After last week’s horror show from England’s team in the 2nd test, a lot of people from all corners of the cricketing world questioned the English selection policy regarding picking a bowler in Pattison that had only played in Eleven 1st class games in his whole career!

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So on to the 3rd test and they have gone back to what they should have done in the first place and recalled England’s only real fast bowler in Steve Harmison who is in my view the only England bowler who on his day can trouble the best batsmen in the world, if he can get back to the sort of form that won England the ashes 3 years ago then there should be no need to criticise England’s selection policy because the position will be his.
England’s biggest problem which has been clearly evident in the first two tests is their ability to bowl out South Africa out twice something which as yet they have not been able to do, but with Freddie Flintoff now back in the side and getting back to sharpness coupled with Harmison and the left hand swing of Sidebottom England’s pace attack is starting to look strong again.

South Africa on the other hand have been dealt a blow with the news that fast bowler Dale Steyn will miss the 3rd test after breaking his thumb during the 2nd test win at Headingly, but with their batsmen all looking like they are in tip top form I should not see that as to much of a problem when you consider the standard of bowlers currently at the tourists disposal.

My conclusion to the third test is IF England’s bowlers start firing early and put The top order of South Africa under pressure then we could be going into the 4th test next week all square at one each.

Posted on July 29th, 2008 by Cricket
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