I was surprised that Nel has only faced England once before in Tests - thought it would have been more. He did very well in that one game though.

It looks like SA wisely rested their main line bowlers after Styen was injured. Nel and Ninti didn't bowl ten overs between them today.
Peterson had a good match maybe edging Harris out. As I have said before I would rather see Zondeki in before either but if its a choice between Harris and Peterson I will go for the latter.
The reason I would go for Zondeki is one he is now an experience cricketer.Okay he isn't Test class but he isn't the inexperienced crickter who toured England last time.
The second reason is I think Englands batting is good but at times vunerable and Harris and Peterson add nothing bowling wise whereas Zondeki offers a little bit more.
The only reason for picking Harris again is at least we can say he has had a fair run.

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"Checkout the big brain on Brett" Pulp Fiction

4 overs for 25 runs suggests to me that he was absolutely hammered, which is probably what'll happen if he plays on Wednesday. Yes, he picked up two wickets, but they were in all likelihood as a result of the batsmen taking the long handle to him in the first place. Yes, he scored runs, but given the strength and form of South Africa's batting, how important is that? It sounds to me like Peterson could have gone for 36 in an over and you'd still claim that he had a better match, whereas the fact that Harris not only bowled first in both innings, but bowled more overs for a better ER says it all about their respective abilities.

That's not true. Both Harris and Peterson are spin bowlers, as such they add variety to the attack. Zondeki, as another quick, probably isn't going to do anything which can't be done by the rest of South Africa's quicks.

Zondeki was playing for Warks earlier this season and 9 wickets at 42.33 isn't very good. You can't even compare him to Nel who does look like a Test bowler.

Yes I agree but everything is relative. Will it be a great loss if Peterson plays for Harris. It makes little difference.
Zondeki may have played badly for Warks but his overall 1st class record isn't too bad. Also he will be used as the fourth seamer which I think always takes a bit of pressure off him. Its not like he is opening bowler or first change and expected to take wickets almost straight away. He will probably do most of his bowling in the afternoon and evenning session.

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"Checkout the big brain on Brett" Pulp Fiction

When the conditions suit, most grounds in England will suit swing bowlers not just Edgbaston, the question is, are the weather conditions suitable for swing bowlers or not?

With plenty of hot warm weather we've had over the last 2-3 days plus what we may get tommorow and Wednesday (with the possiblity of showers inbetween and much will depend on how heavy those showers are) it does rather suggest that pitch is going to be sun-baked and rock hard that will be fast and bouncy and may start breaking up and turning towards the end of the game.

For me, this pitch may well suit Broad far more than Sidebottom, but then recalling Harmison may well offer a better option than Broad for exploiting those pitch conditions.

They may well think they have it all covered in Harmison (pace and bounce), Flintoff (pace, bounce and reverse), Anderson (pace, reverse and swing), Panesar (spin) and be tempted to recall Collingwood (medium pace). Or should Sidebottom come back in and produce some rough for Panesar to bowl into?

I think they've decided to drop Broad on the basis he needs a rest, which I guess is fair enough and Harmison looks to be the one likely to take his place. That might leave a straight shoot out between Collingwood and Sidebottom.

That's a tough choice to make.

Hardly, all that stat says it that he took 4 wickets against a side no better than a good English club side.

He needs to take wickets against Test Match cricketers, not Club cricketers.

All right, then he's back among the wickets, which is a plus no matter who the opposition is.

Oh no! The word is that Broad is the likely one to be dropped. We might have to face a genuine five man attack.
At least it will weaken the batting.
Atherton has critcised the selection of Harmison because of his abject recent peformances for England. I understand his point but in comparison to Broad I would pick Harmison in present form.

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"Checkout the big brain on Brett" Pulp Fiction

Unfortunately for Broad he simply isn't a test match bowler yet. I wouldn't be too sure about the 5 man attack. The selectors are quite keen on batting Colly at 6 and picking 4 bowlers but they aren't sure which 4. If they leave out Harmison, they are back to square one as regards the attack and why call him up in the first place??


Atherton has a cheek! In his last 32 matches for England he averaged 32. That was hardly a run of good performances was it!

Atherton did get one fact right in his article though:Steve Harmison's England recall no quick fix - Times Online

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Mark.