Prepare to be bowled over: SA coach
Friday, 18 July 2008
LEEDS, England, July 17(AFP): 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 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
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.
England: 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
South Africa: 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
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
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.
England: 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
South Africa: 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