England vs South Africa - Wallowing over a tame draw - Opinion
What might irk a few impartial cricket observers is that despite a tame draw being the result of the second Test, the English lobby which includes the Sky Sports commentary team, has kept on praising the efforts of the home team. It is safe to say that England
was much better than what they managed to produce at the Oval, yet they were still secondary and failed to dominate South Africa on many occasions. Given a stiffer target or more time to chase down the runs, England could have easily been blown away as they
were at the Oval against a potent attack, which bowled with plenty of venom and ferocity. There are still plenty of loopholes that England needs to contemplate over.
This all important Test match was well and truly heading towards a draw, yet there was tinge of spice in the end, where all three results looked a possibility. England’s decision to elevate Kevin Pietersen to the top of the order after a target of 253 was
posted by the Proteas was a clear indication of the intent of a side that wanted to win badly. That move by Captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AJ-Strauss-c964 was appreciable in light of the circumstances. Yet what was deflating was when technicians such as Strauss himself and Jonathan
Trott were sent ahead of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Prior-c1984 who were players that were capable enough of attempting this outlandish task. England’s sudden adoption of a defensive approach meant that they had mentally conceded the game and believed that
this task was out of reach. For the number one ranked side the world, this seems a rather passive attitude, given that one is already trailing in the series.
Another trend which England brought with them from the Oval was the sudden flurry of wickets which tumbled like a sack of cards. In that prolific run chase, technical compatibility along with an astute attitude was completely missing. The bowling stood in
stark contrast however, with Broad’s five wicket haul being completely eclipsed by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Pietersen-c1806’s batting heroics in the first innings. Yet England needs to acknowledge that their 6 run lead in the first innings was more of a one man show. Pietersen’s contribution
was characteristic of a man that combines chutzpah with flare and playing match defining innings almost comes naturally to him. Such is the impact that he has on the team that if one is to minus his contribution from the first innings score, then the rest
of the batsmen shared only 276 runs between them.
The bowling, despite being the highlight of the English performance, has also been patchy at times. The fact that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AN-Petersen-c1028 managed to register 182 after falling for a duck at the Oval, on a far more difficult surface, highlighted how
England failed to capitalize on its initial success. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013. The fact that the bowlers have not been performing
exceptionally, is perhaps ironic in light of the claims that this English attack was hailed as one of the most powerful and potent attacks in contemporary times.
With commentators such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/David-Ivon-Gower-c52869 chirping about the few key moments that England has managed to grasp, the bigger picture is obscured and sidelined. Their opponents may not have been special, but the intensity and purpose was still
on view. Yet what will be associated with this Poms side in this particular Test match was the audacious decision to omit spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193 Tahir managed to generate on a day four Headingley
pitch summed up the tactical flaws that England committed both on and off the field. To praise this team can thus be equated with blasphemy.
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