Entrepreneur. Black Lives Matter. Sports mad. Fan of test cricket and 'the mullet'. Paul Scholes #18.
Jozi, South Africa
Joined September 2010
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No. The SA batsmen were distracted by a glass window that was in line with Flintoff's release point. Smith asked if they could cover it up, but both captains have to agree, Vaughan said no.
SA win the match and series, Vaughan steps down as captain. Mother cricket!
I've always thought that AB's knock of 126* (146) in PE was the best innings I've seen. It's just gone up a level if that's even possible.
Australia used sandpaper to tamper with the ball in a Test match before the infamous Cape Town scandal in 2018, Usman Khawaja is to reveal.
@NHoultCricket reports on the revelations that could reopen one of cricket’s biggest cheating scandals ⬇️
telegraph.co.uk/cricket/2026…
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I think it’s false that De Zorzi is viewed as an incumbent, and here’s why:
Shukri has always picked his squads on a horses-for-courses basis – it’s the reason Bedingham and Ngidi didn’t make the tour to India.
I'm getting tired of explaining this to people who obviously don't genuinely follow South African test cricket.
(1) Before this series against Australia, South Africa played against India, then Pakistan.
(2) Tony de Zorzi was the incumbent. He played in all 4 Tests.
(3) He racked up scores of:
- 104 (171)
- 16 (47)
- 55 (93)
- DNB
- 24 (55)
- 2 (2)
- 28 (59)
- 49 (68)
Not great, but not bad.
(4) He helped South Africa save the series against Pakistan after we went 1-nil down, and helped us beat India 2-nothing in India.
(5) He was therefore in the test squad to play Australia.
(6) Unfortunately for him, he got injured.
(7) He has now recovered from his injury.
(8) So, he's back in the squad.*
(9) For those claiming that he's only good on the subcontinent - it's a false narrative - he made an 85 against the West Indies in Joburg, and 78 + 45 in Port o'Spain.
(10) He also has many low scores. Hence his average of 31.
(11) He's only had 17 test matches. How abnormal is it for someone starting out their test career to experience such ambivalence? Some high scores, some low scores... It's normal when starting out.
(12) He's obviously talented. Proved himself in domestic cricket, and was picked.
If TDZ is given an extended run, and consistently does not perform, I will be the first to call for his axing.
Until then, put a sock in it please.
*Anrich Nortje was the incumbent. He got injured. He recovered. Now straight back in the squad.
I can only surmise that the hate against TDZ is either ignorance of SA Test cricket, or racism, or both.
Same as with Temba Bavuma.
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The last time we played a full-strength side on a seamer-friendly wicket with De Zorzi fit was the WTC final - and he wasn’t in the playing XI.
He hasn’t scored a 50 in his last 8 red-ball innings. 17 Tests is a long rope and is enough time to prove yourself.
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Historically The Ashes is the best rivalry, but in the present day even the most ardent English fan will say it’s South Africa vs Australia.
@ICC give us a 5 match series
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Unpopular opinion - I feel Mulder is a better option at 3 than Bedingham. Mulder is technically better. I’m not sure Bedders is patient enough.
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Twitter Fam, help me make sense of this.
We have a generational talent in Lhuan-dre Pretorius who made 150 on test debut at 19 years old. Since then he hasn’t made a test squad.
Help me make sense of this? Why pick him in the 1st place? Pigeonholed as a white ball player?
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Well worth a read
Things are changing at the Sharks and it's not just the branding.
planetrugby.com/news/opinion…
There’s a lot to like here.
Edwill bust
Edwill wrestling his arms free for the offload
Jacobs offload
Etzebeth dummy and line break
Edwill support line and pass
Etzebeth - getting his arms free to make the pass
Andre supporting line
Coast to Coast baby
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When I was at the Wanderers on Sunday, I noticed that Quinny wasn’t getting into strong keeping positions.
This pic below confirms it at the point of release. Not a good look, it’s lazy from QDK.
Cummins edges it just wide of his gloves.
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Difficult one for the Poms. They’re a better team when ‘Rooty’ is captaining, but he seems like half the player when he dons the blazer.
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My mate did something really cool. Give it a go if you like your sports trivia. @derekalberts1
I’ve just launched Bokkle!
A daily 5-question quiz for South African sports fans.
5 questions. Every day.
Rugby, cricket, football, athletics, golf, tennis and more.
Give today's Bokkle a go 👇
playbokkle.com
🧵 Looking ahead to the 1st Test vs Australia, I believe 4 batsmen have sealed their spots in the XI: Markram, Rickelton, Stubbs, Bavuma.
That leaves one final batting spot up for grabs - and there's plenty of competition. My power rankings below 👇
Wildcard: Sen. He's an all-rounder but would be a gun pick if we want 2 spinners. Batting avg of 55, bowling avg of 26 - hard to ignore.
You'd want someone spinning it the other way to Kesh though. Could play in an all-out pace attack without Kesh. Head-scratcher for selectors
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