No Room For Gibbs, SA And England Schedule And Squads Shock And Surprise

Herschelle Gibbs’ form, or rather the lack of it, is said to be behind the decision to leave him out of the initial squad announced against England touring South Africa.
The preview of the first Twenty20 International has South African captain, Graeme Smith, surprised as to why Andrew Strauss would choose to forego the opportunity to establish himself in the series by sitting out of the Twenty20 matches. He also believes Andy Flower, the England coach, and the England team itself may go through confused signals with Paul Collingwood leading the side.
Nevertheless, South Africa have a few concerns themselves. They need to prove themselves after the dismal ICC Champions Trophy 2009 at home and the last memory will be that of losing the Test series at home against Australia.
Wayne Parnell’s ankle injuries keep him on the concerned radar. That apart, the team finds no place for the erratic Herschelle Gibbs either. Instead there are new names like Ryan McLaren.
But Strauss may indeed play the Twenty20 should Alastair Cook’s sore throat force England’s hand. But for the moment, there is no such news forthcoming.
South Africa, if Mickey Arthur, South Africa’s coach, is hinting, will see all the players in the squad being given a chance. Without Herschelle Gibbs and Makhaya Ntini, doors are open for a few more spots, although South African team management has hinted that the squad could change as the series wore on.
England are without Steve Harmison but their squad is expected to give South Africa a run for their money. While the Ashes is being marked as the starting pointing, Strauss and his men will know South Africa presents other propositions though traditionally England have not done too badly here.

England’s One Day International team against South Africa:
Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Joe Denly, Sajid Mahmood, Eoin Morgan, Graham Onions, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Luke Wright

England’s Test team against South Africa:

Andrew Strauss (captain), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Paul Collingwood, Steven Davies, Graham Onions, Kevin Pietersen, Liam Plunkett, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Ryan Sidebottom, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Luke Wright

South Africa’s Twenty20 squad against England:
Graeme Smith (captain), Yusuf Abdulla, Loots Bosman, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher (wk), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Jacques Kallis, Heino Kuhn , Charl Langeveldt, Ryan McLaren, Albie Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Dale Steyn, Roelof van der Merwe

South Africa ODI squad against England:
Graeme Smith (capt), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Jacques Kallis, Charl Langeveldt, Ryan McLaren, Albie Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Roelof van der Merwe

England’s tour to South Africa Schedule:

13 Nov: T20I 1 Johannesburg D/N

15 Nov: T20I 2 Centurion

20 Nov: ODI 1 Johannesburg D/N

22 Nov: ODI 2 Centurion

27 Nov: ODI 3 Cape Town D/N

29 Nov: ODI 4 Port Elizabeth

4 Dec: ODI 5 Durban D/N

16-20 Dec: 1st Test Centurion

26-30 Dec: 2nd Test Durban

3-7 Jan 2010: 3rd Test Cape Town

14-18 Jan: 4th Test Johanneburg