By Jason Humphries
DURBAN, Dec 24 - England captain Andrew Strauss
shrugged off criticism from South Africa counterpart Graeme
Smith on Thursday that his team's middle-order was under
pressure heading into the second test.
England clung on to force a draw on the last day of the
first test in Centurion after they lost five wickets for 13 runs
to end on 228 for nine in their second innings.
Smith said the opening test had "raised some question marks"
over England's line-up while South Africa coach Mickey Arthur
singled out opener Alastair Cook and Ian Bell as being under
extra scrutiny.
Strauss said it was foolish to make assumptions after one
match.
"I am very comfortable with our middle-order. Matt Prior has
scored a lot of runs for us in the last 12 months. Paul
Collingwood is in great form and it was only two games ago that
Ian Bell played a fantastic match at The Oval to help us win the
Ashes," Strauss told a news conference on Thursday.
"If he (Smith) wants to base his judgements on one game, I
would always shy away from that myself."
However, Strauss said that England have not ruled out making
changes for the second test which starts at Kingsmead in Durban
on Saturday.
"It is not definite that we will keep the same balance. It
is an option but there would have to be reasonably strong
reasons to change the balance at this stage but we certainly
haven't ruled it out.
"The fundamentals are still the same in as much as you try
and select the best XI to win you a test match and we need to
think what that XI will be."
South Africa are expected to make one change with fast
bowler Dale Steyn likely to be included after missing the first
test because of a tight hamstring.
"Dale is coming along nicely. He bowled 10 overs in the nets
on Wednesday and there has been no comebacks on it," said
Arthur.
"We are sure he will be fit and ready to take his place but
we will wait until Christmas Day to make our final decision."
If Steyn does play then it is probable that paceman Friedel
de Wet will be the player to miss out.
"Myself and Graeme have been very consistent in terms of our
selections. If Dale is fit it could possibly be a straight swap
for Friedel."
(Editing by Justin Palmer; To comment on this story:
sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)