Transcript of the Commentary - England Innings

Prem: There is just one ball left, England 282/7 and in a wonderful position now, that one is through to the keeper as giles misses, and England ends on 282/7. With which, end of play for the first innings, should be a cracker of a chase in the second outing, we'll be bringing it live in 45 minutes from now.

Prem: Da3wson, huge hoik, misses, hit on the pad, Dawson races down, picks up, the batsmen were going for the single, the bowler panics, has a huge throw at the stumps, and four more overthrows. That was very bad work.

Prem: Dawson, three balls left in the over, to Hollioake on 78, he clubs it from outside off, all muscle, powering it way over the long on fence for six, that was brute force at work.

Prem: Dawson this time down the leg side, Hollioake sweeps at that one and misses.

Prem: Dawson again, this one pushed to point, single. 271/7.

Prem: Dawson bowling the final over, and a single off the leg bye.

Prem: rindell, and this time the off drive gets one more, England 269/7 in 49.

Prem: Bad line again from Rindell -- wide down leg, called, and Giles got a touch to it, down to fine leg for four more. Venkat cancels the wide call, right to do that, that ball went off the bat. Single off the fifth ball, to midwicket

Prem: Rindell misses his run up, looks like he got something in the eye there. Now he's back and Hollioake again drives through extra cover, making room for the shot, but just the one this time. 77/86 Hollioake

Prem: Giles, ball three, pushes to mid on, single, brings Hollioake on strike, England going at 5.4 now, with 9 balls left.

Prem: Ball two is a wide down leg side, bad line, extra run plus extra ball for England. 261/7. Ball three, outside off, Boucher standing right up, collects as Giles misses with the hoik.

Prem: Rindell to giles and a push to backward point, great running, taking on Symcox gts two.

Prem: Hollioake ends the over with yet another inside out drive through extra cover, that's been the feature of his batting in this innings, gets two more with mid off being pushed wide now for that shot, England after 48 are 256/7

Prem: Ashley Giles the new man in, Dawson has two balls left in the over but it is Hollioake, crossing over, who is on strike, steps to off and tries to flick to the vacant backward square, beaten for pace there.

Prem: Dawson to Russell, who chips off the middle stump, the sweeper at midwicket, Blenkenstein, comes in, fumbles, then holds, end of a partnership of 49 runs off just 30 balls. Russell 19 off 17, nice little supporting cameo to Hollioake

Prem: Hollioake on strike to Dawson, driffts to leg, Boucher stops superbly, leg bye.

Prem: Dawson again, and Russell gets lucky, inner edge to the keeper along the ground and they run for that as well.

Prem: Russell off the first ball slams into the gap at extra cover, great running from Hollioake gets two there.

Prem: 5.36 the run rate now, and Dawson bein brought back. Wonder why Cronje himself didn't bowl after his first spell, though, he's usually pretty good at keeping it there or thereabouts. Dawson's gone for 40 off 7.

Prem: Rindell for the last time in this over, to Hollioake, who again goes inside out, taking it off middle and leg, lifting it over long off, gets four more and England end the over on 252/6 Prem: 40 runs by these two, off 24 balls, and Russell cover drives, single, one ball left in the 47th.

Prem: Hollioake's first slice of luck there, trying to whip over midwicket, gets the edge and gets two over point. that one went off the back of the bat, really. Ball four, to Rindell, on driven for one more, 247/6 England

Prem: Rindell strays to leg and Russell sweeps, no fielder there, four more. This is proving a good time for England, after the early alarms. Rindell again, to Russell, who gets under it and hoiks, one bounce to long on, single.

Prem: Ball four, Russell down the track drives to mid off, single, brings Hollioake back on strike. Kallis, with two balls left in the 46th, tothe England skipper. On leg, Steps away to hit to on, finds the ball following him, changes his mind and sloshes it to leg, gets lots of wood on it and beats the sweeper at midwicket for the second four of the over. Last ball and Hollioake again steps away, cover drives to a full length ball on middle stump and that is the third four of the over, to end it in a dizzy spurt.

Prem: Kallis to continue, Russell gets one off the first ball and brings Hollioake into strike, the England skipper steps away, makes room, lifts up and over cover, beats the two boundary riders on that side of the wicket for four more, that ball was hit off the middle stump. Ball three, Kallis, full toss, smashed straight back and a single results, Kallis doing very well to stop a full blooded hit, though it actually came to him on the full -- a chance, but of the miraculous kind.

Prem: Sweep, miss, leg bye, it's all happening out there just now and that is the end of the 45th, with England going on from 198/5 in 40, to 224/6

Prem: Rindell to Hollioake, slower ball, driven to long off and one more. One ball left in the 45th and Russell to take it.

Prem: Rindell to Russell who paddles from way outside off to midwicket, one more. 222/6

Prem: Rindell to Hollioake, a straight drive fetches him one more, 221/6 in 44.3.

Prem: Nextball, a sweep, and a single to short fine leg, 220/6.

Prem: Rindell continues, bowling to Russell who chips over midwicket, finds the gap and four for that, audacious shot and well played.

Prem: 52/73, Hollioake, meanwhile, Russell ends the over with a single to point, 215/6 in 44 England.

Prem: Kallis to Hollioake, full pitch on off stump and the batsman steps away and clinically puts it away through cover, and that's his 50, fine knock it's been too -- third successive innnings in this tournament that the captain has led the way, after Campbell for Zimbabwe and Fleming for the Kiwis yesterday. Ball five, chipped to mid off, single, 214/6.

Prem: 4.8 the England run rate, 44th over in progress, Russell pushes to mid off, single.

Prem: Kallis continues, Russell on strike, left hander and at 35, oldest man in the England party. Trademark dark glasses in place, behind his helmet visor, ball two is driven to cover, no run.

Prem: Jack Russell the new man in, and Rindell meanwhile doing just what Cronje needed, didnt gave away too many and took out the dangerous Fairbrother as well. Ball one, Russell almost leg before, rapped in front of the stumps, te angle could have taken it just past leg, Venkat gives him the benefit of a slight doubt there, and a leg bye as well. 208/6 in 43 England

Not doing good suddenly England are.. Need more STUFF.. It's a SIN.. Morrison Prem: Rindell to Fairbrother and once too often, he tries to nudge to third man, that one came in just enough to beat the shot and hit off stump, England lose Fairbrother at the wrong moment, after the left hander had done a superb job on the recovery. 56/78 to Fairbrother.

Prem: Rindell bowled a decent first over, second ball of his second is driven straight to cover, no run. Hollioake on strike to rindell, on leg stump, slower ball, misses the sweep, leg bye.

Prem: 110 off 141 by this pair, having broken the record when they got to 99, Rindell now to Fairbrother, chipped in the air and one bounce to long one, single.

Prem: Hollioake makes room to cut, Kallis keeps it out of his reach, England 205/5 in 42.

Prem: Kallis to Fairbrother, the push finds midwicket in very quickly, no run. Two balls left in the 42nd, Kallis, Fairbrother cover drives, brings in the sweeper, one more.

Prem: Kallis in his 8th over thus far, 2/24 so far, ball three, Hollioake off drives for another single.

Prem: Fairbrother on strike and off the first ball of the 42nd, a pull fetches him another single. Kallis the bowler, now to Hollioake, the field well spread, batsmen down the wicket pushes to point, no run.

Prem: Fairbrother, off the last ball, pushes one more to mid on, england 202/5 in 41, nine overs to go

Prem: Rindell now to Hollioake, who should be looking to go after the non regular bowler here. ball five, outside off, driven, finds longoff, single.

Prem: Short ball this time, Fairbrother nudges one more to third man, he's got 14 of his runs there thus far. 200/5 England in 40.4

Prem: Rindell to Fairbrother, ball three, nice line on leg and middle, full length, raps the batsman on the pads, no run. Ball four of the 41st, to fairbrother, slower one and a no ball called, punched to the on side, great stop from Jonty, single nonetheless to the total.

Prem: Rindell bowling left arm over, to fairbrother, who plays to midwicket, no run. Ball two, Rindell, and again, the batsman looks to step to leg, then changes his mind and pushes to the on side, again no run.

Prem: England moving from 169/5 to 198/5 and Cronje gives the ball to the medium paced Mike Rindell, their opening batsman. Not really rated as a frontline bowler, SA missing their stars, Donald and Pollock, not to mention Klusener, here.

Prem: 99 runs between these two is a 6th wicket record for England, and it couldn't have come at a more approrpriate time. Last ball and Hollioake onto the front foot, a fierce cover drive beats the field, four for it and 198/5 in 40, England, going into the death phase here on a much better position than anticipated.

Prem: Kallis continuing and both batsmen working singles off him in succession, ball five has Hollioake coming down the track but finding midwicekt with the push, no run. 194/5.

Prem: 50 off 66 with just two fours and the one six, Hollioake meanwhile gives Kallis the charge, the bowler shortens the length and forces the defensive push

Kambli at No.6 in Indian team? Good one and the right one too. Dravid? Who? Please.. As far as Fairbrother's stake for a oneday place in any team, have a look at his oneday record.. For a No.6 that too.. Jim Morrison Prem: Symcox ended his quota with the previous over, so back comes Jacques Kallis into the attack, going at 6-0-16-3 so far. To fairbrother, who drives on the off, through cover, single brings up his fifty and a controlled knock it's been too.

Prem: Boje to Hollioake who looks to go inside out again, but Boje follows him with the ball, forces the change of shot, single off the push to midwicket. Fairbrother again looks for a nudge to third man, the keeper tidies up, no run. Last ball, Fbrother sweeps, one, 191/5 in 39 England

Prem: Boye with the last over of his allotted quota, to Hollioake, ball two, another inside out push, this time to long off, single. Meanwhile, to the readers, there really is no point being combative and calling each other names -- we simply cut those posts out, is all. Fairbrother meanwhile nudges to short third man and again, a single.

Prem: Last ball of the 38th, Hollioake on strike and playing a short arm paddle, gets the one, England 187/5.

Prem: Symcox again bowling on leg or just outside, fairbrother misses with the flick but that line can be expensive, fine leg is free terrirtory. next ball, gently pushed to point for the single.

Prem: For England to put up a challenging socre, this pair has to keep going the way they have been, for at least 8 overs more so the others can throw their bat around a bit. Symcox meanwhile resumes, bwoling to fairbrother and forcing defensive pushes to the first two balls. Ball three is outside leg, bad line, swept, chase for dawson, leg byes tehre and two more to england

NOT TRUE! India is quite capable of "recovering"; only if the selectors will leave the team alone Baapu Prem: Drinks on the field, break time for me as well, be right back

Prem: Boje to Fairbrother, punched on the leg side off the back foot, single, 183/5 in 37

Prem: 86 off 108 the partnership so far, and Hollioake again down the track, driving to long off, one more.

Prem: This sort of recovery is the kind of thing India can never seem to pull off after a few wickets, even though the batting talent is quite capable. REcovery Man Prem: Hollioake again, inside out, having come down the track to Boje, makes room for himself and up and over extra cover, four more. Good clean strike that one. Boje, and Hollioake pushes one back to the bowler.

Prem: Interesting recovery here from England, after being 97/5, now 176/5

Dravid at 6 - you gotta be kidding Baapu Prem: Glorious hit, that, Fairbrother down the track, gets under one from Symcox shorter in length, clean swing of the bat and up, and over wide long on, for a clean-struck six. and a sweep, off the next ball, gets him one more.

Prem: faster ball, played with the spin to square leg, one more to hollioake.

Prem: Another risky run off the first ball of Symcox, Fairbrother beaten, Hoake calling for the bye as Boucher fumbles, Fbrother just beating the throw to the bowler's end,. Next ball, Hoake sweeps, gets one to deep midwicekt. Ball three, nudged around by fbrother, single behind square.

Prem: Fairbrother on strike, he's been getting the runs in his quiet, unobtrusive fashion thus far and the SA bowlers now appear to have learnt not to bowl outside off to him, that is where his nudges come in perfectly. Fbrother sweeps Boje, last ball, gets the single and England 165/5 in 35, making a bit of a recovery here, going from 130/5 in 30.

The number 6 slot is for Dravid, Kambli or Sidhu neither of which Fairbrother (or any other brother for that matter) can touch. HENDRIX Prem: Crookes coming abck on and Hollioake, to the first ball, down the track, inside out and over extra cover, a bit of risk there but he pulls it off, gets the four, beating the fielder. 163/5.

Prem: Symcox, and Hollioake plays with the spin but finds midwicket, no run. PS again, Hollioake sweeps from outside off and misses completely. Last ball of the 34th, fligted on middle, played round the corner for a single, 159/5 in 34.

Prem: Symcox continues, a fair bit of flight on that one and Fairrother ends up with the defensive push. Ball two, PS to NF, onto the back foot pushing on the on, no run. Ball three, poff the toes, clipping to square leg, single.

Someone says that Fairbrother cannot make the IndianA team. Hell no. Its a sin. I would have him in the Indian team in the first place if I had any commonsense. A typical one-day specialist at No.6.. have fun.. Jim Morrison Prem: Dawson to Hollioake, short, and pulled, manages to beat Symcox at the square leg fence, playing that pull very fine, four to end the over off a bad ball from Dawson.

Prem: Uh oh, Hollioake now attempting to lift over midwicekt -- misses, rapped on the pad, not the kind of thing you need just now, he has to focus ont he singles, on playing through till at least the 40 over mark, given the lack of batting to follow.

airbrother is playing well. He should stay on the wicket a little longer Anand Prem: Dawson continuing. To answer Morrison, Dawson not exactly inspiratioal, skids the ball through at a pretty decent pace and does have some movement in the air, but neither the pace nor the movement enough to hustle top batsmen. Yeah, Martin should do decently here, just the right conditions for someone of his kind. Hollioake meanwhile gives Dawson the charge and misses completely.

Prem: How's the pitch doing? Peter Martin should do well in these conditions.. He is in the Prasad mould..Except he has more commitment.. How's this Dawson guy doing? MORRISON Prem: Hollioake off drives, gets one more, Symcox being taken for singles off the first four ball of this over.

Prem: Fairbrother, ball three, nudging towards midwicket, single, 150/3 England, a score that looked doubtful at 97/5.

Prem: Symcox, and again, Fairbrother nudges, this time to short third man for another single. SA been a bit iffy in the field, lots of lovely stops but also the odd fumble, unusual for thhis side. Hollioake, ball two, plays to mid wicket and gets one more.

Prem: And again, Fairbrother hopping back, letting the ball pass the stumps, then running it down off the open bat face, using the pace of the ball to run it down to third man for four. Dawson again, and this time, Fbrother pushes past Jonty Rhodes at point. Rhodes seems upset at something, after letting that one trough for a single.

Prem: Dawson to fairbrother, lovely punch off the back foot and a super sop at cover, diving way to his left there blenkenstein. Single taken. Next ball, pushed to mid on, again a mix up between the two batsmen, up down up kind of stuff finally they take the single.

Prem: Dawson now coming back into the attack, I suspect Cronje's figured that he would prefer the slower bowlers at the end.Single off the first ball to Hollioake. Dawson now to fairbrother, nippy delivery hustles the batsman as he tries to nudge to leg.

Fairbrother wouldn't make the Inian A team. Morrison Prem: 84/2 in 15, 139/5 in 30, tells its own tale.

Prem: now THAT you dont expect from SA. Hollioake pushed to the right of Symcox and took off, Symcox made a mess of the collection, with both batsmen stranded on the same end of the crease. Meanwhile, the fielder at mid on had run in and if Symcox had left it to him, Hollioake was gone. Last ball, cover driven, single, just two in the ovver, 130/5 England in 30.

Prem: Jim Morrison is right in that Fairbrother is a lovely one day player, besides, he's played a bit of league cricket in Bangladesh so he is more familar than most with the ground conditions.

Prem: ball two, fairbrother on his knee, checking a sweep, getting the single square on the on side.

Prem: PC: yeah, possible if this pair hangs in there till around 45 overs or so. Symcox meanwhile starts off with an arm ball to beat the fairbrother nudge to third man.

Prem 250 may still be on, the bowling lacks that little bit of sting to force the issue? PC Fairbrother is the man. Excellent One-day cricketer. India needs someone of his methods. May not look attractive, but are very efficient and interesting. I would love to see him get a century now maybe. JIM MORRISON Prem: Last ball, Hollioake off drives, no run, 137/5 in 29

Prem: Boje to Fairbrother, pushed to mid on off the back foot, single.

Prem: Boje to Hollioake, pushed to cover and a quick single taken.

Prem: Fairbrother again onto the back foot and nudging to third man right off the stumps, danverous but that is the way he plays, two more. Next ball, off his pads to square leg, single.

Prem: Boje to bowl, over number 29 coming up, batsman down the track, pushing to mid off, single.

Prem: Smcox pushing one through faster, Fairbrother on the back foot, pushing defensively. PS again, the batsman forward pushing, misses, appeal for lbw but that was pitcing outside leg. Symcox, actually bowling a top spinner here, outside off and Fairbrother cuts and misses. Ball six, onto the back foot playing to midwicket, no run, 131/5 England

Prem: Ball one, Hoake down the track and driving, but finds mid on. No run. PS to AH, ball two, swept from outside off, finds one to backward square.

Prem: symcox comes back into the attack, 4-0-25-1 his first spell, of which 17 came in one over courtesy ealham.

Prem: now that's a sight you dont often see, Hollioake pusing to midwicket and Rhodes actually misfielding, giving away the single to end the over.

Prem: Hollioake sweeping at boje, finds short square leg. Ball three is on driven but Rhodes this time at midwicket quickly across to stop. Ball four, Hoake defends. Cronje now revising his strategy, has six in the ring, not giving the singles away, oje again and Hollioake sweeps, in the air over square leg's head and gets the four, vacant space i that region behind exploited well.

Prem> hastening up the overs was a ploy used by Afridi in Toronto recently.Azza was caught unawares and slowing down is an art mastered by Arjun ranatunga... pratique Prem: Boje continues, Fbrother nudges one more behind square, picking it off middle.

Prem: Fairbrother pushing this time to mid on, running with the shot and getting the single. Sensible stuff so far by these two, though their back foot ploy to the spinners is still suspect.

Prem: crookes making a mistake in length there, ends up full pitching, and Fairbrother on his knee, a short arm jab rockets it through square leg for four. Next ball, pushed on the off side for a single. Ball four, Hollioake down the track and flicking, single to midwicket.

Prem: Pratik:: I think more accurately, the England batsmen with some thoughtless stuff has helped SA out of jail, really -- they seemed to be running out of options early on, but these wickets going down in a heap have now put them in the driver's seat.

Repair damage stage...I guess the SA has done a wonderful job without Allan and Shaun...my guess is 225+. . .Prem? Pratik Prem: Boje to Hollioake, off his toes, clipped to mid on, single. Fairbrother now on strike, ball pitches off, turns outside leg, batsman flicks, keeper takes, huge appeal for caught behind, Venkat says no, slow motion shows that there might have been a very, very faint touch, but not enough to see or pick with the naked eye.

Prem: SA fair racing through its overs here, with two spinners on and the fielders not giving much away, they seem to have stopped the tactic of slowing things down and now are actually rushing the batsmen. Boje continues.

Prem: Down the track, Hollioake, on driving, single to the fielder at mid on slightly deep. Strange, though, the Sa field setting is run saving, I would have thought someone liek Cronje would be more aggressive, with five down and no batting to follow. Fairbrother meanwhile, nudger par excellence, does it again, off the open face of the bat to third man, three for it, dawson good on the chase. Lovely stop, next up, as Hollioake drives to cover and Kallis produces a blinder of a stop. End of 24, 114/5 England

Prem: Crookes, and flight on this one, Fbrother pushes to mid on for the single. 110/5.

Prem: Boje drifts to leg, Hollioake sweeps and misses, two leg byes result, 109/5 and Boje drifting too often to leg these last few balls. This is better, bang on middle, Hollioake on the back foot to work to leg -- England showing its traditional weakness, to spin they go back and play as late as they can and get in all kinds of tangles. Rapped on the pad here but hit high above the roll, no damage. Ends the over.

Prem: Boje to Fbrother, and an edge almost goes tothe keeper's glove. That was pad off bat, ball three quick single taken to midwicket. Meanwhile, PC, the funny thing is England has been here for a week, in Dhaka, and have played two practise games -- if they aren't acclimatised, no one would be.

Prem>Methinks tbey are playing (mentally) on the faster and truer pitches at home.. not adjusting for the subcontinents variable bounce and tendency to keep low, as a matter of fact i wonder how many of these guys have had proper tours of the subcontinent PC Prem: John:: In these conditions, I would think India's batting is better than England's on this kind of conditions, but SA would have the slight edge in terms of depth.

Prem? How do you compare both these teams batting line ups tp India's?? John Prem: Nice drive with the spin by Hollioake, to mid on for a single to bring up the 100 for England, in the 22nd over. Crookes, now, to Fairbrother, wide down leg side, one more to the total. Fifth ball, again off the back foot, gentle nudge to fine leg, two more.

Prem: Push to square leg, Jonty very quick there, bbut the run race through and again, the non striker just beating Rhodes to the danger end.

Prem: South Africa slowin things down here, takin their time with the field changes, letting the pressure build on the batsmen, Crookes to Fairbrother and again, off the back foot, attempted glance, only finds the keeper, no run.

Prem: Ball one, on middle, played with the turn square on the on for a single by Hollioake.

Prem: 4.86 the run rate with half the side back in the hut and no batting left. And now Kallis goes off, in comes off spinner Derek Crookes.

Prem: arm ball, outside off, pushed to long off and single to Hollioake. Last ball of the 21st coming up, the last really recognised pair at the crease, fairbrother onto the back foot -- what the heck is with this backfoot stuff to spinners anyway? -- and playing to short midwicket, no run, 98/5.

Prem: Boje continues, bowling to Hollioake and maintaining an admirable line around off and middle. Ball three is on leg, swept but straight to short fine leg, Symcox, no run. Ball four, Hollioake down the track to thepitch, pushes to mid on, no run.

Prem: To test a SA batting lineup that goes right down to Boje at 10, England need 260-something on the board and if they get it here, it's going to be a miracle. Hollioake challenging Jonty with the short single, Fairbrother just makes his ground at the danger end but that kind of running, again, is something England dont need against this fielding side. End of the 20th, and England slumbing from 84/2 in 15 to 97/5 in 20.

Prem: Kallis to Hollioake, who is on the front foot, defending. An average of 26.6 off 20 matches with two fifties, for the England skipper thus far. Ball three, played to midwicekt, no run.

Prem: On the replay here and I still can' believe that shot -- bang on line of off and the batsman aims a square cut at it, the ball was released soft, kept on the low side, straight as a string -- not exactly the shot a batsman yet to get off the mark wants to try, with over 30 overs left in the innings, and England paying the price for two cut-happy batsmen, hick and lloyd, here, and letting SA back into the game in a very big way. Kallis now to Fairbrother, who as the last recognised batsman has a huge job to do, there is 30 overs to go after this one. England were 60-something for 1 at one stage, and now 95/5. Fbrother guides ball two behind gully, single, 96/2.

Prem: Gaurav:: As far as real batting goes, Fairbrother is all that's left. Hollioake is an all rounder of sorts, can hit the ball around but that is not what they need here, and then there's Russell but that's it.

Prem: How deep do Eng. bat - I am not familiar with most of their line up. Gaurav. Prem: And there goes number five -- again, an error in judgement by the batsman, the arm ball from Boje bang on off stump, the batsman going back to cut -- what a shot to pick to a ball on off stump! -- rapped low on the front pad and bye bye Lloyd. 95/5 England

Prem: Gentle push to cover gets Fairbrother one, brings Lloyd on strike to the left arm spinner. 5.18 the run rate, now, Boje on line of off and pushed defensively.

Prem: The worst of England's problems here is that besides having lost four, they now have two new guys at the crease. Boje to continue, bowling to Fairbrother.

Prem: Looks like a great take, but Boucher actuallly reacted late and got there at the last split second. Whatever, the wicket's gone, Lloyd to the crease and now, it is recovery mode for the batting side.

Prem: On the replay, yes, it looks like he just managed to get the ball in the webbing between thumb and forefinger and yes, he's gone, caught behind and England 94/4 now and in deep trouble. That was Knight, sorry, gone for 32/49.

Prem: Good ball that, kicking up off a length and Fairbrother defends. Kallis now mixing them up pretty well, the odd ball being bowled faster, the slower off break coming in at times. Two wickets thus far for him, into his 5th over here. And that could be wicket number three, the edge, Boucher dives and holds, but -- good sportsmanship here, Boucher himself wants the umpire to check te replay as he is not sure he held it.

Prem: Post drinks, Kallis to continue and Fairbrother, another left hander, on strike, outside off and driven, brings in the sweeper, just the one. 94/3

Prem: The problem for England is that in its quest for an electric start, they've lost three before the first 20. Fairbrother, Graham Lloyd and Adam Hollioake to follow, but that is not exactly an inspirational lineup, Hick was the man they would have needed to hang in there and play the long innings, given his command of spin -- can't figure why he choose to go on the back foot to a ball fuller in length.

Prem: Kallis to Knight, the drive has little of the bottom hand in it, finds mid off, no run. Next ball, on off, Hick on the back foot, bad choice, that ball was fuller in length, ball cuts in and hits the pad, on the back foot in front of middle and leg and Hick is out, LBW, England 93/3 and Drinks on the field, taking a breather here, be right back.

Prem: Last ball, Boje keeps it on the off, which is where he needs it to be, Knight plays to midwicket, no run. Ends the 17th over with England 93/2.

Prem: Boje looking for the rough on that one but not much turn thus far for him. Ball five, to Knight, on middle, a glance, in the air but no one close on the leg, behind the bat, runs down to the vacant fine leg region, four more, well played, thoughtful stroke.

Prem: Boje not flighting too much here, pushing it flatter and faster, on line of middle and off, Hick this time pushes to Jonty at point. Ball four, drifts to leg, Hick misses the sweep, leg bye to short fine leg. 89/2.

Prem: Another change, Nicky Boje the left arm spinner replacing Cronje at the pavilion end. Three spinners for SA in Boje, Symcox and Crookes, which must be a first for that team. Nice line on off, played by Hick to short cover, no run. Ball two, on off and again, Hick defneds.

Prem: Kallis with an off cutter, Hick hurried but manages to get one, off the flick, to backward square. Ends the 16th over with England 87/2.

Prem: Kallis to Knight, again the slower ball but a delicate late cut,finds one to Crookes at third man.

Prem: Kallis to Knight, over number 16, slower ball, almost a regulation off break and Knight spots it, defends.

Prem: Kallis to Hick, outside off, cut away but finds the sweeper, just the one, 86/2.

Prem: Kallis again, to night, on middle and leg, played off the pads, behind square, Boje the fielder and just the one.

Prem: England going at 0/1, 56/1 and 84/2 in five, ten and 15 overs and Kallis continues, bowling to Knight with a more defensive field in place, Knight plays from off stump to point, no run.

Prem: Cronje, now to Hick, England 84/2. Outside off and left alone. Remember, Zimbabwe yesterday made 93 off their firt 15, indications are that all teams will be looking to milk the first 15 for the maximum before the slower bowlers make life tough later on. Hick cuts, not enough room there, misses. Last ball of the 15th, played to midwicket, no run, 84/2 in 15.

Prem: Cronje to Knight and Cullinan fields a hard drive at short cover. Last of the first 15 overs, so Sa should now be able to slow things down a shade. Knight opens the bat face, runs one down to third man and Symcox, the oldest member of the party, races round, dives like he is in water and stops the four. Two for it, Cronje again to Knight, on off and played defensively, it of a misfield at cover, single taken. 84/2.

Prem: Kallis now to Hick, who with his ability to play spin could be crucial to England's chances here if he can hang in there. Lets te first one through outside off. Last ball of the 14th, Kallis to Hick, punched off the back foot, finds mid on, no run. Ends the over.

Prem: Graeme Hick te new man but the batsmen had crossed over, so it is Knight on strike, and works one off his pad behind square, single.

Prem: Kallis again, outside off, Ealham slashes, up and ballooning behind point, Jonty Rhodes backpeddles, gets under it and holds with ease, England 80/2 and Ealham, after doing his job as pinch hitter, departs, overhitting at a slightly slower one from Kallis, Ealham gone for 44 off 37

Prem: Kallis continues, and the first ball is played by Knight to mid on and again, very quick running gets the single. Kallis, now to Ealham, fires it down the leg side, Boucher does well to stop.

Prem: Cronje to Kight, on off, played to midwicket and off they go again, good running here by these two. Cronje showing signs of helplessness here, not bothering to get back behind the stumps. Ealham, ball five, lovely cover drive to a ball of fuller length, count four more. full points for timing and placement, no power at all. Cronje, last ball, Ealham drives to mid on, no run, 79/1 England in 13.

Prem: Cronje to Ealham, batting 39 here off 32, and a leg bye as his flick misses but Knight calls well and the batsman responds. 74/1.

Prem: Cronje returns to the crease and there goes Ealham, down the track and up, and over midwicket, four more. Pinch hitting with a vengeance, here, and the next ball, flicked, just wide of square leg, that was in the air but not in reach, and four more, that's 8 off the first two balls.

Prem: Kallis, on leg, Knight misreads the slower one, mistimes the glance and the keeper collects. No run, ends the over.

Prem: Kallis, and Knight this time charging down the wicket and getting cramped for space, plays back to the bowler

Prem: Ball four, Kallis, Ealham opens the bat face and again, Jonty in the action diving way to his left to stop, single is on though.

Prem: Kallis, and this time ist is the on drive, Cronje at mid on cant stop the single, the 50 partnership coming off 46 balls.Ealham on strike, to Kallis.Ball three of the 12th. banged in short but no bounce, Ealham tries to swing over midwicket and misses.

Prem: Kallis continues and that's four, Knight dwon the track and slamming it through cover. 63/1.

The averageness of SA, Eng, etc is a sharp contrast to the sub-continental teams. SA & gang seem to have a bunch of average players but no greats. JOHN Prem: Pratique: Well, they dont have much choice, tehir lead bowlers are either resting, or injured. I think they are banking on everyone bowling a couple of good overs, then changing around by the time the batsmen figure them out and are ready to take the charge. Cronje here keeping it slow and on off and Ealham for the first three balls not able to get it away. Ball four, though, is on leg, a huge swish, doesn't connect properly, Knight takes off for the run, Symcox picks up and throws to the other end but Cronje not quick to get behind the stumps, Ealham was havlf3way down the track at that point. And next ball, an outstanding diving stop by Rhodes at point, and the crowd is into the game now, right behind the fielding superstar. Again, an on drive and an outstanding stop, this one by dawson, just the single, 59/1 in 11.

Who is SA's other fast bowler?Benkenstein? Or this is a new combination they are trying out?Could back fire...Prem? Pratique Prem: Another change, and Cronje now brings himself on. Quick rotation here, meanwhile, England added 36 in the last five overs thanks largely to that assault on Symcox. Cronje to Knight, off te outer edge to backward point, single.

Prem: Interesting duel that, Knight coming down the track, Kallis anticipating and shortenin the lengtha nd now it is Ealham, down the track, Kallis spears it outside off and te batsman misses with the huge slash.

Prem: Slanted outside off this time, and Knight tries another of his swipes through midwicket, misses with everything he's got. Kallis, ball five, Knight down the track and pushing to mid on, single, 56/1.

Prem: PC: Provided they bowl wicket to wicket, and within themselves, they should be the key to containing in the middle overs. I would think the pattern here will be to go berserk in the first 15, then consolidate as the pace of the pitch gets slower and slower, right through this tournament. kallis on a good line here, Knight defensive to the first two balls and the crowd yelling encouragemen to Rhodes doing the fieling at point. Ball three, it is Symcox in the action at short midwicket, Kallis keeping an off and middle line to the left hander.

Prem, how good are the trundlers lkely to be on this pitch. holliokes, ealhams PC Prem: First change, and it i Jacques Kallis coming on.

Prem: Last ball, onto te front foot, nudging the ball into the gap behind square on the leg side, good fielding keeps it down to the single. Ends the over, 9t of the innings, with England on 55/1.

Ealham must have heard me speak of Tendulkar and now he is tryin to emulate him. JOHN Prem: Dawson again, and this time, another huge swing, gets it in the gap, doesnt time it too well though, two more and England 54/1.

Prem: Dawson to Knight, good line on off and forcing the defensive push,he needs the single to let Ealham do the hard work. Dawson not exactly top of the line, Pratique, but here, SA depending I think on the fact that almost all the guys bowl, and bat, right down the line. Knight down the track, swings hard, in the air but through midwicket for four more.

OOps!No Shaun, no Allan!How good are Dawson et al Prem? Pratique Prem: Dawson continues, bowling to Ealham, ball one played to third man, single, 48/1 and Knight, who's been dormant on 5, on strike.

Prem: Symcox, tighter line on off and Ealham down the track but forced to push defensively. all five, flatter, on leg and swept, four more. 46/1 now England and motoring around. One more to go, PS to Ealham, flighted on middle and again, swept but this time, just the single, 17 in the over, 47/1 te score.

Prem: PS to MA, and again, down the track, blazing it through cover this time, hits wide of extra cover and four for that. Ealham apparently hell bent on taking charge here, could be the pattern for the series. Ealham, ball three, down the track, gets superbly under it and up, and over long on, superb hit for the maximum possible. 12 runs off three balls here.

Prem: Symcox to continue, Ealham on strike, 3-0-8-1 for the offie thus far which is great going. Ealham down the track, lifts, just manages to clear mid on, two for it but that one was rather chancy.

Prem: Dawson, better line on this one on off and middle, pushed defensively. GFUNK: I like SA for this one, onthe chase, look at that batting lineup of theirs. Ealham with a cross bat swipe, gets one out to midwicket, 30/1 in 6.5

Prem, who do you figure for this match G Funk Prem: Dawson now to Ealham, bad line on leg and the batsman helps him around to fine leg, four, bad bowling really on that one.

Prem: Dawson to continue, Knight drives the first ball and finds mid off, no run. Ball two, Dawson to Knight, down the track and pushing to mid on, running with the shot gets him the one. 25/1.

Prem: Symcox, less flight on this one, Ealham down the track but defends at the last moment. Ball five, an attempted sweep, misses, that is a full length, not right for the shot. Ball six, short on off, played to point, no run. 24/1 in 6.

Prem: Symcox to continue, 1/4 so far, and flights one right up, that one really went up in the air, Ealham defends. Ball two, just short and the batsman quickly onto the back foot, cuts, lots of space behind point and that's four. Asked for trouble, in fact. PS, ball three, flight again and Ealham pushes to mid on, no run. 24/1.

Prem: Ball four, Ealham giving Dawson the charge, but belting it straight back to the bowler. Great stop on the follow through, that ball was really travelling. Ball five, superb delivery, cuts in and has the batsman on the pad, but off the inner edge. Last ball of the 5th, to Ealham, on leg stump and a single to square leg off the pads, 20/1 in 5 England.

Prem: Yeah, John, Tendulkar forever and all that but he aint playing. Ealham is, though, and turning this next ball off the pads, two through square leg. 19/1.

Prem: Hmmm, interesting, that has been given as byes, three of them, so Ealham, now on strike to Dawson, yet to open his account. Dawson gets him on the pad first up, two slips in place, but the line slipping to leg. No damage. Ball two, pitches leg, goes further but not called.

Prem: Symcox, last ball of the fourth, drives and gets the inner edge, goes past the keeper and again, SA in fine fielding form, one player chasing it down and pushing it back for the other one, who picks and throws back. 17/1 in 4.

Prem: Mark Ealham coming ahead of Graeme Hick here, facing Symcox. the offie concentrating on pitching it right up, on the stumps, not much room for strokeplay. Ball five, to Ealham, on that restrictive line, and played defensively.

Interesting match.SA of course the favourites here but England has this uncanny habit of pulling up surprises.But my favourite SA for theor sheer no nonsense professionalism! PRATIQUE Prem: Symocox to Brown, good flight, a huge swing by Brown without getting to the pitch and getting under it, trying to clear cover, finds the fielder on the lip of the circle, and there goes wicket number one. 14/1, Kallis doing the catching.

Prem: Ball three, leading edge as Knight tries to play to leg, gets the single to mid off instead.

Prem: Symcox to Knight, and Cullinan's turn to do te star turn in the field, off the sweep, at short fine leg. Good flight on ball two, played defesively.

Prem: Dawson, last ball of the over, to Brown, slashed back past the bowler, ball was in the air but moving like an exocet when it passed the bowler, four for that and 13/0 in 3.

Prem: Dawson to Brown, ball five, and again, outside off, the batsman has a hefty swing, beaten for movement.

Prem: Dawson, this time with a beauty, pace, bounce and movement in the corridor around off, Brown pushes at it and misses, bat well away from the body. Dawson again, ball foured the bowler, four for that and 13/0 in 3.

Prem: Dawson to Brown, ball five, and again, outside off, the batsman has a hefty swing, beaten for movement.

Prem: Dawson, this time with a beauty, pace, bounce and movement in the corridor around off, Brown pushes at it and misses, bat well away from the body. Dawson again, ball four, on off and pushed to short cover, no run.

Prem: Dawson, to Brown, inswinging ball on off, played to midwicket, finds the fielder too close to think of runs.

Prem: Outside off seaming away further, Venkat calls it wide, 9/0.

Prem: Dawson continues, begins with a no ball, Knight works it off his pads to backward square, single, so two runs result. 8/0. Ball two, outside off seaming away late, Brown flirts with it and misses.

Prem: Symcox, last ball of the over, on a length on off and Brown defends. 6/0 England

Prem: Symcox now to Knight, the left hander, an offie should fancy his chances herre, short fine leg and short cover the two close catchers, and symcox bowls middle, turns it in to the left hander, defensive push. Wide, next ball, down leg side. Ball three, on off and again, Knight defends. Ball four, flighted on middle, played to short midwicket and Jonty Rhodes into the action, great stop. Ball five, Knight on his knee, sweeping, finds backward square, single, 6/0.

Prem: And Cronje in innovative mood, brings on Pat Symcox to bowl the second over. Not going to get much spinfirst up, but then, he will be looking to keep a tight line here. Three spinners in the lineup, which is interesting. Brown, ball one, gentle push to point and a quick single taken. 4/0.

Prem: Dawson, lovely slanting line on off to the left hander, takes the edge of Knight's bat, drops short of slip, end of the first over, 3/0 England.

Prem: Alistair Brown taking strike now, Dawson gets it to swing away, Brown running it down to backward point off the open face, riding the swing and seam movement to get the single. 3/0.

Prem: Ball three is middle stump line and a full length, played to short midwicket, Pat Symcox does the fielding. Nice line so far from Dawson, not up to te Donald-Pollock class in speed, bu he's doing well so far. Ball four, leg stump line and off the hips, Knight gets one to backward square. 2/0 England

Prem: Dawson,middle and leg to the left hander, ball coming back in to the left hander and coming off te pitch pretty nippily as well, could be the sub surface moisture at work there. Ball two, on off, Knight tentative, plyas it into the ground at his feet, no run.

Prem: Slim and on the tallish side, Dawson, not an express bowler but relatively quick, easy action, starts off here with a no ball and England are away, 1/0.

Prem: Steve Dunne and S Venkatraghavan the umpires, and Nick Knight to take strike to Allan Dawson.

Prem: All set for the game, and the most interesting aspect is that the South African lineup seems packed with batting -- right down to Boje and Dawson, so the chase should be pretty interesting. The batting should make up for the relative lack of teeth in the batting, and South Africa are an incredibly good fielding side.

Prem: The track is a new one, looks -- at least on TV -- grey-tinged and hard, which could mean some sub-surface moisture, life early on and progressively slower as the game wears on. Prem: For South Africa, two handicaps going in -- the first being the loss of the toss, letting them in for a chase on a slowing track; the second and more important one being the lack of Shaun Pollock, a valuable all rounder, and Allan Donald, their most experienced strike bowler.

Prem, I think results of the the matches in the Wills cup except "India-Australia" can be predicted safely. We have clear winners in all the other matches. In

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