Too tough a Test?
England will miss Pietersen's power on day five, says Shaun
Last Updated: August 19, 2012 10:25pm
Shaun Pollock says Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell will have to play key roles if England are to win at Lord's and maintain their status as the number one Test team on the planet.
England v South Africa
Third Test, day five
10.30am, Mon, Sky Sports 1 HD
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"I suppose this is where the experience and explosiveness of Kevin Pietersen, and the rate he scores at, will be missed."
Shaun Pollock Quotes of the week
The hosts ended day four on 16-2 in their second innings and will require another 330 runs on Monday to take the match, level the series and prevent South Africa from pinching their spot at the top of the world rankings.
Warwickshire duo Trott and Bell will begin proceedings with the bat, and Sky Sports commentator Pollock said: "A lot will depend on how they get on because there is inexperience in the middle order with James Taylor and Jonny Bairstow.
"The total of 346 is a long way off for England; they will be focussed on the first session and seeing what they can do.
Explosiveness
"If they get things right they will then reassess at lunchtime, but I suppose this is where the experience and explosiveness of Kevin Pietersen, and the rate he scores at, will be missed.
"There were probably a few moments on day four where South Africa thought: 'We might be under pressure', but if they can now win this series 2-0 it will show that they have dominated and deserve to be number one in the world."
Michael Atherton believes England are unlikely to claim victory in north-west London and reckons the exploits of South Africa star Vernon Philander have swung the game in the Proteas' favour.
"Only one team has chased more than 300 successfully at Lord's, while 346 would be England's highest ever run chase," said the former England and Lancashire opener. "So England were in uncharted territory even before Philander stuck twice to remove Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook late on day four.
"Philander has played a critical role as his partnership of 54 with JP Duminy in South Africa's second innings took the game out of England's reach, and then he nailed the left handers at the end."
To hear more from Athers, hit the video at the top of the screen.
