Pitch, Stokes and brass bands: South Africa v England talking points

South Africa and England meet in third Test, starting at St George's Park from Thursday with series delicately poised at 1-1. South Africa won opening Test by 107 runs at Centurion while England claimed second by 189 runs in Cape Town.

pitch

St George's Park has long been regarded as having one of slowest, lowest pitches among South Africa's Test venues. In recent times, however, ground staff have tried to get more pace from surface and have usually left a fair covering of grass to offer some help to fast bowlers. Two seasons ago Kagiso Rabada was man of match in an ill-tempered Test against Australia, with fast bowler picking up ten wickets as well as a Test ban, later overturned on appeal, for bumping shoulders with Steve Smith. Last season, though, South Africa suffered one of ir most embarrassing home defeats when y went down to Sri Lanka, who completed a 2-0 series win. England last played a Test in Port Elizabeth in 2004/05 when Michael Vaughan's team won first Test on way to a 2-1 series victory.

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Batting frailties

Both teams have relatively inexperienced, potentially vulnerable batting line-ups. re were question marks about England's top three but with exception of first innings of first Test y have blunted South Africa's new-ball threat with minimal dam. It was a blow for England when Rory Burns, who made 84 in second innings of first Test, was injured ahead of second match but Dom Sibley stepped up with an important century while Joe Denly has been solid at number three without going on to a big score. South Africa's problems have been at three and four, where Zubayr Hamza and captain Faf du Plessis have yet to have a major impact on series. South Africa are short on destructive flair in ir batting line-up, placing much reliance on wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock to take fight to English bowlers.

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Stokes factor

Ben Stokes had an immense influence on second Test at Newlands, with impact of his batting and bowling exceeding his statistics. South Africa's all-rounders, Vern Philander and Dwaine Pretorius, are less flamboyant, especially with bat, although Philander's bowling has potential to be pivotal if he gets some help from pitch.

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Bowling conundrums

twithstanding Rabada's feats in 2017/18, spin bowlers generally expect some help from St George's Park pitch. But neir side has a likely slow-bowling match-winner. Keshav Maharaj bowled tidily for South Africa in first innings at Newlands but figures of two for 160 in second innings revived memories of a poor tour of India towards end of last year when his six wickets cost 85.66 runs each.

Dom Bess, t part of original touring group, did an adequate job for England, bowling ecomically but picking up only one wicket in each innings. First-choice spinner Jack Leach has yet to appear on tour after falling ill soon after arrival. He may be back in contention for a place in starting line-up. South Africa will look for more consistent hostility from Rabada, while Anrich rtje, fastest bowler on eir side, will be keen to impress on his first Test appearance in his home town. Jofra Archer is expected to be fit again after missing second Test with an elbow injury and will probably slot back into England team following side injury which put James Anderson, England's best bowler at Newlands, out of tour.

Crowd support

A total of 68,662 spectators created a vibrant atmosphere at Newlands but anecdotal evidence suggests that around 40,000 of m were backing England. With ground capacity reduced because of building work, local followers found most of tickets had been snapped up by tour operators, with Cape Town being a particularly attractive destination for England's travelling supporters. Port Elizabeth has pleasant beaches and is near to game reserves but is t quite in same league as a drawcard for tourists. Neverless some 5,500 tickets were sold in advance for first day and it is likely most of those were bought on behalf of England fans, with locals generally preferring to turn up on day. St George's Park brass band, with ir ability to get local supporters singing and swaying in old main stand, will provide a uniquely South African flavour to Test match. 

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