Meanwhile, Stuart Hess looks at the four key battles which may decide the outcome of the Test series against England
THE HOPE for Joe Root is that he will hold onto the job as England captain for the next decade. The hope for Dean Elgar is that he doesn’t completely stuff up the captaincy in the next five days Both lead their respective teams for the first time at the sport’s most storied venue, but their futures as captains are very different. Root, has been groomed for this position. Elgar got the job by quirk of fate. Nevertheless, Elgar can see the long term benefits in leading his country. “There’s the fact that I can contribute more within the team. Maybe thinking a bit more about the team and less about myself – it can happen in international cricket, you tend to worry about your own game, and not have to make the tough calls, which is sometimes a blessing and a curse.
“Leadership involves making those tough calls and if that is influencing the environment, that’s something ALASTAIR COOK vs MORNÉ MORKEL ONLY Mitchell Johnson has dismissed Cook more than Morkel – nine to eight – and though Cook has scored centuries when Morkel’s been part of South Africa’s attack it’s clear the big fast bowler is someone Cook’s uncomfortable facing.
Morkel is devastating from around the wicket to left-hand batsmen and judging by training this week, there appears to be an added focus about him for this series. Having Philander, who also enjoys bowling to lefties, at the other end, helps even more. Cook’s in good form, but it’s highly doubtful he’s faced such a high quality pair on the county circuit this season.
JOE ROOT vs KAGISO RABADA One of Root’s finest innings came against Rabada and Co at the Wanderers in 2016 when he scored 110. That third Test, which England won and along with it the series, also saw Rabada pick up his maiden Test ‘five-for,’ with Root one his victims. In the next Test at Centurion where Rabada claimed 13 wickets, Root’s dismissal was vital and it came with a beauty that left the batsman off the pitch.
It’s a battle that’s made for prime-time viewing and should be one of the highlights of this series.
DEAN ELGAR vs JAMES ANDERSON In a County Championship match early in the season, Elgar made a century for Somerset against Anderson’s Lancashire. It was virtually a lone hand, a display of all that is good about Elgar –especially his grittiness.
Perhaps more than at any stage in his 35-match Test career Elgar will be a target for the opposition, given he’ll be skipper at Lord’s and was one of the best batsmen last summer.
Anderson is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, but remains,especially in I enjoy.”
There hasn’t been an official vice-captain in the South African Test team since Faf du Plessis took over last summer, but it’s safe to assume Elgar will be that from now on. He admitted that off the field he could be a “clown” but once he stepped across the boundary rope he exuded a tougher and more aggressive personality. It’s the way he expects the team to play in the first Test.
“They’ve got their own insecurities – new leadership, new faces in their batting line-up, a few injury concerns,” Elgar said about England.
It’s going to be tough
“So, I see it as a good time to try and make a dent in the series. It’s going to be tough, irrespective of where you play them in the world, England is tough, but here in England it will be a little more challenging.”
It’s a clever tactic. SA have their own insecurities, most notably with regard to the batting.
Mystery surrounds the pitch, which has been undercover for most of the last two days – both of which were warm ones in the English capital. The home team weren’t bothered with taking a look yesterday, and Root felt comfortable enough in naming a starting side that includes four seamers and two spinners – the first time England have picked two tweakers to start at this ground since 1993. English conditions, a masterful operator where his late swing and control of the Duke ball is almost second-to-none.
QUINTON DE KOCK vs MOEEN ALI Blame New Zealand and particularly Jeetan
“Liam (Dawson’s) character is exceptional – the way he bowled in India and so far this season has been brilliant. He’ll bring us a lot of control and a bit of depth in our batting as well,” Root said of the slow left-arm bowler.
England’s is a strangely structured team; there are three all-rounders and the three frontline seamer bowlers, which provides Root with a lot of bowling options. But like South Africa there are concerns over the batting, most notably opener Keaton Jennings and Gary Ballance, who Root confirmed will bat at No 3.“I look at his game now and he looks a completely different player and I think he’s desperate to prove a point and score big runs in this series,”
Root said of Ballance.
Root did admit there’s a lot of “unknowns” – as far as his leadership and how the England team will play is concerned.
“I wouldn’t be taking the job on if I didn’t think I was capable of doing it … There’s a lot of unknown things coming into this job but I’ve always been quite confident in what I’m capable of and I don’t see why I will go about this any differently.” Patel for the impression that De Kock now struggles against off-spin. Patel dismissed De Kock in both innings of the first Test in March.
However it also matters that De Kock played a match-winning knock in the second Test against the Black Caps.