Donald and Gibbs impersonations
ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day from Titans v Perth Scorchers
Firdose Moonda at Centurion
13-Oct-2012
Ben Edmondson got one to really take off • Getty Images
The crowd
After the qualifying round, some of which was drenched in rain, it seemed as though South African fans preferred staying indoors to watching some of the world's biggest cricket names in action. It turns out they were only waiting for the real event to start. All 16,371 tickets available were snapped up - some of them were sold, others given away - and two-thirds of the people turned up. The crowd was vocal in their support for the home side, Titans, especially against familiar foes, an Australian side.
After the qualifying round, some of which was drenched in rain, it seemed as though South African fans preferred staying indoors to watching some of the world's biggest cricket names in action. It turns out they were only waiting for the real event to start. All 16,371 tickets available were snapped up - some of them were sold, others given away - and two-thirds of the people turned up. The crowd was vocal in their support for the home side, Titans, especially against familiar foes, an Australian side.
The photo opportunity
Few sights in cricket are as pleasing as a batsman's pose after he has hit a shot he is particularly proud of. Henry Davids had a few of those today. His photo-worthy finish came after he had eased a Mitchell Marsh half-volley through the covers for four. The bat was straight, the eyes were focused and the elbow was high and pronounced. Simply picture perfect.
Few sights in cricket are as pleasing as a batsman's pose after he has hit a shot he is particularly proud of. Henry Davids had a few of those today. His photo-worthy finish came after he had eased a Mitchell Marsh half-volley through the covers for four. The bat was straight, the eyes were focused and the elbow was high and pronounced. Simply picture perfect.
The bouncer
The Perth attack did not seem to get as much out of the deck as the Titans did, but there was one delivery in particular that kicked up. Ben Edmondson, who took serious punishment in his first over, started his second with a short ball that was pulled for six but did not bother changing the length. His second ball was also short and reared off the deck to surprise Jacques Rudolph. He was planning the pull but was too early and did well to avoid being hit. Luke Ronchi collected the ball with a leap and Edmondson appeared mightily surprised to have achieved that much bounce.
The Perth attack did not seem to get as much out of the deck as the Titans did, but there was one delivery in particular that kicked up. Ben Edmondson, who took serious punishment in his first over, started his second with a short ball that was pulled for six but did not bother changing the length. His second ball was also short and reared off the deck to surprise Jacques Rudolph. He was planning the pull but was too early and did well to avoid being hit. Luke Ronchi collected the ball with a leap and Edmondson appeared mightily surprised to have achieved that much bounce.
The celebration
South African bowlers tend to have one man they want to emulate when they take a wicket - Allan Donald. CJ de Villiers, who hails from the same part of the country as Donald, is obviously no different. When he bowled Marcus North off the inside edge after cramping him for room, he reduced Perth to 17 for 2 and had done serious damage. De Villiers was so pumped he took off, arms spread, like a bird, like one Allan Donald.
South African bowlers tend to have one man they want to emulate when they take a wicket - Allan Donald. CJ de Villiers, who hails from the same part of the country as Donald, is obviously no different. When he bowled Marcus North off the inside edge after cramping him for room, he reduced Perth to 17 for 2 and had done serious damage. De Villiers was so pumped he took off, arms spread, like a bird, like one Allan Donald.
The shot
It's tough to make your team look respectable when you are staring a hefty defeat in the face but Mitchell Marsh managed it. He launched an Eden Links' delivery over long-on, hitting with immense power. The ball was in the air for a long time and the crowd eventually lost sight of where it landed. A second later, a thud was heard on the roof above the media box and the main stand. It was, of course, the ball. The hit measured in at 116 metres and was one of the biggest seen at SuperSport Park in a long time.
It's tough to make your team look respectable when you are staring a hefty defeat in the face but Mitchell Marsh managed it. He launched an Eden Links' delivery over long-on, hitting with immense power. The ball was in the air for a long time and the crowd eventually lost sight of where it landed. A second later, a thud was heard on the roof above the media box and the main stand. It was, of course, the ball. The hit measured in at 116 metres and was one of the biggest seen at SuperSport Park in a long time.
The Gibbs impersonation
Roelof van der Merwe reacted with the instinct of Gibbs at point when Joe Mennie slapped a ball his way as the Perth innings wound down. Van der Merwe pounced and took the catch falling forward. In the Perth dugout, the legendary pointsman could only watch.
Roelof van der Merwe reacted with the instinct of Gibbs at point when Joe Mennie slapped a ball his way as the Perth innings wound down. Van der Merwe pounced and took the catch falling forward. In the Perth dugout, the legendary pointsman could only watch.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent