Thursday 28th July, 2011 15 BY FIRDOSE MOONDA over the middle overs of the match with the ball and squeeze Broad returned match figures of Johan Botha, the South the opposition for runs. He seven for 94, not to mention a vital Africa allrounder, has admitted thinks there is still room for 74 not out in the second innings, as to being “disappointed but pre- him to play that role in that he put in his best showing since the pared,” after being stripped of future. “Morne [Morkel], Dale 2009 Ashes. the national Twenty20 captaincy [Steyn] and Imran are all attack- ing bowlers and you can’t only Strauss said: ‘’Stuart was out- earlier this year. Botha was standing. When your place in side is announced as Graeme Smith’s have that. Even though Lopsy [Lonwabo Tsotsobe] can play a called into question it’s a big test of successor to the lead the containing role, he bowls with Strauss believes character as much as anything. Twenty20 team in August last the new ball so batsmen will ‘’Stuart showed immense charac- year and was widely tipped to take him on.” become ODI captain as well, but Botha’s edge may lie in his ter over five days. He bowled very lost out on both jobs when AB all-round ability.“I think my well and his second innings 70 was de Villiers was named captain batting will help me stay in con- crucial to the outcome of the game. in June. tention,” he said. During this He showed his class here and it is a “The captain must be the year’s IPL, Botha was promoted timely reminder to everyone of first pick in the team and with to number three in the batting all the spinners around at the line-up for Rajasthan Royals by what a great talent he is.’’ moment it’s difficult to say who Shane Warne and played some England can rule world England have named an the No.1 is, so I knew it was match-winning knocks. “I don’t unchanged 12 for the second Test in unlikely I would become cap- think I will be able to bat that England captain Andrew Strauss believes outstanding. Nottingham, with Bresnan again tain,” Botha told ESPNCricinfo. high up the order for South joining the side from Lord’s. Africa, because of the quality of England are perfectly placed to seize the ‘’They were five down at tea (on day Botha’s ascendency was forced Chris Tremlett appeared to backward during the 2011 World players we have here, like JP opportunity to leap ahead of India and become five) and we had to work very hard struggle at times with a Cup, when the emergence of Duminy and Colin Ingram, but officially the world’s best team after a thrilling to open up an end. Once we did Pakistan-born legspinner Imran hopefully my performances [in victory in the first of the four Test series that we finished them off brilliant- hamstring niggle, regu- Tahir and the form of left-arm the IPL] put something into between the sides. ly. larly leaving the field after spinner Robin Peterson left him someone’s mind.” With the bowling for attention, but lower middle-order exposed for England lit up the landmark 2000th Test ‘’Looking at our first innings total (474 fighting for his place in the with a fine team performance, declaring in for eight declared), that was a magnificent Strauss confirmed he was starting XI. being brittle at the World Cup, the least it could have done was expected to be fully fit. Botha’s suspicions that he both innings and bowling out India for under performance too. Kevin was mainly give the selectors an idea of how would not be 300 twice to seal a 196-run victory. responsible for that – it was the next cap- There were one of the great innings © The Telegraph tain were con- standout perform- I have seen since Group, London, firmed when ers throughout 2011 Andrew the ranks, with Hudson, con- Kevin Pietersen venor of selec- Was prepared to lose tors, hinted (202no) and Matt that the Prior (103no) contributing appointment crucial knocks and James would aim to Anderson’s five for 65 on the final day cap- promote conti- ping a complete bowling performance. being involved in nuity.“I T20 captaincy - Botha The sides meet again at Trent Bridge on the side.’’ thought they Friday, with the home side knowing they can Strauss also had good reason would look for someone who to strengthen it. would be able to take over from South Africa’s first task of replace India at the top of the ICC rankings by to be pleased with Stuart Broad’s Graeme [Smith] as Test captain the summer will be to take on winning the four-match series by two or more showing in the match. one day and so that would mean Australia, a rivalry that has matches. The seamer was under pres- looking for someone who plays always attracted interest. The ‘’To be number one you have to grab your sure after a slow start to the sum- all three formats, so I knew it last time the two teams played a series, Botha captained South opportunities and I think we did that very well mer against Sri Lanka and many couldn’t be me - I don’t play all in this game,’’ Strauss said. felt that fit-again Tim Bresnan formats,” he said. Botha has Africa to victory in the Twenty20-leg. Botha is looking ‘’It’s the first of a four-match series but deserved a chance to stake his only played in five Tests in his forwarded to playing the career, as a second-spinner, we’ve demonstrated that when we play well claim ahead of Broad. Australians we’re a match for anyone. Now we just have to But Strauss and team director behind Paul again, especially Harris. because they are play well again. Andy Flower showed their faith de likely to have his ‘’We are aware that this is just the opening in England’s new Twenty20 cap- Villiers’ was Royals’ team-mate salvo in the series, but Lord’s is a hard wicket tain and were rewarded by a Andrew Strauss believes England can unveiled as Shane Watson in as the game goes on and the performance was much-improved display. end series against India as officially captain in the mix. “He the best team in the world. (AP) June, when wasn’t in the Botha was side the last overseas, con- time we played tracted as a them and I’ve Twenty20 profes- seen what he sional in the can do; he can United Kingdom by win games county side single-handed- Is T20 eating away at Test cricket? Northamptonshire. ly.” Having almost expected Botha marvelled at BY ANAM ARSALAN Stuart Broad’s all-round effort was it, Botha was able to deal And the reason beats all odds — he shunned something England would boast with his emotions maturely.“I Watson’s It was hyped beyond comparison about for years to come. was busy playing and so I got solo efforts - the 2000th Test in the history of his gloves and took to bowling. Of course the No wonder Strauss was seen say- over the disappointment quick- during the cricket had even non-followers ing, “The series is up there with the ly,”he said. IPL from move earned a few brickbats too when the up-close and stand up and take notice. Ashes.” He is able to acknowledge Meanwhile, India or for that mat- the credentials of his colleague is now back No wonder there was a lot at captain took off his keeping gloves and hand- home and ter BCCI needs to think if the with no malice and is even hop- stake as the No. 1 Test team was up about to shortest form of the game packed to ing he will be able to play a part against the No. 3 Test team. The ed them over to Rahul Dravid and started to embark on the hilt during the cash-rich IPL is in assisting de Villiers. “He is a Test was especially crucial for the an extreme bowl. eating away its players. great player and he will do a statisticians and Sachin solo per- Tendulkar’s fans as it was the 100th Every season the Indian Premier good job. I think it this will real- formance a fiver. first two Tests, was Zaheer Khan ly lift his game,” Botha said. “I Test between India and England League ends up with a few bruised of his own. and Sachin was eyeing his 100 inter- And the reason beats all odds — (hamstring) and Gautam Gambhir players lying by the way side. will give him as much as he can This week- he shunned his gloves and took to (elbow). Gambhir batted on the take. It’s not every day that you national century, even though he Let’s not take into account end, Botha has often said that he does not bowling. final day, but Zaheer, even though India’s tour of the Caribbean - ask for something of the senior will spend chase milestones. Of course the move earned a few he showed up with the bat in sec- which certainly wasn’t up to the players but sometimes you do 24 hours Zaheer Khan last played during brickbats too when the captain took ond innings, would be iffy for the standards of international cricket.