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Christo Buchner
Johannesburg – South Africa’s request for a wicket to favour the bowlers may well backfire on them in the fourth and final Test here at the Wanderers.
England, who lead the series 1-0, have a pace attack capable of maintaining itself in the company of the Proteas.
Some experts even believe that the visitors’ pace attack consisting of James Anderson, Graham Onions and Stuart Broad, is superior.
South Africa are likely to pick a bowling attack consisting exclusively of pace and seam bowlers, including rookies Wayne Parnell and Ryan McLaren.
However, the desperate home side have no other choice than to go into the final Test with such an attack as they bid to square the series.
Proteas captain Graeme Smith admitted that they had not yet reached England’s level.
“We have to give them credit for their tenacity in the two Tests in which they forced draws. Even if we trail 0-1, this has been an epic series. The two drawn Tests, with the drama at the end of both, contributed to it,” said Smith.
He also had to explain why his side was capable of beating England and Australia on their turf, yet lost at home to both teams.
Smith said that he was confused about the issue, but he does not believe it is a matter of buckling under the weight of home fans’ expectations.
He also does not believe they should throw caution to the wind at the Wanderers.
“You need a precise approach. A positive mindset is required without taking unnecessary risks,” he said.
His English counterpart Andrew Strauss admitted that they would have to improve on the Newlands performance.
“I believe it’s dangerous to have preconceived ideas about what the pitch will do. The use of the new ball will be critical as always,” he said.
“I’m confident that our attack can take 20 wickets. There will be pressure on both sides’ batsmen to see off the attack with the new ball. It’s a nice feeling to know that we cannot lose the series, but it will feel like an opportunity lost if it ends 1-1.”
The teams are:
South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (captain), Ashwell Prince, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher, Morné Morkel, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen and Ryan McLaren.
England (from): Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Graham Onions, Luke Wright, Ryan Sidebottom en Liam Plunkett.
Starting time: 10h30
Johannesburg – South Africa’s request for a wicket to favour the bowlers may well backfire on them in the fourth and final Test here at the Wanderers.
England, who lead the series 1-0, have a pace attack capable of maintaining itself in the company of the Proteas.
Some experts even believe that the visitors’ pace attack consisting of James Anderson, Graham Onions and Stuart Broad, is superior.
South Africa are likely to pick a bowling attack consisting exclusively of pace and seam bowlers, including rookies Wayne Parnell and Ryan McLaren.
However, the desperate home side have no other choice than to go into the final Test with such an attack as they bid to square the series.
Proteas captain Graeme Smith admitted that they had not yet reached England’s level.
“We have to give them credit for their tenacity in the two Tests in which they forced draws. Even if we trail 0-1, this has been an epic series. The two drawn Tests, with the drama at the end of both, contributed to it,” said Smith.
He also had to explain why his side was capable of beating England and Australia on their turf, yet lost at home to both teams.
Smith said that he was confused about the issue, but he does not believe it is a matter of buckling under the weight of home fans’ expectations.
He also does not believe they should throw caution to the wind at the Wanderers.
“You need a precise approach. A positive mindset is required without taking unnecessary risks,” he said.
His English counterpart Andrew Strauss admitted that they would have to improve on the Newlands performance.
“I believe it’s dangerous to have preconceived ideas about what the pitch will do. The use of the new ball will be critical as always,” he said.
“I’m confident that our attack can take 20 wickets. There will be pressure on both sides’ batsmen to see off the attack with the new ball. It’s a nice feeling to know that we cannot lose the series, but it will feel like an opportunity lost if it ends 1-1.”
The teams are:
South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (captain), Ashwell Prince, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher, Morné Morkel, Paul Harris, Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen and Ryan McLaren.
England (from): Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Graham Onions, Luke Wright, Ryan Sidebottom en Liam Plunkett.
Starting time: 10h30
