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MUMBAI: England won the recently concluded one day series 2-1 against the hosts, South Africa, but now it?s time for Test match cricket. And arguably Test cricket is the real format that challenges a player to bring out all the aspects that go into making him an international cricketer. The stage is set as the two sides will take each other on at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on 16 December in the first of the four Test match series. All the action from this Test Match series can be seen live on Ten Sports. (please check schedule)
The hosts South Africa must put behind them the loss in the one day series and look ahead with fresh perspective on the four Tests that will be played over the next few weeks. The hosts will take heart from the fact that speedster Dale Steyn is recovering well from the hamstring strain which he picked up in the third ODI at Port Elizabeth. Their biggest strength would be the pace attack, that comprises Makhaya ntini, Wayne Parnell, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn. But chances of their most prolific all-rounder taking the field remains in doubt as Jacques Kallis is still nursing a fractured rib, and at present, his is a 50-50 situation. On the Test Rankings front, South Africa have recently lost the top spot to India. The team however has expressed the fact that regaining the top rank will not be priority. But they would know that if they win the series 2-0 they will be back on top of the list.
England on the other hand, will be embarking on their first Test series without the services of Andrew Flintoff, but captain Andrew Strauss is confident that the team will deliver the goods. The recent one day series win would have given the side a sense of belief that would hold them in good stead. Though an area of concern would be the lack of a genuine all-rounder in their ranks, but cricket director Andy Flower and Strauss know that given the squad that they have, with those fit to play, they will give the hosts tough competition.
Five weeks and four tests, is not an easy series by any means. Both sides will have to deliver, with or without their key players. It?s all about performing session by session, where Test Cricket is concerned and both sides know that too well.
