To Gibbs or not to Gibbs

Ryan Vrede from Keo.co.za writes an interesting article questioning the reasons for Herschelle Gibbs recall for the 3rd Test against the Windies…

“After a pair of ducks in the Port Elizabeth Test the selectors had had enough of the glorious disappointment that is Gibbs. His undeniable talent is matched only by his frustrating, sometimes infuriating, inconsistency, particularly at Test level. The selectors, including coach Mickey Arthur, simply couldn’t justify retaining him in the squad (even if Cricket South Africa chairman Norman Arendse felt they should).

Neil McKenzie’s four year wait between Tests ended at Newlands. But that dream return died as rapidly as it started. A torn calf muscle means the 32-year-old has to once again prove himself on the domestic scene when he returns after a predicted six week lay-off.

The void at the top of the order needed to be filled once more…”

Ryan also makes mention of other unlucky players being overlooked including Andrew Puttick from the Cape Cobras.

The full article can be found here

Polly’s Coming Back

The most encouraging news, from the perspective of local supporters, is that Shaun Pollock looks set to play his first Test in nearly a year. The 33-year-old veteran, who has waited patiently in the wings since his last Test against Pakistan on January 19-23 last year, is being widely tipped for a recall on his home ground, with either Andre Nel or Paul Harris being given a rest.

“I’ve certainly played a waiting game,” the flame-haired seamer joked yesterday. “But, if I do get chosen, it would obviously be great to play on my home ground.”

Welcome back ou-grote.

Proteas Trivia Game

The guys only lost 1 game and already the jokes start pouring in…..nonetheless, still very funny: 

Q. What do Mark Boucher and Michael Jackson have in common?
A. They both wear gloves for no apparent reason.

Q. What’s the difference between Graeme Smith and George Bush?
A. George Bush has more victories.

Q. What is South Africa’s best chance of a win at Kingsmead?
A. Telling the other team the match is at the Wanderers.

Q. How bad is the South African batting?
A. Well, the selectors are thinking of moving Extras up the batting order.

Q. What is the height of optimism?
A. A South African batsman putting on sunscreen.

Q. What is the main function of the South African coach?
A. To transport the team from the hotel to the ground.

Q. What’s the South African version of a hat-trick?
A. Three runs in three balls.

Q. Why don’t South African fielders need pre-tour travel injections?
A. Because they never catch anything. 

Q. What do you call a South African with 50 runs against his name?
A. A bowler.

Q. What’s the most proficient form of footwork displayed by Graeme Smith?
A. His walk back to the pavilion.

Q. Who has the easiest job in the South African touring party?
A. The guy who removes the ball marks from the bats.

Q. What does Graeme Smith and a drug addict have in common??
A. Both spend most of their time wondering where their next score will come from.

Q. Who spent the most time on the crease of anyone in the South African touring party?
A. The lady who ironed the cricket uniforms.

Q. Why is Graeme Smith cleverer than Houdini?
A. Because he can get out without even trying.

And finally…
 

Q. Why did Minky dump Graeme Smith?
A. Because he went in and out too quickly!

Sporting Heaven

A brilliant article by Lynn Dike was published on News24.com - we liked it so much, wwe thought you guys can have a read!

As I write this I am filled with excitement, practically vibrating in my own skin. And what has got me into this state, you may ask?

Well, the current plethora of sporting events of course - the inaugural Twenty20 and the Rugby World Cup. It’s like my birthday and Christmas, all rolled into one, and just the thought of all the games ahead are enough to make my cerebellum fuse.

The only downside to the Twenty20 spectacular is the fact that my office is directly across the road from the Wanderers Cricket Stadium. This means that to get to my desk every day I have to circumnavigate 30 000 spectators, a legion of officials, a couple of cricket teams, a gazillion metro police officers, a herd of police horses, a gaggle of dancing boys and girls, around 300 ice-cream sellers, an army of street vendors selling flags from every country known to man and a partridge in a pear tree thrown in for good measure.

The journey takes roughly two days, and that’s if you take a few shortcuts through neighbourhood backyards. But there’s something wonderfully magical about the start of a major international sporting event. Anything is possible and there is every chance that South Africa will win, at which stage I will swoon with delight.

It’s like being a small child the night before Christmas. While you know that it’s highly likely that there will be a tricycle waiting for you under the tree in the morning, on Christmas Eve there is still the possibility that it might be the monster quad bike that you really had your heart set on.

Cricket World Cup

Because I’ve forgotten all about the heartbreak of the Cricket World Cup in the West Indies earlier in the year and the three months of therapy it required to get over the emotional trauma. (Well probably less “forgotten” than “blocked out of my memory”)

I’m one of those hopelessly optimistic people who get very excited at the prospect of winning, without worrying about the possible disappointment of losing.

I love cricket and rugby with fervour and passion and I think our cricket and rugby teams are marvellous. I wouldn’t miss a game for anything, whether we’re playing Australia, the Netherlands or the united nations of Jupiter.

I’m even one of Graeme Smith’s greatest fans. Yip, it’s his parents and me, the Smith Supporters Club. (All the rest of you who hate Graeme can now proceed directly to the comments section at the bottom of the page and give it your best shot; I am impervious to your anti-Smithie propaganda.) And when Polly is at his miserly best, AB is patrolling backward point and Albie Morkel has just hit the biggest six of the Twenty20 tournament so far, life is good.

I read this week that France has fallen in love with the Springboks. And who can blame them. Take Schalk Burger for example. With that thatch of white-blonde hair he looks like a giant six-year old, and while he may be prone to the odd act of mild thuggery, he is our thug and we wouldn’t trade him for the world and can’t wait until he is back in action.

Rugby’s best

Our boys are playing some damn fine rugby and are starting to look like serious contenders for the crown of rugby’s best. Fourie du Preez, arguably the best scrumhalf in the world; Bryan Habana, the master of the explosive interception try and Percy, with his impeccable place-kicking, you just have to love them.

And I want them to win, desperately. I’d give my right arm for both teams to win. Actually, maybe not my arm, but somebody else’s arm I’m sure.

I’d make a terrible Miss World contestant, because when the archetypal beauty queen question arose and all the other girls said that they wanted world peace, I’d say I wanted South Africa to win every cricket and rugby world cup from now until eternity. And then Miss Australia would sledge me, Miss New Zealand would start to make aggressive dance moves and Miss England would try to get me to compete on her behalf, and it would be a disaster.

So right now, when both our rugby and cricket teams are unbeaten in their respective competitions and looking good, all is well in my world. And the idea that our winning ways may yet end in disaster is simply not an option to be considered.

If we should lose I will be in bed until Christmas, with the curtains drawn and the covers pulled over my head, making a high-pitched keening sound that is only audible to dogs. But until then, I’m just about the happiest person around, so excuse me if I rush off, I think there’s a game about to start.

You can go directly to the article here: http://www.news24.com/News24/Columnists/Lynn_Dike/0,,2-1630-2222_2186298,00.html

SelectYOURteam!!

Looks like a cool site for sports fans…

Selectyourteam is an online voting forum to represent which players the PUBLIC would really like to see in their national teams

Go check it out www.selectyourteam.co.za

You can select from rugby, cricket and/or soccer.

Looks fun!