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Johannesburg – It is not just the South African cricket team that has injury concerns ahead of the first Test against England.
While the Proteas are still holding thumbs that Jacques Kallis’s rib injury won’t influence his performance, the visitors announced yesterday that spinner James Tredwell will join the team on Tuesday as a possible replacement for Graeme Swann.
Swann, who was one of the touring team’s best performers in the training game against a South African Invitational side in East London, has been struggling with a side-muscle injury for the past few weeks.
However, he may still be ready to take on the Proteas at SuperSport Park at Centurion from tomorrow.
“Even if Graeme plays in the first Test, there are still three after Centurion that we have to bear in mind. That is why we are bringing in James as a precautionary measure as he is much the same kind of spinner as Graeme,” said England coach Andy Flower.
James Anderson is making good progress with the knee injury that previously placed a question over his availability for the clash.
He was impressive on Monday during England’s session at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria and is expected to spearhead the attack.
“He worked hard the past few days and while there is still a chance that he can aggravate the injury, it is a risk we have to take. We have not been able to establish what the problem is, but it looks as if his knee is getting stronger,” said captain Andrew Strauss.
Injuries aside, the English are also scratching their heads about what their bowling attack should look like. Stuart Broad is still not at his best, while they probably have to make a call between Graham Onions and Ryan Sidebottom.
The left-handed Sidebottom probably has the inside track after taking five wickets in a warm up game – in spite of the fact that he is also struggling with a slight side-muscle injury.
“I was very impressed with Ryan. He bowled with a lot of pace and generated a lot of swing,” said Strauss.
All-rounder Luke Wright will also be considered.
Meanwhile, Cricket South Africa have announced that Kallis will be ready to bat in the first Test.
Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen and Ryan McLaren have been released to play for their regional teams in the SuperSport Series this weekend.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) have also confirmed that the controversial referencing system for umpire decisions will be used in the series.
This means that the batting and fielding side will each be able to refer umpires’ decisions to a third umpire. There were mixed reactions from the Proteas earlier this year when the system was used in the home series against Australia.
Johannesburg – It is not just the South African cricket team that has injury concerns ahead of the first Test against England.
While the Proteas are still holding thumbs that Jacques Kallis’s rib injury won’t influence his performance, the visitors announced yesterday that spinner James Tredwell will join the team on Tuesday as a possible replacement for Graeme Swann.
Swann, who was one of the touring team’s best performers in the training game against a South African Invitational side in East London, has been struggling with a side-muscle injury for the past few weeks.
However, he may still be ready to take on the Proteas at SuperSport Park at Centurion from tomorrow.
“Even if Graeme plays in the first Test, there are still three after Centurion that we have to bear in mind. That is why we are bringing in James as a precautionary measure as he is much the same kind of spinner as Graeme,” said England coach Andy Flower.
James Anderson is making good progress with the knee injury that previously placed a question over his availability for the clash.
He was impressive on Monday during England’s session at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria and is expected to spearhead the attack.
“He worked hard the past few days and while there is still a chance that he can aggravate the injury, it is a risk we have to take. We have not been able to establish what the problem is, but it looks as if his knee is getting stronger,” said captain Andrew Strauss.
Injuries aside, the English are also scratching their heads about what their bowling attack should look like. Stuart Broad is still not at his best, while they probably have to make a call between Graham Onions and Ryan Sidebottom.
The left-handed Sidebottom probably has the inside track after taking five wickets in a warm up game – in spite of the fact that he is also struggling with a slight side-muscle injury.
“I was very impressed with Ryan. He bowled with a lot of pace and generated a lot of swing,” said Strauss.
All-rounder Luke Wright will also be considered.
Meanwhile, Cricket South Africa have announced that Kallis will be ready to bat in the first Test.
Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen and Ryan McLaren have been released to play for their regional teams in the SuperSport Series this weekend.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) have also confirmed that the controversial referencing system for umpire decisions will be used in the series.
This means that the batting and fielding side will each be able to refer umpires’ decisions to a third umpire. There were mixed reactions from the Proteas earlier this year when the system was used in the home series against Australia.
