Monday, August 27, 2012

England v South Africa, Cardiff, 24/08/12

It was a disappointingly damp and dismal scene that greeted both the players and supporters of England and South Africa at Cardiff's SWALEC Stadium, which meant that only 5.3 overs were possible in the 1st one day international between the countries. 
 
 

Play eventually got under way at 3pm.





South Africa take the field



Cook and Bell open up
 
 


The lights on in the gloom





Alistair Cook

Sunday, August 19, 2012

England v South Africa, Third Test, Day 3, Lords, 18/08/12

In a mini heatwave affecting London (the temperature was in excess of 30C), Day 3 of the Lords Test was fairly even, although of course by Monday evening, South Africa had won the Test Match, won the series 2-0 and gone to the top of the world Test rankings.

England battled their way to a small 1st Innings lead, and had taken some South African wickets by Saturday's close, although ultimately it has to be said that the Proteas were worthy winners of the series.


Pics

The start of the Saturday of the Lords Test - there's really nothing like it


England battle on...


Morne Morkel in the field


England close in on their total


A very popular meeting with Mark Ramprakash in the lunch interval!


Former Glamorgan captain, Alviro Petersen



England draw level...



...and pass South Africa



Johnny Bairstow, who was out for 95 unfortunately


Stephen Finn


Graeme Smith, South Africa's captain


Jonathan Trott


Alviro Petersen, batting



The masterful Jacques Kallis


Hashim Amla, the series top scorer



Kallis, rock solid


The shadows lengthen at the end of an excellent day

Monday, August 13, 2012

The Who at the Olympics Closing Ceremony

The set is available here:

What a pity we had to sit through 3 hours of dross before it.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Glamorgan v Hampshire, Pro 40, Cardiff, 10/08/12

Glamorgan's final home one day game of 2012 was a shocking 107 run defeat to Hampshire, as usual our very worst displays reserved for an appearance on Sky Sports.

Undisciplined in the closing overs in the field, and then lacking strategy and backbone when batting, the defeat put pay to Glam's chances of qualifying from the group stage of the Pro 40.


John Glover bowling....


...and rehydrating on a rare sultry summer's day in 2012


Riazuddin getting caught at mid on off Dean Cosker


The lights come on at the start of Glam's run chase


Allenby works one away


The SWALEC Stadium looked great, just a shame about the display


Friday, August 10, 2012

Warwickshire v Worcestershire, LVCC1, Day 2, Edgbaston 09/08/12

Taking the opportunity of a free day and some gloriously sunny August weather, I made my first trip to the revamped Edgbaston to watch some Division 1 Championship cricket.

I've always liked Edgbaston as a spectating ground, a good bowl and plenty of viewing points, but am less enthused about the local support who've never been particularly friendly to visiting Glamorgan fans.

Nonetheless, with free street parking and £10 on the gate, it was well worth a visit, as Warwickshire turned the day around with a gutsy display worthy of potential champions, although it didn't look that way as Worcestershire's bowlers made regular inroads in the first hour.

The new ground is impressive with the Pavilion End having been completely modernised.


The new pavilion and media centre from the City End



Jim Troughton faces Alan Richardson...


...and Chris Powell


More new stands





The view from the old Press Box stand


A decent arena now




By the end of the day, Warwickshire has reasserted dominance...


needing another 200 to win, which they duly did the next day


Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Glamorgan v Notts, Pro 40, St Helens, Swansea, 050812

An excellent five days cricket at St Helens, Swansea, ended with a 2nd win for Glamorgan, as Nottinghamshire failed to chase down 33 in 3 overs to get a rain revised target.

Glamorgan's total owed much to the efforts of Ben Wright (62) and Marcus North (61) who put on a decent partnership after the home side had been reduced to 88 for 5.



Samit Patel bowls to Mark Wallace


Stephen Mullaney



Luke Fletcher bowls


Marcus North works a single away


Andy Carter




England T20 opener, Alex Hales




Croft bowls for Glamorgan before the rain came


Monday, August 6, 2012

Glamorgan v Gloucestershire, St Helens, Swansea, 01-04/08/12

In what has been widely described as Robert Croft's last first class game at his beloved St Helen's (although you wouldn't bet on it), the veteran off spinning master mopped up the last 4 Gloucestershire wickets on the final afternoon to give Glamorgan a hard earned victory by 26 runs.

A Glamorgan win looked pretty unlikely on the first day as the usual batting collapse left the home side in dire straits at 58/6.

But some indifferent bounce, and a spinning surface from the off, were always going to produce a result if the weather held (and it did in defiance of forecasts).


Jim Allenby bats...

 

...as does Mark Wallace



Forecast defying weather on the Swansea coast

 

Allenby picking up Rob Nicol after lunch on Day 2


St Helen's, still a fine setting

 

Crofty, now the longest serving first class pro...

 

...mopping up the final wickets on Day 4...


...whirling away...



...and the final ball...
ID Saxelby c Cosker b Croft 3



...and a victory at last


To quote David Hopps on Twitter:

"Crofty wins his last championship game at Swansea with four wickets in 23 balls and minutes to spare. That's not rain, that's tears, that is"

Magic. See it here