2 runs

It is amazing, that a team can score hundreds of runs yet still loose the match by such a small margin. If a team wins by so little, does that truly say that they are better? who knows?
But I was thrilled with Africa's brilliant victory. I, for one, never thought that they would win at any stage. Luckily I was proved wrong.
Best of luck to Polly's boys at Kingsmead.

3rd Test

What a match. I must congradulate England on a great performance and regretfully, congradulations are also due for McGrath and Lee who never gave up. This match, although England did not win it in the end just further reitterates my feeling that Australia are on the decline, due to the age of their team. Admittedly, England have improved, but still, could you imagine Australia coming close to following on a year or to ago? I just cannot wait for South Africa's tour there. It promises to be a thriller.

On another totally untrelaited note, my two soccer teams Pirates and Charlton (incase you didn't notice "Addickted"), both top their respective tables. Hopefully they can hold onto it for a while longer.

The Ashes

There is a saying which I fully agree with: “I support South Africa and anyone who beats Australia”.
Usually I would never think of supporting England, but I just love seeing Australia getting beaten. Especially in such dramatic fashion. I also believe that this will become a regular occurrence as most of their players are far too old, only 2 or 3 in their test team are under 30.
Australia surely will not remain at the top for much longer.

Afro-Asia Challenge

It came as a great surprise when I first heard that the relevent bodies had decided to introduce an annual series between an African XI and an Asian XI. I mean, this really is a super idea(although the motive behind it was quite obviously money). Asia and Africa are pretty much the only two continents who have a few cricketing nations, thus creating a great stage for rivalry. I cannot understand the organizers though, who in their right mind would have two consecutive matches at Kingsmead? I do understand the need to only have 2 cities as they do not want too much travel for the players, but surely the two consecutive matches should have been played at the Wanderers and at Centuring, the two grounds being only an hours drive away. Anyway, what's done's done, so there is no use complaining about it, rather I will eagerly anticipate the great cricket on display.
Another huge positive is that Greame Smith's two suspended matches will be used up in this friendly competiton instead of an important ODI. In his place, Shaun Pollock will captain the team for the first two matches. Two notible admissions from the African squad are Makhaya Ntini and Justin Kemp who both would surely have added great excitement to the team. On the Asian side, South African crowds will certainly miss the great talents of Sachin Tendulkar.
The full team lists are as follows:

AFRICA XI

Graeme Smith (captain)
Shaun Pollock (South Africa)
Boeta Dippenaar (South Africa)
AB de Villiers (South Africa)
Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
Ashwell Prince (South Africa)
Albie Morkel (South Africa)
Mark Boucher (South Africa)
MondeZondeki (South Africa)
Jacques Rudolph (South Africa)
Nicky Boje (South Africa)
Justin Ontong (South Africa)
Steve Tikolo (Kenya)
Collins Obuya (Kenya)
Thomas Odoyo (Kenya)
Heath Streak (Zimbabwe)
Tatenda Taibu (Zimbabwe)
Andy Blignaut (Zimbabwe)
Dale Steyn (South Africa)

Management

Manager: Goolam Rajah

Coach: Mickey Arthur

Physiotherapist: Shane Jabaar

Fitness Trainer: Adrian le Roux

ASIA XI

Inzamam Ul-Haq (captain)
Rahul Dravid (vice-captain)(India)
Virender Sehwag (India)
Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
Yousuf Youhana (Pakistan)
Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)
Abdul Razzak (Pakistan)
Muttiah Muralidharan (Sri Lanka)
Chaminda Vaas (Sri Lanka)
Naveed-ul-Hasan (Pakistan)
Irfan Pathan (India)
Mohammad Ashraful (Bangladesh)
Anil Kumble (India)
Shoaib Akhter (Pakistan)

Players on stand-by:

Marvan Attapattu (Sri Lanka)
Mashrafee bin Morteza (Bangladesh)
Khaled Masud (Bangladesh)

Management

Manager: Goolam Rajah Manager:Sultan Rana (Dev.Manager–ACC)

Coach: Mickey Arthur Coach:Rumesh Ratnayake (Dev.Officer-ACC)

My very 1st post

Welcome all to my blog!!!!!!!
On this page I will give my opinions on all the happenings surrounding South African cricket. I think it is about time that someone from the public actually said something about our cricket instead of the lousy commentators and journalists. After all, the public is the reason that cricket is played at all! Whether it be issues of performance, team selection or quotas, be sure that here you will find here an honest and neutral viewpoint. I ask that you please stick with me and read my posts and hopefully you will find them enjoyable. I also ask that you please tell people about this site so that it will be worth my while to continue.
Up the Proteas!!!