Cricket......

[Shebeen]

there's another final on the go too.

the old Currie cup/castle cup/ supersport series. The premier 4 day tournament, remember the mean machine at newland sin the 80s over new years, that's the one?!

 

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/csa-4-day-series-division-1-2023-24-1394541/lions-vs-western-province-final-1394658/full-scorecard

no live commentary even, but it is on supersport. looks like there are more security guards than spectators.

 

 

[gemmerbal]

37 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

there's another final on the go too.

the old Currie cup/castle cup/ supersport series. The premier 4 day tournament, remember the mean machine at newland sin the 80s over new years, that's the one?!

 

https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/csa-4-day-series-division-1-2023-24-1394541/lions-vs-western-province-final-1394658/full-scorecard

no live commentary even, but it is on supersport. looks like there are more security guards than spectators.

 

 

As a laaitie i spent many days under the old Oaks, watching the likes of Graeme Pollock, Terrence Lazard, Garth le Roux and many more legends playing the old Castle/Currie Cup. Back then, the B field was where Kelvin Grove is now and we’d have our games of cricket in between all the parked cars, my old man supporting the sponsors in the beer tent. I remember seeing a 16yo DJ Cullinan coming up into the system and scoring bucketloads of runs against first class cricketers that would have made most international sides. Aaaah the good ol’ days… when running onto the field to give Mr Pollock a sip of beer when reaching his hundred was still par for the course 🤣

It’s sad to see the lack of interest in this once almighty domestic competition. It’s a by-product of many things wrong with cricket administration (locally and internationally) as well as the many other distractions available to us humans. The red-ball game still lights a fire in my heart though. 

[gemmerbal]

As a 4yo laaitie (circa 1983) we would go camping every Christmas holiday, back in the Voortrekker Caravan Park in Strand. We camped in the same spot every year, next to the Anker family. Francois Anker played scrumhalf for EP and Pienaar Anker played cricket for Boland. I’d play parkie cricket for hours with these gents and all of the other fathers and sons in the campsite. I miss those times. 

[gemmerbal]

we are chasing 155, bowled the Kiwis out and we are 67/2 after 12 overs

 

[justinafrika]

1 hour ago, gemmerbal said:

we are chasing 155, bowled the Kiwis out and we are 67/2 after 12 overs

 

Thanks so much.  I have dozens of cricket channels and none of them were showing this.  Edit: Great win, klapped the Kiwis.

Edited March 1, 2024 by justinafrika

[gemmerbal]

4 hours ago, justinafrika said:

Thanks so much.  I have dozens of cricket channels and none of them were showing this.  Edit: Great win, klapped the Kiwis.

Yes boys! Can we now consider our World Cup duck to be broken? 

[Shebeen]

pulling this thread out the darkroom.

Doubt anyone thought we'd make the WTC final, especially after sending the F team to NZ and losing 2-0 there - https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/a-south-africa-test-squad-with-just-seven-capped-players-1414855

 

But we're on top of the table and off to Lords with a match to spare.

We don't have a single Test scheduled till this game (Aus are off to SL in feb, but the brains at the ICC have no test cricket going on before the final), so will have to do some tour matches in ENG somehow.

 

Who makes the XI in this vital one off game? Any bolters who are not currently in the mix?

There are some "retired" players who could be handy, QdK probably wouldn't strengthen the team much as a keeper/batter although De Zorzi is hardly confidence inspiring. A fit Anrich Nortje as a bowler?

Does one can look at the county championship stats from last year as a guide?

Some recognisable names there (both of them 37yrs old), with Simon Harmer 6th on the list of wicket takers.

 

Here would be my best possible team.

Elgar

Markram

Temba (c)

Bedingham

Stubbs/Rickleton

Verreynne(wk)

Mulder

Jansen

Maharaj

Rabada

Nortje/Abbot (Ngidi?)

 

(an old style SA team full of all rounders, our batting is just not strong enough otherwise)