England’s dramatic efforts to save the opening Test will no doubt fill them with relief as they attempt to re-group in time for the Boxing Day Test in Durban. They matched South Africa for most of the Test, but a mini-collapse to the second new ball on the final day almost cost them dearly.
I am sure captain Andrew Strauss, coach Andy Flower and their management group will be relieved to escape with a draw, but at the same time they will hope the momentum is with them, rather than South Africa, when they play again. They can take many positives from the first Test, not least the batting performances of Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen and Paul Collingwood on that final day.
All three performed impressively and now the first Test is out of the way, I am sure their innings will do them the world of good for the remainder of the series. England must also have been heartened by the all-round performance of Graeme Swann, who is developing nicely at this level with both bat and ball. His bowling speaks for itself, but I’m sure the team will be delighted with the way he is also contributing with the bat. Tail-enders adding runs are vital to any successful team and I have been impressed with the way Swann has not let the fact it is Test match cricket alter the way he plays. He knows his strengths and he has stuck to them rather than try to adapt because he’s now playing for England.
England can also be encouraged by the performances of both Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad during the Test. They have both recently returned from injuries so perhaps haven’t had the match practice they would have liked, but getting those overs under their belts will help them for the rest of the series. I’m sure they will also be delighted by the performance of Graham Onions in his first overseas Test. He was the pick of England’s attack on the first morning and then batted out the final over in tense circumstances to save the Test, which will give him immense confidence at an early stage of his Test career.
I said before the Test that I would have preferred England to play five bowlers by including all-rounder Luke Wright instead of an extra batsman and I still believe that is the best way to succeed at that level. If England decide to change their options in Durban, it will come down to a straight choice between Wright and either opener Alastair Cook or Ian Bell.
Cook is clearly struggling for form at the top of the order and Bell looks completely devoid of confidence batting at No 6, so it will be a tough choice for England no matter what route they decide to go down. If Cook is overlooked, then I am sure Trott could open the innings just as effectively as he has batted at No 3. I think the more likely scenario, though, is for Wright to replace Bell in the middle order and give England more options in attack.
While England have various selection dilemmas to consider, South Africa also have options open to them for Durban. Debutant Friedel de Wet almost bowled South Africa to victory on that final day and probably deserves a chance in Durban, but if Dale Steyn recovers from the hamstring strain that kept him out at Centurion, they will have a problem to solve. The obvious way forward would be to drop Makhaya Ntini, but it would be a brave shout by South Africa to axe a player who has just played his 100th Test. Either way both camps have some decisions to make before Boxing Day and those selected will enjoy their Christmas dinner far more than those left out.
Can I finally wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year and I will write again with my thoughts on the cricket world soon.