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“Our Test team is capitalism in its final stages,” writes an unnamed Australian reporter. “Comforting nostalgia leaps from old reliables are good (Smith, Lyon, Boland), some new technology hopes (Grand Opening), but really we know it’s all going to fall apart. Even banks are laying off workers.”
It’s raining a bit this morning, so we’re going to start a little late. The covers are off close to the scheduled start time. The Australians, of course, will be very happy with every defeat.
You can of course email me as Simon D did: “I’m a pom – living in Aberdeen for my sins – not the least bit bothered by the three-way hit and laugh fest going on in Pakistan at the moment. But it’s… it’s attractive. I love Test cricket.”
Here it is, Simon. Although the ODI tri-series concept is retro enough now that it almost falls into the same category. Things to please traditionalists. Actually, there is two The three ODI series take place simultaneously. England and Sri Lanka are, as you say, in Pakistan, while Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are in the finals of their respective versions in the UAE.
There’s also the Ireland-Namibia ODI series, India play all formats in New Zealand and are currently halfway through the T20, and Australia Women play New Zealand Women in a T20 starting any minute.
But here we have a real quiz.
Weather! We will have a part of it. Supposedly the good kind. A mild day with sunshine, the forecast says. A good day for shots if you can keep up with it.
Start 15 minutes early, extended “until dark”.
Want to know what happened on the fourth day of the Second Test? Luckily, I know a guy who has a good source for match reports.
Another entry into Australia’s hall of shame against South Africa. There were 47 in the innocent days when the 2011 Test was Cape Town’s worst insult. In 2016, Hobart had 85, which led to the sacking of half the side. Now, a day after the home team crossed 400, Ggeberha has 99, only for the visitors to follow midway through the fourth day.
Preamble
Geoff Lemon
What say you, traveler? Will you stay by the fire for a minute? We can trade tales of hopeless glory.
A bit ahead of us today, or at least it should be if Australia hope to salvage this game. This is the team that had to chase down yesterday, then lost four more wickets for the second time and they are still 170 runs behind.
Here’s the equation. Up for the task will be Travis Head for a hundred, Scott Boland watching the night at the other end, then Steve Smith with a crooked neck, Alex Carey from yesterday’s horrendous knock and the bowling trio of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood.
Between them, this lot needs to bat for three sessions, perhaps a slightly early end to bad light. Or, if they can both score and score, they can try to get to 170 and take the lead, where every run is doubly valuable as South Africa need time to get them back.
Admittedly, four wickets are unlikely, but if things go this way, Australia could kill the game in three sessions early by going far enough ahead.
It is likely that the South African bowlers, refreshed by a night’s sleep, will pick them up in time, scoring six wickets.
If South Africa pull it off, the series will stay alive. High stakes. Are you logged in?