Lord's elements to favour Eng?
2008-07-09 09:59
Rob Houwing
London - Classically fickle English conditions anticipated for at least the first three days of the opening cricket Test at Lord's may temper the Proteas' plans for a rip-roaring start to the series.
South Africa have tended, in the post-isolation era, to get out of the blocks incredibly smartly in Test series in England, with Lord's a dreamily happy hunting ground: they boast successive triumphs by 356 runs (1994), 10 wickets (1998) and an innings and 92 runs in 2003.
Graeme Smith's team would relish getting the four-Test 2008 series off to a similar start from Thursday to Monday, especially as South Africa have tended to subside as English tours wear on.
But conditions up front may fall conveniently into home-team hands this time: significant forecasted rain the day before play starts and then a mixed bag of showers, sporadic sunshine and generally cool temperatures predicted for Thursday, Friday and Saturday may conspire to play into the hands of England's key swing bowlers Ryan Sidebottom and James Anderson.
The Proteas have made no secret of their preference for warm temperatures and sunny skies on this trip: they back their attack, which boasts greater pace and intimidation factors collectively, to do the business even when shirt-sleeves weather ought to make batting a generally attractive prospect for Kevin Pietersen, Michael Vaughan and company.
It is when conditions turn a little sticky and murky, though, that street-smart English seamers, bowling a fullish length, can come handsomely into their own.
Vaughan's team know that for various reasons all of a rusty Smith, his converted opening partner Neil McKenzie and Hashim Amla in the South African top three may be vulnerable early on to a prodigiously swinging new ball, getting the home outfit into a position to chip away as quickly as possible at the Proteas' 'rock', Jacques Kallis.
Pace attack
Certainly critics in England are suggesting that some meaningful 'movement' at Lord's is England's best route to going - unusually against the touring Proteas - 1-0 up.
Lawrence Booth of The Guardian wrote: "Plenty of ink has been spilt, and justifiably so, over the pace attack of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Makhaya Ntini, a trio who could well leave England batsmen pining for (earlier-visiting New Zealanders) Chris Martin, Kyle Mills and Jacob Oram.
"But the fascination with speed and the hand-wringing about England's batting problems are in danger of overshadowing South Africa's other great strength: their top six. And you suspect the tourists will be happy to keep it that way.
"For a start, South Africa don't have England's problem of passing 400 in their first innings: they have achieved the figure as many times (four) in their last six Tests as England have in 20.
"And, with the possible exception of Ashwell Prince, their batsmen are driving the stattos delirious with Wisden-referencing pleasure.
"What are England left to cling to? If the ball swings at Lord's, Sidebottom and Anderson could yet cancel out Steyn and co. If it doesn't... well, don't go there."
Yes, it seems the Proteas will peel open their hotel curtains with more than passing interest come Thursday morning...
*Robert Houwing will provide regular reports from Lord's for Sport24.