Mntboy

If Temba and Wiaan can get a partnership going that be great!

151 needed with 7 in hand at lunch. I am hoping that Markram and Bavuma will be able to keep going and get us the W or allow the lower order to finish things off!

I digged the way the rest of the Windies batters batted around Mayer. We need to copy that with Markram or Bavuma. However the partnership is looking good and we need them to take it as deep as they can. If they can pull that off it'll be easier for QdK, Wiaan and George to get us across the line for the W. I am cautiously optimistic about the possibility of us winning this one!

Aussies are yellowbellied cowards, that's all I'm saying about that. None too sure about Rassie being captain. Elgar would be a better bet. Pieter Malan 374 (10 innings) runs at 37,4 with a best of 125 and Janneman Malan has a 132 (6 innings) runs at 22 with a best of 65. That's their figures for this season so far in the 4 Day Franchise series. So not exactly kicking the door down.

I bet overhearing snippets of stories from their ride also made you go a shade of green. I know it would've done me in too. Loved Peregrine since I was a laaitjie. Such a lekker Farmstall and restaurant.

Just FYI: Peregrine's Pies, Ginger Beer and Apple juice is good value for money imho. Also their array of breads is great value too.

Yeah the Conway example perhaps not the best one but one does hope that an expanded system would allow a guy like that to blossom now that they might gain some game time. Similarly one hopes that a guy like Duvipillon (not sure I'm getting his surname correct) would get more of an opportunity to press a claim for higher honours. I know he was in the selection frame last season and has done well when given the chance to play this season. And again a similar story with the players given a chance under the transformation policies. I really do hope that many will take the opportunity to put in decent performances to put pressure on the guys currently in the SA squad. Just to give an example Qeshile has 239 runs @ 29.88 with a highest of 97 for this season. Not really enough to unseat Verreyne as the second choice keeper or to unseat Bavuma (100 runs @ 33.33 but that 71 goes a long way to showing some decent red ball form, although more is required and I like the comments he made pre the ongoing test) from his place in the test side. Petersen would be a more likely bet given his 346 runs @ 49.43 with a highest of 173* - the reason he made into the enlarged squad for this tour initially. So I guess what I am saying is that I would like to see the selectors communicate and stick to a set of standards. Something I'm sure we would all like to see. To quote the Beach Boys regarding qualified, competent administrators - Wouldn't that be nice!!!!

I did say 'Hopefully' didn't I? [emoji102][emoji848] I agree with a lot of what you said and we moved to the 6 team Franchise system because it was believed that it would produce strength v strength matches and not a bunch of mismatches as I expect might occur with the restructured 15 province system. That's aside from the problems you mention. The only real benefits that I can see this having is that guys not getting regular playing time due to transformation and the transformation base becoming bigger (but not necessarily better). Also a few less Conway's might slip through the system but that's more likely to be a fringe benefit. As for saving money I think what CSA's hoping for is that the single round of Four day cricket will be less costly than the combined cost of the Franchise system's double round and the supporting semi-professional provincial system currently is. The only clear thing in my mind is that we need to restructure our domestic game and get people to watch it again (on TV or at the stadia) but how exactly to do that while raising standards and providing opportunities for all is rather problematic.

http://cricket.co.za/news/37124/CSA-Interim-Board-and-Members-Council-endorse-new-domestic-cricket-structure So apparently there will be a restructuring of the domestic scene. Hopefully the two division set up will help those who aren't getting the game time they might need to press for higher honours (a guy like Dupivillon - unsure of spelling) as well as raise the standards of those playing on our domestic scene. Our national team desperately needs that to happen.

Mark Nicholas is rarely at a loss for words or without the means to adequately express himself or his views and his pieces on the various characters of the game is always fascinating for it's insight into the thought processes of a professional player. His tribute to his friend, and one time county opponent, Robin Jackman is beautiful in it's simplicity and it's portrayal of a man who loved the sport and it's players. An absolute worthwhile read, just have some tissues handy. Mark Nicholas pays tribute to Robin Jackman (espncricinfo.com)

Haven't seen anything on the Cricinfo commentary to confirm that Kumara is also now on the injury list with De Silva, Hasaranga and Rajithi. If he is though that's a really tough situation for them to be in!

Hopefully the commentary livened up as the game did. Will catch the highlights later more to see Mulder's 3 for and Sipamla's first (of a great many, I hope) wicket. The game's been played at a fair pace.

Sri Lanka 218/3 although it's effectively for four as De Silva's retired hurt and by the sound of things won't be playing a further role in the match. Ngidi, Nortje and Mulder with a wicket a piece. Chandimal on 52* while De Silva made 79* before hurting his hip.

RIP Robin Jackman. One could always hear his love for the game in the way he commentated.

Hmmmm I forgot that's the game Tahir debut. Might do that. The slow mo replay, that is.

Also India's lowest total in Test cricket. Hazlewood and Cummins just blew them away. Absolutely superb stuff from them.

Big Vern's debut! That was an epic match. Good memories.

Hemel and Aarde valley is a pretty good place to ride.

That 4 Day Franchise matches get played during the work week doesn't help as well. And neither does the Provincial tier underneath the Franchise set up as most people are entirely unaware of it and it also has full first class status which skews the stats somewhat. Our domestic game needs an overhaul but I am unsure if anyone has any idea of how to do it.

Arguably the finest referee ever.

Extremely polarising indeed. Dude I think we're better off agreeing to disagree. I don't think I'll ever see SBW the same way you do and vice versa.

He is still not making it into my match day 23 or my all time All Blacks 23 for that matter. [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] You see a genius, I don't. While I will admit that SBW was an exceptional player I don't feel that he was greater or equal to a number of his compatriots or a number of fellows from other countries. And I also feel that he wasn't as consistent as some of those fellows. Sorry I really am not that impressed by him.

Personally I never rated SBW. And the offload in the tackle seems to be the only thing he's really known for imho. I would rate Jamie Roberts as better. He was huge influence on a strong Welsh side and played a big role in the 2013 Lion's win over Aus.

It's nitpicking but I'd prefer Jaque Fourie over BOD. BOD was a massive player for Ireland and the Lions.

Just so that we are on the same page: It is the flying Delorean that we'll be taking, right? Oh how the mighty have fallen!!! Here's to hoping for a Phoenix like resurrection!!!!!