Graham Thorpe

England were terrific in the second one-day international at Centurion and Paul Collingwood was once again instrumental in leading the tourists to victory. Andrew Strauss's side won by seven wickets with 24 balls remaining, and that was largely due to Collingwood's superb 105, with Jonathan Trott's 87 also important.Not only...More

17 comments

Andrew Strauss's return will be huge for England as they have really lacked leadership on the tour so far in his absence - he has a huge bearing on the team now. Strauss (pictured) needs to fill his side with confidence because at Centurion they were very flat and timid, unlike...More

9 comments

England needed to re-jig their batting order to reflect the match situation in the second Twenty20 at Centurion and they showed a distinct lack of flexibility in leaving it set in stone. Alastair Cook's side unfortunately reverted back to their long-standing tendency to stick rigidly with plans, which is not...More

9 comments

I have heard whispers that Joe Denly will be under pressure to score runs early on in the South Africa tour to keep his place - that is ridiculous. When Kevin Pietersen returns there will be an almighty fight for places in that batting line-up, and if anyone is under...More

13 comments

One thing that can never be questioned regarding Jonathan Trott is his mental strength and that should ensure that he is a success in South Africa. Anyone who makes the move to England must possess both a fiercely determined and immensely strong personality.He may not have the same brashness of...More

10 comments

Unlike most people, I genuinely think England are more than capable of beating South Africa in the one-day series. England have always been a confidence side and if the squad can settle quickly then who knows how successful they can be against a South Africa side never lacking in that department.I...More

5 comments

I am very unconvinced by the selection of Alastair Cook in the one-day and Twenty20 squads - it represents a huge gamble from England. It is nothing but a risky move from the management and he has to show something in a coloured England shirt that he has not shown...More

8 comments

The two English sides - Somerset and Sussex - did not set the Champions League on fire, but that was mainly to do with their inexperience of playing Indian conditions. There is not enough international experience in Somerset or Sussex's squads and that has probably counted against them as they crashed out of the inaugural...More

7 comments

Somerset chairman Andy Nash described England's running of the Twenty20 format as like watching Des O'Connor, while in India it resembles an Elvis Presley concert. I vehemently disagree with that kind of assessment. Nash has obviously come back from India on a real high after being there with Somerset, but he is...More

6 comments