Well…most of the people have already predicted that England can’t even up the series - I know the odds aren’t on the Pomps side - but still I am betting on the return of Thrope and England as underdogs always have my support!
In the end it seems like Graham was recalled all be it by default - as Nasser is out injured - I have to say that this is a chance for Thorpe to prove his worth in the side but it really is quite insulting that he should be called back as second best - England, however, do really need the experience as Mark Butcher and Alec Stewart are really the only players left with real experience behind them.
Anyway it’s now gonna be very tough for England to level the series.
England squad for fifth Test: Michael Vaughan (capt.), Marcus Trescothick, Mark Butcher, Graham Thorpe, Ed Smith, Alec Stewart (wkt), Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles, Martin Bicknell, Kabir Ali, Gareth Batty, James Anderson, Steve Harmison.
Holy Crap!
Gibbs on a roll.
I pray for our Pakistani bowlers.
With the way Pakistan perfomred against Banglis and the way Proteas played against the Brits, the upcoming Pak vs SAF series looks to be one sided.
Yet more domination at the hands of South Africa. They controlled the first days play but England did come back into the match and its quite even - A poor performance again from Michael Vaughan with the bat - but Marcus Trescothick and the Return of Graham Thorpe to International Cricket are leading the fightback for England - It was good bowling by England then earlier on and they did manage to get South Africa out for a score less than 500 - but they sure did run their luck out as well - Boucher was given out when he clearly didn’t get a nick on the ball and Jaques Kallis was damn unlucky. Also congratulations to Shaun Pollock who got his 300th Test Wicket - well done.
Anyway it should leave an interesting game - can England get back far enough to try to win the match and level the series?
England have been outclassed in this series, if the weather hadn't saved them they would have lost the 1st test match as well. Thorpe should have been brought back ages ago. SA batting is very strong, I mean Hall comes in at no 9 and he looked a very good bat at Headingley. I think Pakistan will find it hard to dismiss them cheaply.
England have had a couple of great days but things are still against them - they have got 6 of the South African second innings wickets but Shaun Pollock is still at the crease - It will be very difficult for them to get him out and his experience will at least enough to take South Africa still batting into Lunch and possibly all the way to Tea - and by then they will probably be looking to have a lead of over 200 runs - possibly even as much as 250 so it will be very hard for England in the fifth day - Also that’s assuming that the weather holds firm - there were a couple of dreadful decisions against South Africa in their Second innings - Jaques Kallis and Neil Mckenzie should have never been given out LBW - is it gonna happen again that South Africa get screwed by decisions? What England need on the 5th day are quick wickets and then to score quickly - England are certainly up for even up the Test series - you never know…
I have to say that England bowled and then batted well - Graeme Smith in a interview admitted that South Africa lost fair and square - Aiwa - England all did well to come back after the first days play and especially as it was the home ground for 4 of the players - and the final match for one of them. I think Graham Thorpe did especially well on his comeback - and so did Martin Bicknell as it wasn’t easy taking wickets on that pitch.
I have to say a word though for Shaun Pollock who yet again had to be the one to perform for South Africa - with both bat and ball - again. He was the top and second top scorer for South Africa in the 2 innings plus he also was given the new ball - South Africa are relying on him too much and it is probably bad for him as it is probably too much pressure. Others in the side have to start performing - especially someone in the middle order with the bat - Jaques Rudolph has failed dreadfully in this series and should definitely lose his place - Anyway I’ll leave this post about the match itself and make a series review probably tomorrow - Good win for England!
Wow Thorpe came back nicely, I am dissappointed that I missed an exciting match.
England is trying too hard to build a new team, they should stick with the old guns, and introduce young players one by one like the Australians.
They lack the specialist spinner, because they will be needing one when they tour Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in coming months.
Their pace attack looks awesome and they should stick with it.
Did you see Ed Smiths catch 
