< 1 minute readVirender Sehwag has now hit the fastest Test triple hundred. He was always likely to achieve it, which is perhaps the biggest compliment of all. A freak innings like Nathan Astle’s is one thing, but Sehwag does this kind of thing consistently. At the close of play Virender Sehwag was
Continue readingCategory: South Africa
Virender Sehwag hits tenth successive hundred in excess of 150
2 minute readThat’s not a particularly arresting statistic on first glance, but think about it. When Virender Sehwag passes 100 he almost always hits in excess of 150. That’s something. A running theme of this site of late has been the importance of imposing yourself on the opposition. We alluded to it
Continue readingHashim Amla beards a hundred
< 1 minute readThe verb ‘to beard’ means to carry out any action whatsoever whilst sporting a smashing beard. India have been on a bit of a high after winning the interminable CB Series in Australia. They’re returning to earth at great speed now, after South Africa scored 540 in the first Test.
Continue readingKyle Mills shames England
2 minute readWe expected England to lose. They’re an insipid outfit at the minute. We didn’t expect them to get thrashed though. And they were thrashed. Getting bowled out for 110 is never too smart, but on this pitch it was jaw-dropping. Don’t let New Zealand’s 177-9 fool you. Runs were the
Continue readingGraeme Smith and Neil McKenzie set world record opening partnership
< 1 minute readOpening partnerships are the most boring kinds of batting partnership – especially if it’s the first innings. There’s no context to the innings and you’re removing any doubt about the rest of the game. Let’s face it, after 415 runs without a wicket, it’s either going to be a South
Continue readingShahadat Hossain skittles South Africa
< 1 minute readThis would have been a much better update if we’d actually written it yesterday, like we meant to. Now everything’s rather tainted by an impending South African victory. In the first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa, Shahadat Hossain took 6-27 as South Africa were bowled out for 170. Those
Continue readingShaun Pollock isn’t playing international cricket any more
< 1 minute read“I realise I have been blessed by God and feel I have nurtured my talents to the best of my abilities.” No, actually what happened was that you were ‘blessed by God’ and then you threw that blessing back in His face, pausing only to give him a prolonged hand
Continue readingTwenty20 wicketkeeping
2 minute readDo you want the better batsman or the better wicketkeeper behind the stumps for your team? That argument’s been represented by any number of individual duels over the years. Recently though, we think you’ll all agree that the better batsman’s been winning out, in general. Blame Adam Gilchrist. He’s a
Continue readingDale Steyn spoils things in a pleasing way
2 minute readDespite Shiv’s bat and Dwayne Bravo’s best efforts with the ball, South Africa look like getting a first innings lead. This is a shame because while the Windies might continue to put up a fight while ahead, you feel that they’re liable to crumble if they fall behind. You never
Continue readingHerschelle Gibbs: crap and dropped
< 1 minute readNow we have to admit that we don’t pay the closest attention to South African fortunes when they’re not playing England. Their Tests always seem to clash with crucial fixtures for Bangladesh A. Nevertheless, we were a little bit surprised when Herschelle Gibbs was dropped today. Pretty much the last
Continue reading