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The offspinner brought to life the old adage that the most dangerous ball on a turning pitch is the one that goes on straight

Saurabh Somani in Lucknow 27-Nov-2019Rahkeem Cornwall does not bowl mystery balls. He does not have an action that is automatically accompanied with a whirring sound in your head when you watch it. He does not bound into the crease, nor is he a bundle of energy. Rahkeem Cornwall does not like a bowler, in fact. That is until you him bowl.Yes, we will get to his imposing physique and presence in a bit, but once the cricket starts, that fades into irrelevance anyway. Because what you see is how the ball dangles as if telling gravity to hold off for a bit, and then plummets. You see how Cornwall manages to find a consistent area to land the ball in, which gives batsmen neither the freedom to extend hands or feet to drive, nor room to cut and flick with impunity. You see how he does it over after over, hour after hour.All of Cornwall’s skills as a bowler were on display on the first day of West Indies’ one-off Test against Afghanistan in Lucknow. West Indies seemed to have given away the initiative, partly of their own making and partly due to the solidity of Afghanistan’s top order. Jason Holder won the toss and became only the second visiting captain since Steve Waugh in February 2001 to choose to bowl first in India. The only other man who had done it since Waugh was Dinesh Chandimal on an unusually green Kolkata pitch in a rain-affected Test.Holder’s decision looked like it would haunt West Indies when Afghanistan were motoring at 84 for 1. However, they realised quickly that this wasn’t a pitch on which they were going to blast Afghanistan out in a session, and adjusted their bowling plans accordingly. Holder bowled in miserly fashion, and Cornwall came on in the ninth over, finding immediate purchase.He almost always had three men catching around the bat – slip, short leg and leg slip. The three formed a perfect suffocating collar for Cornwall’s bowling. There was already sharp turn on offer, which meant short leg and leg slip were in play if the batsman didn’t defend in line with the ball. Leg slip also worked to limit the back-and-across whip, and Cornwall in fact got his fourth wicket when debutant Nasir Jamal flicked the ball into Holder’s hands.Slip was in play through the day – not because of the number of outside edges Cornwall drew, but because he showed off a topspinner that went on straight, bringing to life the adage, “the most dangerous ball on a turning pitch is the one that goes on straight.””Basically if the ball is spinning you just have to make sure you get your topspinner right and that’s the one that goes on [straight],” Cornwall later said.He had earlier told TV commentator Alistair Campbell that his game plan was to keep things simple. “It’s all about being consistent and putting the ball in the right areas, and the result will come. My strength comes from my upper body. I try to stay as balanced as possible.”Rahkeem Cornwall celebrates a wicket•AFPHe ended with 7 for 75, the best figures by a West Indies spinner in the first innings since Jack Noreiga’s 9 for 95 in Sunil Gavaskar’s debut Test in 1971. Afghanistan were bowled out for 187, a total West Indies may have envisaged when sticking them in, but it came about in a way they may not have predicted.Amir Hamza, the debutant who made Afghanistan’s second highest score at No. 9, agreed with Cornwall’s own assessment, though he added that the bowler’s height gave him the advantage of additional bounce.”He was putting the ball in good areas, and I think we also made some mistakes,” Hamza said. “He was bowling the arm ball and the normal one, only these two. He has good height, which is why he got bounce and turn as well.”The strength in the upper body undoubtedly helped with Cornwall’s long spell, his height naturally afforded extra bounce, lethally so to remove Asghar Afghan. But it was all possible only because of Cornwall’s exemplary control and skill at giving the ball a gymnast’s loop and hang-time, while disguising it enough that the one that went on straight wasn’t picked.Cornwall bowled 25.3 overs on the day, and the batsmen weren’t in control of 35 balls, almost a quarter of his deliveries. But even when they were in control, they could score at only 2.94.Another illustration of control: there were only 11 sweeps or reverse-sweeps played off Cornwall, only 10 balls were driven, and a mere two were cut. Cornwall just found a spot and kept the ball there. The natural assistance from the conditions and his own skill did the rest.Cornwall bowled an uninterrupted spell of 21 overs either side of the lunch break, allying that skill and control with stamina.We promised to speak about his size too, so here’s a considered opinion on what it means for Cornwall to be how many ever stones heavy: it doesn’t matter.

The bowlers held their own but Hashim Amla could not match his former feats and the search for a reliable opening partner for Dean Elgar goes on

Firdose Moonda08-Aug-20172:39

Batting woes and unfit Philander

8

Morne Morkel
Voted man of the series by the opposition, Morkel performed better than the numbers suggest. He pitched the ball up beyond his natural length and produced unplayable deliveries in every match, but lacked the support he required from the other side. A feature of Morkel’s tour was his ability to bowl for long periods of time, often for eight overs, and create discomfort for left-handed batsmen from around the wicket – notably Alastair Cook. He beat the bat countless times and could easily have claimed many more scalps but goes home having finally established himself as the leader of the attack.

7

Keshav Maharaj South Africa have travelled with Maharaj as their sole specialist spinner since the tour of Australia last November and he has repaid their faith in him handsomely. Maharaj is not a great turner of the ball but he is disciplined and he can hold up an end for sessions at a time to allow the quicks to rotate. His skill is in making batsmen come after him – Moeen Ali at Lord’s, Jonny Bairstow at Trent Bridge, Tom Westley at The Oval – and then catching them off guard. His batting is improving at international level and he has become one of South Africa’s most reliable performers.Dean Elgar The only centurion in South Africa’s last two Test series, Elgar’s hundred at The Oval came in tough circumstances. Chasing an improbable 492, South Africa were seeking to save the game and Elgar gave them their best chance. He put together a knock of resilience and grind, even after being hit on the hand, and though it was in a losing cause, it added to his maturing as a batsman. His other innings of significance was an 80 to set up the Trent Bridge win and his importance to South Africa’s future is obvious.Temba Bavuma The man with the best technique in the batting line-up, Bavuma did not manage to add a second century to his statistics but confirmed his ability to anchor the side. Bavuma routinely had to drag South Africa out of holes their top-order dug and his half-century in the first innings at The Oval saved them from utter embarrassment when they were reduced to 61 for 7. He was moved up to No. 4 for the final fixture and it is probably where he should stay. He needs to work on his low conversion, though, as the selectors will want to see hundreds soon.

6

Vernon Philander Arguably, Philander is South Africa’s most valuable player, so valuable they played him despite a dodgy ankle in the first Test and an upset stomach in the third. He was Man of the Match in the second with five wickets and a fifty and, when he was on the field, was mostly unplayable as a bowler, nagging away outside off stump. Philander loves bowling in English conditions, caused major problems for Keaton Jennings and showed his ability to become a genuine allrounder. But when he missed the final match with back spasms, his former captain Graeme Smith brought his fitness into sharp focus and suggested unless Philander’s conditioning improves, it could cost both him and the team dearly.Hashim Amla The last time South Africa toured England, Amla scored 311 runs in a single innings. This time, he managed only 18 more across eight innings. Amla’s form was a concern for South Africa over the course of the home summer and he was thought to be on the wane, but seemed to find his touch in this series. Twin half-centuries in the Trent Bridge win and a fighting 83 at Old Trafford gave South Africa hope of sharing the spoils but he could not do it alone. The shaky opening partnership isn’t helping him but South Africa will hope he can continue to provide stability as their line-up finds its best combinations.Morne Morkel was South Africa’s leading bowler – and a menace to Alastair Cook•AFP

5.5

Kagiso Rabada One of the most highly rated members of the South Africa squad, Rabada underwhelmed as he struggled for rhythm throughout the series. There were glimpses of his quality and aggression in bursts – the bouncer to remove Ben Stokes at Lord’s, the yorker to remove him at Old Trafford – but he struggled to sustain pressure. His battles with Stokes were particularly eye-catching, though he may reflect that he came out on the losing side. Rabada missed the second Test because of a disciplinary offence after giving Stokes a send-off.

5

Chris Morris An X-Factor cricketer who bowls quickly and bats aggressively, Morris had the opportunity to make a case for a more permanent place in the Test squad and there seems to be something to work with. He delivered fiery spells at Trent Bridge and The Oval, produced magic balls – the most memorable a yorker to dismiss Joe Root – and had staying power at the crease but consistency is his major issue. His coaches have acknowledged too many boundary balls in his repertoire and a tendency to bowl both sides of the wicket and Morris will need to tighten up to have a long-term Test career.

4.5

Quinton de Kock The stage was never really set for de Kock in a series where even his glovework was up and down. Was considered wasted at No.7, where he scored the first of his two fifties, so moved up to No. 4 at Trent Bridge. The experiment worked at first, as he scored an aggressive 68, but then quickly fizzled out. De Kock was unable to adapt to batting more conservatively when he needed to and was then moved back down in a bid to give him the freedom he thrives under. Behind the stumps, he took some screamers, but also had a few blunders and will leave knowing he did not show England his best side.Faf du Plessis South Africa’s captain briefly managed to conjure up the inspiration his men needed to perform when he returned from paternity leave after the Lord’s Test to guide them to victory at Trent Bridge. But his own form let him down when matters became decisive and he was twice out lbw padding up at The Oval. At Old Trafford, he made his first tactical error in leadership, when he spread the field against Jonny Bairstow and the tail, allowing England to put on 100 runs on the second morning and seize momentum. Du Plessis showed signs of the batsmen he made his name as when he partnered Amla to try and pull off a coup in the final Test but their stand did not last. He remained honest throughout the series, faulted Philander for his lack of fitness and bluntly told the team to get over AB de Villiers. He has now been in the job for a year and this was his first series defeat.Hashim Amla struggled for his best form in the series•Getty Images

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Duanne Olivier His Test career is still in its infancy but the diamond that South Africa deem Olivier, the leading wicket-taker in the first-class system, to be needs a lot of polishing. He was wayward and expensive at Trent Bridge, where his inexperience was obvious but looked better at Old Trafford. Olivier has a good bouncer in his arsenal and started to adjust his lengths to conditions that demanded slightly fuller bowling, but needs to work on his control if he is to seriously push for a more regular Test spot.

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Heino Kuhn South Africa’s attempts to find a new opening partner for Elgar failed after seasoned performer Kuhn could not handle the step up to international cricket. In Kuhn’s defence, conditions were tough for batting all round and he managed two stays of more than two hours at the crease but uncertainty outside off stump against two of the game’s best bowlers saw him get more rattled as the series went on. He ended it limping, literally, with a serious hamstring problem that may impact on how soon he can play again.Theunis de BruynAs one of the most promising batsmen on the domestic circuit, more was expected of de Bruyn, especially as he played lower down the order in this series – having debuted as an opener in New Zealand – but a composed 48 at Lord’s was as good as it got. Like many players new to England, de Bruyn was unsure of when to go forward and when to hang back and has technical tweaks to make before he plays again.

0

JP Duminy Duminy’s Test career all but ended at Lord’s, when he smashed a short ball straight to midwicket moments before tea on the fourth day as South Africa were trying to save the game. He also dropped Root, on his way 190, in the first innings. Duminy’s inability to consistently supply big runs cost him his place for the second Test and he was sent home midway through the tour. It is tough to see how he will find a way back.

This Headingley pitch has not made batting a simple task, but Jonny Bairstow played like a man in the form of his life with the stirring support of his home crowd

George Dobell at Headingley20-May-2016It is doubtful that even the most partisan Sri Lankan supporter begrudged Jonny Bairstow his moment of celebration upon reaching a Test century at Headingley.They will know what he and his family have been through. They will know that this was not only his home ground, but the home ground of his father. They will have seen him point to his mother in the crowd as he reached his century and they will, for a while at least, have celebrated with them. Many things are more important than the result of cricket matches and you didn’t have to be a Yorkshireman – or even an Englishman – to appreciate this was a special moment.Bairstow, and his family, have endured a great deal to earn it. The standing ovation afforded him was tribute not just to some fine batting, but for the resilience of those around him and in appreciation and fond recognition of the contribution of his father. This was a local lad coming good and the local people were, quite rightly, damn proud of him.But this was significant beyond the personal: it also cemented Bairstow’s position in the England team. As a batsman.Let us forget the keeping for a minute. Over the last couple of years, Bairstow has developed into a player of rare dominance in country cricket. He averaged 92.33 in the 2015 County Championship and, before this game, had plundered 246 against Hampshire and 198 against Surrey on this ground this season. In the second of those innings, he outshone Joe Root for a while and very, very few people do that these days. Even if he never kept again, he would be demanding England selection.To have come in with his side in trouble and scored a century is one thing. To have done so on a pitch on which only one other man in the match has so far reached 35 is another. And to have done it as if he were batting on a shirtfront is reflective of the confidence with which he now plays.Murderous against the short ball – his late cut is a thing of beauty, which perhaps explains why Sri Lanka appeared to feed it for a while – he is also very strong through extra cover (50 of his runs came in front of square on the off side) and, through playing straighter than was once the case, rarely misses out should the bowler stray on to his pads. So fast is his running between the wickets that, even when the boundary opportunities are cut off, it is all but impossible to dry-up his run scoring. He earned the overthrows that brought up his century by continually putting the fielders under pressure.While he enjoyed a little fortune – he was badly dropped on 70 and flirted outside off stump a few times – it was no more than he deserved for the selfless way he approached the innings. Indeed, this was the sort of busy innings that Matt Prior, at his best, used to provide. It was probably fitting that Bairstow became the first England keeper to score a century in a home Test since Prior in 2011. He will play on many easier surfaces than this.Jonny Bairstow savours a hundred on his home ground•Getty ImagesThose who know Bairstow from Yorkshire suggest he has matured greatly in recent times. Where once he could appear somewhat defensive – or even abrasive – he now appears more resolved to enjoy his career without worrying about baggage or expectations. A change of agent seems to have encouraged this development and, where once he was – understandably – reluctant to open up either with colleagues or the media, he has found in recent times that, when he has done so, he has found only support and sympathy. As a consequence, it is said he is a more relaxed man, happier in his own skin.So impressive was Bairstow here – and it is worth remembering it is only three Tests since he scored his maiden Test century – that there may well be calls for him to bat at No. 5. The argument for this is it might allow him extra time to build his innings and provide England the option of bringing in another player at No. 7. Some argue for a recall for Jos Buttler, who probably remains the more gifted keeper, though it could equally provide an opportunity to bring in a spinner such as Adil Rashid.Whether Buttler is significantly more reliable with the gloves is debatable, though. He was dropped for a reason and, until he has played enough red ball cricket to suggest he has improved, it would be inconsistent to recall him. Ben Foakes, brilliant as a keeper but a work in progress as a batsman, might be another long-term option, but England have damaged keepers by picking them too early in the past. Foakes is best served continuing to learn his trade with Surrey.But we already knew that Bairstow could bat. Perhaps, in the grand scheme of things, it is more relevant that he also enjoyed an excellent day with the gloves. While none of the five catches he claimed were sensational, he made a couple of them appear a good deal easier than he might have done in the past. With his footwork and concentration improved, he moved smartly both down the leg-side to dismiss Shaminda Eranga and towards first slip – an area that troubled him in South Africa – to claim a couple of outside edges.He is not, by any means, the finished article as a keeper but he is working hard and has clearly made progress. It was telling that, in a County Championship match against Nottinghamshire a couple of weeks ago, he generally kept better than Chris Read. There is little higher praise than that.It is too early to say England have found their Prior replacement – keeping is, after all, about consistency and he was not required to keep to spin bowling here – but Bairstow is heading in the right direction and well on the way to proving those of us who doubted his keeping wrong.His game appears well-suited to No. 7, too. It allows him recovery time after keeping, protects him a little from the bowlers at their freshest and the ball at its hardest and provides England with a daunting-looking batting line-up. He has the ability to both push-on or rebuild as required and, blessed with an extra gear that should have earned him more limited-overs caps already, he has the game to thrash out if he is left with the tailenders.It would be wrong to draw too many conclusions from the first two days of the Test summer. But with Hales and Bairstow providing evidence that they are developing into the players required to fill two of the positions about which there was some doubt in this team, it has been a highly encouraging start for England.

When cracked ribs couldn’t stop Benaud from enjoying a lunch with his legendary West Indian opponents in Barbados

Tony Cozier10-Apr-2015It was an opportunity not to be missed.It was September 2013 and Richie Benaud would be in Barbados for the first time since appropriately delivering the annual Sir Frank Worrell Memorial lecture at the University of the West Indies, Barbados campus, a decade earlier.At 83, he was unlikely to come again. As it has sadly turned out, it was his last chance to catch up with the five of the West Indian survivors from the unforgettable 1960-61 series in Australia when he, as inventive home captain, and Worrell, his similarly minded West Indies counterpart, influenced their teams into an exuberant approach to the game that revived the fading image of Test cricket.Immediately sparked by the unprecedented tie first up in Brisbane, the series captured the public’s imagination to such an extent that 100,000 thronged the streets of Melbourne to hail their popular visitors at the end. It was a phenomenon unheard of, before or since.A lunch at one of the island’s top restaurants, overlooking the spectacular Rockley beach on Barbados’ south coast, seemed the ideal setting for Benaud to be joined by his 1960-61 challengers, Garry Sobers, Wes Hall, Seymour Nurse, Cammie Smith and Peter Lashley. Everton Weekes, then 88 and as effervescent as he is two years on, was also along; he had piled up runs while Benaud twirled his legspin in the the 1955 series in the Caribbean. By then, it was Sir Garry, also one of Barbados’ ten national heroes, Sir Wes and Sir Everton.I knew them all as friends, principally from years of covering West Indies wherever they ventured, Benaud from the eight seasons in Australia as part of the Channel Nine panel, learning the intricacies of television, as opposed to radio, commentary under his guidance. In addition, I first met Richie’s wife and soul mate, Daphne, when she was secretary to the renowned cricket writer, EW Swanton.I was in no doubt they would all be as enthusiastic about the idea as they immediately were.
Yet the exercise turned out to be not quite as straightforward as it appeared.In the second Test of the 1960-61 series, in Melbourne, Benaud and keeper Grout wait for the umpire’s decision after Joe Solomon’s cap falls and dislodges a bail•Getty ImagesAs keen as he was, Richie had one caveat. He was coming for an event unrelated to cricket (it was a special birthday celebration of a close friend of the Benauds, a Trinidadian long since resident in Sydney) and didn’t want any diversion from the occasion.”One possible problem that springs to mind is if media outlets demand access with cameras, tape recorders and notebooks, something which, if it happens, would certainly detract from the idea,” he emailed when I put my lunch proposal to him. He was, after all, then as famous for his second career as television’s most authoritative commentator as he was as captain and player.I nervously assured him that wouldn’t be the case, that I had it in all under control. So the date was set, the restaurant booked, the local contingent confirmed and sponsorship agreed with the Cricket Legends of Barbados group. I got my son Craig busy designing a four-page menu, entitled “Remembering the great times”, carrying images of the seven players along with the iconic pictures of the final run out of the tied Test, the summarised scores of the matches and, of course, the menu (Opening Batsmen, starters; Middle Order, main course; Tail-Enders, sweets).
Then, suddenly, a setback.Richie had fallen in the shower at his west coast villa and damaged his ribs. After examination at a nearby clinic, he was transferred to a private hospital on the outskirts of Bridgetown for a couple days’ observation.Crestfallen, I cancelled the restaurant reservation and advised the others of the situation. Somehow, word got back to Richie. Daphne called to say that whatever I had done I should undo it since Richie was adamant he wasn’t going to let a little pain and some tight strapping around his upper body put him off. He would be there at the appointed time.So the lunch arrangements were restored and, to their shared delight, the invitations to the local contingent reinstated. There was only one anxious moment when Richie arrived at the restaurant; as Wes Hall approached as if to greet him with a hug, he recoiled. “No hugs today!” he exclaimed, pointing to his rib cage.The group, including Daphne, Michele Kennedy-Green, the birthday girl from Sydney, and her sister, Patricia, took their seats at a round table at 1.10 pm. We reluctantly broke up three hours later.Worrell (right) cheered by thousands in a parade in Melbourne following the series that captured the public’s imagination like never before•Getty ImagesAfter glasses were raised in memory of those of the 1960-61 team who had passed on – Sir Frank, who died of leukaemia, aged 42, Sir Conrad Hunte, Gerry Alexander and Alf Valentine – the banter became increasingly animated, the stories more and more richly embellished, the laughter louder, Cammie Smith’s as infectious as ever. It was just what everyone had expected.Within two months of Benaud’s return to Australia, the joy of that day turned to apprehension over his well-being after he fractured two vertebrae in a car crash driving home from a round of golf.When, a year later, he revealed that he was receiving radiation treatment for skin cancer, the anxiety turned to trepidation.He battled his ailment gamely. Daphne emailed occasional reports, revealing that they had been walking each morning along the beach in Coogee, the location of their flat between the innumerable summers in England for BBC television. Richie even talked optimistically of returning to Channel Nine commentary for Australia’s Sydney Test against India last January. It proved a forlorn hope.His death on Friday has thrown a pall of gloom over cricket’s global family. West Indians of a certain vintage especially remember his role, along with Worrell, in overseeing as influential a Test series as the game has known. Those of more contemporary generations, who knew him mostly from his reassuring presence on their television screens, appreciated his professionalism, noticed his immaculate dress sense, marvelled at his remarkable cool even in the tensest situations and, above all, valued the absolute impartiality of his measured commentary, a rare attribute at a time of much overt jingoism.

How a player who played in the very first Test continues to be a source of motivation

Zeeshan Mahmud27-Jun-2013As a man with five blown discs, permanently disabled suffering mid-life crisis, I was enthused today with a sudden flash of inspiration penned by Providence himself. All too often, at the pursuit of excellence, or the prodigy, one seeks for the youngest player on debut to do so-and-so record.However,The Sage rejects extremes
rejects excess,
rejects excellence.
[Verse 29, Tao Te Ching]… however, being an ardent fan of Lao-Tzu, my eyes were opened when I stumbled upon a stray stat as I googled “Oldest player on debut” for that flickering hope that one day my name shall creep up in Wisden if I keep persevering even at this late age. Lo and behold! The thunder struck as I saw the witticism of Divine when in the very first Test itself, other than Bannerman’s ‘curiosity’ we also have James Southerton’s unique – and yet to be broken – record of being the oldest person to debut in Tests. Yes, a rush of adrenaline shivered up my spine that may be if one truly wants one can pursue his or her goal after all.Since we have to visually reconstruct the match from solely from stats, anecdotes and reports, it seems that he was with muttonchop sideburns the late 19th century became the “greatest slow bowler of the 1870s”. Just like the Sage prides himself on the lowly and weak, Southerton pioneered slow-left arm deliveries in his arsenal to unsettle batsmen.James Southerton, born in Petworth, Sussex on November 16, 1827 grew to be a hairdresser for his day-job. Personally he was known for his gentlemanly disposition. In the June 17 obituary Colonist reports how he “delivered in the Surrey matches alone no less than 3699 balls (without a single wide)” and to have “obtained 80 wickets.” That too at a very late age!How often we lament that our body is failing and our life is over, yet it seems just for kicks, a greater Intelligence must have tucked this statistic in to serve as a model to inspire for the coming generations. Unfortunately James Southerton also became the first Test cricketer to pass away and he is unaware that just by transmitting the sheer Melbourne numbers of 49 years and 119 days seismographically, he would propel a hapless self like me to stretch imagination and dream big.Like a true Taoist immortal, who would continue to inspire me, much would be forever clouded in mystery about Southerton. Perhaps, the oft-quoted adage “it’s never too late” has more than merits to it and serves as a firm testament for the rest to never give up on their goals and dreams.If you have a submission for Inbox, send it to us here, with “Inbox” in the subject line

After the crazy 23-wicket day, this home fan enjoyed watching South Africa win, even if it meant just a session’s worth of play

Samantha Smith12-Nov-2011Choice of game
With exams done and dusted, I couldn’t imagine a better way to kick start my summer vacation than with a day at the cricket. The last time the Proteas played a Test match at Newlands was against India, which ended in a dreary draw. After the theatrics of day two, only a snowstorm could prevent a result. And with the Proteas full of momentum and effectively having three days to bat, only a die-hard Australian fan would predict anything other than a South African win.Team supported
South Africa. They briefly held the status of the world’s best Test team in 2008. The road to reclaiming the No. 1 spot begins with a win against the Aussies and an army of cheering supporters.Key performer
Graeme Smith manufactured a true captain’s innings, simultaneously silencing his critics, who could only stand and applaud his resilient knock, and hopefully signalling the end of his worrisome form. However, the player who truly stood out today was Hashim Amla. A clear crowd favourite, he combined class with fluency and made the most of his chances after Michael Hussey and Shane Watson each grassed the opportunity to dismiss the flashy right-hander. He was particularly harsh on Ryan Harris, sweetly timing three consecutive boundaries off him in the 45th over, much to the noisy cheers of the healthy Newlands crowd.One thing you’d have changed

In the interest of cricket, notwithstanding South Africa’s tremendous effort to pull off a win after narrowly avoiding the follow-on, I would have preferred the Test to have at least lasted three full days. After yesterday’s mayhem, a fighting and nail-biting finish would have provided the icing on the cake of what has truly been an unforgettable Test. Perhaps a few early wickets and intermittent grey skies would have given the Australian bowlers something to work with. But alas, the commanding strokeplay of Amla and Smith, coupled with lots of pitch-flattening sunshine, meant the game was wrapped up within the morning session. I now find myself having to exchange my day four and five tickets for a domestic match.Interplay I enjoyed
At one point, it looked like Amla’s aggressive batting would deny Smith a deserved hundred. I don’t doubt the chat in the middle included a plea from the captain to Amla to block a few deliveries. Fortunately, and in fairytale fashion, Smith reached his century when South Africa needed two to win.Wow moment
At 11:11 on 11/11/2011, the Proteas needed 111 runs to win. The Newlands faithful were instructed to stand on one leg for one minute. For those who had already indulged in a couple of beers, this proved challenging! I can’t decide if watching grown men hop about is as funny as seeing all those 1s on the scoreboard is spooky. Either way, nothing out-of-the-ordinary today could compete with 21 for 9 – just ask the Aussies.Close encounter
President’s Pavilion, Block K, Row O. Right below the Australian balcony and almost directly behind the slip cordon, my friends and I are convinced it’s the ideal place to sit. The verbal protagonists must have gone to the beach instead of the cricket because I don’t recall hearing any of the usual heckling. However, one loud bare-chested man, wearing what looked like the South African flag as a pair of shorts, attempted to engage with Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke. Given his inaudible slurs, his efforts were met with laughs. Well, at least he gave the Aussie captain to smile about!Shot of the day
Amla brought up his fifty with a magnificent cover-drive off Mitchell Johnson. It was a half-volley, but he timed it superbly. Pure, unequivocal class.Crowd meter
The ground started to fill up as Capetonain cricket lovers slowly realised that the game would likely end before lunch. As is customary, the Oaks grass embankment was filled to capacity and provided the loudest cheers. They started a number of Mexican waves but the rest of the stadium simply couldn’t keep up. Smith and Amla each received a prolonged standing ovation when they brought up their respective hundreds. And debutant Vernon Philander’s effort was duly appreciated by his home crowd when he collected the Man-of-the-Match trophy.Fancy-dress index
Newlands was invaded by a group of Smurfs, a couple of Hashim Amla wannabees (complete with detachable beards) and a bunch of guys wearing watermelon hats, excessive body paint and green skirts. Just your average day at the cricket.Entertainment
Apart from the characters identified above, there wasn’t much entertainment. The PA system made sure the spectators knew when to ”do the Nelson” and drew our attention to the fact that Amla and Smith had broken the record for the highest second-wicket partnership by South Africa against the Aussies. After the post-match presentation, a cacophony of kids invaded the pitch.Accessories
Those pesky security personnel confiscated my Vuvuzela and I neglected to bring my binoculars. Nevertheless, I had a secure supply of water, great company and a good pair of UV-blocking shades. What more could one ask for?Tests v limited-overs
There is simply no comparison. A Twenty20 is a snack, an ODI is an early dessert and a Test match is a three-course meal. You can up the scoring rate in any format, but only Test cricket assesses the true stamina, ability and character of an international side.Banner of the day
There were very few banners around the ground. Someone thinks ”Hashim is King”, another believes Ricky Ponting should retire, and a young boy wanted the South African batsmen to hit a six in his direction. Without a doubt the best banner of the day was my friend Graham’s makeshift placard that referred to Smith finally scoring a hundred: ”Enjoy it while it lasts because it won’t happen for another few years”. Let’s hope he’s wrong.Marks out of 10
7.5. Although the match ended prematurely and the stadium was not near capacity, the atmosphere was fantastic, the passion of the crowd evident and the weather ideal. South Africa came from behind to register an unthinkable win, and Smith and Amla displayed their class in what proved to be a relatively easy chase. A good day at the office for a South African cricket fan.

Ivo Tennant looks at a compromise that suits both the ICC and Darrell Hair

Ivo Tennant18-Mar-2008

Darrell Hair’s lawyers, Robert Griffiths QC and Paul Gilbert, decided to terminate his tribunal hearing against the ICC in London last October because a point of no return had been reached after six days in court. The next witness Griffiths would have cross-examined would have been Nasim Ashraf, the Pakistani delegate, and he would not have concerned himself with any sensitivities.Hence there was a compromise: Hair would undergo six months ‘rehabilitation’ and the ICC would then reconsider whether he should be allowed to officiate in Test cricket once more. Had he not been allowed back, Hair would have consulted his lawyers once more and there can be little doubting that both parties would have been back in court.There has been no collusion between the respective legal teams since then, but this is an outcome that suits both camps. Hair’s lawyers anticipate that the forthcoming series between England and New Zealand will be the obvious one for his return, since neither country will object to his presence. The ICC, for its part, needs only employ him for the next 12 months until his contract expires, and it can pick and choose his matches to everyone’s satisfaction. It is not as if he has to stand on the subcontinent.Hair is fortunate in one sense, for this verdict comes at a time of poor officiating by umpires in world cricket, notably in the recent acrimonious series between Australia and India. Never has there been greater need of an experienced, resolute official who can make correct decisions in terms of the contest between batsman and bowler, to say nothing of dealing with the increasing amount of sledging in the game.The ICC was always going to present the termination of the tribunal hearing as its own victory and Hair is well aware that there is nothing further he will be able to do if his contract is not renewed in a year’s time. He will, though, have resumed officiating at the highest level and will be able to write his memoirs, which should reap better sales than those by any umpire bar Dickie Bird.Above all, Hair realised he would miss Test match umpiring, and his lawyers were always mindful of that. Although Malcolm Speed, the chief executive of the ICC, claimed afterwards not to have paid any attention to the coverage of the tribunal hearing, the governing body of the game would not have wanted its representatives to be exposed again to the probings of Griffiths, whose knowledge of the Laws of Cricket is due in part to sitting on the committee of MCC, which still has responsibility for them.Hair, through his lawyers, expressed his delight at the prospect of returning to the Test arena, although he was never actually demoted from the ICC’s Elite panel. His ‘rehabilitation’ has consisted of standing in a number of low-key matches, for there was little he did not know about the Laws. His interpretation of them, the sticking point at The Oval in 2006, is not likely to change now.Otherwise, Hair has been living quietly with his wife, Amanda, at their home in Australia while relying on the good sense of the ICC. He will have to contend, inevitably, with a hefty media presence when he resumes his duties but he is unlikely to court controversy so long as he is not engaged with any country that objected to his return to the international game.

Security claims made by board described as “trumped up and bogus” by South African Jewish Board of Deputies

Firdose Moonda18-Jan-2024Ali Bacher, the man who oversaw South African cricket’s reintegration after apartheid, has asked CSA to provide “a comprehensive explanation of the decision-making process” that led to the removal of David Teeger as Under-19 captain a week before the age-group World Cup being staged in the country.Bacher, who is related to Teeger through his wife, said doubt had been cast on CSA’s explanation of security concerns after the board failed to provide justification for its decision on safety grounds at a meeting with the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) on Tuesday.In a statement issued on the eve of the tournament, which will see South Africa play West Indies in Potchefstroom on Friday, Bacher conveyed his “dismay and concern” over CSA’s decision to stand Teeger down and asked for “transparent and open discourse” on the matter. Specifically, Bacher asked CSA to disclose four things:

• The security reports that influenced this decision.
• A comprehensive explanation of the decision-making process.
• The specific factors and insights that led to the removal of the captaincy.
• Clarification on whether there were any external pressures placed on them that led to the decision.

Bacher’s intervention comes after CSA invited the SAJBD to a meeting, four days after Teeger’s removal. At a press conference after the meeting, the SAJBD alleged that CSA’s delegates started by telling them they had received a report from state security and then that they had a briefing with state security, but would not reveal who they had dealt with. The SAJBD left dissatisfied and said in a statement that CSA’s “vacillating and contradictory responses” led them to believe any security concerns were “trumped up and bogus”.The SAJBD accused CSA of anti-semitism and of allowing “high-level political interference” but when asked for proof of any government intervention, said they did not have any. They also demanded CSA reinstate Teeger, which has not happened.Related

• David Teeger to captain South Africa at 2024 Under-19 World Cup

• David Teeger removed as South Africa captain for U-19 World Cup

• David Teeger dismissal cuts across South African politics

Juan James has been named captain in Teeger’s place while CSA has denied any political involvement in its decision-making.Teeger was thrust into the spotlight in October when he was named the Rising Star at the ABSA Jewish Achiever Awards ceremony. In his acceptance speech, he dedicated the award to “young soldiers in Israel”, a statement which was reported in the media and attracted complaints from the Palestinian Solidarity Alliance (PSA), sponsors, cricket clubs and concerned citizens.CSA referred the complaints to advocate Wim Trengrove, who conducted an independent adjudication into whether Teeger had breached the code of conduct of CSA or his provincial team, the Lions, and found that he had not. Trengrove’s reasoning was based on the constitutional right to freedom of expression, while he also determined that Teeger did not engage in any unbecoming or detrimental conduct. CSA accepted the report and confirmed Teeger as the Under-19 team’s captain on December 8.A month later, after protests at Newlands during the New Year’s Test between South Africa and India and the South African government’s decision to bring a case of genocide against Israel at the International Court of Justice, CSA announced Teeger’s axing, citing security concerns. Teeger remains part of the squad and is expected to play in South Africa’s matches, raising further questions over whether his safety would only be compromised if he was leading the team. CSA said it believed taking him out of that role would “lower the temperature” of the issue.Protests are planned for the under-19 World Cup and while Bacher recognised the rights of South Africans to protest, he believes “it is the responsibility of CSA and South African law enforcement entities to ensure safety at all sporting events. The alternative is that the threat of using violence dictates policy.”ESPNcricinfo understands that the PSA has been granted a permit to protest outside the stadium in Potchefstroom while other demonstrations are also expected – including the possibility of counter-protests.In a pre-tournament statement, CSA said that it “respects the right to lawful protests,” but went on to “emphasise that these cannot interfere with the matches or compromise the safety of players and fans. To this end, we are collaborating closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure that the tournament proceeds smoothly and without any disruptions.”Extra security measures are understood to be in place at all five tournament venues.

Stats highlights from the career of Stuart Broad, who has become the 15th bowler to take 400 Test wickets

Bharath Seervi22-Mar-20180 – Number of fast bowlers to take 400 Test wickets at a younger age than Stuart Broad, who was 31 years, 271 days on day one in Auckland. The previous youngest was Dale Steyn at 32 years, 33 days, when he got to the milestone against Bangladesh in 2015. Among all bowlers, only Muttiah Muralitharan and Harbhajan Singh have reached 400 at a younger age than Broad. Muralitharan, at 29 years, 270 days, is the youngest to 400 Test wickets overall. Broad is the second England bowler, after James Anderson, and the 15th overall to take 400 wickets.ESPNcricinfo Ltd1 – Fast bowler to have reached the 400-wicket mark in lesser time from date of debut than Broad, who has taken 10 years and 103 days. Glenn McGrath raced to the feat in just 8 years and 341 days, which is the fastest among all bowlers. Spin legends Muralitharan and Shane Warne also took less than 10 years to get there. However, Broad has taken 115 Tests to complete 400 wickets, which is the joint-most among the 15 bowlers to the mark, alongside Kapil Dev’s 115.196 – Wickets picked up by Broad in a span of four years between 2013 and 2016, the most by any bowler in that period. He averaged 25.56 and took a wicket every 52 balls in that period. He averaged less than 30 in each of those four years, and was the top wicket-taker among pace bowlers in calendar years 2013 and 2015. Till end of 2012, he had picked up 172 wickets at 31.93 in 52 Tests.

However, he did not have a great 2017 as he managed only 30 wickets in 11 Tests at an average of 36.06 and strike rate of 78.4. The strike rate was his worst in any calendar year. In 2018, so far, he has played two Tests and taken two wickets.8/15 – Broad’s career-best figures, which came against Australia at Trent Bridge in the Ashes 2015. They are the best figures for any fast bowler in the last 20 years. In the last 10 years of Test cricket, Mitchell Johnson is the only other pace bowler to have taken eight wickets in an innings.66.67 – The percentage of Broad’s five-wicket hauls that became six-wicket hauls. He has 15 five-fors, out of which 10 times he took six or more wickets in the innings. Among the 74 bowlers who have taken 10 or more five-fors in Tests, no one has a better five-fors to six-fors conversion percentage than Broad. In the last 10 years, Broad has 10 six-fors, while the next most among fast bowlers is six by Steyn.11 – The number of times Broad has dismissed Michael Clarke – the most has he got any batsman. Next on the list are AB de Villiers (10), Ross Taylor (9, ahead of the Auckland Test), Hashim Amla (8), Shane Watson (8) and Chris Rogers (8). Coincidentally, each of these six batsmen have also got out to Broad the most times in their career (Watson had also got out eight times to James Anderson).19.17 – Broad’s bowling average in the fourth match of Test series, his best among all matches of a series. He doesn’t average less than 27 in any of the other matches. He has taken 63 wickets in 14 such Tests with five five-wicket hauls (four of them six-fors). Out of his nine Man-of-the-Match awards, four of them have been in the fourth match of series. His best bowling figures (8 for 15) and only century with bat (169 runs) also came in such matches.

202 – Wickets for Broad under Alastair Cook’s captaincy – the most by any bowler under an England captain. He played 54 Tests under Cook, with his wickets coming at an average of 26.94 and strike rate of 53.7 – both average and strike rate are also his best under any captain. Anderson took 191 wickets in 49 Tests under Cook.*All stats are correct up to the point when Broad reached 400 wickets in New Zealand’s first innings in Auckland

MatériaMais Notícias

Clube brasileiro com mais atletas estrangeiros em seu plantel, oito ao todo, o São Paulo tenta conseguir junto à CBF e FPF (Federação Paulista de Futebol) o fim do limite de cinco gringos relacionados para as partidas em competições organizadas em território brasileiro.

O plano do Tricolor é conseguir pelo menos que haja a liberação ilimitada de atletas de outros países no banco de reservas, com a manutenção do limite atual de cinco em campo.

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Bom dia, torcida! ❤️🤍🖤

Reveja os gols da vitória por 4️⃣ a 1️⃣ sobre a Portuguesa, no Morumbi, pelo Paulistão!

⚽ Luciano
⚽⚽ Galoppo
⚽ Pedrinho#SPFCPlay#VamosSãoPaulo 🇾🇪 pic.twitter.com/juhmUW5Mbs

— São Paulo FC (@SaoPauloFC) January 27, 2023

+Palmeiras mira volante de clube italiano, Flamengo vende João Gomes, o futuro de Vitão… o Dia do Mercado!

Para isso, o São Paulo encaminhou ofício às entidades máximas do futebol brasileiro e paulista com sua reivindicação. A informação foi divulgada inicialmente pela ‘ESPN‘ e confirmada pelo LANCE!.

Como forma de justificar o seu pedido, o clube do Morumbi argumenta que competições organizadas pela Conmebol, como as copas Libertadores e Sul-Americana, e as principais ligas europeias não possuem esse tipo de restrição.

Ainda segundo a manifestação são-paulina, a presença de atletas estrangeiros serve para valorizar a marca dos clubes e competições nacionais, atraindo atenção e patrocinadores internacionais.

De acordo com dados levantados pelo São Paulo, o número de jogadores estrangeiros no Brasil saltou de 63, em 2012, para 121 no ano passado.

A proibição de mais de cinco estrangeiros consta do artigo 42 do regulamento geral de competições da CBF: ‘Os clubes poderão relacionar nas súmulas de cada partida até cinco atletas estrangeiros, excepcionados os registrados como refugiados que, para efeitos das competições coordenadas pela CBF, se equiparam aos atletas nacionais, sem nenhuma restrição de direitos.’

O Tricolor tem hoje em seu elenco os argentinos Alan Franco, Galoppo e Calleri, os equatorianos Méndez e Arboleda, o uruguaio Gabriel Neves, o venezuelano Ferraresi e o colombiano Orejuela.

Por conta desse excesso, o técnico Rogério Ceni vem sendo obrigado a promover um rodízio de jogadores a cada jogo. Galoppo, autor de dois gols na goleada por 4 a 1 sobre a Portuguesa, por exemplo, pode ficar de fora do clássico contra o Corinthians, neste domingo (29).

Em entrevista ao canal ‘Arnaldo e Tironi‘, o diretor de futebol Carlos Belmonte disse que o clube considera o limite de gringos baixo e explicou os motivos pelo qual houve a procura de reforços estrangeiros mesmo com a norma.

– Quanto custaria um jogador como o Méndez, com essas mesmas características, se ele estivesse no mercado nacional?

Internamente, como apurou o L!, a esperança do São Paulo é que outros clubes com número de gringos acima do permitido se aliem no movimento.

CLUBES BRASILEIROS COM MAIS DE CINCO ESTRANGEIROS NO PLANTEL

SÃO PAULO
8

BOTAFOGO
6
Gatito Fernández (Paraguai)
Joel Carli (Argentina)
Luis Segovia (Equador)
Jacob Montes (Estados Unidos)
Sebastian Jofre (Bolívia)
Darius Lewis (Trinidad e Tobago)
Victor Cuesta (se naturalizou brasileiro)

CORINTHIANS
6
Fabián Balbuena (Paraguai)
Bruno Méndez (Uruguai)
Rafael Ramos (Portugal)
Fausto Vera (Argentina)
Victor Cantillo (Colômbia)
Ángel Romero (Paraguai)

GRÊMIO
6
Walter Kannemann (Argentina)
Jaminton Campaz (Venezuela)
Franco Cristaldo (Argentina)
Mathias Villasanti (Paraguai)
Felipe Carballo (Uruguai)
Luis Suárez (Uruguai)

PALMEIRAS
6
Benjamin Kuscevic (Chile)
Gustavo Gómez (Paraguai)
Joaquin Piquerez (Uruguai)
Eduard Atuesta (Colômbia)
Flaco López (Argentina)
Miguel Merentiel (Uruguai)

Fonte: Transfermarkt

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