Friday, February 26, 2010
“One of the most nervous moments I’ve had in cricket was after I gave ‘Bunny’ that single in the last over at Centurion” – Paul Collingwood recalls the potentially match-deciding moment in South Africa when he put England’s last batsman, Graham Onions, on strike. Nervous? You and us both, mate.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
“The contest within the contest involves Zaheer and Steyn. Both are masters of swing, and on abrasive Indian pitches, the ability to get the ball to reverse as soon as possible is priceless. After a slow start against England, Steyn ended the series looking like the best bowler in the world, while Zaheer, who’s now played five Tests in three months, insists that his rhythm improves the more he bowls” – Dileep Premachandran analyses the upcoming India-South Africa contest for The Guardian’s sports blog.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
“An exciting opportunity has arisen for the right individual to assist Graeme in taking South African cricket to the next level, and also with any other odd jobs he might have that need doing” – Alan Tyres pens a job ad on behalf of the South African national squad.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
“It is never a bad thing to have a fresh pair of legs running the show” – a metaphor from Mickey Arthur that is either ludicrous or inspired, The Nurdler simply cannot decide.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
“All good things must come to an end and now is the time for someone else to take over” – SA coach Mickey Arthur announces a shock resignation days before the team is due to go on tour to India.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
“Having fought so hard to draw those two Tests it was disappointing the boys could not hold on in Johannesburg. It has still been a successful tour though, having won the one-day series and drawn the Tests. South Africa are a good side – they have won in Australia in the last 12 months – so a drawn series is very respectable. We have had to fight and scrap” – Mike Gatting reminds us of the positives.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
“England’s players are like the planets of an orrery: when one is passing close to the sun and in decent nick, another will inevitably be orbiting on the dark side and struggling for form – and so the cycle continues with each passing series. The planets will need to be perfectly aligned against the Aussies, or England could get buried” – Ben Dirs reflects on the series for BBC sport.
“[Sunday's play] ended a dreadful series for Pietersen – though Strauss, Jonathan Trott and Matt Prior have fared equally poorly with the bat” – BBC match report. Hmmm. And what do those four have in common?
Saturday, January 16, 2010
“I am in Parktown a kilometre away from the Bullring and it’s not raining. I call this witchcraft by the Poms” – a BBC Live Text contributor from South Africa commenting on the apposite appearance of rain during the Fourth Test. Mate, if we could command supernatural forces, we’d be using them to get the ball to turn. Or maybe to help Daryl Harper locate his glasses and his hearing aid.
“It was a moment too perfect. The sun had just come out, the openers waded purposefully to the crease and the Barmy Army had just timed the climax of an unusually tuneful rendition of Jerusalem with expert precision. I love that moment in a Test match – the fielders getting into position, the confident rehearsal of strokes – whatever the state of the pitch – by the batsmen, the brief unity they enjoy as teammates, before splitting off and undergoing one of the greatest individual tests of character in sport. Then Dale Steyn shattered everything with the first ball of the match” – Rich Abbott writes from Johannesburg for The Corridor blog about the first few moments of a particularly horrible day for England at the Wanderers.
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