Following England during this world cup is becoming ridiculous, but entertaining and not to be missed. As they go from one thrilling encounter to the next, confounding expectations positively and negatively in equal measures.
England's latest match was against one of the pre-tournament favourite's and much fancied South Africa in the spin friendly Chennai. South Africa had not really been stretched in relatively easy victories over the West Indies and the Netherlands in their opening two games.
England won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch that was slow and expected to deteriorate as the game went on. Paul Collingwood was replaced by Ravi Bopara and for reasons unknown Micheal Yardy kept his place. More on him later.
England lost both openers to the spin of Peterson in the first over, and when Ian Bell fell to the same bowler, were deep in trouble at 15-3. Jonathon Trott and the recalled Bopara set about rebuilding the innings and posting a competitive target. They accumulated runs at a steady rate and both passed 50. Trott fell for 52 and Bopara eventually made 60. Graeme Swann hit some useful lower order runs but England were dismissed for a well below par 171.
England took the unprecedented step of opening the bowling with the non spinning, spin of Yardy. He was made to look his average self as Amla in particular took a liking to him. Swann was introduced to the attack in the 7th over and caused trouble for Smith from the outset with sharp turn, but South Africa chipped away at the total and by the 14th over had reached 63 without loss.
Swann dismissed Smith with a vicious turner, which took the glove on it's way through to Prior behind the stumps. Amla followed soon after playing a back of length Broad delivery back on to his stumps and Kallis was caught behind off the same bowler a few over's later.
De Villiers and Du Plessis had taken South Africa to a painfully slow 121-3 by the end of the 31st over and seemed to be heading for victory. But De Villiers lost his bails to an Anderson outswinger and the pressure started to show. We all know how South Africa love to crumble to pressure but surely it couldn't happen again.
South Africa lost 4 wickets for 3 runs as England's bowlers turned the screws and bowled tight lines from both ends. Steyn came to the wicket and showed little respect to the part time spin of Pietersen as him and Van Wyk took South Africa to 160-7. Only 12 run's short of victory.
Strauss turned to his quicker bowlers and in the space of 9 balls South Africa contrived to lose there last three batsmen to a combination of Bresnan and Broad as they were dismissed for 165. Another English nail biter.
Later in the evening it was revealed that England's makeshift opener Pietersen would be heading home for a much needed hernia operation and would be replaced in the squad by Eoin Morgan.
More headaches for the selector's and another opener to find. In the past Bell, Prior and Bopara have all opened for England in this format. I would love to see Bell given the chance again for the reasons detailed in a previous post. But whoever is chosen it will involve a re shuffling of the batting order. With Collingwood seemingly out of favour Morgan should slot straight into the number 5 slot ahead of Prior with the unfathomable Yardy at 7.
Michael Yardy a man who makes Luke Wright look like Gary Sobers. A man who England seem to think will win them matches. So far in this world cup in his role as non-spinning all rounder he has amassed 19 runs at an average of 6.33. His bowling figures make even better reading 2 wickets for a cost of 159 runs and even more alarmingly he is leaking over a run a ball. I think it;s time the Bell tolled for young Mike. Tredwell need's to be given a chance in the remaining two group games as they are essentially dead rubbers as bar a set of remarkable results England have managed to qualify for the quarter finals by winning just two games.
My preferred England line up at this stage would be
Strauss, Bell, Trott, Collingwood, Bopara, Morgan, Prior, Swann, Broad, Tredwell, Anderson.
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