England v South Africa Review

The most anticipated series of the summer saw the number one ranked test side, England, host the number two ranked test side, South Africa, and the prize for the winners, the number one spot at the top of the test rankings. 

Before the series had begun, South Africa had keeper Mark Boucher ruled out through a horrific injury. During a warm-up game Boucher had been hit in the eye with a bail after the ball had hit the stumps ruling him out of the series and left Boucher requiring surgery. Soon after the incident Boucher announced his retirement from cricket after play 147 test matches for the Proteas, no doubt he was an integral part of South Africa's team and he was to be missed. So was it advantage England?

Alistair Cook celebrates his 115

The Kia Oval was the host of the first test match and home to some fine weather which was well due after a dismal period of weather in May. England won the toss and batted first, but they lost Strauss after four balls as he was trapped LBW off Morne Morkel. However, England recovered, lead by Cook & Trott who put a partnership of 170 for the second wicket. England ended the day on 267-3, which was laid out by a marvellous 114* from Alistair Cook. On the second day England were looking at 500, but South Africa took advantage of the overcast conditions and fought back and lead by Dale Steyn, they bowled England out for 385. South Africa's reply begun badly as Aliviro Peterson was out LBW for a duck by Anderson, but from then on it was all South Africa. Graeme Smith, in his 100th test match carved up an epic 131 before he was bowled by Bresnan in a stand of 258 runs with Hashim Amla, who then with the help of Jaques Kallis tormented the England bowling attack. Kallis finished on 182* and he did not even finish with the highest score. A monumental effort from Hashim Amla, who finished on 311* set up the game for South Africa. Amla was the first South African to score 300+ and SA batted on day 4 without losing a wicket and finished on 637-2d.
So England were right up against it. They had 38 overs in the evening of day 4 to survive, but instead they lost four wickets. Cook went early, as did Trott, Strauss was caught sweeping and Pietersen missed a straight ball from Morkel. As Day 5 began, England had to bat out the day to win as there was no chance of rain intervals. England managed to lose only 1 wicket in the morning session, that of Ravi Bopara, who's test return was to be a forgettable one. Eventually England collapsed in the afternoon session losing their remaining five wickets and losing the match by an innings and twelve runs. It was the biggest defeat in test history in terms of average runs per wickets, SA managed 315+ runs per wicket, England managed 30+.

The Match Winner

MOM: Hashim Amla (311*)

Eng: 385 & 240
SA: 637-2dec

SA win by an Innings & 12 runs

England 0-1 South Africa

Petersen makes his mark on the series

So it was off to Headingly, where England were slightly disrupted before the match as Bopara pulled out due to personal reasons and England decided to leave out Graeme Swann for Steven Finn, which is still a puzzler. South Africa batted first and began shakily. Graeme Smith was caught at slip off Finn's bowling, but was called a "dead ball" as Finn had hit the stumps, but why was is not called the three times before that? Cue the controversy. Soon after, both openers reached fifty, although Petersen was dropped early on. Alviro then batted past 100 before he was out on 182 and South Africa were bowled out for 419. A good score from SA, now could England take control? They got off to a shaky start as they were 173-4, but then a 150+ stand between Pietersen and debutant Taylor brought England back into the game. Taylor was eyeing a debut 50, before he was out on 34. Pietersen then went to make a fantastic 149, including a huge six off Dale Steyn. England were then boosted by Prior's 68 and were all out for 425, a lead of 6.
A disrupted SA batting order came out in the second innings with Rudolph opening the innings due to an injury to Peterson. Rudolph and Smith put on 120 for the opening partnership before Pietersen came to have a bowl. In the absence of Swann, KP provided turn and issues for the batsmen as he removed Rudolph, Smith and Amla claiming his best bowling figures. Then Stuart Broad came to the party and gave England a real chance as he removed the middle order finishing with 5-69, SA declared shortly after tea on 258-9, a lead of 252. England showed signs on intent as they opened with Pietersen and Cook. However, Pietersen fell quickly and after Prior was run out after England found it difficult to score runs and the game was drawn as England finished on 130-4. 

KP gave England a chance with his 149

MOM: Kevin Pietersen (149 & 3-52)

SA: 419 & 25-9dec
ENG: 425 & 130-4

Match Drawn

England 0-1 South Africa








Off to Lord's, the venue for the crucial test match. This test match was marked as England's most important test in recent years as they had to win stay #1. Strauss' 100th test match was preceded by the headlines surrounding Kevin Pietersen. KP had announced that he was fully committed to playing for England in all three forms of the game via a video on youtube. However, he was dropped from the third test squad the next day for allegedly sending derogatory texts to South African players about the captain, Andrew Strauss. His replacement was Jonny Bairstow. Graeme Swann was back in the side at the expense of Tim Bresnan.

Kallis was disappointed with his dismissal

All the controversy surrounding the test match had shadowed the cricket itself, but nonetheless it was a beautiful day at Lord's and South Africa won the toss and batted first. South Africa began horribly as they found themselves 54-4, although the dismissal of Kallis was one to talk about. De Villiers & Rudolph provided a small partnership and Philander's 61 provided very useful runs as South Africa posted 309. Steven Finn starred with the ball take 4-75. England's reply got off to a poor start as well as they too found themselves 54-4, but a solid partnership between Ian Bell and Jonny Bairstow lead England's recovery. Bairstow was eventually bowled on 95 as the pressure got to him, but helpful runs from Prior and Swann lifted England's total to 325. Morkel & Steyn both took 4 wickets each. 

Matt Prior provided real hope

SA began their second innings shakily as both openers went quickly after a small partnership. Kallis provided some resistance, but he was trapped LBW under controversial circumstances, again. Then the South African wall, Hashim Amla, racked up another century after being dropped on 1 by Prior. More useful runs from Philander fired South Africa up to a very good score of 351, leaving England chasing 346. England got off the the worst possible start from their 16 overs in the evening and found themselves 16-2, with both openers gone to Philander. Day 5 produced a memorable day of test match cricket for both teams. England began the day as they finished the previous as they lost two more quick wickets, that of Bell and a terrible run out involving Trott running out Taylor. England were 54-4 again, but a very good half century from Bairstow and a solid innings from Trott provided England with some hope. However, Bairstow soon fell after lunch, which brought Matt Prior to the crease. After Trott departed England were 146-6 and things looked very bleak. Stuart Broad, with a highest score of 169, came to crase and batted aggressively, including a massive six of Steyn. As soon as some hope was rekindled, Broad was caught attempting a hook shot. That brought Swann to the crease and it produced England's most hopeful partnership. Prior and Swann targeted Tahir and were very successful. They were 63 runs from victory until Swann ran himself out for 41. Soon after SA thought they had Prior out, but Morkel had bowled a no-ball. Eventually Prior was caught behind off Philander who struck with the new ball with England requiring 52. They failed to reduce that total as Steven Finn was out for a golden duck.

Philander's wickets and runs were vital

MOM: Vernon Philander (5-30 & 96 runs)

SA: 309 & 351
ENG: 315 & 294

South Africa win by 51 runs

England 0-2 South Africa









So England were knocked off the top of the test rankings after a year at the top. It was a very tough year for England winning just 3 of their 11 test matches. However, SA were the better side throughout the tests, especially the first test and the deserved their victory.

England Player of the Series: Matt Prior

South Africa Player of the Series: Hashim Amla