The South Africans do not expect to lose!

The South African cricket team have high expectations for their series of matches on their latest tour of England. The two countries will play four test matches, five one day internationals and one 20/20. The South Africans do not expect to lose!

Skipper Graeme Smith has been bullish about the series and has been quick to play down the apparent needle that exists between him and the England Captain, Michael Vaughan and England Batsman, Kevin Pietersen. Smith has been accused of labelling Vaughan as gay and has questioned Pietereson's Patriotism, has said that neither Pieterson or Vaughan is in his thinking, other than how to get them out. Whilst that might be true, there is little doubt that needle exists between the two sides, which could make for a fascinating series of matches.

England who did not fill themselves with too much confidence in the lost one day series against New Zealand, losing 3-1, will need to get themselves fired up and well prepared before they face the might of South Africa. The South Afrficans come to England having had a very good last two years and bring with them a strike force that surpasses even that of Australia. They also come with good memories of their last tour, when they beat England 2-1, led by a very young Graeme Smith who hit two magnificent double centuries in the first two tests. Makes one wonder why Kevin Pietersen would label; Smith a muppet?

Smith is totally convinced that his much vaunted attack will bowl England out comfortably and that they have enough batting firepower to take advantage. He could well be right. Most of his five quickies bowl at around 90mph, considerably quicker than the England bowlers. Admittedly, England did beat New Zealand in the test series, but they did not do so without one or two scares, indeed, New Zealand, had chances in both test matches that they lost.
Selection too is a worry. England are not sure who they want to open the batting, will it be Strauss and Cook? Will Vaughan take on the role? Ian Bell has been suggested as an opener by Kevin Pietersen and will KP himself revert to number four, or will he go in at three? They have serious wicket keeping problems and they do not know if talisman, Flintoff, will be in good enough form to warrant a place in the side. It is far from ideal preparation and you can sense that the South Africans already realise this.

The first test starts at Lords on July 10th and Bookmakers have South Africa as favourites to win the seriers at 11/8 in the cricket betting odds. England can be backed at around 2/1.
Daniel Campbell is an independent sports writer who specialises in cricket, football and horse racing articles.

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