posted Aug 11, 2008

Seeing all the comments about the humility of cricketers or lack of it reminds me of one of the reasons I grew up with a love of watching live cricket. The accessibility of cricketers used to make a massive difference. Youngsters were able to discuss tactics with fielders on the boundary during matches, not only in gaps in play. It's why you get so many more knowledgeable fans that don't necessarily play the game. I never played competitive cricket after the age of 16 because of tennis interests, but I'm still fascinated by test criket. I remember arriving early at the Oval as a 12 year old and asking Mushtaq Ahmed for some tips on bowling a googly. As (Graham?) Turner (the Somerset wicket keeper at the time) was out warming up on one of the tracks not being used, Mushtaq actually marched me out into the middle in front of a good couple of hundred people arriving in the ground and let me bowl about 10 balls talking me through it. All the Aussies who came over always used to chat to you if you went up to the dressing room, and even in Ashes Test matches the kids were allowed to open the gate for new batsmen and chat with them at the dressing room. Nowadays stewards will usher you away if you're too close to affection their concentration. There's nothing more encouraging for a young fan than a word of advice from a hero and they'd do well to remember that when they get their sponsorship money. They wouldn't be endorsed the kids weren't there to watch them.

Mushtaq, thanks! And yes, I did get the last couple to turn the other way. not sure I could now though.

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posted Aug 11, 2008

England were again lucky - if it wasnt for that opening partnership and most CRUCIALLY - the NO BALL WICKET - it might have have been a different story it was a legal bowl and wicket.

England won fair and square however Saffas won the SERIES and that is the most CRUCIAL thing of the lot.

Saffas are really building up to the tour in Australia in the winter and shud give a better challenge than last time.

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posted Aug 11, 2008

CONGRATULATION KP!AND ENGLAND!
A promising start for Eng and KP!

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posted Aug 11, 2008

Totally agree - congratulations to KP and England - at the moment any England win has to be good for morale. However, this was a dead rubber. How would they have performed when really up against it?

This is so often the story of the England team - fabulous when nothing at all hangs on it - happened in the World Cup I seem to recall. The genius of Michael Vaughan was to lift them to another level in matches that mattered, when man for man, the England team was sometimes not up to the level of the teams they faced; so often he papered over the cracks.

Pietersen has not been seriously tested in this match; it was gifted to him by Vaughan. He could do what he wanted because it didn't really matter. When it seriously matters over a test series, not just one match in a series which has been lost, that is when we will see whether he can hack it as captain of the team.

For me the jury is not out but back in the courtroom as far as Peter Moores is concerned. He has hidden behind Vaughan's resignation (and of all the people paying tribute to that remarkable captain, has said absolutely nothing about him) and he has hidden also behind the media love-in which is going on with Pietersen at this moment.

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posted Aug 11, 2008

im not surprised that most of the comments are from aload of 'moaning minnies' when i (briefly) listen to the radio commentary instead of the tv, iam amazed at the attitude of 'aggers' et al, you would have thought they were south africans to a man! all tyhe england team get is damning with faint praise! i used to love listening to tms, but not any more, i know they have to be fair to both sides but they have allowed the pendelum to swing too far the other way, after all we are for the most part, english listening to our team playing in england ! or is this another case of pc gone mad !

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posted Aug 11, 2008

hmmmm. People cheer up please. all the momments are so negative...... but true
win the odi series kp. easy enough right???

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posted Aug 11, 2008

Anyone been paying attention to our under-19s lately? The two spinners Dawson and Beer have been ripping New Zealand apart for the entire series. 5 for Dawson and 3 for Beer in the game today, too.

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posted Aug 12, 2008

Congratualations to England and Kevin Pietersen. Although I agree when people say it wasnt a hard test and that S.A were off their game, I still think England and Pietersen were up for the task ahead them, the final test. So celebrate this one boys and we'll see how we go next time

smilingcoverdrive

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posted Aug 12, 2008

Great start by KP. Apart from giving Jimmy and Harmy only one slip with the new ball when SA were only 119 ahead with three wickets left, everything he did was positive. Still concerned about Strauss who seems to have lost all presence at the crease. Also Bell needs to make a success of the No3 spot if Freddie is going to bat at 6 - something I'm not entirely convinced is going to work. The wicketkeeping problem has to be addressed and I would suggest Prior and Foster for the tours.A big well done to Jimmy A, he's worked his socks off, bowled well with little luck, is a superb feilder and shown guts with the bat. Apart from Kp, he would be my man of the summer.

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posted Aug 12, 2008

Fred and Harmison (on his game again!) inspired Anderson to surpass himself. Now we need our batters to do the same - raise the game! Get rid of Moores too and get a practitioner in who's played at this level and knows what it takes. Moores is the source of England's major problems with accepting mediocrity and overcoaching our batsmen. He's systematically undermined everyone's confidence and it's time he went.

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