Sights, statements and spoilsports
Andrew McGlashan presents the plays of the second day at Headingley
Andrew McGlashan at Headingley
19-Jul-2008
| ||
(Only) wicket of the day
It wasn't a huge vote of confidence in Darren Pattinson when Michael Vaughan left him until the last of all his quick-bowling options on the second morning. Eventually, though, he got the chance to add to the three-over spell from yesterday, but initially the signs weren't promising. A short ball was comfortably dispatched by Ashwell Prince and there was no swing (although that was the same for all the bowlers). However, in the fourth over of his spell the moment for which Pattinson has waited all his life - well, since yesterday morning at any rate - arrived as he trapped Hashim Amla lbw. Yet, that still doesn't quite tell the full story. It was a low, dipping full toss that should really have gone for four, but Amla missed it and Daryl Harper gave the decision, even though it was going down leg. Pattinson and his new team-mates didn't care, and in a few years he'll be telling his kids it was a ripping leg-cutter.
It wasn't a huge vote of confidence in Darren Pattinson when Michael Vaughan left him until the last of all his quick-bowling options on the second morning. Eventually, though, he got the chance to add to the three-over spell from yesterday, but initially the signs weren't promising. A short ball was comfortably dispatched by Ashwell Prince and there was no swing (although that was the same for all the bowlers). However, in the fourth over of his spell the moment for which Pattinson has waited all his life - well, since yesterday morning at any rate - arrived as he trapped Hashim Amla lbw. Yet, that still doesn't quite tell the full story. It was a low, dipping full toss that should really have gone for four, but Amla missed it and Daryl Harper gave the decision, even though it was going down leg. Pattinson and his new team-mates didn't care, and in a few years he'll be telling his kids it was a ripping leg-cutter.
Sight of the day
Saturday of any Test in England is fancy-dress day, but at Headingley they take it to extremes. There was plenty of interesting attire on show during the opening day, but you could tell it was the weekend when a wedding party walked into the Western Terrace at around 10am. They were all blokes. Later on, as South Africa ticked their way towards England's total, four bananas started doing a dance and after lunch a scantily clad angel received huge cheers. As everyone tried to see who was getting the standing ovation someone shouted: "She's the one next to Virgil [from the Thunderbirds]." Only at Headingley.
Saturday of any Test in England is fancy-dress day, but at Headingley they take it to extremes. There was plenty of interesting attire on show during the opening day, but you could tell it was the weekend when a wedding party walked into the Western Terrace at around 10am. They were all blokes. Later on, as South Africa ticked their way towards England's total, four bananas started doing a dance and after lunch a scantily clad angel received huge cheers. As everyone tried to see who was getting the standing ovation someone shouted: "She's the one next to Virgil [from the Thunderbirds]." Only at Headingley.
Statement of the day
South Africa were making steady progress towards England's 203 when Monty Panesar was finally given his first crack with the ball. If he didn't take wickets, Michael Vaughan would have at least expected some control. However, the game plan of Ashwell Prince and AB de Villiers made a clear statement as to where the balance of power was lying. Prince twice stepped down the pitch, lofting Panesar straight back down the ground for sweet sixes, the first of which brought up his half century. de Villiers joined in with a strong sweep for four and suddenly England were losing control as South Africa took the lead.
South Africa were making steady progress towards England's 203 when Monty Panesar was finally given his first crack with the ball. If he didn't take wickets, Michael Vaughan would have at least expected some control. However, the game plan of Ashwell Prince and AB de Villiers made a clear statement as to where the balance of power was lying. Prince twice stepped down the pitch, lofting Panesar straight back down the ground for sweet sixes, the first of which brought up his half century. de Villiers joined in with a strong sweep for four and suddenly England were losing control as South Africa took the lead.
Revolving door of the day
It is common knowledge that England's players like to take their comfort breaks. They aren't alone among international teams in stretching the use of substitutes to the limit of the Laws, but at one stage it was hard to keep track of who was on and who was off. Kevin Pietersen was followed by Andrew Strauss before James Anderson also popped off. Anderson may have had the valid excuse of needing a painkiller for his back, but the upshot of it all was that one of the busiest men was 12th man Garry Park from Durham. Maybe England's players are making the most of being able to head off for a few minutes, as from October 1 the ICC are tightening the Laws on when a player can leave the field.
It is common knowledge that England's players like to take their comfort breaks. They aren't alone among international teams in stretching the use of substitutes to the limit of the Laws, but at one stage it was hard to keep track of who was on and who was off. Kevin Pietersen was followed by Andrew Strauss before James Anderson also popped off. Anderson may have had the valid excuse of needing a painkiller for his back, but the upshot of it all was that one of the busiest men was 12th man Garry Park from Durham. Maybe England's players are making the most of being able to head off for a few minutes, as from October 1 the ICC are tightening the Laws on when a player can leave the field.
Spoilsport of the day
The crowd in the Western Terrace were well lubricated by tea. One worse-for-wear person enjoyed a wrestling match with the police, then one of the many beach balls being thrown around bounced onto the ground at deep midwicket. The crowd chanted for a fielder to throw it back. Kevin Pietersen would surely have obliged (and later did with a mobile phone), so too Andrew Flintoff, but not Monty Panesar. He jogged over from deep square-leg, picked up the offending object and calmly handed it to a steward. For once, he wasn't the crowd's favourite.
The crowd in the Western Terrace were well lubricated by tea. One worse-for-wear person enjoyed a wrestling match with the police, then one of the many beach balls being thrown around bounced onto the ground at deep midwicket. The crowd chanted for a fielder to throw it back. Kevin Pietersen would surely have obliged (and later did with a mobile phone), so too Andrew Flintoff, but not Monty Panesar. He jogged over from deep square-leg, picked up the offending object and calmly handed it to a steward. For once, he wasn't the crowd's favourite.
Andrew McGlashan is a staff writer at Cricinfo