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Proteas, pretty in pink
Yesterday’s ODI was devoted to breast cancer awareness and boy did they do a good job.
Lonwabo Tsotsobe is congratulated by teammates after the dismissal of Pakistan’s Nasir Jamshed
No contest
The first test of the three match series started on Friday, February 1st, Graeme Smith’s 32nd birthday. It also marked the 100th time that ‘Biff’ had captained a test team, (99 SA, 1 world XI) what a remarkable achievement!
Other captains noted for their longevity in the job include Border (93), Fleming (80), Ponting (77), Lloyd (74)
Smith won the toss and decided to bat, it’s never easy on the first day up at The Wanderers, Protea’s wickets fell at regular intervals but I was buoyed by a comment from Andrew Samson that an average first innings score up there was ‘only’ 260. Average is rarely good enough but I was reasonably satisfied with our 253 at the end of the day.
Who could possibly have predicted yesterday morning’s carnage Pakistan 49 all out! Just slightly better than NZ’s 45 last month and Oz’s 47 in Cape Town (Nov 2011.)
S.A. ended the day on 207/3, a lead of 411.
A bit more batting practice for our middle order today, improve those averages, get some time at the crease, build confidences where necessary and then unleash Steyn, Philander, Morkel and (perhaps) Kallis.
Play resumes at 10:30 our time (08:30gmt)
SA vs NZ St. George’s
Today’s the day, our first test at St George’s park since 2007 and only our fourth since 2000!
That’s Graeme Smith and Morne Morkel at yesterday’s practice on the left (pic espncricinfo)
Entry to the ground is R30 (£2) I’ll be buying my ticket at the gate, as usual there is absolutely no public transport provided nor parking close by, my modus operandi today is to park and meet a couple of mates at a nearby restaurant (perhaps a mile away) and the owner has kindly volunteered to drop us off at the gate.
I do like to watch the first ball, its a 10.30 (08.30gmt) start.
Cannon fodder
Picture espncricinfo.com
They say that there’s a first time for everything, today is certainly the first time that I’ve sat down and watched a complete innings of test cricket over breakfast and 2 cups of coffee!
Reminiscent of that famous demolition of Australia back in 2011 (also at Newlands, 47 all out, 18 overs, 95 minutes, Philander also bagged 5!) scorecard here. The Kiwis lasted 8 balls and 5 minutes longer!
Boxing Day
No boxing today but plenty of CRICKET.
I’ll be spending the afternoon (14:30 start) in The Long Room at historic St. Georges Park with a view not too dissimilar to the one on the left.
It’s The Black Caps in the third and final T20i, with the teams currently tied at one match apiece we should be in for an entertaining game.
One advantage of The Long Room is that it is far from that infernal brass band who’s badly played 10 song repertoire (which gets played over and over) drives most of us to distraction. The band were actually glorified by Australia’s Ch9 commentary team this morning, they have obviously never spent an hour never mind a full day’s play within earshot of them!
Oz v S.A. – Perth
Here we go, the decider
.
Last time we played here we scored over 400 in the fourth innings to win. How is the Adelaide match going to effect the psyche?
Did I hear that this is Ricky’s last outing? If true, hats off to a remarkable batsman and captain, a thorn in our sides for what is it? At least 10 years?
Slightly better timing for me, a 02:30 gmt start, can’t wait!
Oz v S.A – Brisbane
I love waking up to 179/2 
The Proteas won the toss and despite all the hype preceding the game of the wicket being a ‘greentop’ and what appeared like a fair amount of cloudcover Graeme Smith elected to bat.
As is customary I awoke for the toss and first ball, (play starts at midnight GMT that’s 2am our time.)
I saw Smith go out early (LBW to Pattinson after an Oz DRS review) and then crashed! (Not my car…. to my bed 
)
Petersen (that’s Alvero not KP) our other opener was out for a fine 64 leaving Amla and Kallis to carry the innings. They’re both still in @ tea
Game on!
Picture ESPN cricinfo
Hours of play 00.00 – 07.00 gmt
Lights out
Picture from metro.co.uk
I was tempted to include the words ‘third world¹‘ or ‘shambles‘ in the title of this post but thought better of it.
Who’s been a naughty boy?
Thirsty work
It’s no secret that Hashim Amla is a Muslim.
He has always refused to wear sponsors apparel if alcohol is involved, as the picture on the left depicts. (Note Jacques Kallis with the Castle brewery logo on his shirt.) Good for him, I’ve always admired a man of principles.
But this month is Ramadan!
Hashin Amla is according to Muslim tradition exempt from having to fast because he’s ‘traveling.’ Fair enough. But did you know that he spent his entire time collecting that mammoth 311 runs this past weekend, which took a whopping 790 minutes without publicly ingesting anything! Read more…
Photo Winner
Congratulations to Christopher for
Chez Liz
Poetry Winner
Congratulations to Bilby for
Sunshine
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