Slips and misses
Plays of the day from the Group B match between South Africa and Pakistan
George Dobell and Jarrod Kimber at Edgbaston
10-Jun-2013
Mohammad Irfan troubled South Africa with the ball but took a heavy tumble in the field • Getty Images
Drop of the day
Hashim Amla had scored 7 when he cut a short delivery well outside off stump from Mohammad Irfan to Umar Amin at point. Unable to get on top of the bounce, the ball flew hard just to the left of Amin. While it was not an easy chance, it was the sort that has to be accepted at this level, particularly in a position such as point, where so many of the world's best fielders operate. But Amin parried the ball away in the manner of a goalkeeper and Amla went on to score 81. The next highest score in the innings was just 31. As England learned last summer, if you drop Amla, you tend to drop the game.
Hashim Amla had scored 7 when he cut a short delivery well outside off stump from Mohammad Irfan to Umar Amin at point. Unable to get on top of the bounce, the ball flew hard just to the left of Amin. While it was not an easy chance, it was the sort that has to be accepted at this level, particularly in a position such as point, where so many of the world's best fielders operate. But Amin parried the ball away in the manner of a goalkeeper and Amla went on to score 81. The next highest score in the innings was just 31. As England learned last summer, if you drop Amla, you tend to drop the game.
Run out of the day
To lose one player to a run out might be considered unfortunate, as Oscar Wilde so almost said, but to lose six in two games? That suggests a lack of calm, composure and experience from South Africa. It might always suggest an incorrect choice of footwear. Certainly that was the impression when AB de Villiers, over committed to backing-up after JP Duminy whipped one into the leg side, slid over as he attempted to turn and was left stranded as Misbah-ul-Haq ran with the ball to dislodge the bails. Not only was de Villiers culpable of attempting a run that was never there, but will probably reflect that he would have been better off wearing spikes to avoid slipping.
To lose one player to a run out might be considered unfortunate, as Oscar Wilde so almost said, but to lose six in two games? That suggests a lack of calm, composure and experience from South Africa. It might always suggest an incorrect choice of footwear. Certainly that was the impression when AB de Villiers, over committed to backing-up after JP Duminy whipped one into the leg side, slid over as he attempted to turn and was left stranded as Misbah-ul-Haq ran with the ball to dislodge the bails. Not only was de Villiers culpable of attempting a run that was never there, but will probably reflect that he would have been better off wearing spikes to avoid slipping.
Fall of the day
A quick single on the leg side from de Villiers was turned into YouTube gold when Irfan decided he could save it. He tried the slide and turn move, perfected by many modern cricketers. What he actually did was attack the earth's crust with his hip, and performed a flop and kick that ended with the ball further away from him and the entire stadium shaking with laughter, and from the aftershock.
A quick single on the leg side from de Villiers was turned into YouTube gold when Irfan decided he could save it. He tried the slide and turn move, perfected by many modern cricketers. What he actually did was attack the earth's crust with his hip, and performed a flop and kick that ended with the ball further away from him and the entire stadium shaking with laughter, and from the aftershock.
Self harm of the day
The Pakistan batsmen were having enough trouble with Ryan McLaren and Chris Morris; they really didn't need to turn on each other. That might have been what Jamshed was thinking as Shoaib Malik smashed him in the back with a drive off the bowling of Aaron Phangiso. Jamshed, clearly in some pain, shook the blow off after a second or two, but perhaps it was Malik who had more cause to be upset. It was pretty much the only stroke he middled in his torturous innings (he made eight from 29 balls) and he scored no runs from it.
The Pakistan batsmen were having enough trouble with Ryan McLaren and Chris Morris; they really didn't need to turn on each other. That might have been what Jamshed was thinking as Shoaib Malik smashed him in the back with a drive off the bowling of Aaron Phangiso. Jamshed, clearly in some pain, shook the blow off after a second or two, but perhaps it was Malik who had more cause to be upset. It was pretty much the only stroke he middled in his torturous innings (he made eight from 29 balls) and he scored no runs from it.
George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo