Cape Town: South Africa are set to make at least one change in their team as they go into a crucial third Test against England, starting on Sunday. "We're all under pressure," admitted South African coach Mickey Arthur, who said 'tough decisions' would have to be made about the composition of the side following their crushing innings and 98 runs defeat in the second Test in Durban. "We're 1-0 down in the series and we've got to take 20 wickets and win this Test match," said Arthur.
He said: "There may be one change, there may be two." Asked whether veteran fast bowler Makhaya Ntini faced the axe, Arthur said Ntini had not been at his best in Durban, but cautioned that did not necessarily mean the only black African in the squad would be dropped. But he also said that if Ntini won a reprieve it would not be simply because of his status as a standard-bearer for racial transformation. "He's an icon cricketer and you tend to give icon players a longer run because they deserve it."
England, meanwhile, are concerned about the fitness of batsman Paul Collingwood, who suffered a dislocated left index finger during fielding practice in Durban. Coach Andy Flower said Collingwood had made good progress, which included batting in the nets on Friday. "I was pleasantly surprised because we hadn't factored in him batting today," said Flower. "But he's still doubtful. He didn't face the quicker bowlers and he didn't do any robust fielding practice." Flower said a decision would be made after Collingwood was exposed to more rigorous practice on Saturday. He said the final decision would be taken by team management.
South Africa (from): Graeme Smith (captain), Ashwell Prince, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Mark Boucher (wkt), Paul Harris, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini, Friedel de Wet, Alviro Petersen, Ryan McLaren.
England (likely): Andrew Strauss (captain), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood or Michael Carberry or Luke Wright, Ian Bell, Matt Prior (wkt), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Graham Onions.
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