Not only are we situated right at the top of the tallest stand at the famous Wanderers Cricket Ground, but being here on the Highveld in Johannesburg we are already about 2000m above sea level.
We will certainly get an amazing view of what will hopefully be the exciting climax that this series deserves.
This initimidating Wanderers stadium, known as the "Bullring", has often provided moments of high drama down the years.
England have certainly excelled at rearguard action during this series, but it was here of course at the Wanderers back in 1995 where Michael Atherton produced one of the most famous ever "backs-against-the-wall" performances to bat for almost 11 hours in making an unbeaten 185 to save a Test match.
South Africa had declared 477 runs ahead leaving five sessions to bowl England out, but Atherton, with great support from Jack Russell on the final day, pulled off one of the greatest escapes.
It's not only great Test match drama which has taken place at this ground. In March 2006, South Africa produced a miracle to chase Australia's world record 434-4 to win a one-day international here.
An incredible 88 boundaries and 26 sixes were struck that day and the moment when Mark Boucher hit Brett Lee for the winning boundary is represented in a huge mural at the entrance of the Charles Fortune Media Centre.
In 2007, the Wanderers hosted the gripping final of the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 when Pakistan's Misbah-ul-Haq narrowly failed to win a thrilling game in the final over against India. England have enjoyed mixed fortunes in their last couple of Test match visits to this ground. In 2005, Matthew Hoggard took 12 wickets to lead England to an outstanding victory which went a long way to securing a 2-1 series win.
Marcus Trescothick's 180 and a 147 from Andrew Strauss should also not be forgotten while a certain Michael Vaughan scored half centuries, including an unbeaten 82 in the first innings.
Vaughan, who will be watching this match from the Test Match Special commentary box, also has special memories of England's previous Wanderers Test.
Vaughan was one of those players who made his debut in the Johannesburg Test of 1999 and famously watched on at the non-striker's end as England collapsed to 2-4 at one stage. England eventually lost that game, but Vaughan's battling innings of 33 when wickets were tumbling at the other end was viewed as an early sign of his talent at the highest level.
During this Test we will be looking back on that 1999 game, hearing from the likes of Allan Donald, who took 11 wickets in the game, Duncan Fletcher, who was in charge of England for the first time, and Vaughan among others.
Also during the intervals we will bring you a fascinating interview with Monty Panesar who is in Johannesburg playing domestic cricket for the Highveld Lions. Monty will be speaking about how the experience has changed him not just as a cricketer but as a person and how he has absolutely no doubts that he will play Test cricket again.
During the lunch interval on Saturday, we will be joined by ECB chairman Giles Clarke, who always has an interesting opinion on the game.
Jonathan Agnew will again be joined for this Test by Christopher Martin-Jenkins and Johannesburg resident Gerald De Kock, with Geoff Boycott and Vic Marks joining Michael Vaughan as expert summarisers.
Coverage gets under way on Thursday morning at 0815 GMT on Five Live Sports Extra with Radio Four long wave listeners joining us at 0900 following "Yesterday in Parliament".
As always Aggers and Boycott will present their Test Match Special podcast at the conclusion of each day's play. Keep on eye on Twitter @AGGERSCRICKET for the latest titbits from the commentary box whilst the TMS Flickr site will have pictures from behind the scenes.
After the events of Centurion and Newlands I cannot promise you a relaxing listen, but it should certainly be an entertaining one and it would be quite an achievement if England can beat a team ranked as the world's best 12 months ago in their own backyard.
No comments:
Post a Comment