England A in South Africa 2015.

[rich1uk]

I know interest of this tour will be high in this forum or to die hard cricket fans but I am a bit surprise that many journalist have taken interest in the warm up games to the actual A game.

I hope people don't look at this game solely to make their point to get players selected and actually look at the whole tour the 2 test matches and if they do play ODI the ODI games.

Bit surprised they only got 2 test games and 5 odi would have though 3 test and 3 odi would be a better schedule for A tours.

given warmup games before full tours rather than A team tours tend not to get taken that seriously I wouldn't expect people to do that at all , my own comments earlier in the thread about having possible alternatives for an opener spot were very much caveated around lyth, lees and robson having to sustain runs over the medium-long term , altho one of them at least will obviously be in the side in the WI

[Arthur Crabtree]

Bit surprised they only got 2 test games and 5 odi would have though 3 test and 3 odi would be a better schedule for A tours.

Maybe warming up reserves for wc.

[m@tt]

Haven't heard from you since your 25th birthday Matt. Hope you are ok.

26th actually (I'd say sadly, but I know I'm a lot younger than many other posters so shouldn't complain!). Was in London for New Year's so didn't get a chance to visit CMS.

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Being a warm-up, the Lions' opponent don't seem the strongest. But good to see a couple of centuries for the openers. Wood got 4 wickets - Broad specifically praised him in his Mail article and I've heard a few other bloggers mention him.

[m@tt]

With all the talk about pressure on Cook, Bell is slipping under the radar or a bit. His ODI place is very uncertain and he will need to bat well in the Tests. If he doesn't pass 8,000 Test runs within the next 12 months there'll soon be another Bell debate on here and elsewhere. I'm just wondering whether the new addition to his family and the touring will affect him.

https://www.facebook.com/IanBellOfficial?fref=nf

Well he's in the World Cup squad. England may well go with him to partner Moeen. The logic being that (1) he is a reliable run scorer (if not a reliable match winner) in this format, (2) Hales hasn't made many ODI runs yet nor is he doing much in the Big Bash, and (3) Moeen is hitting from ball one so the other opener doesn't need to be gung-ho as well (not that Hales tends to hit from ball one).

If Bell doesn't play at the WC, then I'm sure they'll move him on after the World Cup.

[Making_Splinters]

Bell's time as an ODI cricketer is probably up in the next 12 months. Should England have a poor World Cup, Bell is an easy scape goat. Should England win the World Cup, Bell will retire from ODI cricket.

[Aidan11]

50 for Trott

He's even hit a rare six.

[rich1uk]

nice to see billings get a chance

would love to see someone who is capable of the sort of batting we saw from him in the one day cup last year being able to develop as a first class batsmen as well

[Aidan11]

Our bowlers are sharing the wickets as we head for what should be an easy victory.

[Aidan11]

There's a storm approaching so the teams have called it off early as a draw.

[Dr Cricket]

South African A squad announced.

Justin Ontong (Nashua Cape Cobras, captain), Temba Bavuma (bizhub Highveld Lions), Gihahn Cloete (Chevrolet Knights), Theunis de Bruyn (The Unlimited Titans), Marchant de Lange (The Unlimited Titans), Beuran Hendricks (Nashua Cape Cobras), Reeza Hendricks (Chevrolet Knights), Rory Kleinveldt (Nashua Cape Cobras), Eddie Leie (bizhub Highveld Lions), Ryan McLaren (Sunfoil Dolphins), Chris Morris (bizhub Highveld Lions), Dane Piedt (Nashua Cape Cobras), Andrew Puttick (Nashua Cape Cobras), Kagiso Rabada (bizhub Highveld Lions), Rudi Second (Chevrolet Knights), Stiaan van Zyl (Nashua Cape Cobras).

looks like a strong squad.
Although not sure I like the 2nd ground doesn't that ground usually take turn would be could prep for WI test though since it very similar to those found in the Caribbean.

One day squad:
South Africa A one-day squad: Justin Ontong (Nashua Cape Cobras, captain), Theunis de Bruyn (The Unlimited Titans), Marchant de Lange (The Unlimited Titans), Dean Elgar (The Unlimited Titans), Simon Harmer (Chevrolet Warriors), Beuran Hendricks (Nashua Cape Cobras), Reeza Hendricks (Chevrolet Knights), Eddie Leie (bizhub Highveld Lions), Ryan McLaren (Sunfoil Dolphins), Chris Morris (bizhub Highveld Lions), Kagiso Rabada (bizhub Highveld Lions), Mthokozisi Shezi (Nashua Cape Cobras), Stiaan van Zyl (Nashua Cape Cobras), Dane Vilas (Nashua Cape Cobras), Khaya Zondo (Sunfoil Dolphins).

[Arthur Crabtree]

Rudi Second would attract interest from the writers of Naked Gun.

[Arthur Crabtree]

'Test' starts tomorrow.

[andy]

[westoelad]

Being pedantic but why are these labelled "unofficial" tests. What's unofficial about them?

[Aidan11]

Being pedantic but why are these labelled "unofficial" tests. What's unofficial about them?

They could have just called them something like "A" tests seeing as the Lions are effectively an "A" team. Like U19 Tests.