England vs South Africa.1st test. 18th-21th Dec.

[cantplaycantalk]

Sounds painfull, but I think I know what you mean
Play called off for the day starting early 8:17 tomorrow (weather not withstanding.)

[Ernest]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

Still not sure why they came off, seems to me that it was the Saffers choice and the batsmen were not happy at all.

Both captains agreed before the start of the series there would be no Test Cricket played under floodlights, that was why.

So why did they play for 2 hours or so with the lights on.

Smith was given the choice to stay on, b****** was grinning going of the park.

[Occasional Fan]

Originally Posted by Pete

Ball went through his legs and hit the helmet.

Thanks. I'll keep working on the nutmeg reference!

All over for today - but did they really offer the light to the bowlers? That happened in the Windies one day last spring, I seem to recall. Must be something to do with light levels actually being unplayable for the fielders - i.e. they can't see the cherry coming at them. Was controversial last time around as well and had me searching the Laws. I seem to remember the umpires (Hair and Bowden?) talking to Tony Greig on the radio the following morning to explain themselves, but I can't really remember the story. Darrell Hair is involved here as well - maybe it's he who can't see what's going on?

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Fine, if that what he needs to stop his team losing let him.

[Occasional Fan]

They've had the lights on every day, haven't they? Seems a bit strange for a test match.

[Pete]

I think it's raining there now anyway, so it really wouldn't have mattered all that much.

[R W S]

Well I'm back and want to share with you a couple of things . . .

G Smith pulled a fast one. He was interviewed by Nasser and said that his fielders were having difficulty picking up the ball square of the wicket and he feared they might miss a chance at gully or point (the fact he had no gully and point was deep not withstanding) - Thorpe was offered the light and said 'no thanks' and then Smith badgered the umpires saying it had to be fair for both sides(true)

... in the post day's review David 'Bumble- how they heck were you ever England coach' Lloyd said Smith had conned the umps - as it turned out the rain came anyway so it was accademic, but it was a cleaver bit of gamesmanship by the Saffers skipper.

Smith may lose some of his match fee when Clive Lloyd gets him in front of him because he had a right hissy fit about Butcher being given not out to a solid lbw appeal by Pollock of the days 4th delivery. It pitched just outside, just, to the left-hander and it was a good decision by Hair. Then about five minutes later the scene was replayed on the big screen in the ground and Smith started to kick the ground and throw his arms in the air as if he had just got a parking ticket.

Vaughan was out to an unplayble ball - Steyn, who's about 5' 8" and thinner than Giles, pitched one that swung in a touch and pitched on a good length on middle and then seamed away and cartwheeled the off stump, Vaughan was trying to guide to mid-wicket and had no chance - great ball from the quickie - and he seems to have addressed his overstepping problem and could well turn out to be a fine bowler in the rest of the series.

The funniest thing was when Hall was bowling to Strauss. G Smith moved his square leg fielder from in front to just behind the umpire and the next ball went sailing though at chest right where he had just been moved from - four runs, Smith holds his head in his hands, I order a chaser to go with my pint - classic.

Finally, Smith bowled pretty well for an occasional offie and Vaughan should turn his arm over more.

England to win and set a new record for consecutive victories by ten tomorrow morning. Strauss will be MoM and will have played eight won eight. Great stuff.

[Ernest]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.sh...rld=1469&links

The BBCs weather forcast for Port Elizabeth tommorow.

http://iafrica.com/weather/portelizabeth/

africa.com weather forcast for tomorrow.


Chris Smiths weather forcast for tomorrow

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Ernest

Both captains agreed before the start of the series there would be no Test Cricket played under floodlights, that was why.

Don't think they did... In fact I heard on the radio this morning that as Durban has very bad light towards the end of the day, the floodlights will be on everyday..

[Oliver]

Originally Posted by R W S

Well I'm back and want to share with you a couple of things . . .

I ordered a chaser to go with my pint - classic.

Great stuff.

Was that a pint of Guinness or just blackcurrent? And did you finish your Marlboro Lites?