If, like me, you are feeling a little out of touch with the South Africa/India test series due to the lack of terrestial television coverage click here, to watch online.
[You will need to install this little add-on : Sopcast]

Labels: cricket, free, india, live, online tv, proteas, south africa, test cricket

Posted by eishman at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments

It's being a roller coaster ride for SA cricket supporters the over the last 6 months or so of the World Cup. Sorry, slight exaggeration in the length of time, but it does feel like this World Cup is going on forever!!
Going into the cup we were ranked no. 1 in the world after home series wins. Expectations were high. But here's where I think the 'thinktank' have sinned, have got it all wrong.

1. Firstly, way too much was made of 'building' for the World Cup. By consistently referring to this over the past two years, they have opened themselves up for this type of criticism. After each bad performance were told, "don't worry we are building to the World Cup". After each great performance we were told, "this is all about building to the World Cup." Of course, if they manage to win, all will be forgiven!
   
2. In the series against India & Pakistan the groundsman should have been instructed to prepare variable pitches. It's fair to say that no-one knew what to expect in the West Indies, so using that logic the players should have had pitches that took them by surprise, made them work out strategies on the fly, maybe even think!
3. I know this is getting stale, but no spinner was blooded for this world cup. Even if they were not sure of a spinner would be required for some games, they knew that the world cup was being held in various countries, in the freakin' Caribbean. (By the way why the hell did they take Petersen anyways?) The weather was always going to play a part and that can make the pitches susceptible to cracking and 'powdering' due to heat, humidity and rain. They could have sent Petersen or Harris to the wolves here in South Africa. Every four and six hit by the Indians & Pakistani's would have been a learning experience. After that, give them a pitch that actually turns and they would have been a force to be reckoned with. There have even been games at the World Cup that they could have given Petersen a chance to start.
   
4. The Australians lost their no. 1 spot to us temporarily when they lost the one day series against New Zealand. But they had rested some of their key players. We were so focussed on winning the pre-world cup series (spot the irony? See point 1) that we did not allow enough recuperation time for the players that were going to be match winners in the Caribbean.
5. The middle order we have always been so reliant on, have just not performed. No surprise that. The only practice they have had over the last 3 months has been in the nets! There was ample chance to play around with the batting order during the home tour. Why not allow Kemp to open? Let Hall come in at no. 4? At least they would have had a chance to play themselves in and get a little confidence? Another opportunity lost.
6. Where has all the pace gone? Not so long ago the South African pace attack was something to feared. Sure Ntini & Pollock are worth their weight in gold and I actually rate Nel. But they are no longer rated as fast bowlers. A real quickie would have provided that variety that is so needed. Even without a spinner.
7. Finally, clearly the fitness coach need to be hauled over the coals. Why is it that our men have been so effected by the conditions in the Caribbean? Sure one or two other nations have had a player taking a bit of strain, but we have had Smith, Kallis, De Villiers, Gibbs and Hall needed treatment ... that I am aware of. The Australian game could have been a total different kettle of fish had Smith been fully fit. Not saying we would have won, but it would have been a much better game, that would have left a net run rate a whole lot more healthy.
   

I am not an expert. So take this from where it comes. To me these are just obvious things which would have made a difference to the World Cup campaign, and given us, the supporters a little more confidence in our boys when the march out against their World Cup opponents.

Let's hope that they can overcome the 7 deadly sins. Bring the cup home boys and the ALL WILL BE FORGIVEN!!!

Labels: cricket, eish, icc cricket world cup, proteas

Posted by eishman at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments

Watch if you wish, www.zoopy.com have all the tributes posted, from the service yesterday.

Labels: alan donald, bobwoolmer, cricket, funeral

Posted by eishman at 5:06 PM | Permalink | Comments

According to my definition of 'eish', there is space for me to vent my frustration and outrage so, brace yourself, it's time.

Let's start saying "May Bob Woolmer rest in peace." By all accounts he was a man that led his teams incredibly well, both technically and personally. His death is a loss, a big loss to the cricket world, but more importantly to the family who never got to spend very much time with their husband and dad in the period before he died.

So, now the frustration and outrage.
I was asked this weekend, what my thoughts were on the Bob Woolmer affair. My answer? "I have no idea, and nor should anyone else." It was a short conversation. (Interestingly almost word for word the response from Mike Wills of Cape Talk to a deluge of smses asking for his opinion on the matter). Here's as quick an explanation as to why I say this as I can get.

Late Sunday on the 18th March, the news breaks that Bob Woolmer was found unconscious in hotel room. He is later pronounced dead, and then the newspapers, syndicated news rooms, websites etc start seeing dollar signs. They are fueled by the local police's, seemingly enjoying the limelight, constant press conferences. Does anybody know how many they have actually convened?
We have since heard of blood spatters on the room walls, a heart attack, an inconclusive first post-mortem, a "suspicious death", vomit on the floor, no sign of forced struggle, no possessions disturbed, Pakistani team members finger printed, captain Inzimam Ul-Haq questioned, a betting syndicate involvement ....

No wait there's more!

... a South African betting syndicate involvement, moronic suggestions of links to Hansie Cronje's death(Clive Rice shut your trap!), three fanatical fans seen by CCTV cameras, cause of death asphyxia, a unauthorised meal being delivered, a Pakistani bookie thrown out of Woolmer's room and ... wait for it ... have you guessed it yet ... Al Qaeda involvement! I kid you not. (http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1087673)

My point? Please shut up Jamaican police! Do the flipping investigation, do it properly and tell us what you have found, once you have sufficient evidence that you are able to share with us.
I cannot imagine the hell all this unsubstantiated speculation is causing for his family. As much as I would love to do so, I know it would be impossible for anyone to gag the headline hungry media, but why feed them all this extra fodder?

Have they not watched CSI?

Have you say, comment below.

Labels: bobwoolmer, cape talk, cricket, csi, icc cricket world cup

Posted by eishman at 11:09 PM | Permalink | Comments

So, you want to see for yourself?

Ag, just to relive a bit of history. Here's the 6-6-6-6-6-6 over.

Labels: cricket, gibbs, icc cricket world cup, myvideo.co.za, proteas, sport

Posted by eishman at 10:59 PM | Permalink

Two posts, in a day!

Fortunately, I decided to watch the first South African foray in this year's cricket world cup. South Africa were sent in to bat by their opponents, the Dutch.
After a shakey start, De Villiers going out second ball totally unnecessarily, Why he felt it necessary to waft at a ball so wide off the off stump, only he will know. Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis steadied and accelerated the ship until Smith skyed one in the 19th over. 114/2 , Hershel Gibbs comes in and then the fun begins. Fours and sixes scored by both players, Kallis had quickly passed 50 and Gibbs decided to catch up.

In the 30th over all hell broke loose! Dutchman van Bunge gets klapped for 2 sixes in a row by Gibbs, then a third ... and a fourth six flies over deep midwicket. Now all have realised, hey, he could get a full house. Six, sixes in an over. Surely not?
The fifth ball gets hit over wide long off, just one more to go.
The sixth ball gets bowled, hit and lands well over deep midwicket. That's it, six, sixes!

The bloodbath continues and the eventual result is 353/3. In just forty overs! The start was delayed due to some early morning rain. EISH!!

So, I titled this post 'Broken Records.' Here are they are.

1. Most amount of sixes hit in a one day innings - 18
2. 36 runs off one World Cup over - Gibbs
3. Fastest World Cup 50 - Boucher (21 balls)

There could be more records that I missed.

AB must feel a right charlie now, and well he should. He missed out on a golden opportunity to get some batting practice and confidence before facing some real opposition. The only other negative being that once again the lower middle order have not been given any time in the middle.

Let's see how long the Dutch can last against the SA bowlers. We are counting on an early night.

btw. We watched Western Province (Cape Cobras) try very hard to lose the 20/20 semi-final against the Warriors imbetween balls. They eventually won off a misfield on the last ball. Stalwart Alan Dawson scoring the winning runs to prolong his professional career by one more match.
Scores : Warriors 139/9
Cobras 140/8

Labels: boucher, cricket, de villiers, gibbs, icc cricket world cup, proteas, records, smith, sport

Posted by eishman at 9:08 PM | Permalink | Comments