GLuvsMtb

Windies gave us 19 extras. Thats not where we lost the initiative.

Well played Windies. Parnell will have to do some serious introspection on how he handled the last ball of the 49th over and the first 2 balls of the 50th. He really does not seem to have any BMT. With Miller facing 4 of the last 6 balls we could have ended up with 275, which may have been enough.

I saw that. Going from 90 odd for 5 to 360 for 5. The Black Caps are my dark horse for the WC.

It seems like AB and # may take a break in the next 2 games. van Wyk is set to open in the 4th ODI and QdK may be fit for the 5th ODI. Turning to a potential WC line-up, we seem to have a settled playing 11, with 1 x "All Rounder" position still in doubt. We may opt to play the extra batsman (likely to be Rossouw), opt for a genuine bowling option (Abbott or Phangiso, depending on conditions) or play one of our all rounders (Behardien / Parnell). The line-up would then look as follow: 1. QdK 2. # 3. Faf 4. AB 5. Miller 6/7. JPD and any one of Rossouw, Abbott, Phangiso, Behardien (with Abbott and Phangiso batting lower down) 8. Steyn 9. Vern 10. Morne 11. Tahir. The situation at 6/7 may well play in our favour as this will make it more difficult to plan against our bowling attack if there are doubt as to exactly who will be in the final line-up. I prefer the outright batsman / bowler option to the all rounder option. JPD is a world class all rounder and versatile with the bat in that he can guide the tail, accelerate with one of the top order batsmen and turn over the strike with one of our big hitters in AB and Miller. We are by no means favorites to win the WC in my book (India / Aus), but we certainly have enough match winners in our team to take it deep.

Our mines are probably the biggest user in the country. I am not sure what their backup / generator capacity is. One of the huge problems with a prolonged nationwide blackout is the spike in fuel demand and our refineries inability to deliver when such a spike occurs. I have decided to keep 50lt petrol and 50lt diesel backup fuel at home. I know it wont get me far (probably 2 to 3 weeks per car and the gennie if we use it sparingly), but at least its something.

I suspect that they would try to close out the series in the next game and then rest AB, # and Steyn. Van Wyk will step in at the top for # and keep, Parnell will get some game time and perhaps Abbott / Phangiso too if they rest Dale as well.

Snap!

Well done AB. 104 off 31. Wow!

I think the rain actually suited WI. I liked Miller at 5 and JP at 6. The only position in any doubt is the 7 position. We may as well play the extra bowler (Abbott or Phangiso) or if we are nervous about our top order, include Rossouw at 6 and then play JP at 7. India, England, WI, Pakistan and Sri Lanka all have more questions to answer before the WC and most of these teams had much more cricket than us, so I don't think our selectors have done badly.

I would like to believe that with AB, QdK and Dale back we would have been able to pull it through. It was magnificent how Gale deconstructed and reduced our bowling attack. We will have to groom the youngsters if we are to remain the best bowling unit in world cricket after Dale, Morne and Vern move on.

The fact that Joel is out there riding for the last 5 or 6 years has done so much good for charities and has also assisted in raising the profile for the sport and the Epic as the premier stage race the world over. It saddens me that some fail to see the bigger picture regarding this. The development platforms supporting the event and Epic in particular is robust enough to pick up all of our most promising development riders. Having Stransky in Liquifruit colours will mean much more for mountain biking than a mid-pack development rider.

Here is my 11 if all ar fit: 1. QdK 2. # 3. Rossouw 4. AB 5. Faf 6. Miller 7. JP 8. Vern / Tahir 9. Morne 10. Dale 11. Phangiso If QdK is not fit: 1. Rossouw 2. # 3. Behardien 4. AB 5. Faf 6. Miller 7. JP 8. Vern / Tahir 9. Morne 10. Steyn 11. Phangiso I cannot find space for Parnell in my first 11. He is neither good enough with bat or ball and half-baked performances on either side does not suite our style of cricket. Should we lose Miller / JP due to injury, we at least have someone who can score a few runs / bowl 5 overs or so. Phangiso is my first choice spinner. I like an economical spinner to try and tie up an end in Aus and NZ. In the sub continent I would pick an attacking spinner as well, and possibly include Tahir where the wickets may suite spin. Phangiso also has a handy first class batting average in ODI's so could slot in at 7 / 8 and chip in with a few handy runs as well.

He is probably the backup if JP Duminy pulls up with injury again. The way I understand it, is that there is scope to change in the next few weeks due to injury. You would want to replace like for like should JP not go to the WC. The other option would have been Harmer as he can bat a bit too.

Which is why I listen to my own music in the car (apart from when the cricket is on and I have to drive somewhere, then I'm dialed into radio 2000). Hearing the same song 25 times in 5 days is enough to drive anyone of moderate intelligence nuts.

It would be better if the band can increase their repertoire. It seems like they only play about 5 songs. Imagine hearing the same tunes 160 times in 5 days?!

I agree, but there must be some admiration for the way selectors backed him all the way. With the series not really in doubt they may have been tempted to either bring in Hendricks or to move up van Zyl to the opening berth. The question will loom largely in 6 months time when they tour Bangladesh. I'd like to see van Zyl opening with Elgar. Harmer did himself no harm (no pun intended) and it would be interesting to see whether they will play Piedt and Harmer in the sub continent. That would mean that a bowler would miss out. On current form it will have to be the Vern. Bavuma will lose out to Duminy who could also contribute with the ball in the sub continent. Its good to see the fringe players putting up their hands. It will be critical managing these players to ensure that they get sufficient game time while on tour.

I understood at the time that it was cramp, but I also had a little bit of a sinking feeling when both our strike bowlers left the park. If was interesting to see van Zyl bowl. I recon that with a bit of work he could fulfill the 6th bowler role well on slower pitches. Much like Hansie did in the 90's.

Yes. And I think Alviro got thrown a life line with his own catching and the absence of QdK.

6 to 12 weeks. They'll pull out all the stops to get him fit for the WC.

In hindsight I think it was a very good decision. His top order got a good run, his bowlers got just over 100 overs in. The only real casualty is QdK who is missing the rest of the series. It will be interesting to see whether the selectors go with a keeper (Villas or will they be sentimental and go for Tsolikile) or a backup batsman. I'd like to see a bit of Bavuma. He fielded out of his skin while subbing yesterday and today.

I am sure we will not be required to bat again. I call a win to SA by close of play tomorrow. I like the confidence shown by Amla. I am sure Dale and Vern will be fit to bowl tomorrow. 7 wickets to get and an extra day's recovery time (hopefully).

Nice to see The Vern on top, particularly since Steyn looked a bit Babbelas today. 4 wickets to get before the close, and then its decision time with regards to law 13.

Well played van Zyl. 100 on debut. Now for some quick runs before a declaration.

Newlands is a nice place to get stuck into a good book on a Sunday afternoon. I wish we can get some TV coverage of our 4 day cricket.

Another session belongs to SA. Well played van Zyl with an unbeaten 51. West Indies will struggle with 2 specialist bowlers now seemingly out of action. Its still too early to talk about declarations, but one would think that our bowlers would like to have 20 odd overs at the West Indies tonight.