England Vs South Africa.4th Test 13 - 17 Jan.

[Ernest]

Hi everone,
Got over the defeat in the 3rd Test yet, well I have and am full of optimism.
Please post you Test Match posts here.

You can also use this thread for pre match chat, like should we stick with the same team, if not who could be left out?, and more important, who could we put in?.
Anyone know if Flintoff and.or Hoggard have recovered yet?.

[Paoli]

Trescothick
Strauss
Vaughan---from 4 to 3
Thorpe
Flintoff
Key
GO Jones
Giles
SP Jones
Hoggard
Harmison

The squad is quite small judging on England's past tours. There is only 1 backup batsman, 1 backup allrounder, 1 back up keeper, 1 back up spinner, and 1 back up paceman. Usually English squads are about 18 or 19 for 5 test series (eg Ashes, RSA Tour, Windies Tour (not sure if it's five tests anymore).

In saying that, you should get a win nicely and go 2-1 up and draw the last test. The first innings batsmen need to fire, as does Steve Harmison.

[Ernest]

Hi Paoli,
Yes I think that will be the squad, wonder why you have put Vaughan at 3?,he used to open, and was a success, hmm interesting.

[Mike_Hock]

I like the idea of Key coming in down the order, but I'd have him at 5 not 6.

[Occasional Fan]

Still a few days to go before the off, but the BBC's weather forecast for the week is showery. I think England should win the Johannesburg test with the same team that lost in Cape Town, but it is crucial that GBH finds his form (hopefully before Thursday). We are not going to have five full days to grind out the result in Jo'burg, I fear, so we need something a bit fast and furious.

Can't find any news on Hoggie and Flintoff, but it seems that Butcher is expected to attend training this week and, if fit, the BBC's report suggests that he would be favoured over Robert Key.

[Moss]

Vaughan at 3 would be my choice. I wouldn't put Freddie above Key/Butcher though.

[Ernest]

[quote=Occasional Fan ]

Originally Posted by OF

Can't find any news on Hoggie and Flintoff, but it seems that Butcher is expected to attend training this week and, if fit, the BBC's report suggests that he would be favoured over Robert Key.

I think ay one stage soon OF, they are going to have to say to Butch, thanks a million but you need to spend more time with your family.
Key will get llke Anderson, he will not be prepared when he plays, and will never get a score.

Originally Posted by Mike_Hock 32823

I like the idea of Key coming in down the order, but I'd have him at 5 not 6.

I agree he is not a number 6, well that is Flintoffs place anyway, because he is not a number 5, but is mile to good to bat with the tail.

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by Paoli69

In saying that, you should get a win nicely and go 2-1 up and draw the last test. The first innings batsmen need to fire, as does Steve Harmison.

Interesting we are all saying put vaughan at 3, well he once did open, and with more success that he is gettting at the moment.

Originally Posted by Moss 32828

Vaughan at 3 would be my choice. I wouldn't put Freddie above Key/Butcher though.

No like I said to Mike, IMHO, Flintoff is a number 6, if vaughan fails again, it may be worth playing him next time at 5, or even 7, just so he can get someruns under his belt.

[Irish Left Armer]

Butcher is out of the tour, his wrist injury is too bad for him to play in either of the remaining tests.

Bell has flown out as cover.

[cantplaycantalk]

With Freddy carrying a niggle, and Butcher out for the tour, would we be better placed with either Bell, or Collingwood coming in at 3 (Bell) or 5/6 (Collingwood) as both can bowl a few overs if necessary (and if we get overcast with showers both could be handy)

Harmison is off-colour at the moment but is definately struggling with the heat and we could do with the option of saving both Harmison and Freddy for short bursts.

(Guess this will annoy the Key fans but I am not convinced by him.)