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Hell of a Test

In his latest blog Ryan Sidebottom looks back at the positives from the first Test stalemate

Posted: 17th July 2008 09:25

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Ryan Sidebottom

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Well, it was a hell of a Test match down at Lord's and certainly one for the purists.

Graeme Smith has taken a lot of criticism for winning the toss and putting us into bat, but to be honest Michael Vaughan wasn't completely decided on whether to bat or bowl first.

With all the rain that we'd had leading up to the Test, the pitch was going to do a bit early on and both Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook did a brilliant job to get us into lunch without losing a wicket.

That first session set the tone for the game and then it was KP and Ian Bell who both played superbly to ensure we posted a massive first innings total.

I got a little not out myself but faced some fearsome short pitched bowling in the process from Dale Steyn - certainly not something you'd experience every day in county cricket!

We then followed up by bowling excellently as a unit - restricting the South Africans to a little over two runs an over, and bowling them out for less than 300.

We knew it would be hard work in the second innings, as the wicket continued to flatten out into a batsman's dream. We tried everything from cross seam deliveries to slower balls, but unfortunately couldn't bowl them out a second time.

Speculation

We created some opportunities, but the nicks just weren't carrying for us. I still believe we still performed consistently as a unit, which was illustrated by the South Africans' strike-rate failing to reach three an over once again.

There was a bit of speculation about my fitness during the Test and to be honest I have been carrying a bit of a niggle with my back. It took two or three overs to feel fully loose and into my work with the ball, which is not ideal.

I had an injection straight after the game and have had a few days to rest. We'll just have to wait and see how it shapes up going into the second Test.

It's great to have 'Fred' Flintoff back about the squad and I think it's a huge credit to Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson that such a quality player has had to work his way back into the squad - there was no easy way in for him. In fact, Fred himself has been quoted in the media saying this.

But what a guy to have around the dressing room. If he does play, the opposition will certainly be very wary of him, which could well present opportunities for the bowlers at the other end.

With rain forecast leading up to the Headingley Test match, the toss could well be crucial. If the sun in shining, Vaughany has said it's a decent wicket to bat on - but cloud cover can present ideal bowling conditions with both swing and seam. Watch this space!

Comments

Jack Rhodes says...

flintoff would not have made a difference at lords, especially in the last innings where south africa were going for a draw, south africa are the sort of side when they decide on a draw in a test match they are very difficult to get out, i remember jaques rodolph blocked out two days against australia for south africa couple of years back, exactly the same happened against england. Although, I do think flintoff is the best english bowler of all time, i also think this is the best south african side of all time as well lol......it will be an interesting series....

Posted 14:38 18th July 2008

Joel Squires says...

I am My cricket clubs Ryan Sidebottom Lookalike and playalike! I model myself on ryan as he give 110% wether he is fully fit or injured, i thought he did fantasticly to carry through the overs with the pain he was in, very impressive on such a horror of a pitch! Am desperate to see Flintoff and sidey at either end of the wicket bowling in tandom at their best! We are starting to build as a team and with the involvement of freddie in leeds we have an absolutely brilliant chance of beating the number 2 rank team of test cricket. In my own form with the bat, last six innings 6 ducks in a row! eek, but then finally got off the mark with a huge six! and my last two scores have been 22 and 33* funny thing confidence. Lets go England!.

Posted 14:58 17th July 2008

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