Fourth one-day international, Cape Town:6th Febuary. >

[Ernest]

Can England bounce back from the tight defeat yesterday, they did just that, when beaten in the Test series.

They did not get thrashed or anything like that, they just lost a tight game.

Englands out cricket will have to improve though, you can bet England would have won on Friday, if either Trescothick or jones had taken the easy chances to get rid of Smith, fair play to Smith though, he rode his luck, and batted South Africa to Victory.

According to the BBC web site,Steve Harmison looks set to return tomorrow, just hope he can recapture some of his lost form.

Please post your pre match comments, and match comments here.

[Zainub]

If they're bringing in Harmy who are they leaving out?

Kabir Ali hasn't bowled badly, in fact, IMHO, he was the best bowler in the last game, could they leave out him?

They can't leave out Goughie, one would think he's an automatic selection with all his experience and role in the side as a support and guide for the younger lads.

That leaves us with just Hoggard, who had an absolute shocker of a game at Port Elizabeth. Are they going to drop him?

I'm not saying they should do either (i.e. drop Ali/Gough/Hoggard), just asking as a matter of fact, 'cause I don't think I'm quite so sure my self.

Also, if Vaughan is coming into the side, does that mean Solanki will get the axe despite his half century at Port Elizabeth?

And what will be the batting order?

[Ernest]

Not sure who they are leaving out, but Harmison looks like playing. Squad click here .

The bowling has not been that good, and Wharf I doubt is an option.

Don't forget the match starts at 8:00 GMT.

[John]

The bowling attack on both sides is weak. Libel to let the other side into the side.
Gough weakness always use to be that he didn't get many wickets at the top of order in oneday matches. His strength being he was an excellent bowler at the death. Now it looks what he has to offer is limited. Although he provides an endless talking point for the commentators.
Hoggard is steady.
Collingwood completely defensive. With his bowling he just about fits into the catgeroy allrounder, just about.
Giles defensive.
Ali needs vast improvement to claim any future in ODI.
Pollock on the wane.
Ninti not really what is required gives too many runs in side whose bowling attack leaks runs.
Nel eratic.
Boje less said about it the better.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by Zainub Razvi

If they're bringing in Harmy who are they leaving out?

Well, now we know. Vaughan back; Solanki out; Harmison back; Hoggard out. England won the toss and SA will bat first. Let's go, fellahs!

[Occasional Fan]

Gough and Harmison both spraying it around a bit. If we are going to let SA have eight ball overs, we're not helping ourselves much.

And Harmison 3-0-24-0 at the moment is just way too expensive.

[Occasional Fan]

Hats off to Herschelle Gibbs for a hundred. That's quite enough, though, as Harmison lets him know. Harmison obviously gains a bit from that wicket, but he is still very expensive as a front line bowler, surely? And again the bowlers as a group have some thinking to do, having sent down 17 wides in the first 45 overs.

[Zainub]

OF,

I've not been seeing this match, but when I saw the scoreline a few moments ago at crick info, my impression by reading the scoreline (which at that stage read 255-4 in 48 overs with a Gibbs 100) that it must be a good pitch to bat on, and then, a read closely and also read this:

Originally Posted by Cricinfo Ball by Ball Commentary

England won the toss and elected to field first

I wonder what the wisdom behind that was? The old theory has hit it that in one-days bat first and put runs on the board is the best possible way to go about it.

[Occasional Fan]

Always difficult to get into the captain's head on the toss decision, Zainub, but I - not even an amateur player - somehow feel that if I were playing limited overs cricket, I'd prefer to know the target. Maybe Vaughan feels the same.

In any case, I rather suspect that the target which SA have set is going to be a tough one for England to reach. And take a look at the last few overs for England again - they've been stinkers!

Over 46 (Kabir Ali) - 16
Over 47 (Gough) - 6
Over 48 (Harmison) - 5
Over 49 (Gough) - 12
Over 50 (Kabir Ali) - 20

That's 59 off the last five overs (England made 60-odd from the last 12 in Port Elizabeth). A target of 292. Well, we'll see!

[Zainub]

Don't lose hope, England have got a decent line up these days, if they get off to a proper start they'll have a chance. 292 doesn't sound ungettable to me, but it will take some getting. Will be crucial that England batsmen do not do the same mistake of getting in making 30-40 and getting out - that cost them (as you pointed out) in the last few games.