South Africa v England: Shaun Pollock on five keys to series win
'Hashim Amla will put himself under massive pressure in this series'
Monday 21 December 2015 09:18, UK
South Africa will look to bounce back from a disastrous 3-0 series defeat in India with the visit of England.
A four-match Test series kicks off in Durban on Boxing Day, and former South Africa all-rounder Shaun Pollock spoke to Sky Sports about the keys for the Proteas if they are to prevail...
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Battle up top
For both teams, it will be vitally important how they start up front. Both have a fair bit of inexperience at the top of the order - England have left out Ian Bell, while South Africa are still determining what their best opening partnership is. They faced completely different conditions in India, so it's difficult to judge who should play - the openers weren't tested in the way that they will be in this series as spin was introduced in the first few overs.
The make-up of our side will be key, how we decide to go at the top of the order, in particular. Plus, it looks as though AB de Villiers will keep, so that gives us extra batting options and a little bit more depth. I don't think Temba Bavuma will stay in the side, and I wouldn't be surprised if they went back to Stiaan van Zyl, the left-hander, at the top of the order. Dean Elgar should likely keep his place, though. Another option is maybe even Rilee Rossouw, he is a class player but has been injured for a while. He can deal with fast bowling well, so could be worth a look.
Steyn success
The uncertainty at the top order gives an opportunity for one team to really dominate, the one that wins that opening battle. England will have James Anderson and Stuart Broad looking to exploit things, while we've got Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel. If you look at how the two teams match up bowling-attack wise, both are fairly settled, particularly once South Africa get Steyn and Vernon Philander back. Philander sadly misses the first two Tests, so the key will be how Steyn goes. He is a real match-winner for us, with the new ball in hand and in the middle periods with reverse-swing.
Stop spin struggles
Our guys actually play spin quite well, in our conditions, rather than the sub-continent pitches like the ones they struggled on in India. So if someone like Hashim Amla or De Villiers is settled at the crease at the moment that Moeen Ali comes on, I'm sure they will look to put the spinner under pressure. But that also creates opportunities. I actually think they need to be fairly watchful, as Moeen has shown that he is a bit more than just a part-time spinner in his Test career so far - he has got good control, and manages to pick up vital wickets.
I don't think they will treat him lightly, but they will likely have a game plan to try and put him under pressure. On the reverse, I think what you might see in the first Test is South Africa trust JP Duminy and Dean Elgar to bowl their overs of spin in Durban, but going forward I think they will likely stick with off-spinner Dane Piedt. He was the man in possession, got injured - Simon Harmer came in and did well - but South Africa have gone back to Piedt now and he took five-for in his one Test in India.
Amla must fire
Amla will be putting himself under pressure in this series. He didn't have a good time with it personally in India and would have been hurt by the team doing so badly. He is a guy that likes to lead from the front, and has done so throughout his career. His runs are so key, and that will help his captaincy, help him to guide the side to success. He is a class player, we have seen it so many times, and being back in familiar surroundings against opposition who he has found success against before, I'm sure it won't take long to get back to his best.
Home advantage help
Back in familiar South African conditions, the side should find success at all the venues, which will provide pace and bounce. Durban probably has the steepest bounce, although it is not always the quickest surface. At Cape Town - a place where South Africa have a good record and tend to raise their game - there will probably be the slowest, lowest surface, and maybe the most spin-suited wicket you're going to get.
Johannesburg always suits the seamers - because of the altitude there is always some movement around, especially in the first day or two. Centurion is probably the flattest wicket you'll get, so it will be interesting to see what the situation is in the series by that time.
Watch England's four-Test series in South Africa live on Sky Sports, starting with the opening game, in Durban, from 7.30am on Boxing Day.
Shaun Pollock was talking during Sir Ian Botham's 'Walking the Rainbow Nation' charity trek in South Africa.
