S. Africa, England seek return to success

England will begin its bid to knock South Africa off the top of the test rankings without its attack spearhead after James Anderson was ruled out of Saturday’s first cricket test at Kingsmead with an injury.

Anderson played a limited role in England’s warm-up matches after complaining of stiffness in his right calf, and on Thursday it was confirmed that he would not be risked for the opening match of a four-test series.

“Of course it’s disappointing when you lose the spearhead of your attack but I think it’s just a real slight niggle and the management decided it really wasn’t worth the risk in the first test,” Broad said of Anderson’s injury.

“He’s disappointed but with the strength in depth we’ve got in this group it’s not a hammer blow to us.”

Despite the loss and its low ranking of sixth, England can go into the series confident of its ability to take advantage of a wounded opponent, with the Proteas smarting from a 3-0 defeat in a four-match series in India.

That defeat highlighted South Africa’s stuttering transition following the retirements of Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith, with their replacements struggling to find their feet at international level.

The series loss cut South Africa’s lead at the top of the International Cricket Council’s test rankings from 19 points to four, ahead of India, and a series defeat to England would see it lose its top ranking to either India or Australia.

Although England beat Australia 3-2 to regain the Ashes earlier this year, a 2-0 series loss to Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates followed.

“Having played a lot of cricket I know that the conditions they faced in India were so different to what we’re going to face here,” Broad said. “Those wickets were designed for the Indian spinners, but it would be a surprise if they were facing spin after five overs here.”

Alex Hales will become Alastair Cook’s eighth opening partner since these two sides last met in a test match more than three years ago, and will face a fearsome challenge on his test debut after Dale Steyn was passed fit.

“He’s been a handful for those of us who have had the misfortune of facing him in the nets,” South Africa captain Hashim Amla said of Steyn.

Steyn missed South Africa’s last three tests in India with a groin injury, but will return to lead an attack that will feature Morne Morkel, spinner Dane Piedt, and either Kyle Abbott or Kagiso Rabada.

The second test starts at Newlands in Cape Town on January 2, and will be followed by further matches at The Wanderers and Centurion.

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De Villiers named wicketkeeper for tests against England

AB de Villiers will be behind the wickets for the first two tests of the Proteas’ four-match home series against England starting this month as South Africa selectors rework their lineup after a disappointing tour of India.

The world’s top-ranked test side lost a four-match series in India 3-0 last week when it failed to score more than 214 in a single innings, leading the selectors to return to a policy of picking seven specialist batsmen.

As a result, De Villiers was named as wicketkeeper on Thursday, with wicketkeeper-batsmen Quinton de Kock and Dane Vilas selected for the South Africa A side that will face England in its second and final warm-up match.

While Temba Bavuma showed admirable grit when he opened the batting in the final test against India, Cricket South Africa confirmed Stiaan van Zyl would open with Dean Elgar against England, and Bavuma would return to a more familiar role in the middle order.

“One of the issues that concerned us during the tour to India was the lack of depth to our batting, particularly in the lower order, and the change in AB’s role means that we can now have a specialist batsman at No. 7,” Linda Zondi, convenor of selectors, said.

“We now feel that the side has a much better balance about it without in any way reducing the tactical options available to our captain, Hashim Amla.”

Fast bowler Dale Steyn was named in the 13-man squad, suggesting he could overcome the groin injury that kept him out of the last three tests in India, but Vernon Philander will miss the first two tests after tearing ankle ligaments in India.

Simon Harmer and Imran Tahir were left out of the squad as Dane Piedt was picked as the only specialist spinner, while uncapped batsman Rilee Rossouw was called up.

The series gets underway in Durban on Dec. 26, ahead of further tests in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Centurion.

Squad

South Africa- Hashim Amla (captain), AB de Villiers, Kyle Abbott, Temba Bavuma, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Morne Morkel, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl.

South Africa A- Stephen Cook, Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Quinton de Kock, Omphile Ramela, Khaya Zondo, Dane Vilas (captain), Wayne Parnell, Keshav Maharaj, Chris Morris, Marchant de Lange.

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