ENG v SA, 2nd Test Preview: Proteas seek redemption against the on song Englishmen

South Africa were humiliated at the holistic destination of cricket, Lord’s, in the first Test against England courtesy some wonderful bowling rendition from Moeen Ali. He spun his way through the South African batsmen as he piled up his first ever 10-wicket haul in Tests. But things won’t be the same on the match day when these two giants face-off at Trent Bridge on Friday.

South Africa will be playing a Test match in Nottingham after 14 years and after their re-entry into cricket, they played two Tests (1998 and 2003) and lost both of them. Records and form might not favour Faf du Plessis and company but the presence of some supremely talented match winners in the gallery always keeps them in the fray.

English skipper Joe Root slammed a magnificent ton in his first game as full-time skipper and is sky-high as far as confidence levels are concerned. If he’s able to inflict his infectious energy into the rest of the side, England might run away with the match. Kagiso Rabada will be out of the second Test after ICC imposed a one-match ban on the speedster and that’s a terrible loss for the already wounded South Africans.

Both sides look quite solid with their bowling line-ups but South Africa seem a bit vulnerable with the bat. Their middle-order doesn’t look very strong despite the return of skipper Faf. Temba Bavuma and Theunis de Bruyn are relatively new to the circuit and their skipper would be expecting a solid display from the duo. Nevertheless, it’d be fair to say that things are beautifully poised on the whole for an action packed 2nd Test.

Toss: South Africa won the toss and opted to bat

Playing XI

South Africa: Dean Elgar, Heino Kuhn, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis(c), Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock(w), Chris Morris, Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Morne Morkel, Duanne Olivier

England: Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Gary Ballance, Joe Root(c), Jonny Bairstow(w), Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson

Focus will be on 

Moeen Ali (England)

Moeen Ali is quite a canny customer in any format of the game and his success in Test matches in recent times has been spectacular. He spun a web around the South African batters in the fourth innings and is always a decent contributor with the bat. The southpaw often remains in the shadow of Ben Stokes but is an equally brilliant and useful all-rounder for England.

Hashim Amla (South Africa)

The ever reliable source of getting runs, Hashim Amla barely fails to amaze the cricketing world with the genius mind he has. On the brink of completing 8,000 runs in Test cricket, all eyes will be on the stylish batter. Only 3 others from his country have surpassed that landmark previously (AB de Villiers, Jack Kallis and Graeme Smith). Not many in the current batting line-up have enough experience to deal with Anderson and Broad, making his presence all the more vital.

Playing Combinations

England

England are highly likely to go unchanged into the game. Keaton Jennings will open the batting alongside Alastair Cook, who is inching closer to the coveted landmark of 150 Test matches. Gary Ballance will be up next and skipper Joe Root will bat at number 4. Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Liam Dawson and Moeen Ali will be comprising the middle-order, making it one of the most solid middle-order batting line-ups in the current scenario.

One of the greatest red-ball bowling duos of all time, James Anderson and Stuart Broad will be sharing the new ball surprising absolutely no one. Mark Wood didn’t seem impressive in the first Test but he might retain his spot. With Liam Dawson and Moeen Ali available, their spin department looks a tad better than their counterparts.

South Africa

Dean Elgar will open the batting alongside the veteran Heino Kuhn, who will have to do something brilliant to keep his place in the side. Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Temba Bavuma and Theunis de Bruyn will be taking charge of the middle order with Quinton de Kock at number 7.

The experience of Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel is pivotal to South Africa’s success. Morris is likely to sneak into the playing 11 on Friday with Rabada being suspended. Chris Morris is another good option available, but Phehlukwayo might get the nod from his skipper. Keshav Maharaj did a fabulous job in the 3rd innings and he will retain his spot in the side.

Stats Attack

21.85 – Alastair Cook averages 21.85 at the Trent Bridge Stadium, his lowest in an English ground (minimum 10 innings).

41 – Ben Stokes needs 41 short of 2,000 runs in Test cricket.

8 – Hashim Amla needs 8 more runs to complete 8,000 runs in Test cricket.