Proteas to punish Pietersen-less England

Without Kevin Pietersen, England would have probably lost the Second Test at Headingley. Actually without the South Africa-born all-rounder for the Third Test at Lord`s, oppose the hosts in their must-win match versus the Proteas.

The build-up to the game that will, for now at least, decide the identity of the world`s top-ranked Test team has been dominated by the decision of the England and Wales Cricket Board to drop Pietersen over reports that he sent rude text messages about his teammates to some South Africa players.

Pietersen has been England`s star of the series, top scoring with the bat - 219 runs at an average of 54.75 - and topping the bowling charts with an average of 22.75 having taken four wickets for a cost of 91 runs in 19 overs.

He is not everyone`s cup of tea but Pietersen is the reason why England arrives at Lord`s, which has been vacated by the London 2012 Olympic Games archery competitions, with a chance of holding on to its world number one ranking.

South Africa routed England by an innings and 12 runs in the First Test at The Oval and the Proteas would have almost certainly made it 2-0 had Pietersen in the Second Test at Headingley not scored 149 runs off 214 balls in the home side`s first innings and removed the away team`s top three batsmen during his nine overs of second-innings off spin.

Bookmakers have chalked up England at around 11-4, the draw at around 6-4 and South Africa at around 15-8 for the Third Test and, at those prices, the Proteas are the value bet.

England could rally together following the Pietersen episode but there are just as likely to fall to pieces without their most talented cricketer. And there are serious questions marks about the quality of Pietersen`s replacement, with Jonny Bairstow most likely to get the nod. He was pretty unconvincing against the West Indies earlier this year.

With South Africa only needing a draw to win the series and usurp England at the top of the world rankings, the draw would have been interesting had the London weather forecast for the next week been bleaker than it is. There is likely to be showers over the course of the five days but probably not enough of them to make the draw the favourite result.

Which leaves South Africa at 15-8. Yes, Graeme Smith is an inherently conservative captain who may, if the opportunity presents itself, choose to bat England out of the game to maximise his side`s chance of becoming the world number one.

But that possibility is more than factored into the odds on offer about a team that has proven itself to be better than its host over the first two matches and now faces an opponent that has sacked its most dangerous weapon.

South Africa has an excellent test record versus England at Lord`s, winning three and drawing the other of four games played since it was readmitted to international sport.

Back the Proteas to mark their ascent to the summit of the Test cricket mountain with another away win at Lord`s.

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15/08/2012     © Frixo 2024