Runs at a premium in England-South Africa Test decider
South Africa's Keegan Petersen has no doubt first-innings runs hold the key to the outcome of the third and deciding Test against England at The Oval starting Thursday.
Ryan Rickelton Sport News
3rd Test: Stage set for series decider between England and South Africa
South Africa won the first Test at Lord's by an innings and 12 runs, before England, led by the captain marvel Ben Stokes, thrashed the tourists by an innings and 85 runs at Old Trafford. The dust has settled on that encounter and in the interim both teams have lost an important member of their middle order, with England's Jonny Bairstow having suffered a freak leg injury playing golf and South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen nursing a fractured finger. Both seam attacks are world class, and for the third Test running it is likely that the bat – and who can get first innings runs – will decide the outcome.
Bavuma feels for struggling Markram, but understands how weight of runs influences selection
Proteas limited overs skipper Temba Bavuma admitted that batters will always have whispers of insecurities regarding their places in the team once they don't score runs.
South Africa hopeful Kagiso Rabada will be fit for first Test against England
Rabada is a huge figure in the South African seam attack and his loss would be a massive blow as he battles back from an ankle problem sustained in the Twenty20 International series between the sides late last month.
South Africa hopeful Rabada will be fit for first test v England
LONDON : South Africa are hopeful key fast bowler Kagiso Rabada will be fit for the first test against England that starts at Lord's on Wednesday, but he has not been cleared to take his place in the side quite yet, according to captain Dean Elgar.
Proteas selection conundrum for Lord's: Who makes the starting XI?
The Proteas go into the first Test against England at Lord's on Wednesday with options aplenty.
South Africa seamer Olivier out of England test series
– - South Africa fast bowler Duanne Olivier has been ruled out of the three-match test series against England after injuring his hamstring in the warm-up defeat to the England Lions this week.
South Africa seamer Duanne Olivier out of England Test series
"Duanne presented with significant discomfort involving his right hip flexor muscle. After clinical assessment, he was referred for an MRI scan, which revealed a grade 2 tear involving the right pectineus muscle," team doctor Hashendra Ramjee said in a media release from Cricket South Africa.