IT SEEMS perverse that the focus of today's third and final international, which will decide who will be the best test-playing nation in the world, is dominated by an England player who is not even in the squad.
The Kevin Pietersen saga will not go away, much to the frustration of England captain Andrew Strauss, who starts his 100th test match today at Lord's. It is also his 50th as captain, but none can have been more fraught and so distracted by internal politics.
Strauss puts on a brave face but there is no getting away from the fact that their middle order will be more fragile. Jonny Bairstow, brought in for Pietersen, cannot help but feel intense pressure, especially if he is expected to play at No4. Likewise for young James Taylor, who acquitted himself well on debut in Leeds with a resolute 34, but the stakes are so much higher here.
Even more pressing for the England selectors is the dynamics of their attack, for they will have to take 20 wickets against a batting line-up that can weather the storm in any conditions.
In the meantime, Graeme Smith prepares for his 94th test as skipper, overtaking Australia's Allan Border as longest-serving captain.
KP saga drags on sans protagonist
IT SEEMS perverse that the focus of today's third and final international, which will decide who will be the best test-playing nation in the world, is dominated by an England player who is not even in the squad.
The Kevin Pietersen saga will not go away, much to the frustration of England captain Andrew Strauss, who starts his 100th test match today at Lord's. It is also his 50th as captain, but none can have been more fraught and so distracted by internal politics.
Strauss puts on a brave face but there is no getting away from the fact that their middle order will be more fragile. Jonny Bairstow, brought in for Pietersen, cannot help but feel intense pressure, especially if he is expected to play at No4. Likewise for young James Taylor, who acquitted himself well on debut in Leeds with a resolute 34, but the stakes are so much higher here.
Even more pressing for the England selectors is the dynamics of their attack, for they will have to take 20 wickets against a batting line-up that can weather the storm in any conditions.
In the meantime, Graeme Smith prepares for his 94th test as skipper, overtaking Australia's Allan Border as longest-serving captain.
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