Another disappointing one day performance by an unexceptional England squad.
When was the last time England won a game in a major tournament against a test playing nation which actually counted for something (a rhetorical question).
England had bowled well and had restricted the South Africans until a rash of dropped catches and an impressive innings from Albie Morkel swung the game.
For me, in the batting stakes England rely too heavily on Pietersen and Collingwood and if they fail (at the same time) then it becomes an uphill struggle. Wright has not put a foot right yet, if the England selectors believe in him then he deserves a longer run in the team but they need to decide where to play him.
Prior looks out of his depth opening, why do we continue to have this obsession with a wicket-keeper who needs to open aka Adam Gilchrist, Gilchrist is a once in a lifetime cricketer and we need to move away from this nonsense of trying to emulate him.
Pieterson is a world class batsman, no doubt whatsoever but he was at fault last night. You should never amble a run in one day cricket never mind 20/20. He does make some daft mistakes sometimes for one so talented.
Not sure about Shah, he can bat no doubt about that, but his shot selection is poor at times as it was last night and that's what separates good players from the mediocre.
Flintoff looks all at sea as a batsman (at the moment), he would struggle to make New Earswick 2nd 11 on his batting alone but his bowling is as impressive as ever and he always looks England's most likely wicket taker.
Anderson and Broad are both decent bowlers and should be persevered with, Broad has also showed he can bat a bit and he can deal well with pressure.
As for Snape,Maddy, Kirtley and Schofield, well these guys have had their chance years before and failed to take it, I can`t see much changing in the next few games but It would be a turn up for the books if any of these four made a serious impact on the 20/20 World cup.
As for Dimitri Mascarenhas, its a struggle to spell his name, never mind comment about him but hes an honest player who has played pretty well for England both batting and bowling, hes more likely a short term solution as an all rounder but I think he deserves his position in the England team and should probably bat at no 6.
Anyway disappointment is brushed aside and its roll on the next game, as I write this New Zealand is less than 9 hours away. Come on England.
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