Fourth Test, Johannesburg: South Africa v England
Venue: Wanderers Dates: 14-18 January Start time: 0800 GMT
Coverage: Listen to Test Match Special on BBC Radio Four Longwave, Radio 5 live sports extra, the Red Button and BBC Sport website; text commentary online and on mobile phones. Also live on Sky Sports
**England batsman Paul Collingwood expects to see a bowler-friendly pitch for the fourth Test against South Africa in Johannesburg on Thursday.**The hosts, who require victory to square the four-Test series, have instructed Wanderers groundsman Chris Scott to produce a result pitch.
The famous ground has only seen one drawn Test in the last decade.
“South Africa are in a position where they need a win and to do that, they’ve got to gamble,” said Collingwood.
"Let’s be honest - they’re not going to produce a flat, flat wicket.
"This wicket does tend to go through a lot more anyway, you get a bit more bounce here.
“Then if they leave a bit more grass on, it will obviously seam around a bit.”
South Africa have summoned Wayne Parnell as cover for fast bowler Friedel de Wet, who has been ruled out of the decider because of a back injury.
“If you can get yourself out with a draw in a game you look like losing it does hurt the opposition and gives you strength”
Paul Collingwood
The left-arm seamer is likely to make his Test debut on Thursday, while uncapped all-rounder Ryan McLaren could also come into contention if, as expected, the ‘Bullring’ wicket assists the quicker bowlers.
Spinner Paul Harris’s position would be most likely under threat should the Proteas gamble on five seamers, with JP Duminy offering the option of off-spin.
Scott’s preparations have been hampered by incessant rain which has plagued South Africa’s most populous city - over 100mm of rain have fallen since the start of the month, only 14mm off the expected level for the whole of January.
A greener wicket will favour the faster bowlers, offering the ball encouragement to move off the pitch, while spinners prefer drier surfaces offering more grip.
“It could be a difficult week for the batsmen,” said Collingwood, one of England’s heroes from the third Test draw in Cape Town following a courageous and time-consuming 188-ball 40.
"But it’s exciting. It’s a game where we should all be wanting to win the man of the match, to win the series for England. It will be a massive achievement for us.
“We’re happy where we are at the moment. But we’ll be even happier if we get the draw or the win out of this game.”
England are likely to name yet another unchanged XI as they look to avenge their home series defeat to South Africa in 2008.
606: DEBATE
“There will be a lot of moisture in the pitch unless it gets opportunity to catch a lot of rays for the next few days”
biltongbek
While England’s players have benefitted from consistency in selection, Collingwood was adamant there would be no room for complacency in the dressing room.
“We’ve got to make sure as players we’re mentally focused to come out and do the job,” added the Durham all-rounder.
"It is a huge week for us, because we want to go away from here winning the series - not just drawing it.
"To have this kind of resilience when you are under the pump is a great strength.
"Obviously you are going to need the flair and bits of genius at times, but I think we’ve shown in the last six months we’ve got it in the locker if we need it.
“We are finding more players who have it in their armoury. If you can get yourself out with a draw in a game you look like losing it does hurt the opposition and gives you strength.”