England A in South Africa 2015.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Deeb has a good fca too, and is experienced. Gudgeon is SA U19. And though the other two are limited in experience, they weren't carted when they did play.

[Dr Cricket]

Dunno. Matthew Arnold (I like Dover Beach), who is going for a few, has a good fca.

But don't most of the players play for the provincial cricket which is not the same standard as the first class franchise competition.

The 3 proper first class matches will be the real test assuming South africa pick a strong team and play in proper stadiums/pitches.
India have in the past had A tours to South Africa/Australia out of season in the smaller grounds and the pitches were totally different to the test grounds or normal pitches expected in those countries.
Shikar Dhawan got a very quick double hundred in one of the games.

[Aidan11]

Trotty batting now.

[Dr Cricket]

Trott out early trying to poke it through third man but edges it to the keeper.

[Aidan11]

Just hope that hasn't knocked his confidence.

[Arthur Crabtree]

They've all played for Gauteng in the Sunfoil three day cup, which is a first class competition by looks of it. They are then divided into smaller groups for the Sunfoil challenge. I don't understand how it works, but Gauteng seem to be one of 14 fc teams.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Vince out for seven. Jonny Bairstow in now.

[Aidan11]

HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERE'S JONNY!

[Arthur Crabtree]

Six Yorkshire players in this side. A seventh, Ballance was withdrawn.

[Dr Cricket]

They've all played for Gauteng in the Sunfoil three day cup, which is a first class competition by looks of it. They are then divided into smaller groups for the Sunfoil challenge. I don't understand how it works, but Gauteng seem to be one of 14 fc teams.

it is a first class competition but it is more of 2nd division/ top end club cricket standard cricket.
none of the players that feature in the 4 day comp would play for the teams in the provincial team it acts like a feeder for the 6 first class teams in the sunfoil series.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/sunfoil-ser ... 36121.html

TBH South africa do have the weirdest domestic cricket structure.
I believe the provincial teams are similar to Australia Club cricket system.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/southafrica ... 18124.html

It sounds like the players are amateurs/semi professional.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I guess it's Ballance's absence from the squad that makes the batting a bit light.

[Making_Splinters]

With Lyth and Robson both making tons, it makes the question of who will open against the West Indies a little more complicated. Lees also making runs adds even more to the mix, though I would hazard a guess he is below both Robson and Lyth in the pecking order.

I don't know what it is with Vince, he's a fantastic talent but never makes the most of his oportunities with the Lions. A touch saddened to see Trott out so cheaply.

[Making_Splinters]

Will Lyth and Taylor be close to Test spots this year?

Lyth very much so, he's next in if Robson fails or quite possibly inked in to open already. Taylor has a tougher deal as Root, Ali and Ballance have earnt their spots and will be given a decent run.

[andy]

good to see both openers scoring runs..i personally would like to see Robson open in the carribean, but compeltely understand if the selectors go with Lyth

[rich1uk]

without being seen to continue the cook witch-hunt one of the reasons almost everyone was happy to see him continue in tests last year despite his struggles was the lack of viable alternatives as opener

with lyth, lees and robson all making runs here and would obviously need to sustain this, one warm-up game means next to nothing, if they do continue piling on the runs then maybe his spot starts to come under pressure from a batting perspective as well