Give it to me big boy

Sure it would be easy to discount the wickets of Phil Hughes and Simon Katich from Freddie’s performance, however Flintoff’s brilliance transcends Rudi’s howlers. I’d like to think it was Fred’s aura that blurred Rudi’s view of the front foot line, and his presence that persuaded Rudi to forsake consistancy and just adjudicate the Strauss “catch” out. Well, either his precense or his presents, either way Hansie would be proud of his countrymen.

In remembering this outstanding bowling performance it should not be forgetten that he legitimately dismissed a wicket keeper and two bowlers, a phenomonal effort for a bowler passed fit by England’s medical staff just 4 mornings earlier.

Then there was the spirit in which he bowled his fiery 10 over spell, surely this is the stuff of which legends are made. That he celebrated his wickets like an ‘outraged camp duck’ shouldn’t take the gloss away from this memorable performance.

Freddie deserves to be eulogised and immortalised, though probably not as much as the 62 English bowlers who have superior innings figures at Lords (even after including Rudi’s freebies).

Here’s some thumbnails of Freddie accepting the well deserved praise that came with his 6 wickets…

Vodafone hit by the GFC

It gets worse for the combined cricket board of Denmark, White South Africa, Papua New Guinea, Wales and England with the news that Allan Stanford is pulling out of his Stanford tournament. Matt Prior is most upset as he has not yet floated his indecent proposal.

What a great ground for cricket

Here’s a brainwave though, move the series to Fiji. They’ve been an associate member of the ICC since 1965, and have contested 7 ICC Champions trophies, the most recent in 2001. Now I’m not an administrative genius or anything, but I reckon playing cricket in Fiji could be a good way to grow the game there.

The tests can be held at the Fiji National Stadium in Suva (pictured). It’s got a 30,000 seat capacity and due to the athletics track around the perimeter has a good oval shape to it. A drop-in pitch can be shipped up from Australia at the BCCI’s expense, I believe they grow them in Darwin for the MCG.

The beauty of this plan revolves around the crowd attendance. Fiji has over 300,000 Indians who account for a staggering 37% of the population. Unlike complacent Indian crowds who couldn’t even be buggered to watch Sachin break the Test run record, these Fijian Indians might actually show up to the match and provide what used to be known as ‘atmosphere’.

What’s more it’s really nice in Fiji. Freddy can get pissed and peddle boats around. Harmy can bowl wides, and KP can take his team on a big game fishing trip to help them get over the loss of Stanford’s millions..

Stephen Moore man of the match

Personally I’d have given it to Al BaxTAH, but Moore did have a good game also. In truth, any of the forwards could have taken the honours, even the bearded one who was no-where near the wing. Someone please tell Sharpe not to shave, well at least not until February.

So.. “I think we’ll have a bowl, looks like there’s a bit in this one for the pacemen” comes out Smith. “YOU FREAKING MORON” I yell at the telly, to little reaction from the head South African fatman. Vaughan 1, Smith 0.

Then they hand the mike to Vaughan who thinks he’s got the rough end of the toss, and implies that he also wanted to have a bowl. Gamemanship perhaps, or was he also swayed by the lack of low lying cloud and the pretty much picture perfect batting conditions? Vaughan 1, Smith 1

So, an opening stand of 114 followed by Vaughan leaving a straight one and it’s on for KP and ding-dong to put on 286 for the 4th wicket. Yep, think this might have been a good wicket to have a bat on.

South Africa all out for 247 in 93.3 overs, adding insult to injury is KP taking the last wicket with his part time Off-Spinners that weren’t good enough to hold down a regular number 8 spot in the Natal Dolphins, you know, cause he’s white.

So.. Vaughan makes his second mistake and enforces the follow on. Sure you’ve got them out cheaply, but after 93.3 overs your pacemen must be feeling it. Why not let the quicks hit the beauty sallons and update their myspace profiles while you bat yourself into form? Vaughan 1, Smith 2

But not Vaughan, clearly having spent the last day in the field and reading one of Steve Waugh’s tour diaries between sessions. He’s going for mental disintegration and the flavour of choice is INNINGS VICTORY.

So, he thinks his quicks have enough left in the tank to bowl out the Proteas again, despite having toiled for 63 overs between the 3 of them in the last day.

Then after eating Frogs Legs in the innings break Vaughan opens with the ultimate surrender tactic, he gives the new ball to Monty and KP! Sure Monty got 4 wickets in the first innings, including McKenzie, so you could perhaps argue some merit in giving him a go early on (say 6th over if nothing’s happening for the quicks), but to waste the new ball with two spinners on a mundane pitch? Please. Vaughan 1, Smith 3

Come the 14th over of the day and it’s time for Sidebottom to get a shot. Sure the ball’s a bit soft now and the shine is worn, and he’s tired, and the batsmen are set, but at least he’s getting a bowl. No real suprise the breakthrough doesn’t come until the second new ball.

This test will most likely end in a draw, but it’ll be South Africa who take the momentum out of it. and their much vaunted pace attack will want to get some more practice in with the Duke before the second test commences.

After New Zealand put on a hard fought 470 at a brisk 3.6 rpo in their first innings, The England came out and started batting for a draw.

The England managed in their 41 over first day stint to amass a total of 89 runs. They’ve made up for that exuberance today however, succeeding in slowing down their scoring rate to 1.6 over the last 10 overs.

It’s worth remembering that this enzed attack is minus their spearhead Shane Bond, leaving a fine collection of medium paced all-rounders and off spinners. Plus they’re playing in Hamilton, the ground which is so large it can hold up to 10,000 spectators. Those boundaries must be HUGE.

As I write this Vaughan has departed which brings saffa skunk to the crease, hopefully he’ll stir things up a bit.