England in SAffer.

[ianp1970]

Rumours Steyn is out of the first Test.

http://www.bdlive.co.za/sport/cricket/2 ... gland-test

Given the rather less than stellar batting support for Amla and de Villiers at present , a SA team lacking Steyn would seem to offer England at least an opportunity to get a good start in the Test Series...

Of course that requires England to be on the ball from the start of the tour - something they've not always managed in recent years. Incentive is there though.

Just a couple of 3-day warm-ups. Not sure that is enough to get into form for a key first match...

[Arthur Crabtree]

Sam Billings has been left out of the ODI side for the tour of SA. Liam Plunkett has been left out despite doing well in UAE. Ben Stokes is back.

[Arthur Crabtree]

England limited-overs squads
ODI squad

Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Taylor, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes

T20 squad

Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, David Willey, Chris Woakes, James Vince

Lions one-day squad (v Pakistan A, UAE)

James Vince (capt), Dawid Malan, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Tom Westley, Joe Clarke, Sam Billings (Kent) Ross Whiteley, Ben Foakes, Liam Dawson, Stephen Parry, Liam Plunkett, Tom Curran, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Toby Roland-Jones, Jake Ball

From cricinfo. Steve Parry also dropped.

[m@tt]

No need for 3 spinners which is why Parry isnt there. Still likely to make the World T20 squad though with it being in India.

Plunkett apparently hasn't trained well. Would still much rather have him than Jordan in any squad.

[westoelad]

Anderson a doubt for 1st test with groin strain.

[hopeforthebest]

Anderson a doubt for 1st test with groin strain.

Calf and groin problems, he'll be lucky to be fit for the second test as well.

[Slipstream]

Anderson a doubt for 1st test with groin strain.

Groin? I thought it was a stiff calf.

[The Professor]

To while away the time until Boxing Day morning....what is your favourite memory of a SA/Eng game?

[hopeforthebest]

My memory of SA is in England, not in detail but a impression, when a 21 year old Graeme Smith arrived and put our bowlers to the sword.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Atherton v Donald at Trent Bridge.

Hoggy at Joburg.

Tres at Joburg. That tour in general.

Athers at Joburg...

The last wicket draws last time around.

For SA, maybe Smith's winning knock at Edgbaston. Lucky, some might say, but the epitome of a captain's knock.

Gary Kisten's long double ton to draw in Durban.

Many others!

[Arthur Crabtree]

Harmi coming back and winning the dead rubber in 08... under KP.

Not, all those captains Smith finished off!

[Arthur Crabtree]

To while away the time until Boxing Day morning....what is your favourite memory of a SA/Eng game?

Yerself?

[Gingerfinch]

The farcical 92 world cup semi, and watching Smith score 277 at Edgbaston.

[ianp1970]

To while away the time until Boxing Day morning....what is your favourite memory of a SA/Eng game?

Switching on the radio and hearing the score being 4 for 2

I thought "*modded*, that's a bad start but we can recover from losing the openers and still post a decent score..."

...it was only a while later when they ran through the dismissals it dawned on me that Southern Hemisphere commentators announce the wickets fisrt

[The Professor]

To while away the time until Boxing Day morning....what is your favourite memory of a SA/Eng game?

Yerself?

Quite enjoyed Onions and Collingwood in 3rd test in 09/10