England washout makes the outlook gloomy for Footitt
Spectacular rain here yesterday may have been welcomed by locals who have endured a threemonth drought but it did little to help Mark Footitt convince england that he should make his test debut on Boxing Day.
Footitt was restricted to just one over in the Invitation XI’s second innings here before the thunder and lightning that signalled the start of a lively storm brought a premature end to a largely satisfactory first work-out of this tour.
It meant the uncapped left-armer was denied what may prove his last chance to show england he is ready to make the big jump up to take on South africa at Durban in the first of four tests.
Footitt needed the time denied him after an inconsistent firstinnings display on Wednesday left the jury out on whether he should be the man to back up Jimmy anderson and Stuart Broad at Kingsmead.
Now, with just a three-day match against South africa a in pietermaritzburg to come before the first test, Surrey’s new signing will be hoping his pre- tour status as favourite to fill the third seamer’s role has not been left in tatters.
Only if england rest their big two in anderson and Broad for the final warm-up game — and that is possible with four back-to-back tests looming — might Footitt, 30, get another chance now to advance his claims.
It was revealing that england were keen to get back out after the storm as they wanted a longer look at Footitt and chris Woakes, but with lightning still flashing around, play was abandonedd just before what would have been tea.
In truth, what crickett was possible on the third day of their visit to Gauteng did not go well for england, with wickets tumbling too readily for comfort after the superiority they enjoyed for thee bulk of the first twowo days.
In all, seven wickets fell for 91 in the morning session, the Zambian- born medium- pacer Junior Dala finishing with the highly impressive figures of five for 34 despite an awkward action that sees him bowl off the wrong foot.
Only first-innings centurion Ben Stokes, coming in at No 10 second time round to provide chances for others, batted with any real fluency before going for one big shot too many with lunch and an englishlish declaration looming. ‘It’s definitely a habit we need to get out of,’ said James taylor. ‘You don’t want to lose clumps of wickets and we will be working hard to make sure it doesn’t happen as consistently as it has.’ tthe sight of Stokes and then taylor, the other man to make a first-innings hundred, forming england’s tail in this 13-a- side contest was perhaps the first clue that the odds are lengthening on Footitt earning his first cap in Durban.
He is very much a No 11 but if england were planning on including Footitt in the first test then it would have been worth giving him 10 minutes with the bat rather than sending out their two men in least need of time in the middle.
Steven Finn has been added to england’s squad here after his rapid recovery from a foot injury and has appeared close to full fitness while bowling with pace and purpose in the excellent nets.
that means england will surely want Finn to play in pietermaritzburg even if they feel Durban is too soon for him. the second test in cape town will follow just two days after and they will want the option of picking him there.
the big worry remains alex Hales, who looked tentative here with his test debut in sight and needs to forget he is wearing white clothes and play as if he were in a blue or red shirt when he opens in pietermaritzburg on Sunday.