ENGLAND TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA, 2019-20 by Rob Johnston • Published on ShareTweet Anderson has played just one Test since the tour to the Caribbean at the start of this year © Getty Jonny Bairstow, James Anderson and Mark Wood have been recalled to England's Test squad for the four-match series in South Africa which begins on Boxing Day. There is no place in the 17 man party, however, for Moeen Ali who continues to have a break from the Test arena. England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dominic Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood Bairstow was dropped for the tour to New Zealand last month after a poor Ashes series, during which he averaged just 23.77 across the five Tests. Given his pedigree, his omission was always likely to be temporary and Ed Smith, the chief … [Read more...] about England recall Anderson, Wood, Bairstow for South Africa Tests
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England vs South Africa: Anderson, Wood, Bairstow return to Lions’ squad
Anderson, who sustained a right calf tear during the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in August, is currently involved in a dedicated fast-bowling camp in Cape Town along with Wood. Quick bowler Wood is recovering from a left-knee injury and side strain sustained during the ICC World Cup 2019 final in July. He last played Test cricket in February, where he was named player of the match in England's last victory away from home against the West Indies in St Lucia taking six wickets in the match. Bairstow, currently working on his batting at the camp in Cape Town, returns to the squad having missed out on selection in the recent two-Test series in New Zealand. Saqib Mahmood, misses out on selection having been part of the Test tour of New Zealand. Commenting on the selection of the squad, National Selector Ed Smith, said: "With James Anderson and Mark Wood returning to the squad, Saqib Mahmood is the unfortunate player to miss out. "It is not predicted that Mark (Wood) will be available for … [Read more...] about England vs South Africa: Anderson, Wood, Bairstow return to Lions’ squad
Graeme Smith Set To Become Cricket South Africa’s Director Amid Crisis
Graeme Smith had earlier turned down the role of Cricket South Africa's director. © Twitter Graeme Smith is set to become Cricket South Africa's director of cricket, according to CSA president Chris Nenzani, but South African cricket's crisis continued, with Nenzani and his remaining board members refusing to heed calls to resign. Tony Irish, chief executive of the SA Cricketers Association (SACA), which called on Friday for Nenzani and the entire board to resign, said in a tweet: "Appalled that the president and board of CSA have taken no responsibility for cricket's biggest crisis. Now clinging to power."Asked for clarification, Irish described his tweet as "my initial reaction."He said SACA was likely to make a detailed response on Sunday or Monday.Nenzani said that he had spoken to Smith on Saturday morning."I am happy to announce that we have engaged Graeme Smith and I am confirming that by next week Wednesday all of the negotiations around the contract terms that need to … [Read more...] about Graeme Smith Set To Become Cricket South Africa’s Director Amid Crisis
Amid Crisis, Graeme Smith Set to Become South Africa’s Director of Cricket
Amidst ongoing turmoil in Cricket South Africa (CSA), former captain Graeme Smith is all to take up his new role of CSA’s director of cricket, according to president Chris Nenzani. As per the report in Sport24, Smith will be unveiled as the new director of cricket at CSA by Wednesday next week. The crisis in South African cricket continued with voices to remove current president Nenzani grew louder following a disastrous week for the organization. On Saturday, Cricket South Africa appointed Dr Jacques Faul as acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Faul replaces Thabang Moroe who was suspended on Friday after allegations of misconduct. Faul is currently CEO of the Titans, the franchise based at SuperSport Park and has acted as CSA head before. The announcement came right before the start of bumper summer against England on home soil in less than three weeks. South Africa are scheduled to host England for the four-match Test series, beginning with the Boxing Day Test (December … [Read more...] about Amid Crisis, Graeme Smith Set to Become South Africa’s Director of Cricket
Why South Africa’s born-free generation is not happy
A new black consciousness movement is emerging in South Africa 21 years after its first democratic elections - most recently seen in nationwide student protests. The BBC's Alastair Leithead considers if this marks the end of the idea of the "rainbow nation".The trendy bars and clubs of Braamfontein in downtown Johannesburg are not the melting pots of race and culture you might have expected. Most places are all white or all black. The coming together of the nation Nelson Mandela worked so hard for appears to have stalled.The "rainbow nation" he spoke so much about is being seen as a failed project by many young, particularly black, South Africans.The voices are loud and while not all are predicting doom, they are demanding change. More change than South Africa has given them in its first 21 years of democracy.Born free, pay laterWhy now? Perhaps it is because the first generation of those black South Africans who were "born free" - after the end of apartheid in 1994 - are coming of … [Read more...] about Why South Africa’s born-free generation is not happy