Hard to believe but it’s true.
Women have smaller balls
Category: Cricket
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)
Breathtaking
I’ve just heard Harsha Bhogle, refer to the backdrop of the HPCA stadium (Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala) as breathtaking, I have to agree. This of course is where England are playing their 5th and final ODI against India today.
Picture from espncricinfo.com
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
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!
Tony Greig
Born just up the road in Queenstown, educated at Queen’s College, a legend in these parts.
It was always evident in his commentary how proud he was of Daryll Cullinan and Justin Kemp, both Proteas, both products of Queen’s College but perhaps he kept his greatest accolades for Makhaya Ntini, a product of Dale College, located in nearby King William’s Town, a school with close ties, rivalry and camaraderie with Queen’s
I had the pleasure of attending a breakfast with Tony Greig, it was apparent that he loved his trips here and the company of fellow South Africans.
His commentary sessions with Benaud, Lawrie and Chappell are legendary, always balancing the Aussie spin.
Nothing would have given him more satisfaction than the recent Proteas series win, he might have played for and captained England, lived in Australia but I suspect his heart was always here.
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!
It was four runs, I tell you
Oz v S.A. – Perth
Here we go, the decider
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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!
India v Eng – Ahmedabad
Wanna watch? Click the picture.
Lunch day 5
Perhaps you don’t have access to which ever satellite provider has the rights in your area, my commentary seems to be alternating between Sky (Botham, Hussain) and the local Indian broadcaster, both more than adequate.
Anderson doesn’t look too happy, the wicket looks flatter than Brisbane, it’s going to be hard work for the bowlers!
Or HERE
Boadicea's Chariot 
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