The Idler, Thursday, January 9, 2020

The ebb and

flow of

real cricket

 

VICTORY for the Poms at Newlands, the Test series now squared and keen anticipation of the coming clash at St George's Park, Port Elizabeth.

But even more significant surely is the victory for five-day Test cricket, this purest form of the game that in two encounters running now has seen a seesawing of fortunes, an ebb and flow that is simply impossible in truncated versions of the game.

England's monster second innings; the Proteas' hard-fought – and by no means hopeless – mission to save the game with a draw were the stuff of heroism, captivating and enthralling for the thousands who packed Newlands.

Who said the five-day game is a thing of the past?

This was anything but staid, predictable cricket. It fizzed with incident and excitement. England's Ben Stokes had centre stage – five superb slip catches, 72 with the bat then three wickets to finish things off. This is an entertainer.

And let's not forget the the Proteas' batting debutants, Pieter Malan and Rassie van der Dussen. All showed that Test cricket can be as entertaining as it is subtle.

Five days of play – skill and strategy interspersed with bursts of excitement. The antics of the Barmy Army. It's the kind of thing that baffles the Americans. Let's keep on baffling. This has been a triumph for Test cricket, broadcast all over the world.

A luta continuha – the struggle continues. St George's Park, here we come!

 

 

 

Take pride

 

SOUTH African-born Marnus Labuschagne is the toast of Australian cricket these days, following the Aussies' clean sweep against Pakistan and New Zealand.

What's more, during the off season Labuschagne plays rugby for Japan. Don't argue, of course he does. He was there during last year's World Cup, wasn't he? I think he scored a try against the Boks.

We're used to our cricketers and rugby players being in their hundreds overseas. (Just wait until rugby takes off in the US).

But Marnus Labuschagne is unique and special in this regard. International colours in both sports. We can take pride.

 

 

Tailpiece

 

 

TWO Yorkshire villages are preparing for a Sunday match. In the dressing room, the captain says: "Where's Fred?"
"Fred's working down pit Skip, he can't play."
"Bugger! We're one short."

Then a horse pops its head round the door and says: "I can play!"
The skipper laughs. "Horses can't play cricket!"
"I can. And I'll open t' batting too."
They put pads on the horse's front legs and a bat in his teeth. The skipper tries to take strike because the opening bowler is seriously quick, but the horse wouldn't have it.
The bowler charges in. The horse springs forward and smashes the first ball for 6 over long-on.
"Great shot hoss, brilliant!" says Skip.
"I told thee I could bat."
The next four balls all go for 6, all around the ground. The crowd are going mad. The bowler sends down a devious slower ball. The horse changes strokes and carefully pushes the ball to the offside. After the massive hitting the fielders are all on the fence, there's nobody close to retrieve the ball.
"Yes!" screams Skip , charging off for the single. But the horse remains rooted to the crease. A fielder throws to the bowler's end and Skip is run out.
"Why didn't thee run?"
"If I could run, I'd be in Epsom Derby."

 

 

Last word.

The great thing about democracy is that it gives every voter a chance to do something stupid. - Art Spander