Honours Even

It's no use playing the more stylish cricket, making the tons, and topping the stats lists if you can't do the basics. Australia discovered this to their detriment in the Ashes, and until the Johannesburg test it looked like South Africa might go the same way.

But after two frustrating draws delivered by the unlikely champion Graham Onions, South Africa totally outplayed Andrew Strauss's England and handed them a crushing innings defeat.

Yes, Graeme Smith took advantage of a shocking review decision to play another fine innings of 105, but Strauss isn't going to hold that up as an excuse. The English batsmen didn't do their job, and against the class of the South African bowling they were lambs to the slaughter. Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel showed themselves to be a fantastic pace duo, picking up 14 of the 20 wickets in the test between them.

Yet again, Paul Collingwood played two gritty, determined innings. For me, Colly deserves the man of the series award on the English side - Onions may have been the headline hero, but England would have lost the two drawn matches by a country mile but for Collingwood's determination. He's not always pretty, but he's not going to let you down temperament-wise.

For South Africa's part, they were clinical. The pitch was a good one to bowl on, but they still managed 423 declared, and they didn't waste time in the field. Paul Harris was left out after a disappointing series, and unless he develops something interesting in his bowling Mickey Arthur will be on the look out for a new spinner.Mark Boucher batted superbly all series and was unlucky to miss out on a century to cap it off. Smith got his game going in the final two tests, and once he sets up the Protea innings, it's very difficult to beat them.

1-1. England will be satisfied enough given the fact that they were outplayed bar the one match, and South Africa will be glad they didn't lose a series that they shouldn't have.

Where next? South Africa head to India for a series that has all cricket fans licking their chops - the one thing we need is for some decent pitches - no one wants to see another couple of 700-run innings. They are the two best teams in the world at the moment, and we can hope for a compelling tour.

As for England, well, they have some issues to think about. Ok, they won one game, but they never threatened in the other three. Once a batsman came in and played patiently - Amla, Kallis, Smith, Boucher, they found it impossible to dislodge them cheaply. Swann bowld very well all tour, but I still maintain that the four-man attack was the wrong option - you just don't have enough diversity to take 20 wickets.

Kevin Pietersen will be a slight worry, averaging just 25 in the series, but let's be realistic - he's only just returned to the test arena; any player needs time to get back into form. He won't be gone for too long. On the flipside, Ian Bell made some useful runs, including the best century of his life, and has made quite the case for holding his spot. Bell's batting troubles aren't over yet, but at least he can't be ignored any more, and if he can get into a good run, he's a wonderful player to watch.

England's next series is in Bangladesh who, if you ask India right now, are no pushover, and I don't think the mutterings about leaving out Strauss are all that wise - the last thing England need is a defeat to a resurgent minnow team.

We were treated to an enthralling series in South Africa this year, and while South Africa played some great cricket, Collingwood and Swann in particular deserved England's 1-1 result.

Both teams have a lot to think about going forward, and it looks like 2010 is going to be a fantastic year of cricket.

Last Throw of the Dice

There was more talk before this series than before a world heavyweight bout. The not so prodigal sons, KP, and Jonathan Trott returning home, Dale Steyn licking his chops at the prospect of Alistair Cook and Ian Bell, and Graeme Smith reviving his battle against Andrew Strauss.

Who would have predicted that the man to hit the headlines most would have been Graham Onions? For his batting.

Twice South Africa got England down to the last man, and twice Onions stood firm. In both matches, Paul Collingwood could be seen as the real hero, proving his mettle in tense situations. If you need a man to bat out a draw they don't come much better than Colly. When the final test gets under way however, a draw isn't in anyone's minds.

South Africa may as well go down 2-0 as 1-0, and so they've prepared a juicy pitch to give them a chance of sharing the series. The quicks haven't had the best of times in this series so far, but look out for Dale Steyn at the Wanderers. He produced some of the bowling of his life at Newlands last week but had no good fortune whatsoever, and he'll be fired up to get revenge in the last match. It looks like Wayne Parnell, hero at the Twenty20 World Cup last summer, will be joining Steyn and Morne Morkel in the pace attack, as Friedel de Wet hasn't recovered from a back strain. Parnell showed exciting promise in the short format, but he'll be desperate to prove himself in the 5-day game, if he's to battle for a spot with new boy de Wet in future series.

Paul Harris will retain his place despite disappointing figures to date, and JP Duminy's part-time spin is a factor helping him stay in the team; he's failed to fire with the bat so far, and he's got to be getting nervous.

Graeme Smith produced a magnificent captain's innings at Newlands to set South Africa up beautifully, and now that he's found his touch he'll be even more dangerous. Even with Ashwell Prince looking ropey at the top, the Proteas' batting still looks solid.

As for England. Ian Bell has defied the critics again - the four-man attack has got England this far and they've needed as many batsmen as they can get; nothing's going to change in the line-up this time. Luke Wright can consider himself unlucky not to get a run-out all series, but it looks like he could be warming the bench for a while yet. Oddly enough, Kevin Pietersen is the only man in the team who hasn't really contributed yet - and that's the sort of thing that the big man will be well aware of. He'll be desperate to deliver the goods as a final blow against his fellow countrymen, and don't be surprised if he does so.

I've said it every week - I'm still not convinced with the four-man attack, but they're ahead in the series and that's all they'll care about. Anderson and Onions will certainly be looking to get their pace up on the green Wanderers pitch, and Swann will be anxious to re=-prove himself as it deteriorates towards the later days.

This is the pitch where England went 2-4 after 17 balls, before Mike Atherton came along and batted for 7 years to make 184, so don't be surprised if Strauss wins the toss and heads for the field.

It's the last gamble for South, so it looks like it could be a game for the spectators. To cap off the series at 2-0 would be almost as big as the Ashes win in the summer, while the hosts will be desperate not to continue in their role as perpetual underachievers.

Let's sit back, relax, and give the new ball to Dale Steyn.

Durban Legend

And England lived happily ever after. Or, untill the next test, anyway.

There was something of the fairytale about England's innings win over
South Africa in the 2nd test at Durban. Alistair Cook and Ian Bell,
fighting for their lives, produced as fine centuries in the
circumstances as you'll see, before the golden boy Broad joined up
with jester Graeme Swann to send the hosts packing.
Cook's century may not have had the fluency and flair of those of his
early days, but for a man who has endured such a torrid time of late
as he, it was his most valuable. He proved his worth, showing a
patience and calm he will need if he's to hold on to his opening slot
and the vice-captaincy. With 7 centuries before turning 23, Cook had
only made two in the past two years, and the Durban ton will live long
in his memory. Not only did he get his international career back on
track; he set England up for a truly momentous victory.

Ian Bell, meanwhile, has always shown his class at the crease.
Unfortunately, this tends to manifest itself as a classy 25 before
being bowled. He has all the shots, and when he's got a bit of
confidence he's a beautiful batsman to watch. His 140 drove South
Africa into the ground, getting England comfortably over the 500 mark.
Before the match, I would never in a million years have played him,
but Andy Flower gave him his support and was rewarded.

What did South Africa do wrong? They did little right. Their first
innings of 343 flattered them somewhat; Dale Steyn swashbuckled around
at the end to lift them over 300, but before that, only Smith and
Kallis really showed their mettle. As for their bowling: I wrote last
week that I hoped Ntini was in the team on more than sentimentality -
it doesn't look like it. Whether Arthur decides to go back to Friedel
de Wet, so nearly the hero in the first test, or recall Wayne Parnell
or Ryan McLaren I don't know, but I can't see Makhaya picking up a
102nd cap.

England's only worry ahead of the match is Paul Collingwood's fitness.
He scored 91 at Durban, continuing his fine form of the tour. If he
does fail to pass the medical, Flower is set to hand Michael Carberry
his first cap, sticking to the batsmen/bowling balance of the team. I
know it's worked for them so far, but I just don't trust an attack
with such limited options - if Collingwood's medium pace is gone as
well, Strauss doesn't have much to turn to when Swann and Broad aren't
on the money.

Andy Flower has proved me wrong at every turn so far, so let's see if
he continues this form into the test at Newlands. South Africa have
won 14 of 18 tests at the ground, and they badly need a win, but you
get the feeling they're nervous. It's going to take a century from
Smith or Kallis to steady the innings, and Steyn's going to have to
find his fearsome bowling to rattle England's cage.

One thing is sure - Strauss won't let his team get complacent. He
knows he has a golden opportunity to follow up the Ashes with just as
big a feather in his cap; let's see if he can.

--
For the latest (and indubitably best) golfing opinion:
http://europeangolf.blogspot.com/

If cricket's more your cup of tea, head to: http://newyorkercricket.blogspot.com