James Anderson may have lost his fight to be fit for the Boxing Day Test against South Africa but Stuart Broad insists the absence of his new-ball partner is “not a hammer blow” to England’s chances. It was here in 1999 that Nasser Hussain batted for 10 and a half hours to make 143 and Andy Caddick produced the bowling of his life (although they and England were ultimately thwarted by Gary Kirsten, who batted for more than 14 and a half hours – 40 minutes longer than Alastair Cook in Abu Dhabi this year – for 275).
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An England victory by any scoreline would see South Africa lose top spot to India, while only a win will ensure captain Cook’s men improve their ranking of sixth.
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Durban will have just a little bit of juice in the surface for the spinners-both part-time and front-line-but this series will be all about the quick bowlers and, of course, how well the batsmen apply themselves.
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England will look to solve personnel problems in key batting and bowling slots and build more consistency in their selections, while South Africa seek to dispel suggestions that they are a side on the decline, suddenly lacking in the confidence that has been the hallmark of their reign as the world’s top test side.
However, if England do have to leave Anderson out of the first Test side, Steven Finn is in pole position to come back after recovering from the stress fracture that made him miss the series against Pakistan in the UAE. “You can’t change the way he plays, he’s just got to be true to himself and that will be good enough”.
Hales, who averaged 51 for Nottinghamshire last season and made a career-best 236 against the eventual champions Yorkshire at Trent Bridge, has the opportunity to become the first batsman to score hundreds in all three formats of the game for England after his maiden 50-over century against Pakistan last month and an unbeaten 116 against Sri Lanka in the 2014 World Twenty20. For us it’s not about who is leading the attack for England, it doesn’t make a difference to us. However, Vernon Philander will miss the start of the series with an ankle injury.
South Africa were without Dale Steyn for much of their 3-0 Test loss in India due to a groin injury, and Amla is delighted to have him back for the upcoming series. No more than myself or any of the guys; that’s what happens when you play Test cricket.
It was not just England’s seamers who excelled, with Moeen Ali taking 6-77 in the second innings.
The great South African bowlers have taken their wickets here: Shaun Pollock has 44 of them at 21.79 apiece, and Dale Steyn 38 at 23.23.
Both teams will relish a return to more familiar conditions after struggling on slow, spin-friendly pitches during their defeats. I don’t know if this is a good time to play them: they’re still ranked No. 1 in the world and they’re tough to beat at home.
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England are to wait until Thursday before making a decision on whether James Anderson can lead the attack in the first Test against South Africa after the fast bowler had a scan on his calf on Tuesday. “He’s been one of many higher bowlers on the planet for a number of years”, Amla informed reporters, two days forward of the collection opener.
