Pumpkin
It was unfortunate that I did not see this post until now as I have been fairly busy and my children are on school summer leave.
When this series started I was very keen on England to win atleast 3 out of the 5 game series. England appeared to get over their troubles in Australia, but nothing should be read into the drubbing Zimbabwe received. Englands bowling attack looked good and the batting solid.
South Africa appeared to be in transistion, Pollock lacking two yards of pace, no solid middle order and a bowling attack that lacked everything.
Well after the first test, those assumptions were put in the bin. After half an hour of that first test England were on the back foot and have been ever since.
I have shouted long and hard for players like Butcher to be replaced, Hussain wasn't worth his place in the side before the Ashes tour and only stayed because of the Captaincy. Now that's gone, perhaps he will go. McGrath hasn't got the apptitude for test batting and his fielding is below par, Stewart should have retired last winter but has said he will after this summer. When this was announced a new keeper should have been brought in. We have some good talent behind the stumps. On to the Bowlers and Harmison is erratic but quick, Anderson is a talent and Gough has lost his pace and fire. England need quite an extensive over haul. If it had not been for the worlds best batsman (Vaughan) in the first test, England would have had to follow on a probably lost by an innings.
Well the second test hasn't started much better. I layed England to lose at the start of the day to cover all my stakes I had on a series win for England and correct score bets. If I am unsuccessful this time I will continue to do so, because while England continue to play this eleven, they are outclassed in most departments.
Apart from Vaughan there would only be Flintoff that I would put in front of any South African all-rounder. Gibbs and Smith are streets ahead of Trescothick, Butcher and Hussain would never match up with Kallis (and he's back home at present due to the death of his father), McGrath is short of ability at test level and South Africa's Rudolph looks a better prospect. Pollock and Ntini spear head the attack and that's better quality than Gough and Harmison. England have the better spinner but you wouldn't call Giles a match winner.
I called this series wrong in the first place and I am bailing out. If you have any books that offer betting in running look for first innings score "higher or lower" and bet higher than 400+. I know bet365 offer this market but as of writing I have no idea of the present line.
