The most anticipated Test series outside of Ashes contests in many a year is just a week away, with most pundits predicting a closely fought battle between the number one and two ranked sides in the ICC’s table. This series is also set to throw up a series of fascinating individual contests, with the sides closely matched man-for-man. In this article I’ll examine all of those individual contests, and see who comes out on top.
THE BATSMEN
Andrew Strauss v Graeme Smith
On stats alone it is easy to say that Smith is the better player, with a significantly better average. The South African captain also has a history of inflicting his best on England, though his form has been patchy of late. That could also be said of his counterpart until recently but, with two hundreds against West Indies, Strauss couldn’t have prepared better for this series. Nevertheless, both bowling attacks will fancy getting an early edge by shifting the opposition captain with the new ball. Both have struggled against left-armers of late but with neither side possessing any in their likely XIs they can breathe as easily as is possible in a series where Anderson, Broad, Steyn and Philander possess the new ball. As leaders both Strauss and Smith tend to err on the side of caution. Both are well respected by their teams, though one feels that Smith’s tenure is reaching a close.
Verdict: Very tight, but Smith edges it because of his history against England. Can’t be split as captains.
Alastair Cook v Alviro Petersen
Cook is comfortably the better and at Test level more experienced player. Nevertheless, England mustn’t underestimate Petersen, who has gathered experience in these conditions over the last two seasons with first Glamorgan and then Essex. Cook is still only 27, but has played 80 Tests and scored 19 100s. A mediocre series against West Indies notwithstanding, he has been in the form of his life for the past 18 months and it is hard to see him failing here unless Philander exposes his slight weakness outside his off-stump. Anderson has worked out opponents faultlessly in recent times and Petersen will be high on his hit list.
Verdict: Cook, by some margin.
Jonathan Trott v Hashim Amla
If somebody had told you five years ago that Trott and Amla would be amongst the best batsmen in the world in 2012 you might have laughed. But, through contrasting styles – Amla is wristy and graceful whilst Trott is determined and at times ugly – they have turned themselves into world-class number threes. There is perhaps a slight question mark over Trott’s form in the last few series, which have not produced heavy returns even if he has never looked out of touch. However, you would be a brave man to bet against him batting for long periods of time. Amla can also bat all day, and will be a difficult man for the England bowlers to get on top of.
Verdict: Trott is superb, but Amla’s some player. Advantage Amla, just.
Kevin Pietersen v Jacques Kallis
The two names that will dominate team meetings most. Kallis remains a top-class all-rounder, who is an under-estimated but crucial cog in the bowling unit, as well as one of the world’s best batsmen. His figures stack up with the very top greats of the game. But KP too has been in ominous form of late, and looks perfectly placed to launch a violent assault on his homeland. Pietersen likes the ball coming on, and so should be well placed to deal with Steyn, Morkel and co. Kallis is not a fading force, though his record in England is underwhelming and he had a particularly poor tour in 2008.
Verdict: Another tough call, but I’m going for Pietersen. Could take the series away from South Africa.
Ian Bell v AB de Villiers
Two of the most fluent batsmen in the world, who are now nearing the peak of their powers. Both are worth the admission fee alone when at full flow, and recent efforts suggest both are in top form. Any doubts over Bell’s ability to perform when the pressure’s on must now have been quashed. Some will question the wisdom of South Africa’s decision to give de Villiers the gloves in the wake of Mark Boucher’s serious eye injury – it could effect his batting, and in the long-term he is likely to have even more responsibility with the Test captaincy also set to come his way shortly.
Verdict: By common consent AB is now the leading player in the world. For that reason I can’t look past him as a massive threat.
Ravi Bopara v Jacques Rudolph
Number six has been an issue for both teams, with nobody able to nail it down. One would suggest that Bopara is the more naturally talented, but the fact remains that he has not yet delivered in a major series – though that Ashes contest was now three years ago. Rudolph is considerably more experienced, and his form for Yorkshire in recent years suggests that he is a much more accomplished played than last time England saw him. However, he hasn’t quite performed consistently yet on his international return. Both players are sure to be worked over by the opposition bowlers.
Verdict: Bopara the more talented, but I must go with Rudolph, who knows England well and is a tough man to be faced with at number six.
Matt Prior v JP Duminy
Following the retirement of Boucher and subsequent re-jig of the South African line-up, Duminy is likely to bat seven at The Oval. He is in some ways South Africa’s Bopara in that flashes of success at international level have been interspersed with periods of dreadful form. He has done well of late though, scoring a century when he got an opportunity in the 3rd Test in New Zealand. On face value he is probably a more accomplished batsman than Prior but England, and Graeme Swann in particular, have had great success against Duminy in the past. Swann will again expect to make JP his ‘bunny’ this time round. Prior has established himself as the world’s leading ‘keeper-batsman and is himself a daunting prospect at number seven.
Verdict: Duminy’s troubles against Swann and England give Prior the advantage.
THE BOWLERS
James Anderson v Dale Steyn
These two opening bowlers can lay claim to being the best in the business. Anderson is generally more potent with the new ball than Steyn, holding an ability to swing it round corners even when conditions aren’t in his favour. It is a major surprise if he doesn’t take at least one wicket with the new ball. Steyn, however, has enormous variety, bowls at 90 mph+, and is the most lethal reverse swing bowler in world cricket. Both batting line-ups better watch out!
Verdict: Too close to call. Anderson better with the new ball and Steyn later.
Stuart Broad v Morne Morkel
The tallest bowlers on each team have each come on leaps and bounds in the last year, after working out the right lengths to bowl. Since Broad’s transformation he is perhaps more consistent than Morkel, as was highlighted by his excellent efforts in difficult conditions in Asia this winter. However, Morkel is probably the most destructive of the lot, and when he gets on a role can take a hatful of wickets in a rush. His performance in the tour game was woeful, but with more overs under his belt, one would imagine his threat will grow as the series goes on. Broad also offers crucial lower-order runs to England.
Verdict: These days Broad is more consistent, though Morkel has also improved in that regard.
Tim Bresnan v Vernon Philander
As the unsung hero of the England side Bresnan has gathered figures which currently comfortably outdo legends Andrew Flintoff and even Sir Ian Botham. Philander has also made a sensational start to his Test career, making the batsman play every delivery with the new ball at a better pace than he is given credit for, and in the process picking up hatfuls of wickets. Bresnan is regularly referred to as a trundler, but he is actually far better than that. He has shown tremendous aptitude at working out opposition players, has a dangerous short ball and is England’s best exponent of reverse swing.
Verdict: Can’t look past Philander’s early career. Will pose a major threat to the openers.
Graeme Swann v Imran Tahir
When Imran Tahir qualified for South Africa the common thinking was that he was the missing link who would take the team to a new level. Thus far, however, Test cricket has been a struggle for him. The wickets haven’t come with the regularity that they have in first-class cricket, and it has become apparent that Test players pick him better than first-class players, and are more likely to take the game to him. Nevertheless, if he gets it right he remains a potential threat. Swann has a sensational record against South Africa in all forms of the game and despite a recent dip in his effectiveness, particularly when it doesn’t turn, you just feel that he will do well in this series. The number of left-handers in the South African line-up will have him licking his lips.
Verdict: Swann is more experienced at Test level and more accomplished than Tahir. He remains a crucial cog in this England side.
THE WICKET-KEEPERS
Matt Prior v AB de Villiers
With Boucher having departed, de Villiers takes the gloves. He is more than a part-time ‘keeper, having done the job on many occasions in ODIs and at the IPL, and having made his Test debut against England with the gloves on. But he’s only kept in three Tests, and last time he did so missed a stumping in India. In that sense it’s a major risk for South Africa to put one of their best batsmen behind the stumps. Prior has improved markedly since he started out, and is now largely flawless with the gloves on.
Verdict: Prior has much more Test experience behind the sticks.
THE RESERVES
Neither side has an experienced batsman to call on, with South Africa playing all seven frontline batsmen in the squad. But both have a battery of fast bowlers desperate to get an opportunity. Steven Finn and Marchant de Lange are two of the brightest young things in the international game, but both will probably have to wait their turn for a chance in the XI. Meanwhile, Graham Onions and Lonwabo Tsotsobe have both had enough success at international level to suggest they could slot straight into the team if need be. England also have a number of other fast bowlers – Chris Tremlett among them – to call on in an emergency. In the spin department England also would appear to have the better number two in Monty Panesar, whilst South Africa have the solid but unspectacular Robin Peterson.
Verdict: England have the marginally stronger bench. It would be a surprise if Finn and de Lange didn’t get a game at some point.
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