Pitched Online by Bobby
World Number 1 – Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn dictated the terms on the first day of the Beast of Enemies Test Series. Yesterday the 1st test between the Proteas and Aussies kicked off at Newlands and I was delighted to see that the selectors went with the selection of Philander and Tahir as we spoke about on Monday. Smith won an all-important toss and although they lost their way midway through the afternoon session they struck to have the Aussies in serious trouble at 212 for 8 by the end of the day. Philander justified his selection by bowling a very good length and was rewarded with 3 wickets for his efforts.
It was however Steyn that once again proved why he is the best bowler in the world. His pace was scary and his late movement kept batsmen guessing.
The Aussie skipper, Clarke, deserves a round of applause for his superb innings. Well batted sir – but please, do not act like a nun and make this a habit!
To win this test the Proteas need to finish off the Aussie innings as quickly as possible. Then the task is to establish enough of a lead to only bat once – batting in a second innings on day four and five on this wicket could get the Proteas in big trouble due to the variation in bounce which already evident on day one.
As we all know cricket is a dramatic game and rarely does it go the way we think, which explains why we are so attracted to the game. This is even more relevant when the two sides are simply unable to ever give up.
As always your thoughts and comments are sincerely appreciated – please keep them coming. One comment received in our last blog came from Dave Wonnacott:
I would like to know what the sentences would have been had the match fixers been Australian and if they had been caught out in Australia. Probably “good on yer mate!”
Although a bit tongue in cheek it does make you wonder… many thanks Dave. For your efforts we will be sending you a Moonstone Ice Bag which you can use to chill your wine the next time you are watching cricket, or girls, or whatever.
Who knows? As the festive season approaches, we may even include the wine next time!
Sport Spot
Ou Manie sê, soos David Kramer, hy kan nie kla nie. Vir ‘n verandering het die buiteland ons voorgespring in die hokslaan van skelms toe hulle die Pakistanse knoeiers tronkstraf opgelê het.
Hy wonder net of hulle nie destyds ook vir Gogga Adams sou opskroef oor sy boulaksie nie? Daar was bewerings dat mens met daardie boulstyl selfs hub caps in die ry van motors kon steel.
Synde hard aan die swot vir sy regulatoriese eksamens het Manie ‘n probleem met die aanstelling van regter Nicholson om ‘n ondersoek na ongerymdhede in SA krieket te doen. Sien, daar is mos ook ‘n vervaardiger van krieket toerusting met dieselfde naam, en die spulletjie kan dalk op ‘n konflik van belange uitloop as die regter nie betyds keer vir sy wickets nie.
En dan maak ou Shane Warne weer ‘n terugkeer na krieket op 42-jarige ouderdom.
Nou wonder Manie of dit iets te make het met sy verlowing aan Liz Hurley, en dat hy nou wettiglik wil wegbreek as sy maritale verpligtinge te swaar begin raak.
Nog iets wat hy glo moes prys gee is sy voorliefde vir Baked Beans. Dié dat mens hom deesdae weer in die glippe sien veldwerk doen, en nie op die grens nie.
