Poor slippers, super stumpers
Plays of the Day from the fourth one-day international between England and South Africa at Lord's
Andrew McGlashan at Lord's
02-Sep-2012
James Tredwell gets a pat from Craig Kieswetter after dropping a catch; they combined to better effect later • Getty Images
Drop of the day
England's poor catching has been a feature of South Africa's visit. The latest culprit was James Tredwell who shelled Hashim Amla at second slip when the batsman had 4. The edge flew high and fast - but they often do from a bowler like Steven Finn - and Tredwell was in a tangle about whether to have his hands pointing up or down. It was not what brittle catching confidence needed and it was not a huge surprise when another catch, again by Tredwell, was dropped off Graeme Smith, although on this occasion Craig Kieswetter's dive did not help.
England's poor catching has been a feature of South Africa's visit. The latest culprit was James Tredwell who shelled Hashim Amla at second slip when the batsman had 4. The edge flew high and fast - but they often do from a bowler like Steven Finn - and Tredwell was in a tangle about whether to have his hands pointing up or down. It was not what brittle catching confidence needed and it was not a huge surprise when another catch, again by Tredwell, was dropped off Graeme Smith, although on this occasion Craig Kieswetter's dive did not help.
Costly review of the day
England's judgement of the DRS has not been great in this series and it has cost them two wickets. At West End, in the second ODI, they did not have a review left when AB de Villiers toe-ended a catch which was not given on the field and at Lord's they could not ask to check an lbw shout by Ravi Bopara against Amla. In the ninth over of the day they had used it for an appeal by Finn against Amla that never looked out (it was well over leg stump) so when Bopara nipped one into Amla's pads on 14 they had to live with Richard Illingworth's not-out decision. Replays showed it was taking out leg stump flush on.
England's judgement of the DRS has not been great in this series and it has cost them two wickets. At West End, in the second ODI, they did not have a review left when AB de Villiers toe-ended a catch which was not given on the field and at Lord's they could not ask to check an lbw shout by Ravi Bopara against Amla. In the ninth over of the day they had used it for an appeal by Finn against Amla that never looked out (it was well over leg stump) so when Bopara nipped one into Amla's pads on 14 they had to live with Richard Illingworth's not-out decision. Replays showed it was taking out leg stump flush on.
Spell of the day
Strictly, this should be spells and it goes to Bopara. After bowling his full complement of ten overs at The Oval he produced another valuable nine in this match and, even more, claimed two key wickets - his first none other than Amla who had again set himself to bat the innings. Like at The Oval, Amla was bowled through the gate and then Bopara benefited from the pressure building on the middle order when Faf du Plessis made a mess of trying to guide to third man. The problem is, he cannot score runs at the moment.
Strictly, this should be spells and it goes to Bopara. After bowling his full complement of ten overs at The Oval he produced another valuable nine in this match and, even more, claimed two key wickets - his first none other than Amla who had again set himself to bat the innings. Like at The Oval, Amla was bowled through the gate and then Bopara benefited from the pressure building on the middle order when Faf du Plessis made a mess of trying to guide to third man. The problem is, he cannot score runs at the moment.
Shot of the day
It had been a very subdued innings from South Africa, at least until Robin Peterson came to the crease. He immediately targeted Tredwell by switch-hitting him towards the Grandstand. The first attempt skimmed away for four but the second came out of the screws and travelled many rows back. It was a fine Pietersen impression by Peterson.
It had been a very subdued innings from South Africa, at least until Robin Peterson came to the crease. He immediately targeted Tredwell by switch-hitting him towards the Grandstand. The first attempt skimmed away for four but the second came out of the screws and travelled many rows back. It was a fine Pietersen impression by Peterson.
Record of the day
The pressure is on Kieswetter, with Jonny Bairstow and Matt Prior making strong claims for his place, so it is only fair to reflect on a notable achievement for him. When he whipped off the bails with Wayne Parnell well out of his crease he became the first England wicketkeeper to make three stumpings in an ODI. He previously jointly held the record of two alongside Chris Read, James Foster and, slightly surprisingly, Graeme Fowler.
The pressure is on Kieswetter, with Jonny Bairstow and Matt Prior making strong claims for his place, so it is only fair to reflect on a notable achievement for him. When he whipped off the bails with Wayne Parnell well out of his crease he became the first England wicketkeeper to make three stumpings in an ODI. He previously jointly held the record of two alongside Chris Read, James Foster and, slightly surprisingly, Graeme Fowler.
Throw of the day
England's fielding continues to be a problem (see the first entry on this list) but Jade Dernbach produced a moment of brilliance to run out Ryan McLaren with a direct hit from third man. The ball deflected off McLaren's pads - Finn was in the process of a big lbw shot - and the batsman decided to chance a second late in the innings but Dernbach's rifled throw caught him well short. Simon Taufel did not even call for the third umpire.
England's fielding continues to be a problem (see the first entry on this list) but Jade Dernbach produced a moment of brilliance to run out Ryan McLaren with a direct hit from third man. The ball deflected off McLaren's pads - Finn was in the process of a big lbw shot - and the batsman decided to chance a second late in the innings but Dernbach's rifled throw caught him well short. Simon Taufel did not even call for the third umpire.
Ball of the day
Dale Steyn does not often need many looseners and he was right on the mark throughout his first over. The last ball was the best of the bunch as it nipped back in at Alastair Cook and caught the England captain plumb in front of off stump. It was very similar to the manner of Cook's dismissal against Vernon Philander in the Lord's Test and continued a lean series for Cook after his second-ball duck and a laboured 20. It also meant that, from the completed matches in this series, England's opening stands read 0, 14 and 2 compared to South Africa's 89, 50 and 68.
Dale Steyn does not often need many looseners and he was right on the mark throughout his first over. The last ball was the best of the bunch as it nipped back in at Alastair Cook and caught the England captain plumb in front of off stump. It was very similar to the manner of Cook's dismissal against Vernon Philander in the Lord's Test and continued a lean series for Cook after his second-ball duck and a laboured 20. It also meant that, from the completed matches in this series, England's opening stands read 0, 14 and 2 compared to South Africa's 89, 50 and 68.
Pain of the day
Steyn did further damage to England when he struck Jonathan Trott on the glove in his fourth over, during which he regularly touched 90mph. Trott called the physio on who used the magic spray but a couple of overs later the batsman needed further help, this time swallowing a couple of painkillers. He continued to battle his discomfort but each time he hit the ball the bottom hand would come off the bat and he grimaced in pain until given lbw against Dean Elgar after South Africa successfully reviewed.
Steyn did further damage to England when he struck Jonathan Trott on the glove in his fourth over, during which he regularly touched 90mph. Trott called the physio on who used the magic spray but a couple of overs later the batsman needed further help, this time swallowing a couple of painkillers. He continued to battle his discomfort but each time he hit the ball the bottom hand would come off the bat and he grimaced in pain until given lbw against Dean Elgar after South Africa successfully reviewed.
Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo