Strauss leads charge but bowling doubts remain | England vs South Africa 2009

On the start of what will surely be a long and gruelling tour, Andrew Strauss led by example with an unbeaten 117 to guide England to victory against the somewhat unnervingly titled Warriors in their second warm-up game.

I have to admit I had my doubts as to whether Strauss could juggle the responsibility that comes with captaincy and maintain his form with the bat. I'm happy to say that I've been emphatically proven wrong time and time again. If anything his batting has improved with the extra responsibility and he showed his skills again at Kimberley, hitting ten fours and a six in his 119 ball innings.

Before we get too excited this was against average opposition, though they put up more of a challenge than the Eagles did last Friday. But cause for concern was the failure of openers Jimmy Anderson and Tim Bresnan to strike in their combined 19 overs. Adil Rashid and the recalled Sajid Mahmood were also expensive, prompting me again to wonder whether the side has the depth of bowling required to take 22 wickets in a Test match consecutively - Stuart Broad and Graham Onions were injured for this game remember. The one bowler who did rescue the day was Graeme Swann, taking 3-26 of his 10 overs. I feel Swann is England's most improved player over the past 18 months, cementing his place in the side with a consistent spells of tight and disciplined spin bowling to improve Englands cricket odds

With the bat, Strauss aside, there are also signs of promise. Eoin Morgan seems to be growing into the international scene along with Joe Denley, while Jonathan Trott is playing like a seasoned International veteran. Let’s not forget Kevin Pietersen, who hopes to be back for the one-day matches after completing his rehabilitation from that nasty achilles injury.

All these and more will have to be their best to beat a very accomplished South African side on their own turf. But given the trials, trauma and tribulations off last year’s winter cricket tour , it is just nice to be talking about matters on the field again rather than petty political squabbles off it.

By Tom Mallows