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[Blwe_torch]

England and South African begin battle for No. 1
AFP | Jul 18, 2012, 06.07AM IST


LONDON: England will defend their ranking as the top Test team in the world when they come up against a strong South African side in the first of three Test matches at the Oval on Thursday.

The pre-match build-up has concentrated on two outstanding fast bowling attacks -- but, as England fast bowler James Anderson and South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis pointed out on Tuesday, the bowlers will have to get past some outstanding batsmen.

"It's the two best teams in the world," said Anderson. "Both bowling attacks have been successful over the past 12 to 18 months but if you look at both batting line-ups they're potentially as strong as well. It's going to be a clash of two really good teams."

Meawhile Kallis added: "It's going to be an interesting battle to see who comes out on top. Both sides have got good batters as well. It's going to be a fantastic series."

South Africa edged England 2-1 in 2008, the last time the two teams met in England, but England have been unbeaten at home since then, rising to number one in the world rankings under captain Andrew Strauss and coach Andy Flower.

However, South Africa have not lost an away series since they were beaten in Sri Lanka in 2006. They are ranked third but will take the top place from England if they win the series.

Anderson, Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan have become a formidable fast bowling force for England.

But South Africa have some heavy artillery as well in Dale Steyn, the world's top-ranked bowler, the tall Morne Morkel and the accurate Vernon Philander, who has taken 51 wickets at an average of 14.15 since making his debut against Australia last November.

England may have an advantage in spin bowling, where off-spinner Graeme Swann has a superior record to South African leg-spinner Imran Tahir, who has yet to make a major impact at Test level.

South Africa will go into the series with minimal preparation.

They had a three-day camp in Switzerland, during which they climbed mountains and got out of their normal 'comfort zones', followed by a two-day match against Somerset and a three-day match against Kent.

Both matches were affected by rain and the tourists were unable to dominate against two relatively weak teams.

But Kallis is convinced the preparation has been ideal and that South Africa are ready to hit form from the start of the series.

South Africa have never won in 10 matches at the Oval and have lost all three Tests at the venue since returning to international cricket in 1991.

Remarkably on each of the latter occasions they lost despite winning the toss and batting first. All three Tests were the last matches of a series.

Kallis regards the record as nothing more than a statistical oddity but it is a puzzling statistic, given that the Oval normally provides pace and bounce for fast bowlers, which has long been a South African strength.

An unusually wet summer could mean the pitch may not have the hardness normally expected by this stage of a season, which could in turn lead to swing and seam may prove more important than outright speed.

The weather could be a factor, with some rain expected on each of the first three days of the match.

South Africa will hand wicketkeeping duties to vice-captain AB de Villiers following a career-ending eye injury to Mark Boucher in the first warm-up game.

Although the loss of the experienced Boucher is a blow, it gives the tourists a chance to field an extra specialist, with batsman JP Duminy set to feature.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/England-and-South-African-begin-battle-for-No-1/articleshow/15025465.cms

[Blwe_torch]

England doing well at Oval........Alistair Cook gets a century...........

England rebuilds after the early loss of Strauss

[Cover Point]

Big whoopee woo. Yawn. Tells you the importance of test cricket. Even on this board full of self proclaimed snobs of test cricket only clown blwe posts on test thread between the top 2 teams.

Where are Cernu and other so claimed test supporters who pop up repeatedly to talk ganguly ?

[k-slice]

i would have posted a lot ore had England been 160/9.
too bad they are not. i want England to lose!

[Blwe_torch]

Cook century gives England the edge
AFP | 12 hours ago       
   

England’s Alastair Cook reaches his 100 during the first day of the first cricket test match against South Africa at the Oval cricket ground, London, Thursday July 19, 2012. -AP Photo

LONDON: Alastair Cook made a patient century to give England the edge on the first day of the first Test match against South Africa at the Oval on Thursday.

Cook made 114 not out as England overcame the loss of captain Andrew Strauss in the first over to reach 267 for three at the close.

Cook shared a 170-run second wicket partnership with Jonathan Trott (71) and an 81-run third wicket stand with Kevin Pietersen, who made 42.

Cook and Trott came together without a run on the board after Strauss was leg before wicket to Morne Morkel off the fourth ball of the match.

But Cook and Trott were largely untroubled on a dry, easy-paced pitch as they rebuilt the England innings with sensible batting, only playing the ball when it was necessary or when they could pick off loose deliveries.

South Africa’s highly rated pace attack was neutralised by solid batting and a dry, easy-paced pitch. With the number one ranking in Test cricket at stake, it had been expected that the series would be a battle between two outstanding pace attacks but the South Africans were forced to settle for containment for much of the day.

The tourists used spin bowlers for 21 of the 90 overs sent down. The left-handed Cook showed impeccable shot selection as he reached his 20th Test century off 222 balls, with 11 fours and a top-edged hook for six off Dale Steyn.

By the close he had faced another 61 deliveries without adding another boundary. Trott faced 162 balls and hit nine fours, scoring a high percentage of his runs on the leg side, before he was caught behind when he edged a drive against Morkel, not getting fully forward one ball after getting a bouncer from Morkel.

Pietersen threatened to play a dominating innings until he gloved a hook against Jacques Kallis three balls before the second new ball was due.

It provided a second catch for AB de Villiers, who took over as wicketkeeper after the injury-enforced retirement of Mark Boucher.

The dismissal of Strauss justified South Africa’s decision to give the new ball to Morkel instead of Steyn. It was the seventh time in nine matches that Strauss had fallen to the tall fast bowler.

With Morkel bowling around the wicket to the left-hander, Strauss was trapped on the crease by a ball angled in to him. Umpire Steve Davis turned down an appeal by the South Africans, who called for a review which showed the ball was hitting the inside of the leg stump.

Morkel finished the day as South Africa’s most successful bowler, taking two for 44 in 18 overs. Rain delayed the start by 15 minutes and the floodlights were turned on 25 minutes after the start as heavy cloud rolled in. But the weather cleared and most of the rest of the day’s play was in sunlight.

http://dawn.com/2012/07/19/cook-century-gives-england-the-edge/

[poondu]

385 all out

[Blwe_torch]

the covers are coming on. Play is delayed because of showers that have been threatening all day. SA 27/1 in reply to ENG's 385.

[k-slice]

how the efiity eff do you go from 270 odd for 3 to 385 all out? that right is reserved by team india. copy cats.

[Cover Point]

kslice they are ranked #1 afterall

[k-slice]

kslice they are ranked #1 afterall

not for long Cp, not for long.
if you leave the rankings aside, either south africa or england are the true number one team. Australia is a clear second despite their current loss of form. India, Sri-lanka share 4th with pakistan right there.
the rest are all pretty much equal apart from Bangladesh.

[Cernunnos]

Looking forward to Kallis improving his pathetic Laxmanesque average of 30 in England.
Must have a decent record in England to pass muster as a great batsman.

Although, in Kallis' case his bowling average of 27 with 37 wickets makes up for the batting woes. (Laxman of course draws a blank)

[Blwe_torch]

Stumps Day 3: South Africa 403-2. Amla on 183* and Kallis 82*

[k-slice]

Stumps Day 3: South Africa 403-2. Amla on 183* and Kallis 82*

kallis close the scoring triple what his average against england has been.

[k-slice]

476/2
HAHAHAHAHA!suck on that england!!

[Cernunnos]

Looking forward to Kallis improving his pathetic Laxmanesque average of 30 in England.
Must have a decent record in England to pass muster as a great batsman.

And he goes ahead and scores a century, albeit on a flat track.

Kallis now has 43 test tons at a slightly better century/match than SRT's 51.
So long as Kallis is playing, I see no chance of SRT retiring.

[Cernunnos]

Amla the first triple centurion for RSA! Brings it up with a four..

[Cernunnos]

Swann 151/0.

Harbhajan Singh's worst against RSA was 75/0. Has taken a minimum 2-fer against RSA 17 out of 19 innings

[Cernunnos]

Amla 311*
BCCI pvt. ltd. highest score 300 in 8 innings.

[LosingNow]

This SA bowling attack - philander, steyn, morkel - is top class.

..and that man Kirsten is going to be on top again

[Blwe_torch]

Amla 311*
BCCI pvt. ltd. highest score 300 in 8 innings.

BCCI team has lost the Test character( away) for a couple of years now

[k-slice]

The british playing gracious hosts to the safs. clearly they dont like us to have hammered us 4-0.

[k-slice]

and Gary Kirsten manages to take yet another team closer to the number one spot. good for him!
Well played South africa!!

[Cernunnos]

The most crushing defeat in the history of cricket, by difference of runs/wicket.
Super Steyn!

Btw, India was similarly crushed in Nagpur by virtually the same team, but came back to win the Kolkata test 2010. I rate that one of the best test victories of India (probably it's last great win). Let us see if England can do that here.

[Blwe_torch]

A dark Steyn

By JOHN ETHERIDGE
Published: 23rd July 2012

ANDREW STRAUSS had a “sour taste in his mouth” after England suffered one of the heaviest defeats in the history of Test cricket.

WORLD No1 status under threat after innings and 12-run thumping at Oval
England make a Hash of it

A stunning performance from South African strike bowler Dale Steyn saw England crushed by the humungous margin of an innings and 12 runs.

South Africa won the Investec First Test at The Oval by losing just two wickets while England lost 20 — and still scored fewer runs!

It is only the fifth time a Test team has won when losing just two wickets in the match. And all this after England dominated the first two sessions last Thursday.

Skipper Strauss said: “There are a number of areas where we are frustrated and losing four wickets in placid conditions on Sunday evening made life difficult for us.

“I suppose South Africa had a psychological advantage after we were in the field for so long. We didn’t react well enough and that leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

“Most of my regrets are that we didn’t come out with a draw. We should have done that.”

England showed pockets of resistance yesterday — mainly through Ian Bell and Matt Prior — but a brilliant spell by Steyn with the second new ball hastened their demise.

It was England’s first Test defeat at home for two years and they have now lost five of their last nine Tests — all on dry, slow pitches.

Strauss and team director Andy Flower must inspire a dramatic and instant turn-around at Headingley next week if England are to preserve their No 1 Test status by winning or drawing the series.

The captain added: “Everyone needs to go away and think about what he did in this Test match and steel himself to play some good hard cricket next week because that’s what it will take.

“We must learn lessons and come back strong. We’ve batted well at home for a long time now. There’s no reason to expect anything different in the rest of the series.

“Our bowling attack has huge reserves of confidence. They have taken 20 wickets in pretty much every match for the last two years and this game doesn’t change that for me.

“I still think we’ll come back into the series. We’ve often played our best when we’ve come off a defeat and this is a good challenge for us.”

The match swung sharply South Africa’s way on the second morning when they captured the final seven England wickets in 35 overs.

Then Hashim Amla, with his historic unbeaten triple century, plus Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis ruthlessly and clinically took apart England’s bowlers.

England then lost four second-innings wickets on the fourth evening which meant their dreams of saving the match yesterday were dependent on a couple of batsmen mounting an epic rearguard.

But Ravi Bopara dragged on a ball from Steyn early on and, although Bell and Prior survived together for 32 overs, it was not enough.

Prior attempted an ambitious sweep shot against wrist-spinner Imran Tahir just three overs before the new ball was due — and edged to slip.

Then a rampant Steyn had Bell caught at slip, Stuart Broad strangled down the legside and Graeme Swann held at cover attempting to force the pace.

It was a superb performance by the world’s best bowler on such a lifeless surface.

What a contrast from the man who was being criticised as under-cooked and lacking intensity on day one.

The last-wicket pair of Tim Bresnan and James Anderson resisted for 10 overs but the end came when Anderson was plumb lbw to Tahir.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/cricket/4446329/Andrew-Strauss-sour.html

[poondu]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england-v-south-africa-2012/engine/current/match/534226.html

Interesting chase?

[dextrous]

50-75 less runs and it'd be alive!

of course with trott in next...can't have much of a chase

[poondu]

they could have sent Prior at 1 down.

[k-slice]

20 overs left and England are 4 down?
Is it possible for South Africa to pull off a win here?
i wouldnt put it beyond them with Steyn and co!

[k-slice]

And now KP threatening to quit all forms of cricket.
he wants to skip the test series vs New zealand in march to focus on the ipl.
then he says it isnt about the money.
what a strange fellow.

[dextrous]

For me, the saddest part about all this is that the spectators just love watching me play and I love playing for England.

This sums up the man for me. So full of himself. I'd say England would be better off without him. He's probably making a mess in the dressing room. He had no loyalty to his own country and certainly has none for his adopted one. FOr someone who missed out so much cricket during the 'qualification' period, he surely should want to play more.

[pieterSAN]

Check out Pietersen's Extraordinary Verbal Attack

[k-slice]

For me, the saddest part about all this is that the spectators just love watching me play and I love playing for England.

This sums up the man for me. So full of himself. I'd say England would be better off without him. He's probably making a mess in the dressing room. He had no loyalty to his own country and certainly has none for his adopted one. FOr someone who missed out so much cricket during the 'qualification' period, he surely should want to play more.

how can you say that? KP is the epitome of a humble team player! 
wasnt that obvious when he had a blow out with the coach and was booted from the captaincy?
His issue is he thinks he is the SRT of england. unfortunately he doesnt enjoy the same cult following as srt does nor does he have the same skills. he is a damn good batsman, no doubt. i also think he doesnt enjoy a board that is going to pamper him.
his best option is to shut up and play all formats of the game, retire after 2 years and then become a gun for hire.

[pieterSAN]

i'd be surprised if ECB left him any options now. think he's done with england

[dhruvdeepak]

this is awesome. im glad hes doing all this after scoring runs.

adds to the drama.

we should immediately bestow him with Indian citizenship. anyway, even if it takes 4 years, that is fine too as by then Sachin will retire and he can take over the #4 spot Sachin will never retire

[k-slice]

this is awesome. im glad hes doing all this after scoring runs.

adds to the drama.

we should immediately bestow him with Indian citizenship. anyway, even if it takes 4 years, that is fine too as by then Sachin will retire and he can take over the #4 spot Sachin will never retire

glad you figured out the last part!
havent heard of a father son duo playing for an international team at the same time. maybe SRT and AST will achieve that.