Comments on: South Africa v England: 4th Test Preview http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/south-africa-v-england-4th-test-preview/ The number one blog for the world of cricket. Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:58:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Paul Spencer http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/south-africa-v-england-4th-test-preview/comment-page-1/#comment-7924 Paul Spencer Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:12:40 +0000 http://www.thecricketblog.co.uk/?p=802#comment-7924 England may pull off a notable series win; this would be despite what, for me, is a flawed selection policy. I would not have played four bowlers for any of the previous tests and despite England's position of strength in the series remain unconvinced by the strategy. It can be argued that six batsmen were responsible for saving the games at Pretoria and Cape Town. I would disagree and contend that the games might never have been so desperate for England if they had used five bowlers instead of four with which to attack the South Africans. Now, ironically, the strategy of six batsmen and four bowlers makes tactical sense when a match needs to be saved in order to win the series. I sincerely hope that England prevail and will be following the match with intense interest. However, if the England management team conclude that a series win in South Africa legitimises an imbalanced selection strategy then the prospect of winning the Ashes in Australia remains as elusive as ever. Five bowlers please. England may pull off a notable series win; this would be despite what, for me, is a flawed selection policy. I would not have played four bowlers for any of the previous tests and despite England’s position of strength in the series remain unconvinced by the strategy. It can be argued that six batsmen were responsible for saving the games at Pretoria and Cape Town. I would disagree and contend that the games might never have been so desperate for England if they had used five bowlers instead of four with which to attack the South Africans. Now, ironically, the strategy of six batsmen and four bowlers makes tactical sense when a match needs to be saved in order to win the series.

I sincerely hope that England prevail and will be following the match with intense interest. However, if the England management team conclude that a series win in South Africa legitimises an imbalanced selection strategy then the prospect of winning the Ashes in Australia remains as elusive as ever.

Five bowlers please.

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