Flower's strengths boost England

Mike Atherton, writing in the Times, says Andy Flower's tenure as coach has thus far been a triumph for the side, which was in turmoil following the Pietersen-Moores saga. On the eve of the Cape Town Test, Atherton suggests South Africa have to be more attacking, which is their usual style of play and a means that will help them conquer Graeme Swann.

Flower’s strengths are simple ones: he does not overcomplicate the game; he has the strength of mind to ignore the often shrill voices that accompany the team; he has formed a quite superb working relationship with Andrew Strauss; and he is not what Roy Keane used to call a “bluffer”.

Angus Fraser, in the Independent, agrees that hitting Swann out of the attack is the way to go for South Africa, for the ploy would mean that England's seamers would have to bowl longer spells, thereby reducing their potency.

What makes this situation even more perplexing is that South Africa have Duncan Fletcher, the former England coach, in their ranks. One of Fletcher's greatest assets with England was his ability to coach batsmen to overcome spin bowling. His work helped England complete memorable series victories over Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia.

Duncan Fletcher, in the Guardian, says the heavy workload England's four-man attack has to bear might be their main weakness going into the Cape Town Test. Performances, like in Durban, are difficult to sustain, and the preparation England have undergone in the build-up to the Test will be key to how they perform, he says.

Nassier Hussain thinks England are pretty well equipped to reverse their win-less trend at Newlands. Read his daily dossier in the Daily Mail.