South Africa vs England 2015-16, 4th Test at Centurion, Preview: Wounded Proteas play for pride after surrendering series

South Africa and England face off in the fourth and final game of the four-Test series at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, with the first day to take place on Friday, January 22. The status of the final game has been reduced to that of dead rubber, with England already having gained an unassailable 2-0 series lead with a crushing seven-wicket victory in the third Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. Given the form that they are in right now, England are favourites to finish victors in the series with a 3-0 scoreline, although the Proteas will give everything that they can in order to salvage some pride at the end of the series. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: South Africa vs England 2015-16, 4th Test at Centurion

The South Africans will once again go without the services of premier fast bowler Dale Steyn, who is yet to recover from the shoulder injury that he sustained in the first Test and has not played since. Thus, Morne Morkel is expected to lead the attack once again in the series, with Kagiso Rabada and Chris Morris certain to play alongside. With Hardus Viljoen released from the squad, it remains to be seen whether the Proteas opt for another all-seam attack like the one at Jo’burg by including Kyle Abbott, or whether they bring Dane Piedt back into the side.

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Among the other major changes for South Africa is that of Stephen Cook’s inclusion, who is all set to open the innings for the hosts following the release of the under-fire Stiaan van Zyl from the South African squad after a string of disappointing performances in the last two Test series’ against India and England respectively. Quinton de Kock too has been declared fit for the final Test after missing out on a freak injury in the third game,  which had caused Dane Vilas to fly to Johannesburg on an emergency mode and reach the venue 45 minutes after the start of play. With Vilas released for domestic duties, de Kock is certain to don the wicketkeeping gloves as well.

With the series already in their kitty, England might be inclined towards giving some of the untested members of their squad a chance in the final game. Lanky pacer Steven Finn, who has been the second-highest wicket-taker in the ongoing series, has been ruled out of the final Test and is doubtful for the limited-overs fixtures of this tour. That could signal the possibility of the inclusion of the likes of Chris Woakes, Chris Jordan or the uncapped Mark Footitt.

Squads:

South Africa: AB de Villiers (c), Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Temba Bavuma, JP Duminy, Quinton de Kock (wk), Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Morne Morkel, Chris Morris, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl, Hardus Viljoen.

England: Alastair Cook (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jos Buttler (wk), Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Nick Compton, Steven Finn, Mark Footitt, Alex Hales, Chris Jordan, Samit Patel, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Taylor, Chris Woakes.

Time: (10:30 local | 08:30 GMT | 14:00 IST)

(Amit Banerjee, a reporter at CricketCountry, takes keen interest in photography, travelling, technology, automobiles, food and, of course, cricket. He can be followed on Twitter via his handle @akb287)