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Marlon Samuels loses his head
By Will 4 months ago, 2 Comments »
Is Marlon Samuels finally growing up? I’m not so sure. It was a wonderful innings, his hundred against South Africa today, but all too often he nibbles and pokes at those decent deliveries outside his off stump. I admired his determination, and his coolness under raging pressure from Dale Steyn. The ball he fell to was spectacular, and I can’t remember seeing a better one. It was one for the memories.
Anyway, we have a photographer at the ground, Neil Lane, who’s been providing us with some excellent (and occasioanlly lewd) shots, including this one of Samuels ducking. Where’s his head gone?
The standard of photography from the agencies - Getty Images use Gallo Sports, Touchline and AFP - has been generally weak for the entire series. Neil’s, on the other hand, are crisp and inventive.
Christmas cricket
By Will last year, at the end of December, 8 Comments »
Now that England’s misery has been put on hold until the New Zealand series in 2008, attention turns to the southern hemisphere. It’s probably the first Christmas for 10 years that I’ve not had Sky to watch Boxing Day Tests, so I was a bit peeved when I woke up this morning to see what a good day India had enjoyed against Australia at Melbourne. Peter English:
Groups of Australians spent the afternoon wondering whether they were being unpatriotic for smiling when India started running through the home team. For the first session those local supporters who demand nothing but dominance by Ricky Ponting’s men were satisfied with the direction of the game. Their disgruntlement when it changed in the second session was offset by the joy felt - and heard - at the ground by cricket supporters who are desperate to see Australia challenged. After the first day there is hope this series might be the fair fight fans have been craving since the 2005 Ashes.
It promises to be a cracking series between the best two sides in the world. Whether it will match or better the 2005 Ashes is impossible to predict (and unlikely, I’d imagine) but any team who can challenge Australia gets my vote of confidence. Even if it is India…
Several thousand miles away in Port Elizabeth, West Indies have raced to 190 for 3 on the first day against South Africa, with Chris Gayle launching a terrific 66 from just 49 balls. Have a read of his innings - he took Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn apart. Brilliant stuff and I can’t wait to see the video.
8 Comments »Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn both dropped
By Will 3 years ago, mid-January, 3 Comments »
South Africa axe Amla and Steyn
Perhaps an indication of desperation from South Africa? Dale Steyn, who I really rate as a young quick, has been dropped/axed along with the hapless Hashim Amla. I can’t quite follow the logic here, but I suppose SA just want a bit more control from their bowlers.
3 Comments »Dale Steyn - from Boks to Bears?
By Will 3 years ago, mid-January, 4 Comments »
Dale Steyn [right] - a better than average South African fast bowling prospect - has been informally approached (whatever that means!) by Warwickshire who are clearly interested. Warwickshire have a fairly useful recent history of South African fast bowlers - messyrs Pollock and Donald both served them.
Unless I’m mistaken, Donald served Warwicks in 1994 when the county won the first of a glut of trophies. Oh - and again I might be wrong, and it’s too late to do any research, but didn’t Pollock take 4 in 4 balls for Warwickshire in his debut season? Something extraordinary like that anyway.
4 Comments »England declare
By Will 4 years ago, at the end of December, No Comments; be the first!
Top knock from Thorpe again - 118 not out batting at number 5. Jones played a gem of 73 from 82, including 2 flat pulled sixes off Steyn. He really looks a fine fine player and ought to average over 40. England declare at 570-7 off 172 overs - South Africa need 378 to win.
Is there yet another twist to this game? (I think) South Africa have 12 overs to face - and another new ball tomorrow morning.
No Comments »South Africa well on top
By Will 4 years ago, at the end of December, No Comments; be the first!
Belated Happy Christmas to my readers.
The Saffers are well on top of England in the 2nd Test at Durban. The pitch is being blamed - which is just an excuse. The batting has been average (at best) - the bowling has been very good. Pollock looks more of a threat, and Dale Steyn looks far more impressive than at Port Elizabeth. So, at Tea, England are 125/8 having been put in by Smith and Giles may not bowl due to being bombarded with bouncers by SA.
Unquestionably South Africa’s day, and they win the first 2 sessions. 2-0 to them. Can Harmison find his line this time? They’ll need something special from him in particular to dig themselves out of this hole.
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