South Africa/Hidden dangers.>

[Ernest]

I know a lot as been said about us playing and beating Australia in 2005, but we have to go to South Africa first.

They seem to be a disorganised side to say the least, but as I am looking forward to the series, I can't help but wonder, which South African player will be a danger to England, Smith on his day can be devestating, there is Kallis, but have they any other players who might just spring a surprise on England?, or at least make there life difficult.

Is England winning in South Africa just a formality?, or are there hidden dangers?.

[Beny]

I've been impressed and dishartend by the SA team lately. They have some fantastic talent with lots of good new players especialy on the batting front. However nobody has ever doubted that SA have the talent it is more to do with how they use it. The basic SA tactic seems to be 'go for the draw and win if we get the chance', or mabey they just dont really have direction.

If England we're to lose to SA I dont think it would be the end of the world but in the players and supporters minds it might be the end of the ashes.

[Chuck Palumbo]

Graeme Smith will be the big danger- he is somewhat underrated by people who call him a flat track bully due to him making the most of 2 flat pitches in England but he has proved himself in tough conditions as well for example his match winning 100 in NZ on a last day pitch to square the series or a marathon innings in Galle on a pitch turning square for Murali and co which helped save the game or more recently a good innings in Calcutta which should have helped save the game for SA but no one else chipped in.
You feel he is one of them players that deliver when it matters and to SA there is only one series bigger than England and that is Australia so I expect him to deliver and be the leading run scorer.

Apart from the obvious dangers- Gibbs,Pollock,Kallis and Smith I also feel Ntini will be a big danger on South African pitches especially against our left handers but he can also be expensive so the England batsman need to be positive against him. Jacques Rudolph is also a classy little player who has improved out of sight since the tour of England where he struggled against the ball swinging in and many South African experts expect him to take over Gary Kirsten's mantle.

But I'm still pretty confident that England will win the series as I reckon they have the more penetatrive bowling attack and thats what it will come down to as the batting line ups are quite even. Although a drawn series will continue England's upward spiral.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Beny

The basic SA tactic seems to be 'go for the draw and win if we get the chance', or mabey they just dont really have direction.

There's nothing wrong with focussing on being tough to beat: it's the first step to greater things.

Hussain inculcated this mentality in the current English side.. and in doing so laid the basis for greater things.. and Flemming did the same with the NZ side. Recognising that dominating every session was pretty much a pipe dream given the strength of the side.. these captains (working closely with their coaches) focussed on COMPETING. The mantra was basically "make sure we hang in there through even the toughest sessions because then we will at least be giving ourselves a shout".

I suspect the SA side will take the same approach this winter: they know they lack the penetration in attack to go all out for wins at every turn... so they will stack the batting... play just two out and out bowlers... raise their game in the field... and see if their commitment, determination and perseverence puts enough pressure on England to give them an opportunity or two.

My guess is that Fletcher and Vaughan are tempted to at least start the tour the same way.. but for different reasons: they will be desperate to win the series.. but will see their best opportunity as coming later in the series... when the team is more familiar with the pitches and the conditions.. and the problems of having too few warm up matches have been overcome through time in the middle playing Test cricket.

I reckon both teams would settle for a couple of draws to start the series... the SA side because they need the confidence that comes from showing resillience... and the Eng side because they will feel that if they are level after two Tests then the series is theirs for the taking.

My guess is that any dramas in the opening two Tests will come from batting sides imploding rather than any great performances.. and that the stops are only going to realy come out after that... when we might see BOTH teams get a sight more aggressive.

[Ernest]

I agree Beny we could be defeated, but the blow would be in the heads of the players and supporters, I can't see it happening, but I hope england do not get complacent.

I agree CP, Jacques Rudolph is a good player, he is stubbern, and Smith if he gets his form back will take some watching.

[Beny]

There's nothing wrong with focussing on being tough to beat: it's the first step to greater things.

"If you do not know to which port you are sailing, then no wind is faverouble"

There is a big difference between being 'tough to beat' and being scared of winning.

[Zainub]

Over the last 2 years I have formed the impression that games in SA are won and lost in the first innings. You win the toss bat first and put over 600. Opposition replies with 400. You bat again and declare at 200-5 and then win by 200 odd runs.

That to me suggests that free scoring batsmen from both side will have a major role to play in the outcome of the series.
Harmison and Ntini type bowlers will one has the feeling have a better chance in these conditions.

All in all if England play as well as they have been, they should beat SA.

[Maranello]

The best way to be tough to beat is to try and win. To play for a draw is a defeatist approach, and more often than not will lead to defeat. Imran Khan comments on this in his book, saying the teams and captains who want to win hardest, often do. Those who have a negative or scared mindset, and are looking to save their own backs by a draw, invariably end up losing.

[Ernest]

I dont disagree Maranello, what I am saying I dont just think because a team is going through a bad patch, they will just roll over.

I think england will win, so long as they go about it as though they where playing a top team, South Africa have some good players, they just don't gell at the moment.

[Maranello]

True, SA have at least three players who can take the game to any opposition and win; England cannot afford to be complacent. So I agree, as a Leader, one must respect the opposition, but still have complete faith in one's men to do the job and win