England v South Africa - Summer 2008

Over the next few months England will host South Africa in a four match test series along with five ODI's. Here's my analysis of how things are going to shape up:

Bowling

If you look at the South African bowling attack you will see a wealth of international experience and quality. Makhaya Ntini will probably be at his back-of-a-length-bestwhich from the recent New Zealand Test series has proven to be Englands batting achilles heel, but the worrying prospect is that the SA's are of a far higher quality to that of the New Zealanders. Especially in the swing and seam friendly english conditions.

Along with Ntini the SA's can boast the back up duo of Kallis and Nel who both are high class seamers who again have far greater abilities than that of NZ's bowlers and so I suspect will probably play a greater role than just back-up bowlers.

Leading the SA charge is the brilliance of recent times, World No.2 Dale Steyn who's pace and control will pose a huge threat to the English Batsmen who have succumbed in recent times to such high quality. By this I compare Steyns current performances to that of Glen McGrath and Courtney Walsh who tormented the English with their unrelenting aggression and consistency. England will have to be on top form to contain him.

South Africa's only real bowling weakness is there spin bowling attack in the form of Paul Harris. But even he averages thirty with the ball in tests. This is probably the only area I think England have got the SA's trumped bowling wise. Even though Monty Panesars stats don't show any real difference to Harris's he is more crucially on his day a real match winner for England. Especially if he turns it on against the South Africans who are notoriously bad against quality spin due to lack of exposure at domestic level.

Looking at the English attack they are led by the master of swing Ryan Sidebottom who I believe is Englands key weapon against SA because he has the precious attribute of accuracy which some of the other bowlers lack. This lack of accuracy by the other seamers will In my opinion play straight into the hands of the SA's who are well equipped to deal with any lack of control and punish it.

As for James Anderson we all know by looking at him last month at Trent Bridge he can be brilliant. But his past record shows that he is very much a mood bowler. One day he can take 7/43 and on others he can resemble a Steve Harmison scatter gun! Something I've already said could play into the South Africans hands.

Stuart Broad in my opinion is probably the most overrated player in England. Yes he's young and will improve with age and his batting adds much needed backbone. But his job is primarily that of a bowler and averaging forty in test is unacceptable, I suspect he's going to have bring that average down over the following series or face the chop. I suspect his away swing approach may pose the SA's some problems and so I think he's either going to be very good... or very expensive. 

And as for England backup bowler Paul Collingwood, If he does retain his place which I dont think he will. I doubt his medium pacers will be able to compete with the likes of Kallis and Smith.

Batting

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?