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Oh dear…Boucher’s bowling. Oh dear - he’s got a wicket
By Will 3 years ago, at the start of May, Comments
Oh. Dear. Mark Boucher bowled 3 balls (yes - Mark Boucher, the grumpy ‘keeper). One was waist-high. Second was even higher and no-balled. The 3rd was short and wide (at least it pitched), and Bravo hit it to Mid Off. He has his first, and probably last, Test wicket - and presumabely no bowling average yet, either!
This waste-of-my-time-Test match has also broken the record of having the most hundreds in a Test (8).
CommentsThoughts on Ntini
By Will 3 years ago, at the start of May, Comments
The commentators - excellent Ian Bishop, and ultra annoying anonymous South African who seems to emphasise the word “five” in every bloody sentence, which is doubly annoying when the score is FIVE for FIVE nine FIVE - are discussing Ntini, and some interesting stats came up. He’s played most Tests against England and West Indies, and those 2 countries share his bulk of wickets (54 and 53 respectively). Interestingly, his bowling average is just 24 against the Windies, but a much higher 30 against England.
And he still can’t bowl a slower ball. They remarked how much of a better bowler he could be if he could add this skill to his repetoire, and I agree. It’s amazing how he runs in and bowls the same deliveries time after time - there really is very little deviation (both in terms of what he decides to bowl, and in lacking much swing). A very good bowler, with the potential to be much better. Will he realise it?
Oh, joy, the seventh hundred has been made (or is that 10? Since Gayle scored 3 on his own) in this match - captain Chanderpaul. Talk about a bowler’s graveyard…
CommentsGayle 20th triple-century maker
By Will 3 years ago, at the start of May, Comments
Chris Gayle is the 20th triple-centurian in Test cricket history, a wonderful achievement. Antigua also now matches Leeds in having staged the most separate triple centuries (3) - the previous 2 at Antigua being, of course, Sir Gary Sobers and some bloke called Lara…
CommentsChris Gayle approaching 300
By Will 3 years ago, at the start of May, Comments
Gayle must be thanking his lucky stars, praying to W.G.Grace or whatever cricket-God is in fashion - what better way to get back into nick than hitting 300? And - on this dead pitch. He’s not quite there yet, but give it 20 minutes and he ought to be (famous last words). The pitch is flatter than an ironing board, but 300 is still a great achievement for any batsman - and I’m particularly pleased, as he’s a fine player who deserves success.
CommentsChris Gayle still going
By Will 3 years ago, at the start of May, Comments
So, Chris Gayle is now on 163 scoring at just under a run a ball. Wonderful innings, and I’ve seen practically none of it annoyingly. Sarwan, who with Gayle has put on over 200, has made just 50 so far. Gayle is such a destructive opening batsman, I imagine his batting partners feel a bit lost when he’s in this kind of form.
It does highlight, though, just how batting-heavy not only West Indies are but South Africa too (and other countries I suppose).
CommentsGayle goes ballistic - that’s how to do it!
By Will 3 years ago, at the start of May, Comments
Chris Gayle - one of my favourite cricketers to watch - is going a bit ballistic: currently on 70 from just 53 balls, ten 4s and three 6s. That’s how to counter-attack! Thrilling to watch when he’s in this kind of form.
CommentsWest Indies v South Africa: dullness personified
By Will 3 years ago, at the start of May, Comments
I don’t know who I’m more annoyed at or upset with, South Africa or the West Indies. Albeit on a flat track, the West Indies have embarassed themselves further in this Test Match. They’ve already conceded 4 hundreds - even allowing Ashwell Prince to make one. That said - and although South Africa’s run-rate is at 3.5/over - there were periods today where South Africa just stopped and did nothing.
All this talk that they’re (South Africa) “on track again,” and “on the rise,” is just bullshit. Most division 1 County sides in England could take the West Indies to a draw these days; most Australian states would beat them without too much bother. And yet South Africa, and Kallis in particular, spent parts of the afternoon session doodling along as though they were 200-5. West Indies posess not a single bowling threat [1]. Yes, South Africa are ahead of the game; Yes, they’ve scored over 500 runs but 3.5 runs/over against THAT bowling attack just says to the world: “We’ve won the series, we don’t want to lose this game.”
I was similarly annoyed throughout England’s tour earlier this year, where South Africa were often behind on points and constantly played the waiting game. They’re a very boring side to watch, these days.
[1] Incidentally, Dwight Washington, who was just about managing to get the ball down to the other end of the wicket at 78mph, is down as RF on Cricinfo. Oh, how they wish…
CommentsTendulkar and Lara captains of the Tsunami match
By Will 3 years ago, at the end of April, Comments
Wow. Both Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara will play in the Tsunami fundraiser on June 14. Sachin in charge of the MCC (!) and Brian the international XI. Brilliant
CommentsWest Indies beaten by Saffers
By Will 3 years ago, at the end of April, Comments
The West Indies have been nailed by South Africa - well and truly nailed. You’ve gotta wonder what sort of state Test Cricket is in when Andre Nel can take 6-32. I admire his spirit, but he’s nothing special - I still wonder how the hell the ball ends up where he wants it to go. He looks like a 5 legged giraffe.
Does this win suggest our friend Ray has done a good job with South African cricket? Henry doesn’t think so.
CommentsFidel Edwards back for West Indies
By Will 3 years ago, at the end of April, Comments
Any doubts about whether Fidel Edwards would have lost some pace (after injury) have vanished. No wickets yet, but he’s up to and beyond 94mph
CommentsNtini’s lucky 13
By Will 3 years ago, mid-April, Comments
I like Ntini more and more. He is still quite a one dimensional bowler, but he’s certainly improving year on year - and is easily the fittest cricketer in international cricket. His 13 wickets earned South Africa a 1-0 series lead, with 2 to play. I felt West Indies just started to look less than ordinary and their good performance in the first Test might be becoming a bit of a distant memory.
However. Now that South Africa are 1-0, I wonder what their tactics will be - they are, after all, a “draw first, win second” type of team (something that infuriated me when England played them). The outstanding innings from Sarwan, and Lara’s form, are both plus points - but the bowling does look thin. Hopefully they’ll be able to level the series by playing some attractive, enterprising cricket - something that South Africa tend not to respond too well in…bear that in mind, Mr Chanderpaul.
CommentsRay Jennings gets the vote from his players
By Will 3 years ago, mid-April, Comments
Ray Jennings, supposed sadistical and eccentric South African coach, has reportedly received the full backing of his players who all think he’s “the right man for the job.” This is from Sky Sports commentary on the Windies/SA Test. The commentator on air, a Saffer, told us that each South African player has come up to him to ensure he (and thus the public) are made aware of Jennings’ plus points. A quick search here reveals my opinions on the man, and unless they come back in this Test to level the series I doubt I’ll change my opinion.
One question, though - I wonder if Pollock (injured so far this series) is a Jennings subscriber…
Meanwhile, Lara plunders on to 150+ on a very dodgy looking pitch…can’t imagine what days 3 and 4 will be like.
CommentsIs Lara on the verge of one of his “specials”?
By Will 3 years ago, mid-April, Comments
Brian Lara. The most mecurial of cricketers, with talent bordering on the insane, might just be on the verge of a special innings. Despite having not played a first class game this year, his 40 not out (currently lunch) against South Africa was a classic; aggressive strokeplay, dogmatic defence and coming in at a difficult situation. As most people know, all Lara needs is a start…
CommentsSouth Africa creaking, 4 down
By Will 3 years ago, at the start of April, Comments
The West Indies have carried on their great batting display yesterday by sending back 4 South Africans. They’re currently 57/4 but were 30/4 when Collins got Gibbs leg before. Ryan makes a dry comment (”500+ runs on a flat Bourda track and, suddenly, all is well with West Indies cricket again. We really do get what we deserve.”) which is fully justified, but at least for once there is temporary harmony in West Indian cricket, and it’s always great to see them play well at home.
Makes for a great scorecard: Rudolf got a golden, and Kallis a 2nd baller
CommentsChanderpaul makes 200
By Will 3 years ago, at the start of April, Comments
Shiv Chanderpaul has made 200, to match Wavell Hind’s effort earlier today. Quite a performance by the West Indies given all their trouble off the pitch. Can anyone tell me the last time 2 x double-hundreds were scored in the same innings? Can’t seem to find it on Cricinfo…
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