Plays of the day for the second day of the second Test between India and West Indies in Mumbai

N Hunter15-Nov-20130:00

Ajit Agarkar: A ‘glaring’ error from the umpire

The heartbreaker
Darren Sammy had promised he would break the hearts of Sachin Tendulkar’s fans at the beginning of this series. Today he honoured that word. For the second time in Mumbai, Sammy held onto a brilliant catch of Tendulkar on his home ground when the batsman was in sight of a century. During the 2011-12 tour, when Tendulkar was six runs short of his hundredth international century, Sammy took a blinder at the first slip off Ravi Rampaul. Today it was Narsingh Deonarine, who entered history books as the bowler who would get Tendulkar out for probably the last time in his career. As Tendulkar tried to cut Deonarine, the ball jumped on him and Sammy intercepted take a spectacular catch in front of his face, silencing the Wankhede for the second time.Darren Sammy silenced the Wankhede for the second time•BCCIThe mistake
Shane Shillingford was getting good bounce and getting the ball to fly off batsmen’s edges. In the previous over, he had been unlucky when Kieran Powell failed to latch onto a low chance to his right as the ball came to him at boot-lace height. Shillingford was disappointed and annoyed. In his following over he delivered a perfect off break that pitched on off. However the bounce off the pitch forced an edge off Cheteshwar Pujara’s bat which Powell at forward short leg dived forward to hold onto. Shillingford angrily thumped his foot a couple of times onto the ground and celebrated what he thought was a deserving wicket. Pujara did not move. Nigel Llong and the Richard Kettleborough, the on-field umpires, could not decide and passed the decision to the TV umpire Vineet Kulkarni. Replays from all angles clearly indicated Powell had got his fingers well under the ball. Kulkarni thought it was not conclusive. Pujara was 76 and ended up making his fifth Test century.The bunny
Tino Best 2. MS Dhoni 0. For the second time this series, the West Indies fast bowler got the better of the Indian captain with relative ease. Sammy made a smart move to bring Best on as soon as Dhoni walked in. In Kolkata it was the brilliant seam movement that had induced an edge off Dhoni. Best used the same trick to defeat his opponent. His first ball to Dhoni was on the off stump and moving away. Dhoni attempted to play at it, but was squared up. Next ball: similar length, on the fourth stump and again moving away. This time Dhoni went for the shot and the outside edge went straight to Sammy at second slip. As Dhoni walked swiftly back, Best kissed his collar and then started the pile driver with four punches to the ground with his right hand.The enquiry
Shannon Gabriel got his first wicket of the series when R Ashwin mistimed a pull and the top edge was gladly accepted by the bowler. As he rushed to his team-mates to celebrate the wicket, umpire Kettleborough signaled to the third umpire to check the no ball. Replays showed Gabriel’s foot was well inside the popping crease. When Sammy enquired of the umpires if it was necessary to go upstairs, Llong indicated that it was not possible for his partner to see clearly as he was blinded by the sun.The assumption
In the end Llong redeemed some pride for the umpires when he rightly asked Kulkarni to check whether Shillingford had bowled a no ball even as the West Indies celebrated the final Indian wicket of Rohit Sharma, whose slog was taken by Deonarine at deep midwicket. Even as Llong was talking to the third umpire, Sammy and the rest of the West Indies players were trudging back towards the dressing room. Someone had even knocked out the bails at the Pavilion End where Rohit was batting. When the verdict came, Kettleborough lodged the bails back as Rohit took fresh guard. The West Indies players returned to their positions with disbelief and frustration.

Sohaib Maqsood could have made it to Pakistan’s international team earlier, had it not been for a spate of injuries

Umar Farooq12-Nov-2013Multan is famous for many things – shrines, Sufi saints, renowned political figures and mangoes. In cricket, the city produced Inzamam-ul-Haq, perhaps Pakistan’s best batsman, but no one else in the six years since he retired. Until now. Sohaib Maqsood, Pakistan’s newest international cricketer, was born in Multan in 1987, and he kick-started his career with half-centuries in his first two ODIs, against South Africa.Maqsood, 26, began playing first-class cricket in 2003-04 but had problems with his back for most of the next three years, during which he didn’t play a game. He also had an ankle-ligament injury that threatened his career in 2010, and underwent surgery for an ingrown toenail that had been a hindrance for much of his domestic career.He returned in the 2007-08 season to score 537 runs at an average of 53.70 but was inconsistent over the next two years. In 2010-11, however, Maqsood made 951 runs at an average of 50 and in the following season he scored 1020 at 44.34. He was the leading runscorer in domestic one-day cricket in 2012-13, with 944 runs at an average of 78.66.Maqsood’s consistent run in domestic cricket resulted in a call-up to Pakistan’s Twenty20 squad for the matches in Zimbabwe this year, and subsequently for the ODIs against South Africa in the UAE. He recovered from more back trouble in time to make the trip to Harare, where he made 26 in his only T20 innings, but began his ODI career with 56 and 53 against South Africa.”He has been terribly unlucky throughout his domestic career,” Amjad Saddiq, who coached Maqsood when he played for Water and Power Development Authority, told ESPNcricinfo. “Injuries have been the main factor. Otherwise, with such talent, he could have played for Pakistan at least in his early 20s, but better late than never. Whatever the case, he is out there playing international cricket.”He (Maqsood) used to be very chubby like Inzamam, and we called him (second) Inzi. He is a rare batsman in our domestic cricket at present, one who is good against any bowling. His mental strength is the key, otherwise his brittle body could have ended his career way before. There are many things that resemble Inzi’s elegance, but it will be unfair to put undue pressure by comparing him with a former great.”Maqsood bowled offspin and could have been an allrounder who bats in the lower-middle order. However, his back injuries curtailed his bowling and so he developed into a specialist top-order batsman. And though he’s known to be reticent in the dressing room, his batting is extremely expressive. Maqsood’s strength is his off-side play and his back-foot punch is a treat to watch.As is usually the case in Pakistan, Maqsood had to balance cricket and education during his childhood. His father, a retired teacher, was keen for his son to nurture his cricket skills and Maqsood’s mentor in college, Professor Javed Malik, was instrumental in his development ahead of his selection for the under-19 regional team.Maqsood went on to represent Pakistan U-19 in two unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka U-19 in 2005, and was part of the probables for the 2006 U-19 World cup before his back problems flared up again. He was sidelined for two years, during which he graduated. Later on he completed a masters degree in sports sciences.”His education made him a prominent cricketer around us,” Saddiq said. “He pick things very quickly and absorbs pressure very well, and this is exactly what Pakistan need at the moment in their batting line up. I never doubted Sohaib in the time we have recruited him in WAPDA and knew the guy has the ability to go far if he remains fit.”

The annual outing to a century-old cricket contest in Colombo

Jonathan Francis14-Mar-2014Choice of game
While the sun blazed on a typical March Thursday, shouts of T-H-O-R-A, blaring trumpets and the crack of leather on willow greeted me at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Here, in Colombo, the month of March marks the second-longest uninterrupted cricketing series in the world, between Royal College, Colombo and S Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. Popularly known as the “Battle of the Blues”, this is the 135th year of the contest.Key performer
With Royal reeling at 59 runs for the loss of eight wickets, in walked 18-year-old Harith Samarasinghe to join Thiran Danapala. What transpired within the next hour and even before my friend could return after collecting his change from a beer counter was astounding. The duo added a record ninth-wicket partnership for 96 runs with Royal recovering to 158 all out.But the mayhem had begun earlier in the day when Thomian party starter, the left-armed pacer Abdul Carder steamrolled the Royal top order while also shifting Thomians from work desks to the SSC.Filling the gaps
During lunch, friends chatted, sales of beer and Chinese rolls increased. The security guard made a quick buck. People went for walks on the grounds. The popsicle salesman did good business. My friend assumed it was the end of the day’s play, while another tried to corrects him – it’s tea break, he said. All this, while I sat enjoying the afternoon breeze and bit into my chicken nugget.Wow moment
Watching two ten-year-olds from the two schools switch flags summed up a rare feature seen at the Royal-Thomian for over a century and a quarter. How the two competing powers have synergised to create an experience can be encouraging to a nation in reconciliation.Shot of the day
Thomian batsman Rashmika Optha opened his Royal-Thomian account with three conservative fours, including a straight drive that passed the bowler. It was a rare treat despite 13 wickets falling on day one.The madness
The feverish excitement, a week before the match, had now transformed into an epidemic. Masses of blue gold and blue black marched to and from the venue. The long lines of pavement hawkers, selling everything from flags to masks added a festive air. There were girls in shorts, guys with straw hats, most of them loud, some drunk.Overall
With two more days to go, I couldn’t have asked for more. At the end of it all despite whatever the scoreboard may suggest the words of former Royal College principal Mr Bogoda Premaratne will stay with me: “There is no Royal without Thomas and no Thomas without Royal”. Esto perpetua

Stats highlights from one of the greatest draws, between South Africa and India at the Wanderers

Shiva Jayaraman22-Dec-2013

• This was the third-closest draw in Tests in terms of runs remaining. There have been two instances of teams drawing a Test with just one run remaining, which are the closest of draws in Tests. England drew against Zimbabwe with one remaining in Bulawayo in 1996 and India against West Indies in Mumbai in 2011. India have been involved in four of the seven single-digit margin of draws in Test history. Click here for a list of the closest draws in Tests in terms of runs remaining.
• The 136 overs that South Africa played in their fourth innings was the seventh-highest ever played in the fourth innings of a Test in South Africa and the highest South Africa have played at home since the 144 overs against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth in 1962. This was also the fourth-highest number of overs South Africa have played in the fourth innings to draw a Test.
• The 205-run partnership beween AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis was the highest ever for the fifth-wicket and the only double-century stand for that wicket to come in the fourth innings of a Test, beating the 177-run partnership between New Zealand’s Bev Congdon and Vic Pollard against England at Trent Bridge in 1973.
• This partnership was South Africa’s highest partnership in the fourth innings of a Test, beating the 195 runs that Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith added for the second wicket against Australia in Cape Town in 2011. This was also the second-highest fourth-innings partnership and only the second double-century partnership in the fourth innings of a Test in South Africa. At the Wanderers, this partnership is now the highest, beating beating the 165 runs that Michael Hussey and Damien Martyn added in 2006. India have been on the receiving end on three of the seven fourth-innings century partnerships at the Wanderers.
• Du Plessis’ and de Villiers’ hundreds were the fourth and fifth at the Wanderers in the fourth innings of a Test. Of these five, two have come against the hosts and three against India. Daryll Cullinan made an unbeaten 122 against India in 1997 helping South Africa escape with a draw on that occasion. This was Du Plessis’ third hundred in ten Tests and de Villiers’ 18th from 88 Tests.
• The wicket of Jacques Kallis was Zaheer Khan’s 300th in Tests. He’s only the second India fast bowler after Kapil Dev to take 300 or more wickets. Only two other India bowlers, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, have taken 300-plus wickets in Tests. Among left-arm fast bowlers only Wasim Akram and Chaminda Vaas have reached this mark before Zaheer Khan in Tests. Zaheer Khan, contrary to the norm among Asian bowlers, has done better playing outside the subcontinent. In 35 matches outside the subcontinent, Zaheer has taken 136 wickets at 29.72, while his remaining 164 wickets have come playing in the subcontinent at 32.31.
• South Africa hit the second-highest fourth-innings total ever in this innings to draw a Test. Their total of 450 for 7 in this innings was the third-highest fourth-innings total in Tests. This was also the second-highest fourth-innings total in South Africa and the highest in over 70 years. England’s 654 for 5 against the hosts in Durban in 1939 is the highest fourth-innings total in South Africa. England drew that Test, falling short of the target by 41 runs. This is also the highest fourth-innings score at the Wanderers, beating England’s 351 for 5 against the hosts in 1995.
• India maintained their record of being the only visiting team to not lose a Test to the hosts at the Wanderers. In terms of wins though, Australia are the most successful team at this venue, having won six of the 11 Tests they have played against the hosts at this venue. The Wanderers is now one of the four overseas venues where India haven’t lost a Test from four or more that they have played.
• Du Plessis and De Villiers’ stand was the 15th fourth-innings double-century partnership in Tests. The last time a pair added 200 or more in the fourth innings of a Test was in 1999 when Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist made 238 for the sixth wicket against Pakistan in Hobart.
• Including this innings, there are only three instances of two South Africa batsmen hitting centuries in the fourth innings of a Test. The last such instance came against Australia in Cape Town when Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla hit centuries while chasing down a target of 236. South Africa had won in the previous two instances.
• R Ashwin bowled 42 overs in this Test without taking a wicket and Murali Vijay bowled an over of spin too. This is only the eighth instance of India spinners remaining wicketless in a Test. The previous such instance came against Australia in Sydney when Ashwin and Virender Sehwag bowled 67 overs of spin between them without taking a wicket. All these instances have come in away Tests.

Plays of the day from the first ODI between Sri Lanka and South Africa in Colombo

Andrew Fidel Fernando06-Jul-2014The bashful bash
Imran Tahir isn’t put off his wicket celebration by the hooting of the Premadasa crowd•Associated PressWhether in the middle, or at press conferences, Hashim Amla can be shy about appreciations of his ability, choosing often to deflect praise and dwell on collective success. So it might have suited him when a milestone in his innings was overshadowed by a piece of poor cricket. Amla tried to launch Ashan Priyanjan into the sightscreen in the 23rd over, but managed only to loft it towards long on. Running in from the fence, Thisara Perera did well to get to the ball, but let the chance bounce out of his grasp. With the crowd fixated on replays of the spill, barely anyone noticed the single that took Amla to his fifty.The “that’s how I play” dismissal
Tasked with bridging the major gap between domestic and international cricket, young Sri Lanka batsmen are given a lot of rope at the start of their careers. At the Premadasa, Priyanjan used his lengths of cordage to hang himself. Imran Tahir had bowled himself into rhythm in his second spell and was turning it as sharply as any spinner had managed in the day, but Priyanjan thought it wise to step down the pitch and aim an almighty slog over midwicket – against the turn. Almost predictably, the ball took his top edge and settled in the hands of short third man. Priyanjan looked once at an unimpressed Kumar Sangakkara at the other end, and turned to leave.The hoots
Where most boo when they see something they dislike, the Colombo crowd express emotions via playful rounds of hooting – a practice even the country’s president has been subjected to at the cricket. Last year, Morne Morkel had the biggest hooting ovation, when he dropped his trousers to adjust his undergarments at the boundary. This year, Imran Tahir was at the receiving end. Upon dismissing Priyanjan, Tahir took off on his customary, flailing run, ending up alone at square leg while his teammates decided to form the huddle elsewhere. The Premadasa crowd though, saw Tahir’s animation, and the way he beat his chest, and unleashed their high-pitched hoots in unison. They did not stop for almost a minute.The inauspicious return
Having played only four ODIs in 2013, and retired from Tests since, Jacques Kallis did his best to put his official comeback in doubt, putting his back out before the warm-up match on Thursday. When he was cleared to play on Sunday, he was hardly there at all. Kallis did not bowl and his stay at the crease lasted two balls. He defended one ball from Angelo Mathews before playing around a carrom ball from Ajantha Mendis to be caught plumb in front.

Plays of the day from the match between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings, in Dubai

Devashish Fuloria23-Apr-2014The catchsmith
The moment Brendon McCullum made contact with the ball on the second delivery of the sixth over, it looked like the ball was aiming for the top of Burj Khalifa. It didn’t have the legs though. As the ball descended behind midwicket, three fielders converged towards it. Abhishek Nayar, running backwards from midwicket was the closest to it. Stuart Binny, running in from deep midwicket probably had the best chance. But Steven Smith hared along from mid-on, going backwards, slightly sideways, dived, overtook Nayar while in mid-air and let the ball be absorbed into his spongy palms.The whacksmith
Dwayne Smith probably still remembers James Faulkner’s barbs from the World T20. His four consecutive hits that quickly put the lid on the bowler’s post-Steven-Smith-catch elation certainly showed his liking for Faulkner. The first ball after McCullum’s dismissal was smashed over long-leg, the second was delicately cut past short third-man, the third drilled past the bowler and the fourth whacked over long-off. He also had taken eight runs from four balls off Faulkner earlier.The run-out
Chennai Super Kings’ innings hit a roadblock as soon as the slower bowlers were introduced. The dismissals of Dwayne Smith and Suresh Raina in quick succession meant a lot depended on MS Dhoni and Faf du Plessis to take Super Kings to safety. However, as Dhoni punched a Rajat Bhatia delivery back towards the bowler, his heart would have been in his mouth as the bowler dived to his right to attempt the catch. Bhatia didn’t get the ball, but did get a wicket – he managed to get a touch before the ball hit the stumps. Du Plessis was faffing about a couple of meters down the pitch.The wides
You could see what Dhawal Kulkarni was trying to do in his third over – the 17th of Super Kings’ innings. Afterall, not too long ago, Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara had employed the same plan of bowling wide yorkers to dig India into a hole in the World T20 final. It didn’t quiet come off as well for Kulkarni. Targetting the wide marker, Kulkarni bowled four wides – three of them in a row – which took the sheen off his otherwise impressive spell.The juggle
The army-camouflage print wicketkeeping gloves that MS Dhoni so loves proved to be less than useful as the white-ball refused to go into them after Steven Smith had missed the ball in the 10th over of the chase. Smith, out of the crease, turned back in despair to see the ball had hit Dhoni on the wrists before popping up. Dhoni still had time to grab the ball and takes the bails off, but the ball kept on going away, allowing the batsman to get back into the crease.The misjudgement
Dhawal Kulkarni sent a few tremors down towards the Super Kings camps as he hit 14 in three balls in R Ashwin’s final over to bring down the equation to 10 needed off the last two deliveries. Although he wasn’t able to time the penultimate delivery, he needed at least two from it to keep the possibility of a tie open. Pravin Tambe, however, showed a lack of awareness of the situation as he tried to turn down the second. He belatedly responded to Kulkarni’s call only to be run out at the non-striker’s end and bring the match to a close.

ESPNcricinfo marks the South African players out of 10 following their series win against Sri Lanka

Firdose Moonda29-Jul-2014

9

Dale Steyn
13 wickets at 17.46, 1 five-forA match-winning performance in Galle, which ended up being a series-winning effort, gave Steyn close to full marks for this tour. He combined pace, short ball attacks, yorkers and reverse swing in a display which proved that stand-out bowlers will be stand-out bowlers no matter the conditions. Steyn did not need the surface to play to his strengths. He registered the best figures by a foreign fast bowler in Galle and made crucial breakthroughs in Colombo – which included getting Kumar Sangakkara out for just his fifth first-baller in Test cricket – to lead South Africa’s charge.Morne Morkel
12 wickets at 16.00Often overlooked as just a support bowler, Morkel was nipping at Steyn’s heels, statistically speaking, throughout this series. He adjusted his game to bowl fuller in Galle when he needed to and maintained the miserliness which allowed South Africa to keep the pressure on even after the change bowlers had begun operating. In Colombo, Morkel earned his 200th Test scalp and became the fifth-fastest South African to the milestone. Always the lion-heart, he was padded up and ready to save the series with bat too but Hashim Amla admitted relief at not needing him for that purpose.

8

Hashim Amla
197 runs at 65.66, 1 centuryHashim Amla led from the front even before the Tests started. He was in scintillating form in the ODIs and hoped that would translate to the Tests. The examination began in Galle where he was not among the major contributors with the bat but had an excellent tactical game. Amla’s declaration, which offered Sri Lanka a chase of 370 at three runs an over was considered risky but he managed his bowlers in a way that made it seem anything but. At the SSC, Amla batted for more than eight hours to record his first century as captain and blunt the Sri Lankan challenge and he did his bit to secure the series with his 170-minute vigil in the second dig.

6.5

Vernon Philander
2 wickets at 76.00, 63 runs at 31.50Philander made memories in the first Test but not for his bowling where he went wicket-less. He featured in a 75-run eighth wicket stand and was at JP Duminy’s side when the No.7 brought up his century but was also caught tampering with the ball and fined half his match fee. In typical Philander fashion, he responded to the critics as only he can – bullishly. At the SSC, his disciplines were impeccable, length was fuller and line more attacking. His claim to the allrounder position was fueled by his batting efforts. Philander spent 105 minutes at the crease in the second innings, marshaling the tail to the draw.JP Duminy
114 runs at 57.00, 1 hundred, 5 wickets at 33.40After runs in Australasia and at home, the place Duminy really needed to prove himself as a Test batsman was the subcontinent, especially given his history against spin. His century with the tail in Galle did it. Duminy swept and reverse-swept with confidence and helped South Africa set up a match-winning total. The old issues returned in Colombo where he looked fragile against turn but he showed good temperament to record some of the slowest innings in Tests. Although he was classed as South Africa’s back-up spinner, Duminy actually took centre stage in that department and kept run-rates down. Two of his wickets came off a long hop and half volley but sometimes that is how an under-rated but effective bowler gets them.Imran Tahir lacked control and sent down too many full tosses•AFPDean Elgar
129 runs at 32.25, 1 centuryIf buffalos wore shoes, it would be their size Elgar was asked to fill when he was given Graeme Smith’s position at the top of the order. In his first outing as the new opener, Elgar showed a Biff-like determination to score runs despite any technical deficiencies – and Elgar’s seemed to be footwork against spin – and muscled his way to what may turn out to be a career-defining century. His trouble with turn was evident in Colombo but now that it has been exposed, he will know what he needs to work on in future.Quinton de Kock
124 runs at 31.00, 1 fifty, 14 catches, 1 stumpingThe 21-year-old was entrusted with a big responsibility when this series kicked off, which only grew as it went on. AB de Villiers’ hamstring niggle meant de Kock was asked to take the gloves and bat at No.6. He scored his maiden Test fifty, took 14 catches including a stunner to dismiss Kaushal Silva in the second innings, put down only one and effected a stumping to restart his Test career on an impressive note. In Colombo, de Kock was promoted to No.3 after South Africa crawled in the first eight overs of their innings and asked to infuse some energy into the cause. He showed his attacking instincts with a gritty 37 to suggest South Africa may have found their next permanent Test gloveman.

6

AB de Villiers
121 runs at 30.25, 1 fiftyNiggles to his hamstring and back prevented de Villiers from participating as fully as he may have liked to in the series. He scored a half-century in Galle in quick time and accompanied Amla in holding the line at the SSC where he displayed remarkable restraint. De Villiers is a naturally creative player but curbed those instincts and concentrated on blocking South Africa to glory.

5.5

Faf du Plessis
163 runs at 40.75, 1 fiftyA fairly quiet series for du Plessis, who has been promoted to No.3 in the batting line-up, started brightly with 80 in the first innings in Galle to build on the solid start South Africa had. He formed part of the resistance in both innings in Colombo but all that was overshadowed by the catch he took to give Morkel his 200th Test wicket. Running backwards from point, du Plessis had to dive amid two other converging fielders to catch Kithuruwan Vithanage’s wild swing.

4

Alviro Petersen
68 runs at 17.00After promising starts in both innings in Galle, Petersen was victim to uncertainty against offspin. He reviewed both decisions but was proved incorrect both times as he was beaten by deliveries that straightened from Dilruwan Perera. Things got worse in the second Test where he threw his wicket away against the other spinner, Rangana Herath, to extend his run of century-less innings to 21.

3

Imran Tahir
4 wickets at 84.00This was supposed to be Tahir’s watershed tour. He would be able to play in conditions where spinners thrive, where seamers have to play second fiddle and where he had proved his worth to the limited-overs’ teams a year before. But all he managed to deliver was disappointment. Tahir lacked control as he rushed through overs and was inconsistent. He sent down too many full tosses and failed to find enough flight to be considered one of South Africa’s premier spinners. His hour at the crease in the first innings at the SSC and 27 minutes to save the Test later on may be the only things that kept his place in the Test squad to Zimbabwe.

South Africa’s seamers had no right to dominate in Galle like they did, but when their spinners failed to produce the goods, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel showed their class

Firdose Moonda in Galle20-Jul-2014Jacaranda Trees are not supposed to grow in South Africa. Even though they line many avenues of most cities – particularly in the capital Pretoria – and provide an annual picture of prettiness when they burst into a lilac song each August, they are considered an alien species, dangerous to the many indigenous plants that have to survive in the same soil and thieves of their resources.Similarly, South African seamers are not supposed to have success on Sri Lankan surfaces. Even though they have skills which range from speed and swing to sensational bounce, those are qualities considered foreign in a place where turn and variation flowers. However, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel shared 16 wickets between them in a display that was as breathtaking as a row of Jacaranda trees in full bloom.The pair’s performance was a lesson in commitment to the cause and belief in their own ability, a nod to the new captain Hashim Amla’s ability, and a defiant statement against all the elements intended to detail them. Even if you are playing on beach sand, if your attack includes Steyn and Morkel, you would be foolish not to unleash them upfront. Which is exactly what Amla did. The seamers were intense in their early assault and zoned in on Sri Lanka’s batsmen, questioning them with the back of a length approach from one end and fuller deliveries on the other.In the eight-over period at the start of the day, they conceded just nine runs along with Vernon Philander, made the batsman play 36 times in 48 deliveries, beat the bat twice, induced the outside edge twice, an inside edge once, removed Kaushal Silva, and had Kumar Sangakkara dropped. They were intense for that half an hour and created an atmosphere of pressure that set the tone for the day.That was broken when Mahela Jayawardene cut Philander behind point off a short ball that was not as menacing as some of the others that had been meted out by Morkel earlier. Amla must have been able to tell it was time to change things up a little bit, and he immediately turned to his spinner to force a tempo shift for the next period.It could have gone awry for South Africa from there. Tahir dished up a mix of deliveries which demonstrated lack of control and consistency and proved ineffective. He finished the match with just a single wicket and was South Africa’s most expensive bowler, a statistic which will no doubt raise more questions about his role as the premier spinner in the side.The truth about Tahir is that he wears expectation like a jacket on a warm day: he can’t seem to wait to remove it. There should be some understanding for that given the way his career has panned out. There was massive hype surrounding his debut – South Africa had not had an attacking spinner in their Test line-up since Paul Adams – and they were hopeful Tahir would turn it around corners. He believed he could, especially given his showings in the South African domestic circuit.But his enthusiasm would have been deflated with every match that followed. On seamer-friendly surfaces in South Africa, New Zealand, England and then Australia, Tahir had limited chances to make an impact and it all came to a head in Adelaide when he conceded the most runs by any Test bowler in a match.

The pair’s performance was a lesson in commitment to the cause and belief in their own ability, a nod to the new captain Hashim Amla’s ability, and a defiant statement against all the elements intended to detail them. Even if you are playing on beach sand, if your attack includes Steyn and Morkel, you would be foolish not to unleash them upfront

He surrendered his spot to Robin Peterson but took it back in the UAE, where he was selected to play against the country of his birth, Pakistan. Naturally, there would have been some niggle even though Tahir left for love and not the lack of opportunities. Then, Tahir flourished in the conditions and took his first five-for but things have quietened down in subsequent Tests and he only played one against India.Although he has risen to the challenge at limited-overs level, Tahir remains hit and miss in the longer format. That JP Duminy appeared more threatening than him and had a better return than him attests to that. It still does not solve South Africa’s spin conundrum because neither of theirs could dominate on a surface which was talked up as being tailor-made for slow bowling. Instead, it was the quicks who bossed proceedings.Morkel bent his back to deliver full balls – something which he has admitted demands a lot out of him – and drew Jayawardene forward to get the edge. Then, he worked to a plan to get rid of Dinesh Chandimal, who had shown a weakness against the short ball. Steyn did the same against Lahiru Thirimanne, whose vulnerability outside the offstump is now an open secret.Both quicks were used in short bursts and brought on when Amla felt he could make a breakthrough. Every time Amla called on Steyn, he demonstrated the same determination that makes him one of the world’s best. He did not let up, in pace or aggression, and he attacked the stumps.When Tahir was struggling on one end, Philander was used at the other to ensure Sri Lanka did not get a chance to relax. Amla was thinking all the time, he admitted it left him feeling “mentally drained,” in some parts but it paid off.When South Africa started the day, they needed nine wickets and they surmised it might take them most of the 90 overs to get that going by history. In the end, they needed less than half that time because of a combination of their own ruthlessness and Sri Lanka’s soft middle order.That is a testament to a good strategy which is as attractive to purists as a pathway lined with flowering trees is to photographers. South Africans love Jacaranda trees because they so often provide that picture. Cricket watchers would have felt the same about the visitors’ bowling performance.

It will take something remarkable for England to chase down their target and the more evidence that is displayed suggests more fresh faces need to brought into the team in place of mentally scarred seniors

George Dobell at Lord's20-Jul-20143:03

Chappell: Bell has a few things to sort out

Did James Anderson allow his damaged ego to get in the way?•Getty ImagesThe new era is only four Tests old, but already it is fighting for its life.To see Alastair Cook trudging back to the pavilion after that old weakness, the tentative prod outside off stump, had been exposed once again, was to see a much loved but sickly family pet being taken to the vet for a one way visit. Really, it might be kinder to let him go now.It was Cook upon whom this new look England team was founded. It was Cook who was supposed to supply the runs to empower that team; Cook who was supposed to grow into the role of captain and lead this side for the next four or five years.But, after a run of form so grim that it should be hidden from the young, the pregnant and those with heart conditions, it is becoming increasingly hard to avoid the conclusion that it is not going to happen.Nobody doubts Cook’s good intentions or his determination. But he is now averaging 14.33 this year. He has now gone nine innings since reaching 30 and 27 innings since reaching 100. Since the start of the 2013 Ashes, he averages 23.62. This cannot go on.For every sign of improvement in his captaincy – and there were a few at Trent Bridge – there is a counter sign that reinforces concerns. Some of England’s tactics here – the six men on the boundary for a No. 10 batsmen; the barrage of short balls on a green wicket – have been baffling.While he has certainly been let down by his senior players, one wonders how effectively Cook is leading them. Would James Anderson, whose on-pitch snarling does nothing to improve his bowling, have found himself in a position where he could be charged with a Level 3 offence under a stronger captain; a captain who might have nipped the argument with Ravindra Jadeja in the bud; a captain who might have told Anderson to stop the posturing and allow his bowling to do the talking?And might a stronger captain have taken his leading seamers to one side after lunch on the fourth day when their awful bowling was allowing India to build a definitive lead? Might a stronger captain have either take them out of the attack or make it clear that they had to pitch the ball fuller? Instead Cook retained faith in them. Faith that has, of late, been largely misplaced. Blind, even.But perhaps it is not the new era that is struggling. Perhaps the problem is that fragments of England’s old era remain and continue to impede the fresh team that is attempting to break through. Perhaps this era is not new enough.The new, or recalled, players – the likes of Gary Ballance, Joe Root, Moeen Ali and Liam Plunkett – are actually performing pretty well. It is the players of the old era who are failing. An old era that continues to decay.

England won the toss in a situation where that should have provided a match-defining advantage. They are playing against an India team who have not won a Test away from home since June 2011; a team of which only two had played a Test in England before this series; a team which has only won one Test at Lord’s; a modest team in a rebuilding phase of its own

Anderson’s bowling after lunch on the fourth day here was wretched. Petulant, immature and self-defeating, it was inspired more by bravado and anger than professionalism. Despite overwhelming evidence that it is the fuller delivery that is causing batsmen trouble on this pitch, 83% of the spell was short as Anderson, desperate to avenge what he sees as the injustice Jadeja has done to his reputation, seemed to allow his temper to get the better of him. Jadeja feasted upon it and played the innings that might well settle the game.Matt Prior, meanwhile, looks a broken man. It is not simply that he has missed several chances, it is that, in no home Test since 1934, has an England keeper conceded more than the 36 byes Prior has conceded here. In the four Tests this summer, he has conceded 77 byes in all. There are, as ever, extenuating circumstances, but England are deluding themselves if they conclude anything other than the time has come to move on.Even Ian Bell, who might be considered an option as captain if his own form was better, is struggling. Since his wonderful Ashes series last year, he has played nine Tests, batted 17 times and averaged 25.87 without a century. To be fair to him, he received a brute of a delivery that kept horribly low in the second innings here. But this side require more from their senior players and Bell is currently struggling to deliver.What does all this tell us? Might it tell us that it is the England environment that is partially at fault? That those players scarred by events in Australia, wearied by the relentless schedule and jaded by exposure to the England coaching regime are no longer able to perform at their optimum? Might it tell us that the answer lies in new recruits? In a truly new age?Some context is required. England won the toss in a situation where that should have provided a match-defining advantage. They are playing against an India team who have not won a Test away from home since June 2011; a team of which only two had played a Test in England before this series; a team which has only won one Test at Lord’s; a modest team in a rebuilding phase of its own. If England cannot win in such circumstances, it is hard to envisage any in which they can.There are parallels between this match and the Mumbai Test of November 2012. Then, just as now, the home team won the toss in conditions ideal for them but were defeated. In Mumbai it was England’s spinners who out-bowled their counterparts; here the India seamers have out-bowled England’s. Worryingly for England, they were out-bowled by Sri Lanka’s for part of the previous series, too.It should not matter if England pull-off a miracle run-chase on the final. It would simply mask problems that have become too obvious to ignore. The old order has failed; a new one must be ushered in.

South Africa have been associated with three ball-tampering offences in nine months. That all incidents have passed with little fuss shows that the ICC needs to enforce stricter laws to prevent it from recurring

Firdose Moonda in Galle19-Jul-2014

South Africa’s two previous transgressions

Case 1: Dubai, 2nd Test v Pakistan, October 2013
Down 0-1 in the two-Test series, South Africa were pushing for an innings win. The incident occurred two overs after tea on the third day, with South Africa in a position of control. Dale Steyn had begun to find reverse swing, evident in the 29th over. Before the start of the 31st over, television visuals of Faf du Plessis rubbing the ball near the zipper of his trouser pocket were broadcast.
The television umpire Paul Reiffel brought it to the attention of the on-field umpires who examined the match ball. Then South Africa captain Graeme Smith was summoned for a chat, the ball was changed and a five-run penalty awarded against South Africa.
AB de Villiers insisted South Africa were “not a team that scratches the ball,” and although du Plessis’ responsibility was to shine the ball, he was “the last man on the field who will try anything like that.”
The next day, du Plessis pleaded guilty to the charge of ball-tampering and was fined 50% of his match fee. Further television footage had also shown Vernon Philander scratching the ball but no action was taken against him.
South Africa’s team manager Mohammad Moosajee explained that du Plessis had not contested the charge because “a full hearing could lead to a more severe punitive measure which could include a heftier fine or even a match ban,” but insisted South Africa considered du Plessis innocent. When Smith was asked if he thought South Africa’s win was tainted he had a one-word answer: “No.”
Case 2: Port Elizabeth, 2nd Test v Australia, March 2014
Down 0-1 after the first Test, South Africa had set Australia 448 to chase and the visitors had slumped from 152 for 1 to 156 for 4. Rain threatened to wash out the final day but Steyn bowled a match-winning spell of three for 10 in four overs to ensure the match ended in four days itself. Reverse swing was noticeable from around 30 overs.
David Warner all but accused South Africa of tampering in order to achieve the movement Australia could not manage. Warner hinted Australia would take it up with match officials. It was Warner, however, who was reported to the officials for breaching article 2.1.1 of the ICC’s code of conduct which relates to public criticism and inappropriate comment. ICC match referee Roshan Mahanama laid the charge and Warner was fined 15% of his match fee.
South Africa dismissed Warner’s comments as nothing more than “sour grapes.” Coach Russell Domingo said South Africa prided themselves on “playing cricket honestly,” while Moosajee said Warner’s remarks were “disappointing and discouraging.”

The unpredictable nature of sport is the reason why many of us are drawn to it. Almost anything can happen once without arousing suspicion. But when something unusual happens more than once, we speak of it with wonder. Twice is like once, just double. This is the third time in the last nine months South Africa have been associated with ball-tampering and we are now forced to look at it more critically. When do they do it? Why do they do it? How do they explain it? And should they be doing it? Maybe there will be answers if we begin where it began – by looking over the recent incidents (see Sidebar) featuring South Africa and ball-tampering.The most recent has come about in the ongoing Test in Galle, South Africa’s first Test series of the post-Smith era, when South Africa had the upper hand. On a flat pitch, they scored 455 in the first innings. Sri Lanka threatened in periods with the bat but their challenge was chopped in half by a sensational post-tea spell on the third day from Steyn. Steyn admitted it was one of his finest performances because of where it was achieved – in “a tough place to play cricket.” This was in the same country in which South Africa last lost a Test series on the road, and a series win was needed to reclaim the No.1 ranking they lost in March.Five-and-a-half hours after Steyn spoke, the ICC made public that Philander had been fined 75% of his match fee for ball-tampering. The incident was not shown on air but was reviewed by the match officials after the day’s play. The release said it took place “in the afternoon,” and showed Philander “scratching the ball with his fingers and thumb.” The charge was laid by the officials, Philander did not contest it and the matter was regarded closed.It was later discovered that the match referee knew about the incident during the day’s play but did not take immediate action because it is up to the on-field umpires to report any questionable events. The on-field umpires had had no problem with the ball, even though South Africa used it well after the new ball became available. The original ball was in play for 97.2 overs.The incident was brought to the attention of the umpires after play ended. A source said there was “compelling evidence of Philander’s intent to change the ball,” but that footage was not broadcast. No reason was given for why the television production company – which is run by Ten Sports who have signed a R1.5 billion broadcast deal with CSA in September 2011 – did not show the incident on air. Incidentally, Ten Sports was the broadcaster for the series in UAE as well where the first incident against Pakistan took place.Although CSA did not make any official statement about Philander, a source confirmed the reason they did not contest the charge was the same as it was nine months ago: they did not want to put up with the possibility of greater sanctions, so opted to accept the punishment and move on. Despite this approach, however, South Africa did not, the insider said, believe they had done anything wrong and said Philander was only cleaning the ball.In the aftermath South Africa have had to deal with a barrage of accusations from fans to fellow players, including Ryan Harris. The Australian bowler, who was part of the March series, said he regarded ball-tampering as “the same as match-fixing.” The cost in credibility terms, not cash, could affect South Africa going into the future. Their star bowler, Steyn, whose spell drew so much praise yesterday, could well have a cloud of suspicion hanging over him.Which leads us to the next strand of this story. Based on their insistence about the team’s innocence, South Africa’s natural response would be to head for the match referee’s room to clear Philander’s name. But they did not do so. This could well be because the sanctions currently in place are applied relatively leniently to most players who admit guilt, that is easier to stomach them than try to clear your name or save face.In Philander’s case, he will lose around R22,500 (US$2,250) which would be considerable for the common man but can be made up fairly easily for a professional cricketer. The cost to character is far too nebulous a concept to worry about.Managing the ball – as tampering is described euphemistically – could well be something all teams do and South Africa have just been careless enough to get caught twice in a short space of time. Some even argue that the practice should be something all teams are allowed to do in order to close the gap between the advantage batsmen have when compared with bowlers.That though a separate debate because what matters now is that changing the condition of the ball is an offence and if the ICC want to keep it that way they will have to find a more effective deterrent. That’s what the three cases have told us.