'Prepare to be bowled over'

2008-07-17 07:43

England - South Africa coach Mickey Arthur says his team will live up to its billing as world No 2 when they face England in the second match of their four-Test series at Headingley on Friday.

For the first three days of the series opener at Lord's, South Africa were on the backfoot as England piled up 593 for eight declared and then made the Proteas follow-on.

Only a two-day rearguard action, featuring hundreds from South Africa captain Graeme Smith, Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla, saw the tourists to the safety of a draw.

South Africa's much-vaunted pace attack was a particular disappointment but Arthur promised an improved display in Leeds.

"People said what a good Test side we were, and there was huge hype around it," Arthur told reporters at Headingley.

"We have spoken to the bowlers, and they've sat and really analysed their performance. I'm very confident you will see a totally different bowling unit come out here."

South Africa kept England in the field for over 11 hours alone but Arthur tried to play down notions the Proteas, could exploit any lingering fatigue among Vaughan's side.

Injuries

"I think momentum is determined by the first hour of the Test match. I don't think it comes from Test matches before."

Andrew Flintoff's impending return to Test action, after 18 months out with ankle and side injuries, has dominated England's build-up to this match.

There is no doubt England missed his pace at Lord's but Headingley has not always proved a happy hunting ground for the 30-year-old all-rounder.

In four Tests there he has taken just eight wickets and his first two Tests at Headingley, in 1998 and 2002, saw him bag pairs against South Africa and India respectively.

Out-of-form batsman Paul Collingwood had been widely tipped as the man to make way for Flintoff.

But left-arm quick Ryan Sidebottom, hampered by a back injury at Lord's, could be omitted on fitness grounds if England do alter a team that has been together for a world record six successive Tests.

Flintoff's recall is not a straightforward issue.

Struggling

Are England prepared to risk him as a member of a four-man attack and then have the side a bowler short if he breaks down during the game?

And should they opt for five bowlers, will they be happy with a middle-order that features both Flintoff and wicket-keeper Tim Ambrose, who has been struggling for runs?

"I'm not sure who is going to be the unlucky one to lose out for England," Arthur said. "But if it is Collingwood, Flintoff at six is going to put a lot of pressure on their top order."

However, Flintoff insisted he still had it in him to be both a better bowler and batsman than he'd shown during the course of his 67 Tests.

"I didn't start bowling properly until I was 24 or 25," said Flintoff, who has missed 58 Tests of the 125 England have played since making his debut, mainly as a result of injuries. "I've got a bit of pace but I've got more craft. I can adapt to situations within the game and different pitches."

He added: "With the bat, I didn't start the season too well but over the past few weeks I feel I've made strides. Batsmen in their early 30s reach their peak, so hopefully for me it's just round the corner."

South Africa are to give McKenzie, who sustained a groin strain late in his marathon innings at Lord's, until Friday morning to prove his fitness. If he is ruled out, JP Duminy will partner Smith at the top of the order.

Teams

South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (capt), Neil McKenzie, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher (wkt), Paul Harris, Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, J-P Duminy.

England (from): Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan (capt), Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Tim Ambrose (wkt), Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Ryan Sidebottom, Monty Panesar.

Umpires: Daryl Harper (AUS) and Billy Bowden (NZL)

TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)

Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)

- AFP