LONDON: The test series between South Africa and England which starts in Durban on Saturday is “too close to call” according to former England skipper Kevin Pietersen.
South Africa’s recent 3-0 series defeat in India has depleted confidence in the national side, and Pietersen believes England can exploit it.
“Not that long ago I feared we would lose easily. But now it is too close to call. The two teams mirror each other,” Pietersen said in his column in the Daily Telegraph.
Pietersen said that both sides must address the fragility in their batting orders, with England too dependent on captain Alastair Cook and Joe Root and the hosts relying on Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers.
“South Africa will rely on two big fish in Amla and AB de Villiers. The rest of the batters have much to prove,” Pietersen said. “But it is the same for England.
“Their big fish are Cook and Joe Root. Nick Compton is back in the side trying to rebuild a career, Alex Hales is untried in test cricket and James Taylor has never played in such bouncy, quick conditions.”
South Africa-born Pietersen said another series defeat would pose difficult questions about South African cricket which, like other sports, have adopted quota systems for non-white players.
“There is a lot at stake for South Africa in the test series against England,” he said. “The public were very disappointed with performances in India recently. But the issues go deeper than just one series defeat.
“There is a lot of discussion within South African sport at the moment about the impact of transformation.
“Quota systems in rugby and cricket have caused a lot of soul searching with some questioning whether it has taken precedence over picking players on talent.
“If South Africa lose this series to England there will be lots of questions about whether they are on the right path.”
The choice of Kingsmead for the opening test could also work in England’s favor. They have not lost a test there since 1928 and won by an innings in 2009.
“South Africa have never enjoyed the Boxing Day test experience in Durban and have shifted the fixture in recent years but it is back to cash in on the holiday crowds and the many England fans who will be traveling to watch the series,” added Pietersen.
“This series will feel like playing in Barbados, where the majority of the fans are English. It is a home game for Alastair Cook’s team.”
South Africa-England too close to call, says Pietersen
South Africa-England too close to call, says Pietersen
Supersub strikes again as Sesko gives Man United win at Everton
- The defeat was a blow to Everton’s hopes of a place in next year’s European competitions and left it languishing in ninth, behind Brentford and Bournemouth
LIVERPOOL, England: Manchester United supersub Benjamin Sesko scored 13 minutes after entering the field to give his side a 1-0 win over Everton in the Premier League on Monday.
It was the third time in four games that Sesko has scored after coming off the bench and secured points for United.
“I believe in me and so do the other players as well,” Sesko told Sky Sports. “They know what they are going to get when I arrive in the game. It’s up to me to deliver of course.”
His goal with 19 minutes remaining finished off the slickest move of an otherwise stodgy game.
Bryan Mbeumo controlled Matheus Cunha’s superb long ball and played a perfectly weighted pass to the feet of Sesko, who steered the ball past Jordan Pickford with aplomb.
“It was a great finish,” United interim coach Michael Carrick said. “It was a ruthless finish. I liked the way he put it away with real confidence. It was great play from Cunha and Mbeumo to set it up and we are dangerous on the break.”
Until then defenses had been on top and the lack of attacking fluency was not helped by a heavy pitch that appeared to slow down both teams.
The result took fourth-placed United three points clear of Chelsea and Liverpool. United was three behind Aston Villa.
It also extended Carrick’s unbeaten run to six games since he replaced Ruben Amorim on Jan. 13.
The defeat was a blow to Everton’s hopes of a place in next year’s European competitions and left it languishing in ninth, behind Brentford and Bournemouth and eight points adrift of Chelsea and Liverpool.
David Moyes’ men have gone seven games without a win at their new Hill Dickinson Stadium.
“Generally we did very well in lots of bits,” Moyes said. “We got done on the counterattack and they ran away and got the goal that was there. We put in a great effort to get the goal but lacked the quality to make it count.”
