England Face Strong Criticism After SA Steamroll Them In Second Test

England had a great start to the four match test series against South Africa, winning the first test comfortably under new captain Joe Root. England was expected to dominate the second test as the South African squad would be without their young fast bowler Kagiso ‘KG’ Rabada who was suspended.

However the South Africans looked a different side under the leadership of captain Faf Du Plessis who skipped the first test due to personal reasons. Du Plessis made 69 vital runs in the second innings but it was his presence on the field that appeared to give the Proteas a much needed boost.

England lost the second test by 340 runs after they were bowled out in the first innings for 205 and would then collapse in their second innings for just 133.

This is England’s seventh loss in ten tests and new captain Joe Root is already feeling the pressure as a number of ex-England captains have lashed out at the current squad.

Michael Vaughn, Nasser Hussain and Geoff Boycott said that performance of the England squad in test cricket over the last year and a half has been poor. Vaughn felt that one of the reasons their performances in test cricket has suffered is because England have started concentrating on T20 cricket and it is influencing the way they play test cricket.

England & Wales Cricket Board

Joe Root has great respect for Vaughn but felt that the criticism was unfair and was very surprised that Vaughn had lashed out at the team. Root has played exceptionally well in the test series so far but at the end of the day, he needs his openers and the middle order to fire consistently. The series is now tied at 1-1 and the third test will take place on 27th July at the Oval.

England will most likely be forced to make a couple of changes going into the third test. There are injury concerns surrounding Gary Ballance and Mark Wood who both have failed to impress so far. South Africa will definitely make one change as KG Rabada will return for the third test and will most likely replace Duanne Olivier.

The Proteas will be high on confidence and their only concerns will be the form of opener Heino Kuhn but it is very likely that the South Africans will give him another chance at the top of the order during the third test.