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[Manormanic]

Less similar than you might think from what I'm told (no direct experience to work off). 

Lets look at it the other way - if Kallis' record in England is not a statistical anomaly, how would you explain it?  He has no succession of dismissals to one bowler who might have the wood on him, nor does he have technical flaws that would account...?

[Alvaro]

Bowled and lbw seem to be fairly common in the video posted. Inswing/inseam a factor?

It may be mental, with SA considering winning in England their zenith (though maybe winning in Aus in 2009 is also a big achievement) and he's often carried a reputation for not necessarily fronting up (I agree that this may well be unfair). It's perhaps an extra weight on his shoulders and I don't mean his rug!

[A-Swing-And-A-Miss]

The best combined 11 imo would be:

Smith
Cook
Trott
Amla
Pietersen
Kallis
Prior
Swann
Broad
Anderson
Steyn

For the two 50/50's that Manormanic had I went for Prior ahead of De Villiers because both are very good batsmen but Prior is easily the best wicketkeeper in the world at the moment and Broad ahead of Philander because Broad is more of an all-rounder and I love all-rounders..

This makes it seem like England are far superior however as stated previously, when the Saffers have better players, the difference is far larger than when England have the better players. For example Steyn is a considerable amount better than Anderson whereas Broad is only just better than Philander.

EDIT: In that video he seemed to have a serious weakness against the in-swinger due to the way he plants his front foot quite far across very early on making it difficult for him to get the bat around his pad. He also seemed to get out quite a bit to Anderson, could that be a good sign ahead of the series?

[Buzz]

The best combined 11 imo would be:

Smith
Cook
Trott
Amla
Pietersen
Kallis
Prior
Swann
Broad
Anderson
Steyn

I think this is a good amalgamation - It is just that AB would be one of my first pics. Looking at this team, I would have to drop one of Amla or Trott to fit him in - so on the basis that Amla is an Artist, Trott goes Amla shunts up to 3 and AB is at four.

[Alvaro]

Smith
Cook
Amla
Pietersen
Trott/Bell
AB
Prior
Swann
Broad
Anderson
Steyn

[Vantage_Cricket]

I would go for
Cook
Amla
Trott
Pietersen
Kallis
AB
Prior
Swann
Broad
Anderson
Steyn

[stevat]

I would go for
Cook
Amla
Trott
Pietersen
Kallis
AB
Prior
Swann
Broad
Anderson
Steyn

Can't disagree with this, though it depends on which Broad and Morkel turn up.  Also, Ian Bell is in superb form at the moment.  Just shows what a great series this should be, so much talent involved.

[Kieron_BT]

This makes it seem like England are far superior however as stated previously, when the Saffers have better players, the difference is far larger than when England have the better players. For example Steyn is a considerable amount better than Anderson whereas Broad is only just better than Philander.

IMO Steyn is nowhere near a considerable amount better than Anderson, if at all better...

[PedalsMcgrew]

IMO Steyn is nowhere near a considerable amount better than Anderson, if at all better...

Especially in English conditions.....if the ball swings then Jimmy A is the master.....

[petehosk]

Jimmy seems to have sacrificed a little speed but gained a lot more control!
Still think that there is little to choose between the teams! One player having a good day is likely to make the difference! That's what makes this series exciting!!

[Johnny]

...or several players having a bad day! (see England v Pakistan, 2012 for details)

I think that if each team plays to their full potential then England should still come out on top - however, my personal perception is that SA are a bit more consistent than England. Whilst England's peaks are possibly slightly higher than SA's, there troughs are much lower!!

Then again, I'm sure that this time last year we would have been speculating about what a close and hard fought series we'd be having against India, but we seemingly bent them over and thought of England

[Vantage_Cricket]

Playing against better teams seems to bring the best out of this current England squad. In our conditions I'm expecting an English win in the series, I'll go for 2-0 with one being washed out but with SA on top.

[legger123]

I'm getting more and more excited the closer to the start of the series gets!
Tomorrow I'll be bouncing of the walls I reckon.

Going to be a very good series to watch, I agree with Vantage though, reckon it'll be a 2-0 win to England.

[tushar sehgal]

India doesn't have the bowling line-up to bother the English, Aussie line up is young and with potential but will need time...I think SA will provide a much sterner test for Cook, Bell, Strauss etc then India ever did or can dream of...which is a shame as you would think from a country of abt 1.5 billion ppl you could find 2-3 decent fast bowlers...oh how i envy you guys...


I can't wait to see Steyn, Philander, Morkel going at english top order and similarly Anderson, Finn and Broad taking Smith apart ..hope the rain stays away..

[Buzz]

I think the main part of this series will be the middle order battle, trott, Kp and bell vs amla, kallis and ab.

the bowlers on each side have the edge over the openers, so it. is whichever middle order fires.