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England eye Durban glory

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 23/12/2009
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England travel to Durban ahead of their second Test against South Africa hoping that their final day first Test wobbles will be cast to one side.

The next stage of the series begins on Boxing Day after the visitors churned out a draw in the opening showdown at Centurion.

Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott had helped them to a healthy position with a stalemate looming large, but after wickets fell at regular intervals, England held on by the skin of their teeth.

Can England claim victory in the second Test at Durban? - Latest Cricket Betting

Pietersen, until his moment of madness that resulted in him giving his wicket away chasing a needless single, had looked in fine touch as he made 81 and his South African compatriot Trott has given reason for optimism.

Trott's painstaking 69 helped England stay in the contest for much of the morning and through to tea before the near capitulation.

Paul Collingwood and Graham Onions survived a late onslaught as the Proteas failed to land the tenth wicket that would have resulted in an opening win and England's late resoluteness should be taken as a positive going into the second Test.

Ian Bell's demise continued during the first Test and his abject performances must result in omission for the Durban clash.

Scoring just five and two in his two innings, his position has to be under scrutiny once again.

A likely replacement could be Luke Wright, who offers panache with the bat and is also a bowling option, but if captain Andrew Strauss and the selectors opt for the extra bowler, Ryan Sidebottom, Liam Plunkett could be considered.

Spin option Adil Rashid may also be in the reckoning, but this seems unlikely.

Graeme Swann, who impressed with bat and ball, will be hoping for another startling display and potential all-rounder Stuart Broad will be looking to be in the headlines for the right reasons after his acts of petulance on the field.

Strauss, despite his dismissal for one in the second innings, looks in fine form although fellow opener Alastair Cook looks under pressure and he needs a big score.

Collingwood never seems to let his country down and his dogged showings come as no surprise and wicket-keeper Matt Prior has to offer more support with the bat.

James Anderson offered excellent support with the bat, which surprised many.

He will be England's main spearhead attack bowler once again and with Graeme Smith, Jacques Kalls, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers to dismiss at Durban, Anderson and his team-mates will have a tough task ahead of them if they are to grab a priceless win.

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