South Africa's batsmen may have returned to form in Cape Town, but the Analyst believes the tourists' attack will be the more potent at altitude
After being soundly trounced in Durban, South Africa painstakingly recovered their composure in Cape Town, and arrive at the third test in Johannesburg with a slight spring in their step.
Struggling batsmen Hashim Amla, Tembo Bavuma and Faf du Plessis all made big scores and, equally significantly, Amla has relinquished the captaincy to AB de Villiers.
The right man has got the job by default and takes charge for the pivotal Test of the series.
The Wanderers ground is always a major challenge for visiting teams.
The atmosphere in the Bull Ring can be as hostile as the business on the field, where the mood changes quickly and matters can get rapidly out of control.
This is largely due to the altitude – 5500ft above sea level – making the ball fly faster off pitch or bat.
The surface tends to be seamer-friendly and England must focus on the fact that, with South Africa’s spearhead Dale Steyn definitely ruled out again, their four-pronged seam attack is more potent than that of the home side.
Steven Finn was outstanding in Cape Town for little reward.
Discipline is crucial to success on this pitch, particularly in not being suckered into bowling too short by the sight of deliveries soaring through to the keeper at shoulder height because of the thinner air.
The ball whizzes off the bat, too, and with a fast outfield, runaway batsmen can be hard to rein in.
South Africa have the advantage of four key players – De Villiers, Du Plessis, Morne Morkel and Chris Morris – who all play most of their cricket at this altitude and are familiar with the conditions.
The hosts still have some major concerns though, particularly their opening combination of Dean Elgar and Stiaan van Zyl who have only managed one 50 partnership in seven attempts, with Van Zyl averaging 8 since being pushed up to open.
The inexperience in their bowling line-up, lacking the injured Steyn and Vernon Philander, is also an important factor.
Assuming Nick Compton [and Alex Hales] recovers from the stomach bug that has swept through the team and media, England will be unchanged and rightly so.
There is a more reassuring solidity about their batting than there has been for some time – they made 629–6 declared without a significant contribution from Alastair Cook whose movements at the crease look a little stuttery.
Perhaps the bouncier conditions in Johannesburg will suit him.
Apart from the brilliant Ben Stokes at No. 6, depth is also provided by Jonny Bairstow at No. 7 whose series average currently stands at exactly 150 having not been dismissed in either innings in Cape Town.
The one major flaw in England’s performance last week was their catching. They dropped at least seven genuine chances, and slip-catching will be a crucial ingredient at the Wanderers.
Bairstow has missed the odd chance, too.
The added problem is that slip catching at the Wanderers is tricky as the ball flies higher and faster into the cordon than at most grounds.
Players like De Villiers and Amla don’t offer many opportunities.
England must practice hard and get their slip-catching personnel right – Stokes, the most athletic catcher in the team, must feature prominently. He will be a key man in all respects.
The series is beautifully poised, and it is sure to be a highly-charged match, although frequent thunderstorms at this time of year are liable to interrupt the flow.
The outcome is hard to call, but if England catch well then their bowling superiority should be telling.
