The highest high-five
Plays of the Day from the third day of the Cape Town Test between South Africa and Pakistan
Firdose Moonda at Newlands
16-Feb-2013
The highest high-five in cricket • AFP
Celebration of the day
It looked as though Saeed Ajmal would not let any of his team-mates take a wicket, but when the second new ball was taken, it was out of his hands. Pakistan's seven-foot quick Mohammad Irfan was given the opportunity to make an impact and he did in his first over. He did not do anything too special, just a length ball that AB de Villiers lobbed to Umar Gul at mid-on, so the celebrations were contained. Until Asad Shafiq tried to high-five the tall man and couldn't reach. He jumped to try and get there and Irfan, with arms raised above his head, waited for his team-mate to meet his hands. As more of them did it, the smiles grew.
It looked as though Saeed Ajmal would not let any of his team-mates take a wicket, but when the second new ball was taken, it was out of his hands. Pakistan's seven-foot quick Mohammad Irfan was given the opportunity to make an impact and he did in his first over. He did not do anything too special, just a length ball that AB de Villiers lobbed to Umar Gul at mid-on, so the celebrations were contained. Until Asad Shafiq tried to high-five the tall man and couldn't reach. He jumped to try and get there and Irfan, with arms raised above his head, waited for his team-mate to meet his hands. As more of them did it, the smiles grew.
Shot of the day
Saeed Ajmal and Robin Peterson are usually mentioned in the same breath to discuss their differences: Ajmal is a magician with the ball, while Peterson more workmanlike. Their first-innings performances underlined that. However, Peterson got one over Ajmal with the bat. Having approached Ajmal positively, Peterson switch-hit the spinner over third man to take his score to 77.
Saeed Ajmal and Robin Peterson are usually mentioned in the same breath to discuss their differences: Ajmal is a magician with the ball, while Peterson more workmanlike. Their first-innings performances underlined that. However, Peterson got one over Ajmal with the bat. Having approached Ajmal positively, Peterson switch-hit the spinner over third man to take his score to 77.
Ball of the day
Dale Steyn does not often get it wrong, but in his first over he bowled a delivery that landed so wide, it was almost off the pitch. AB de Villiers could not get near the ball and the slips had to collect it.
Dale Steyn does not often get it wrong, but in his first over he bowled a delivery that landed so wide, it was almost off the pitch. AB de Villiers could not get near the ball and the slips had to collect it.
Record of the day
Mark Boucher was at Newlands to enjoy a day dedicated to saying goodbye to him. He may not have known that a record of his was being broken as he busied himself with activities. Peterson's sprightly 84 was the best effort by a South African batsman in this match and the most runs a South Africa No.8 has scored against Pakistan. Boucher held the previous record, his 78 at the Wanderers in 1997-98, during a stand with Pat Symcox that was crucial to cementing his place in the side.
Mark Boucher was at Newlands to enjoy a day dedicated to saying goodbye to him. He may not have known that a record of his was being broken as he busied himself with activities. Peterson's sprightly 84 was the best effort by a South African batsman in this match and the most runs a South Africa No.8 has scored against Pakistan. Boucher held the previous record, his 78 at the Wanderers in 1997-98, during a stand with Pat Symcox that was crucial to cementing his place in the side.
Chance of the day
A much-improved Peterson deserved more wickets in Pakistan's second innings but unlike in the first, the only fielder he can be aggrieved with was himself. Shafiq was dropped off his bowling on day one, and today Peterson put down a chance from Azhar Ali. The batsman smacked the ball so hard back at Peterson in his follow through that it may have hurt Bruce Oxenford, had Peterson not got in the way. He almost got to it but ended up fending it off, earning a bruise but not much else.
A much-improved Peterson deserved more wickets in Pakistan's second innings but unlike in the first, the only fielder he can be aggrieved with was himself. Shafiq was dropped off his bowling on day one, and today Peterson put down a chance from Azhar Ali. The batsman smacked the ball so hard back at Peterson in his follow through that it may have hurt Bruce Oxenford, had Peterson not got in the way. He almost got to it but ended up fending it off, earning a bruise but not much else.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent