All posts by h716a5.icu

A number of Liverpool supporters have been reacting to a rumour suggesting Joe Gomez is unhappy at his lack of playing time currently.

The Reds are riding on the crest of a wave at the moment, following their remarkable 5-0 win away to Manchester United on Sunday.

It is surely one of the greatest results in Liverpool’s history and was further proof that they have a great chance of winning the Premier League title this season.

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Ibrahima Konate was flawless alongside Virgil van Dijk at Old Trafford – the in-form Joel Matip was on the bench – but someone who has become something of a forgotten man is Gomez.

The 24-year-old has only played 13 minutes of league action in 2021/22 after coming back from serious injury, and according to 90min, he is ‘increasingly concerned’ about his chances of featuring at the 2022 World Cup for England, due to a lack of playing time.

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Liverpool fans react to Gomez latest

These Liverpool fans reacted to the news on Twitter, with the general consensus that he should either knuckle down and be quiet, or leave.

“Not good enough for Liverpool and injury-prone. Get rid”

Credit: @wincentyyyy

“This was inevitable. I absolutely don’t want to let him go, but I totally understand his frustration”

Credit: @dBdaSportsGuru

“He’s been a very good player for us, we should let him leave. He deserves to be starting for a good club. @NUFC £50m, let’s goooooo”

Credit: @g6xxx_

“This is always going to be inevitable. If they’re all fit then you can’t keep four brilliant CBs happy. Something has got to give”

Credit: @MarkoLFC1985

“If this is true he can go! He’s just back from a long-term injury! Matip has been first choice due to him playing at an unbelievable level! Throwing the toys out of the pram already”

Credit: @aaronjacko

“Konate and Matip are better anyway”

Credit: @simplycaoimhin

In other news, James Pearce has made a big claim about Liverpool’s front-three. Read more here.

Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza has admitted he misjudged the conditions after his side were shot for 44 on electing to bat in the fourth ODI against Bangladesh in Chittagong

Cricinfo staff03-Nov-2009Zimbabwe captain Hamilton Masakadza has admitted he misjudged the conditions after his side were shot out for 44 on electing to bat in the fourth ODI against Bangladesh in Chittagong.”Definitely we misread the wicket,” he said after the thumping six-wicket defeat that handed Bangladesh the series 3-1. “It looked like a good batting track but it was too slow for a one-day wicket.”The poor total, he said, was a combination of bad batting and a tough track, where Bangladesh’s spinners found plenty of assistance. “Some guys gave their wickets away but, having said that, the wicket did play quite a big role,” he said. “The ball was holding up and there was too much spin on it. The wicket was definitely very bad but we also batted badly to complement that.”Zimbabwe have come into the series as underdogs but were in great form against Kenya last month and won the first one-dayer against Bangladesh as well. After that, though, they have been soundly beaten in three consecutive games. “Very disappointing and frustrating,” Masakdaza said about losing the series. “Having won the first game and having batted properly in the warm-ups in Kenya it is very disappointing to see the batting fall apart on this tour.”In contrast, the home side’s captain Shakib Al Hasan was delighted to have knocked over Zimbabwe for what was the lowest total against Bangladesh. “It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to bowl out a side for 44. It doesn’t happen everyday,” he said. “I also wanted a 10-wicket win which I think we haven’t had before. Disappointed that it didn’t happen. Maybe next time!”Bangladesh were also surprised by the amount of spin and bounce available on the surface. “There was sharp turn and the balls that went straight skidded,” he said. He also defended the preparation of tracks that play to the home team’s strength – the spinners (Bangladesh used six of them in the previous game, and only one quick bowler). “We know that it will not be that easy for our batsmen to adjust to seaming pitches and therefore wickets are prepared keeping in mind the strength of the home team,” he said. “”When we go to New Zealand we may have three or even four pacers in the playing eleven. It is totally dependent on the conditions. If there is a scope for taking home advantage who wouldn’t take it?”Nazmul Hossain, the lone fast bowler in the team, was Man of the Match for his early two-wicket burst. “Nazmul has bowled well for us in the last match also,” Shakib said. “I think he has been successful because of his control.”The final game of the series is at the same ground on Thursday.

There hasn’t been much you can criticise about Jurgen Klopp’s rampant Liverpool charges this season.

Going forward they have been at their mesmeric best, scoring goals at will as they possess one of the most destructive footballers in world football at the moment; Mohamed Salah.

However, the club’s German tactician still has room to improve the Reds’ midfield with a vast number of injuries hampering their progress in that regard.

Thiago, Curtis Jones, Fabinho and Harvey Elliott have all spent periods out this term, but the Merseyside outfit have now been rocked by another blow.

Liverpool are set to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday evening but will do so without one of their most important players of the last few weeks.

Naby Keita hobbled off in the draw with Brighton last weekend and speaking yesterday, Klopp confirmed he would not only miss the game with Atleti, but also a period following that.

He said: “Naby has a hamstring injury so will be out for a while.”

This news is likely to have left Klopp gutted, especially when you consider how the Guinea international has fared in recent weeks.

The midfielder found the net and also assisted a goal in the 5-0 romp of Manchester United, while also adding goals in the win over Palace and in their last outing with Atletico.

It looked as though the 26-year-old had finally brushed off the injury concerns that had plagued his Liverpool career this season.

He’s endured 14 separate spells on the sidelines due to fitness problems, missing 54 matches in the process.

That kind of wretched record is another reason for the German manager to be gutted by this latest development.

After all, it was he who helped sanction a £48m move for Keita back in 2017. Since then, he’s failed to justify his price tag, spending most of his time on the treatment table, rather than coming up with the goods on the pitch.

The last few months had proven the Guinean to be in good form but his chance to really cement a place in the middle of the park has now been taken away from him.

This is not good news for anyone associated with the club.

AND in other news, Klopp must unleash “incredible” £40.5m-rated Liverpool machine, he could haunt Atleti…

Celtic and West Ham have been linked with a move for Spartak Moscow forward Jordan Larsson, The Daily Record report.

The Lowdown: Larsson profiled…

Larsson, the son of legendary Celtic striker Henrik Larsson, is 24 years of age and can play on the right-hand side or as an attacking midfielder along with his primary centre-forward role.

The left-footed beast has been hailed as ‘strong’ by retired Sweden international Marcus Allback, who also believes he ‘would suit playing for Celtic’.

He still has 18 months left on his contract in Russia, where he has scored 26 times in 76 appearances, but he has now been linked with a move to Parkhead.

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The Latest: Hoops links

The Daily Record shared a story on Tuesday afternoon, citing reports from Aftonbladet who claim that the Hoops and the Hammers are two sides tracking Larsson’s situation.

The report claims that Spartak’s previous asking price was around £13m, but that is now expected to be lower in order to get Larsson off the books.

The Verdict: Other areas a priority?

It would be a great story for the son of one of Celtic’s best-ever players to move to Celtic Park, however, at this moment in time, it seems as if other areas of the pitch need adding to first before a big-money move for Larsson should be explored.

Central midfield appears to be an area where reinforcements are needed, with Ange Postecoglou relying heavily on the likes of Callum McGregor, Tom Rogic and David Turnbull this season.

Left-back may also be another position that could do with bolstering, with right-back Josip Juranovic filling in over recent weeks following Greg Taylor’s injury.

In other news: Nicholson may ship out ‘quick’ beast alongside Ajeti in January so Ange can make Celtic signings. 

A round-up of the second day’s action of the eighth round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2009-10

Cricinfo staff22-Nov-2009

Group B

Junaid Khan took a match haul of nine wickets for Abbottabad but his efforts were undermined by a strong performance from Islamabad•ESPNcricinfo LtdIslamabad were in complete command at the end of an action-packed second day against Abbottabad at the Diamond Club Ground. Abbottabad squandered yesterday’s hard work, when they had bowled Islamabad out for 182, by crumbling to just 100. Starting the day on a shaky 69 for 4, they added just 31 more, proving no match to the combination of seamer Shahzad Azam, who took 5 for 65, and Nasrullah Khan, as they shared nine wickets between them to give their team an 82-run lead. Abbottabad were fortunate to reach the three-figure mark, thanks to 23 extras, that proved the joint top-scorer.Islamabad’s batsmen made amends for their shoddy display in the first innings, piling up 319 for the loss of five wickets. Umair Khan led the way with a career-best, unbeaten 163 and was aided by Fahad Akram’s 59; the pair added 150 for the fifth wicket. The only consolation for Abbottabad on a terrible day was left-arm fast bowler Junaid Khan’s 5 for 136 to go with his four-wicket haul in the first innings. By the end of the day, Islamabad led by an intimidating 401.A collective batting display from Faisalabad handed them the advantage over Hyderabad at the Niaz Stadium. Bouyed by Naved Latif’s 105, Faisalabad secured a lead of 25 at stumps by reaching 326 for 4. There were important contributions from Ammar Mahmood (36), opener Imran Ali (30) but the best supporting hand for Naved came from Zeeshan Asif, who made an unbeaten 85 and added 156 for the fourth wicket. Naved scored at a healthy rate, striking 14 fours and a six in his 147-ball innings before falling to seamer Mir Ali.Lahore Ravi had the edge against Rawalpindi at the conclusion of day two at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground. A career-best 6 for 29, in 19 overs, from medium-pacer Aamer Hayat helped Lahore bowl out the opposition for 271, allowing them to add just 70 to their overnight score of 201 for 5. Rawalpindi captain Naved Ashraf top scored with 74 but needed more support from the rest today to take his team to a more challenging score. But Hayat, along with seamer Waqas Ahmed (3 for 66), caused a collapse where Rawalpindi lost their last five wickets for just 36. Asif Khan made a patient 42 in Lahore’s reply but fell with the score on 73. Wahaj Aslam, unbeaten on 3, guided his team to 94 for 2 at stumps – still 177 adrift – in a slow response; they batted 53.1 overs.Left-arm spinner Jalat Khan was the star for Quetta, as he bagged best figures of 6 for 35 against Multan in Okara to put his team on top. Multan’s reply to Quetta’s 305 was weak, for they were skittled out for 178 and conceded a 127-run lead. Rameez Alam made 48, and added 78 with Naved Yasin, who made 35. But from then on, wickets fell at frequent intervals – fast bowler Imran Khan and Arshad Khan chipped in with two wickets each – and the batsmen who followed offered little resistance. Quetta would have disappointed with their performance with the bat in the first innings; nine out of 11 batsmen reached double-figures but the team managed a respectable, yet an underachieved, 305. But Jalat’s bowling display made amends for that and has given Quetta a genuine chance of victory.Peshawar ceded the initiative to Sialkot at the Jinnah Stadium. They were comfortably placed at 234 for 4 at the start of the second day but went on to extend to to just 295. The last six wickets fell for just 61, thanks to a meek surrender from the middle and lower orders to the medium-pace of Bilawal Bhatti, who finished with 6 for 94. The Sialkot reply was strong, and they ended the day on top on 183 for 1. Majid Jahangir and Faisal Khan were unbeaten on 74 and 57 respectively, and had added 119 for the second wicket. Opener Kamran Younis had set up a solid start with a breezy 41 before his team-mates had the laid the platform for a successful overhaul of the Peshawar score and a sizable lead.

Group A

An unbeaten 117 from captain Hasan Raza enabled Habib Bank Limited to build on the advantage they had gained on day one against Pakistan International Airlines in Islamabad. PIA were 206 for 9 overnight and folded for 224, left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman taking 6 for 52. The HBL reply was unconvincing at the start, as they lost three wickets for 44. But Raza led the fightback and was assisted by Aftab Alam, who added 70 in a fourth-wicket stand of 116, and wicketkeeper Humayun Farhat, who scored better than a run a ball for his 64 while putting together 99 for the sixth wicket. Raza struck 11 fours and a six in his innings, steering his team into the lead, which had increased to 71 at stumps, as HBL finished the day on 295 for 7.Karachi Whites are in a position to force an innings-win over Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited at the National Stadium. First, Misbah Khan, batting at No.10, frustrated PIA in a final-wicket stand of 62 with last man Malik Aftab. The partnership took Karachi from 342 for 9 to 404. Misbah made 65 and the SNGPL bowlers didn’t help their cause by conceding 50 extras, including 23 no-balls. Then, in the SNGPL reply, fast bowler Tabish Khan tore through the line-up, taking 6 for 112, to skittle out the opposition for 199 and secure a lead of 205. Misbah delivered again, taking 3 for 41, to lend Tabish support amid a disappointing display from SNGPL, who only managed a top score of 44, courtesy captain Azhar Shafiq. The only highlight for them was offspinner Adnan Rasool’s five-for.Centuries from Rashid Riaz and Qaiser Abbas put National Bank of Pakistan on top against Pakistan Customs at the National Ground. After bowling out Pakistan Customs for 157 yesterday, NBP were not in the best position when beginning today at 114 for 4. But Rashid had notched up 77 and he progressed to his third first-class century while adding 82 for the fifth wicket with Wahab Riaz, who chipped in with 44. Rashid fell with the score on 174, but Wahab hung on to provide company to the belligerent Abbas, who smashed an unbeaten 136 in 134 balls, striking 12 fours. The pair added 103 before Abbas was further aided by wicketkeeper Amin-ur-Rehman, who made 40 and put together 99 for the seventh wicket before being dismissed. NBP had reached 376 for 7, a lead of 219, and opted to declare. In their second innings, Pakistan Customs stuttered to 45 for 1 as they attempt to wipe out a sizable deficit and the avoid the embarassment of an innings defeat.Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited are in control against Sui Southern Gas Corporation at the Gaddafi Stadium. SSGC were only able to add 34 more runs to their overnight score and were bowled out for 264. Abdul Razzaq and Azhar Attari grabbed four wickets each to tilt the balance in ZTBL’s favour after the game had finished more or less on even terms on day one. Their batsmen, then, led a strong reply with openers Zulqarnain Haider (75) and Zohaib Khan (63) adding 147. However, both fell to Shakeel-ur-Rehman in very quick succession before Imran Nazir’s swift, unbeaten 24 took ZTBL to 180 for 2 at stumps, still 84 adrift.Water and Power Development Authority, boosted by an unbeaten 132 from opener Rafatullah Mohmand, took the honours on the opening day of the contest against Khan Research Laboratories in Rawalpindi. Asked to bat, WAPDA were given a strong start, with the openers adding 66. Mohmand added a further 56 with Sohail Nasir (22) but fast bowler Mohammad Irfan, who finished the day with 3 for 96, grabbed two wickets with the score on 122. But Mohmand stood firm, stabilising the innings with a 96-run stand with Jahangir Mirza, and taking his team to a comfortable 279 for 4 at stumps with assistance from Ali Azmat, who contributed a quick, unfinished 33.

A new era dawns at Villa Park today as Steven Gerrard takes charge of his first game as Aston Villa manager when they take on Brighton this afternoon.

The former Liverpool captain was appointed as Dean Smith’s replacement during the international break, and having had a few days to work with the players on the training ground, he will be keen to put his early plans into place for the visit of the Seagulls.

Given Villa’s terrible recent run of form – they’ve lost their last five games in the Premier League – Gerrard may be tempted to ring the changes and make some ruthless calls in terms of his starting line-up.

Here is a look at how Villa might line up for Gerrard’s first game in charge of the Villans against Brighton on Saturday afternoon.

In goal, Emiliano Martinez will be hoping to kickstart life under Gerrard with a clean sheet, with the former Arsenal stopper having not recorded a shutout since the 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford back in late September.

The back four will be boosted by the return of Ezri Konsa from suspension and he should be partnered alongside club captain Tyrone Mings, with Gerrard confirming that at least for the short-term, the England international will retain the armband.

In midfield, Marvelous Nakamba could play the holding role if Gerrard chooses to go with a 4-3-3, with John McGinn and 20-year-old Jacob Ramsey playing slightly further forward of the Zimbabwe man and being given the licence to roam forward and break into the penalty box.

The new Villa boss will also have some big calls to make in attack, with decisions to be made on whether both Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings start or whether he drops one to the bench.

If Gerrard decides that Watkins can play off the left, and Ings through the middle, then the 41-year-old could also look to unleash Leon Bailey on the right-hand side despite his travels earlier this week on international duty. That means Emiliano Buendia drops to the bench following some poor performances of late.

Predicted XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Nakamba, Ramsey, McGinn; Bailey, Ings, Watkins.

Meanwhile, Villa must finally sign this long-term transfer target…

The first-class game in the West Indies is set to welcome radical innovations such as day-night matches and the use of pink balls to boost spectator interest

Cricinfo staff15-Dec-2009The first-class game in the West Indies is set to welcome radical innovations such as day-night matches and the use of pink balls to boost spectator interest. The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) will trial these innovations in its four-day tournament, which gets underway on January 8. Another feature is the hosting of an entire round in one territory to ease the logistical challenges in travelling arrangements.”Spectator interest in regional matches has been declining in recent years and we are looking at different ways to organise our tournaments and ensure greater value for all our stakeholders, including players and spectators,” Ernest Hilaire, the WICB’s CEO, said.”We at the WICB aim to bring the game back to the fans and we believe the new format of having day-night cricket in the four-day tournament will help to generate public interest and also be a winner with the players and officials.”Hilaire added that each of the seven teams will get to play at least one match under lights. He said data will be collected on the impact on players, spectators, match officials and spectators before the format comes under review.”We will also be looking to utilise some of the wonderful facilities we have in the region as we seek to develop players who will be able to represent the people of the Caribbean at the highest level,” Hilaire said.The first round will begin in Jamaica from January 8-11 while the final round will be played at Windwards between February 26 and March 1.

A number of Rangers supporters have criticised interim manager David McCallum, following his post-match interview after the Scottish League Cup exit.

The Light Blues experienced a woeful day at the office on Sunday, being knocked out of the competition at the hands of Hibernian.

Rangers were 3-0 down inside 40 minutes and Scott Arfield’s goal shortly before the interval proved to be nothing more than a consolation.

It was a bitterly disappointing day at the office for McCallum, who was in the dugout while new manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst watched on from the stands.

The 44-year-old spoke after the game, in an interview shared on Rangers’ official Twitter account, as he reflected on a bad day at the office, praising the team’s “decent reaction” in the second half despite failing to score after the interval.

Rangers fans lay into McCallum after interview

These Gers fans took to Twitter to provide their reactions to the news, criticising McCallum in the process, particularly over his “criminal” decision to withdraw two of the team’s better performers in Arfield and Joe Aribo while leaving on the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Borna Barisic despite them having a poor game.

“Took our two best players off”

Credit: @csljm84

“Sack. ASAP”

Credit: @_RJ1872

“Who even are you?”

Credit: @wellskelper

“Thankfully won’t ever get the reins at Rangers again. Taking off Kent and Aribo is criminal”

Credit: @db130593

“Ask him about the substitutions!!!!…Go ask him! Ask him????”

Credit: @Colingreer555

“Your subs shouldn’t even let you be qualified for an under 8’s team”

Credit: @38821090G

In other news, some Rangers fans were fuming about one player’s performance against Hibernian. Find out who it is here.

Middlesex have signed Iain O’Brien, the 33-year-old New Zealand paceman as their overseas player for 2010, replacing Murali Kartik, the Indian left-arm spinner, who has been at Lord’s for the past three years

Cricinfo staff06-Dec-2009Middlesex have signed Iain O’Brien, the 33-year-old New Zealand paceman, as their overseas player for 2010, replacing Murali Kartik, the Indian left-arm spinner, who has been at Lord’s for the past three years.O’Brien is currently playing in New Zealand’s home series against Pakistan but announced he will retire at the end the final Test to move to England and spend more time with his wife.He played county cricket last season with Leicestershire, collecting 21 wickets at 26.04 from his seven matches in Division Two of the Championship.Middlesex struggled in 2009, finishing second from bottom in Division Two and Angus Fraser, the Middlesex director of cricket, feels that O’Brien can offer strong support to the pace attack.”It became clear in 2009 that Middlesex needed to find fast bowling support for Tim Murtagh and Steven Finn, who manfully carried the team’s attack last summer.”Selecting a fast bowler as an overseas player was the obvious way of filling one of these positions, and it is why Murali Kartik was not offered a new contract.”Fraser felt that O’Brien’s availability for the whole season made him a good option for the county as they look to rebuild. “Finding an overseas fast bowler who is available for most, if not all of a season is a huge thing for me,” he said.”Most international fast bowlers tend only to be available for short periods of time, and on occasions their workload is closely monitored by their home board.””Ideally, I want an overseas player to become an integral part of the club structure, to join in with everything and feel part of the club as it moves forward. I was not keen on someone who briefly flits in and then disappears elsewhere. Iain has the potential to fulfil this requirement.”O’Brien has enjoyed a good series so far against Pakistan, taking nine wickets in the two matches but first impressed Fraser during England’s tour of New Zealand in 2007-08.”I watched Iain on a number of occasions [on that tour], and chatted to him on a couple of occasions. During our chats he informed me that he was an into the wind bowler in Wellington, a city I spent two winters playing club cricket in when I was young.”The admission impressed me because, knowing Wellington and its wind as I do, I immediately knew Iain was a determined, wholehearted cricketer. So strong is the wind in Wellington, that if you don’t show those qualities you will not reach the wickets”.Though the deal is initially for only one year, both Middlesex and O’Brien aim to extend the contract to a three-year deal, with O’Brien hoping to register as a domestic cricketer.Speaking when he announced his retirement earlier on Sunday O’Brien said: “I am 33 years old and my main focus now is becoming a ‘proper’ husband, starting a family, settling down and securing my future in England. Cricket has been my number one priority and I’ve placed it in front of everything else. It’s now time to put Rosie first and start a family.”

Cricinfo previews the third Test between South Africa and England in Cape Town

The Preview by Sahil Dutta02-Jan-2010Match factsJanuary 3-7, 2009
Start time 10.30 am (0830 GMT)Big PictureNewlands, and the dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain, is the setting for a Test match with plenty at stake. South Africa must defeat England to draw level, while the visitors are one win away from a memorable series victory.If that seemed unlikely before the series begun it was almost unthinkable following England’s late-afternoon collapse on the final day of the first Test. Yet such was England’s dominance in the second Test at Durban that South Africa are now forced into playing ‘catch-up’ cricket, demanding a style of positive play that contradicts the naturally risk-free approach they prefer.Newlands is, however, something of a fortress for them. In 20 matches since readmission they have lost just three, each to Australia. Three more have been drawn but the rest won. Five years ago a potent England side, again one up in the series, came to Cape Town confident and were duly demolished by 196 runs. Graeme Smith’s men have the resources to repeat the feat and could be buoyed the clarity of the task ahead. In the aftermath of the Durban rout Smith said he felt his team were not ‘decisive enough’, they now have no choice.England, though, need only look as far back as last summer, to fully appreciate the challenge ahead. Then they had the chance to seal the Ashes at Headingley having gone one up in the second Test at Lord’s. On cue, they fluffed their lines entirely, and were hammered by an innings and 80 runs. It’s a lesson the team are desperate to heed.Their only concern is the fitness of Paul Collingwood, but given the importance of both the match and of the man himself, it’s likely he will overcome his dislocated finger in time. If he did pull up short, Michael Carberry could slot in at number five.Form guide (last 5 Tests, most recent first)South Africa LDWLL
England WDWLD
Watch out forIt was on this ground almost seven years ago that James Anderson launched his career with four top-order Pakistan wickets at the 2003 World Cup. Then he was zipping the ball around at pace from a natural, whippy action. Now as the self-proclaimed leader of England’s attack, he had a quiet outing in Durban and hasn’t really excelled in Test cricket since his 5 for 80 at Edgbaston last summer. Given happy memories and the strong back-up from Graham Onions, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann this may be his time again.There has been plenty of agonising about the potency of South Africa’s attack. With Makhaya Ntini on his last legs and Dale Steyn continuing to struggle against England, Morne Morkel, has been Smith’s main threat. Twice he has worked over the England captain this series, having troubled him in the one-dayers and dismissed him three times in seven innings when the sides met in England in 2008. With natural pace and steep bounce he has all the tools to trouble the best players. Whereas in the past those skills have not always come together, he has looked well synced all series and could prove key for South Africa this game.Team newsIt was a batting collapse that lost South Africa the last Test, but it’s the bowlers who are feeling the pressure. Ntini has enjoyed a remarkable career but after eleven years and 101 games at the highest level, his bite and threat have disappeared. Friedel de Wet did plenty in his debut at Centurion to suggest he can slot in here, but they will still need to deliver the goods for Smith.South Africa: (probable) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Ashwell Prince, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 AB de Villiers, 6 JP Duminy, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Paul Harris, 9 Morne Morkel, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Friedel de Wet.With Ian Bell and Alastair Cook finding form just in time at Kingsmead, England have settled their selection issues for the moment. Collingwood should play, but if not Carberry would be a straight swap leaving the four-man attack to pick up where it left off last week. While the extra-bowler is always an option, a series lead and memories of Headingley, where a batsman-light England were trounced, should mean England stick with the balance they have.England: (probable) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Jonathan Trott, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Ian Bell, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Graeme Swann, 10 James Anderson, 11 Graham Onions.Pitch and conditionsAfter the strength-sapping humidity of Durban, Cape Town will prove a far more hospitable venue for both teams and the large new-year crowd that is expected to attend. With three draws in the last 20 outings, the pitch should favour a result. The last Test played here saw Steyn run through Australia’s middle order before three centuries helped take South Africa to a mammoth first-innings 651. Bar two balmy spells in each Test the bat has dominated this series and should do again here.Stats and Trivia Cape Town is very much South Africa’s favourite hunting ground, with 14 wins from 20 Tests since readmission in 1992. England have nothing to take from their experiences, with heavy defeats from each of their past three games there. Jacques Kallis has a good record almost anywhere he plays, but he is particularly fond of Cape Town, amassing 1448 runs from 25 innings there, including a first-innings 149 to set up victory the last time the sides met at Newlands. For a full statistical preview, click here.Quotes”As a team we have prepared well and it’s about following those processes over the next five days. There will be times when the game is on the line, but let’s hope we can manage those breaking points better than England.”

“There have been a lot of people patting and telling us how great we were. It’s important we don’t read too much into that. It’s very much a case of being desperate to win again and I like the feeling in the dressing room at the moment.”