Looking forward to the big series starting tomorrow - England v South Africa. If one were to go by the quality of the side alone, England should win - but South Africa have a great record at home - they haven't lost to anyone but Australia and have had only 1 drawn series against Pakistan. This coupled with England's renewed vulnerability to commit suicide as was evident in the warm-up match might just make this a really tense struggle.
I'm pretty sure England's batting will hold the key; the bowlers will do a fine job. Harmisson, Flintoff, Hoggard and Jones took all the honours in the Caribbean; but we need to remember the crucial role that was played by the extremely dependable middle order of Butcher, Hussain and Thorpe. Thorpe and Butcher will have to find their touch. Trescothick is always likely to struggle overseas.
For South Africa, the biggest problem is going to be their negative mindset of playing for a draw. If they play in the same "run-scoring as a last resort" manner as they did in India, Harmisson and Flintoff are likely to destroy them. South Africa need to be positive - the way they were in the Hansie Cronje era - for this I think they will severely miss Herschelle Gibbs. Smith and Kallis should be the mainstays of the batting lineup and I expect Zander de Bruyn to play a much bigger role. I think a promotion for him in the batting lineup wouldn't be a bad idea.
Can't wait for this one to start.
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