Originally Posted by owen10:
“Im surprised there has not been a post today saying that England won the series because Dale Steyn was not playing”
not sure it would have made a difference.
England would still be 2-0 up because SA batting has been quite poor and very dependent on Amla and De villiers.
Steyn inclusion only really makes a difference if he could take the wickets of Stokes/Root.
Those two have been the key batsman.
Root innings in the first innings was phenomenal, that innings pretty much proved everyone he is destined to be a great batsman.
Before this innings people still had doubts on his play on bouncy/quick pitch because he did in the past have issues with his footwork and would be stuck on the back foot which caused him too struggle in the Ashes down under and pretty much affected him throughout 2013-14 period.
But in this innings he played the SA bowlers with ease and picked the length of the ball so early and the feet, bat and body were in great position and he waited for the ball to arrive.
But saying that barring root and Stokes the other batsman have still got weakness against the pace in these kinds of wickets.