Buzzin Cricket

Let’s get one thing straight – England were completely outclassed by South Africa in the second test match at Headingley. They fully deserved their ten wicket victory and their 1-0 lead in the series. In all honesty though, as soon as I saw the England team for this match – or more specifically the batting order – I had an incline Graeme Smith’s men would be celebrating come the end of the test match.

First of all, let’s talk about Darren Pattinson. Why on earth was this man included? Basically, he is a 29-year-old Australian raised swing bowler who has only played 12 first-class matches. The fact that he was picked above Matthew Hoggard on his home ground or the in-form duo of Simon Jones and Steve Harmison is quite bizarre.

Matthew Hoggard and Steve Harmison are obviously now concerned for their England futures. Are they really behind an unknown Australian raised 29-year-old in the pecking order? Matthew Hoggard has said that he is bowling ‘better and better’ and is fearful that his international career could be over. Steve Harmison was critical of the selection and questioned whether the ECB believe the young bowlers in this country were good enough to make the step up after they ignored them for this test match.

The ECB line on Darren Pattinson’s call up seems to be that it was a ‘horses for courses’ selection. They wanted someone to make the most of the Headingley conditions. If that was the case, why on earth wasn’t Matthew Hoggard chosen? He is one of the best swing bowlers in the world on his day, has taken 248 test wickets and knows the Headingley pitch better than anyone. I would have put all my cricket betting money on the Yorkshire bowler causing plenty of problems to the South African batting line up.

However, this test match is gone now – it’s all about England trying to level things up when the third test starts at Edgbaston on 30th July. How will Michael Vaughn’s men line up? Well, Ryan Sidebottom has a chance of being fit, so I would imagine he will come in for Darren Pattinson.

Other than that, I’d love to see Simon Jones involved again. If that means Sidebottom misses out, then so be it. Simon Jones is in great form for Worcestershire and he could provide the England attack with that extra spark that it is lacking right now.

My final word for today though is with reference to Tim Ambrose. He has to be dropped in my opinion. I feel sorry for him after the ludicrous decision to bat him at six. He hasn’t scored a run all summer so how can he warrant a move up the order? He quite simply doesn’t appear to be up to the task – with the gloves or the bat. I’d personally pick Essex’s James Foster, but I think the selectors are more likely to turn to Matt Prior again if Tim Ambrose is dropped. Especially after he scored a majestic 137 for Sussex the other day.

There are certainly more questions than answers in terms of England’s selection policy right now and I for one will be intrigued to see how they line up against South Africa against Edgbaston.