have to perform both in front of and behind the stumps, in the wake of Boucher's enforced retirement. De Villiers said he is looking forward to a rest whilst wearing the wicketkeeper's gloves, rather than running around at point, but there will be greater demands on his concentration, not to mention his back. His record as ODI keeper suggests he may be up to the challenge.

Pitch and conditions
This will be the first Test pitch produced by The Oval's new head groundsman, Lee Fortis. Spinners have often prospered here, though more often at the back end of the season, and given the damp summer thus far the surface could be lower and more seam friendly than before. The forecast is grey and rain-spattered, which will probably have both sets of bowlers sniffing around the toss.

Team news
After a month away from international cricket, Kevin Pietersen returns to the England fold, while Bopara finally gets his opportunity at No. 6 - barring a stubbed toe or ricked neck between now and 11am tomorrow. With Graham Onions nursing a tight hamstring, England's only decision is likely to be between Tim Bresnan and Steven Finn for the third bowler's spot.

England (possible) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Ian Bell, 6 Ravi Bopara, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Tim Bresnan, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 Stuart Broad, 11 James Anderson

The shock departure of Boucher from the touring party aside, South Africa are a settled team. De Villiers is expected to take the gloves, with JP Duminy, who scored a century on his last outing, coming in to add depth to the batting as well as a back-up spin option. Alviro Petersen has recovered from a foot problem, so Jacques Rudolph remains at No. 6.

South Africa (possible) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Alviro Petersen, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 AB de Villiers (wk), 6 Jacques Rudolph, 7 JP Duminy, 8 Vernon Philander, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir

Stats and trivia
South Africa have not won in 13 visits to The Oval, losing their last three
This is the earliest an Oval Test has been held since 1983, when New Zealand began a four-match series in south London on July 14
Andrew Strauss needs 70 runs to reach 7,000 in Tests and one century to equal the England record of 22, jointly held by Wally Hammond, Colin Cowdrey and Geoffrey Boycott
Graeme Smith is set to play his 100th Test but it will only be his 99th for South Africa, as he captained the ICC World XI against Australia in 2005
Quotes
"The rankings say we are number one but we've got to go out there and prove it."
Andrew Strauss, England's captain, is not resting on his laurels

"There's a real feeling of contentment and clarity. We're at the point where we want to be and just want this series to start now."
Graeme Smith, South Africa's captain, is keen to get going

Sauce

 

[Hallatia]

I like this and think the sentiment of this article is exactly right, that there is no sensationalism required for this series (unlike the parallel England India one last year), that the contest is a testament to itself

A Test series that cricket needs
David Hopps
July 18, 2012

In an age of hyperbole and a time of superlatives, it is gratifying to come across a sporting contest that requires neither sensationalism nor propaganda. The Test series between England and South Africa features six of the world's top 10 Test bowlers and eight of the top 17 Test batsmen. It will decide which team is ranked No 1 in the world. As Tony Blair so nearly said, now is not the time for soundbites, but the hand of history is upon our shoulders.

This is the series that world cricket required. At a time when the lure of the longest format has been compromised and questioned, the global game should rejoice at the sight of two fine sides contesting a meaningful series in front of packed houses. Cricket has many issues, of course, but this encounter should remind us all that, at its best, Test cricket remains as entertaining, as captivating and as rewarding as ever.

That it is squeezed in between ODI series and forced to fight for media space alongside the Olympics, The Open golf championship and a multitude of other sporting events tells you much about cricket's current challenges. This series deserves better. But, in a sport which has grown so used to compromises that it would pawn its soul if only a buyer could be found, it is telling that such a contest has been condensed and pushed to the margins.

Plenty of fine teams have toured England over the years. Sometimes, as was the case with West Indies and Australia for many years, they succeeded with dispiriting ease. But, arguably anyway, you have to go back to 2005 to find a time when an England team has taken on such good-quality opposition in such an open series. With skilful bowlers of all types, eye-catching batsmen, at least one great all-rounder and some of the toughest batsmen currently playing the game, spectators will not require cheerleaders, fireworks or music to enhance their enjoyment. This series is about cricket, not marketing.

The only problem with such a high-profile clash is that the result may be seen as all important. There is a bigger picture here, though, as the supporters of South Africa and England will understand. South Africa were barred from international competition from 1970 to 1991; England supporters became inured to embarrassment after some grim years in the 1980s and 90s. For both teams, these are golden days that many feared might never have returned. Win lose or draw over the coming few weeks, that is worth remembering.

That is not to say that the result does not matter. It matters plenty. While England may have been able to dismiss the reverse in the UAE as an aberration - they will have another opportunity to answer the questions about their ability in Asian conditions soon enough - their long-term hopes of creating a legacy by which other England sides will be judged may be fatally wounded if their proud home record is also tarnished. As things stand, they have won just one of their last three Test series. If that becomes one in four, any claims of supremacy will ring hollow. The rankings state they are No. 1; now is the time to prove their worth.

England do not, perhaps, have the flair of their South African rivals. But they make few mistakes. They are professional. They are well drilled, well led and able to prey on any weakness of their opponents. In England, at least, they also have an excellent record. They have won seven successive series and lost only two since 2001; one to India in 2007 and one to South Africa in 2008.

Led by the eminently calm and sensible Andrew Strauss, England have done nothing different in recent days. They always want to win. they always prepare professionally.

"There will be an extra bit of spice because it's the two best teams in the world," Andrew Strauss, England's captain, said. "But every series I've played against South Africa has always been keenly contested and I don't think this will be any different.

"It will be a good gauge for us. The rankings say we are No.1 and we have to go out and prove that now. It is going to be a stern challenge, but we always expect the opposition to be hard to overcome.

"We have had our normal preparations. Everything on the surface looks fine. Our preparation has been solid and now it's a case of moving from preparation mode to game mode."

England's only selection decision will be the decision over whether to pick Tim Bresnan or Steven Finn. Graham Onions, who has a minor hamstring strain, is most unlikely to be risked and did not train on Wednesday. Whoever they select, Strauss was quick to credit the attack as one of England's key strengths.

"I am very comfortable with our bowling attack," Strauss said. "It's a match for any side in the world. They have proved that continuously over the last three or four years.

"Their record speaks for itself. We haven't needed that fifth bowler while taking 20 wickets pretty much continuously over the last 24 months or so. In some ways Ravi Bopara coming into the side gives you opportunity for a fourth seamer although he's not an out-and-out bowler clearly. But our three seamers and Swanny have always done a good job for us."

England do have two potential weaknesses, though. The first is their catching which, in the slips and gully region, has been distinctly fallible over recent times. In a series which could be decided by small margins, that could prove crucial.

The other issue is the on-going distraction caused by the fall-out between Pietersen and the ECB. Omitted from England's World T20 preliminary squad despite his insistence that he is available for all three formats - albeit it not on a permanent basis - there is legitimate concern that Pietersen's dissatisfaction could cause discomfort in a dressing room that has been stable and focused for several years.

But, while some of his team-mates are biting their tongues hard to avoid losing their tempers with Pietersen's vacillating moods, Strauss insisted that he had no concerns and said he remained hopeful that a compromise - a controversial word in itself in this situation - could be reached whereby Pietersen's return to all formats could be brokered.

"The conversations that Kevin has been having have been between himself, his representatives and the board," Strauss said. "The players haven't been involved, the management haven't been involved and that's the way we'd like it to remain. It hasn't been a distraction for us. It hasn't entered our thinking and that's enabled us to concentrate on preparing properly for this game. Kevin is determined to do well in this series. I haven't seen any signs in his preparations to suggest he is anyway distracted."

Sauce

 

[AlwaysGreen]

England have to pick Finn, Bresnan is very good and lengthens their batting order but Finnn is in prime form and out of the two is the guy with the ability and tools to be a great fast bowler.

De villiers comments about keeping as a 'rest period' are very interesting. I guess he's lucky SA don't have a top line spinner playing.

An absolute shame that this is on during the Olympics.

Any truth in the rumour that Hal's man Morne plays for the other team? If you know what I mean.

 

[Hallatia]

you made up that rumour about Morne just then, just to stir me.
Bresnan has an injury cloud hanging over him which is why he is likely to miss this test, or at least one reason why.

 

[Horrie Is God]

FMD Warnie is starting to resemble the Bride of Frankenstein with all the plastic surgery he has had..

What's doing with those eye brows??..

 

[Hallatia]

the skies looked great before the scheduled toss but as the captains were coming out, a bit of rain hit, shouldn't be too much today, but this delay is most annoying

 

[Hallatia]

The Oval looks a vision

Play set to commence at quarter past, England have won the toss and will bat

 

[Horrie Is God]

I reckon Warnie is going for this look..