By English Cricket
January 19 2005

England managed to pull together a remarkable come from behind victory that would have to rank up there with some of those vintage 90's victories against Australia in Adelaide and Melbourne. Though unlike those two, this victory puts England in a firm position to secure the series.

If 2004, was the year England finally shook off the shackles of unprofressionalism and mediocrity that were associated with them for much of the 1990's, then the start of 2005, would suggest more a step backwards than forwards. The loss in Cape Town was if anything a severe dose of reality, that although lesser sides may allow more than the odd moment of relaxation, tougher oppponents are not going to be as forgiving. England's performance in that match and as for the matter for most of this series, is as a team struggling for form and more importantly struggling to find that edge which rocketed them to the second best test side in the world early last year.  

The victory at the Johannesburg, although proving as in the first test of the series that England can win while performing at 60-80%, has done little to dissipate this situation. The form of Steve Harmison and that of the middle-order is of serious concern, as is that of Anderson, which is a stark reminder of the depth and lack of experience that England have at the moment. England, will desperately need to mend these and whatever ailment that Freddie Flintoff may have, if they are even seriously considering competing with Australia over the summer. 

Nevetheless, credit must be given to England (and of course to the South Africans for collapsing so meekly) for producing another fantastic win, especially at a time where people were seriously questioning their abilities to perform against tougher opposition. It was brilliantly set up by imposing hundreds from both openers, the former a beautifully contrusted innings and the latter a mixture of everything from rough and edgy to out and out brutality. Trescothick's though was the more important, with Strauss having already made his mark in this series, it was important that his partner show that this more than a one man team. Tres's innings on the last morning was what England in the match, and set up the opportunity for an unexpected victory.

That is of course depended on which England bowlers decided to turn up (if at all). Would it be the professional outfit that graced in 2004, or would be it the club attack that bowled for much of this tour. In the end it was something in between, but that proved to be enough. Hoggard, who for much of the previous year was seen as the 'weakest link' in England's four man pace attack, showed that he has the ability when required to step up that gear. Not having seen him bowl at Christchurch, I can safely say that I have not seem him bowl better nor look more threatening then he has in this match. The cause may have been the conditions in Jo'burg as much as a new found self-belief, but regardless it has enabled England to break ahead again in this series, and for that we have to be thankful.

Looking ahead to the fifth test, England will only need to draw to secure a series victory, and they might need to go ahead with that intention, given their injury ravaged bowling attack. The only other consideration that may be given is to the position of wicket-keeper, Geraint Jones, for all his initial promise has failed to deliver with the bat and his keeping at times on this tour has been diabolical. This would suggest that perhaps it is time for Chris Read to get a recall, but that would not be an easy decision to make, given Read in his wildest dream's could not contemplate achieving even Jones's current average of 30.