Tag: Graeme Smith

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)

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

S.A v Aus, Newlands, Cape Town

Picturesque Newlands

Probably one of the prettiest cricket grounds in the world. Pictured above is where I often sat, round about square leg under the shade of the trees, with the Kelvin Grove end bar within easy walking distance. Continue reading “S.A v Aus, Newlands, Cape Town”