Quick singles: A giant leap for womankind
Dileep Premachandran with some behind-the-scenes action from the Cape Town ODI
Dileep Premachandran
26-Nov-2006
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Highlight of the day
It may have taken him 64 balls to get to 40, but once Justin Kemp had calibrated one of most powerful swings in the game, there was no stopping him. It took him only a further 25 deliveries to bring up his maiden century, and every spectator in the ground lived in hope that one of those massive hits would land in their hands and fetch them 1000 Rand. One bloke got lucky, and off a miscued six at that.
It may have taken him 64 balls to get to 40, but once Justin Kemp had calibrated one of most powerful swings in the game, there was no stopping him. It took him only a further 25 deliveries to bring up his maiden century, and every spectator in the ground lived in hope that one of those massive hits would land in their hands and fetch them 1000 Rand. One bloke got lucky, and off a miscued six at that.
Shot of the day
Dinesh Karthik's hook for six off Andrew Hall narrowly shades it, though Kemp had three or four candidates that sailed over the fence.
Dinesh Karthik's hook for six off Andrew Hall narrowly shades it, though Kemp had three or four candidates that sailed over the fence.
Lowlight of the day
Tendulkar and Sehwag both fell before India had reached double figures. Whatever anticipation there might have been among Indian fans during lunch pretty much evaporated after that, and the flag-waving became forlorn rather than enthusiastic.
Tendulkar and Sehwag both fell before India had reached double figures. Whatever anticipation there might have been among Indian fans during lunch pretty much evaporated after that, and the flag-waving became forlorn rather than enthusiastic.
Ball of the day
Zaheer Khan produced a beauty to nail Graeme Smith for the second match in succession. Neither forward nor back, and perhaps disturbed by a tiff with Haroon Lorgat, Smith had no answer to one that shaped back before crashing into the stumps.
Zaheer Khan produced a beauty to nail Graeme Smith for the second match in succession. Neither forward nor back, and perhaps disturbed by a tiff with Haroon Lorgat, Smith had no answer to one that shaped back before crashing into the stumps.
Catch of the day
Plenty of candidates for this one, especially with the South Africans plucking off beauties, but the most crucial one was probably Loots Bosman's stunner at deep square leg. Dhoni's vicious slap appeared to be sailing over the fence when Bosman, running hard and fast to his left, dived forward and picked off a catch inches off the ground. A cracking catch to end a cracking innings.
Plenty of candidates for this one, especially with the South Africans plucking off beauties, but the most crucial one was probably Loots Bosman's stunner at deep square leg. Dhoni's vicious slap appeared to be sailing over the fence when Bosman, running hard and fast to his left, dived forward and picked off a catch inches off the ground. A cracking catch to end a cracking innings.
Message of the day
"Heather wants to marry Kemp" said one of the SMS messages flashed on the giant electronic screen. A few minutes earlier, she had proclaimed that MTN, the title sponsor, and Kemp were the last word in entertainment. From entertainment to marriage in the space of two sixes - one giant leap for womankind.
"Heather wants to marry Kemp" said one of the SMS messages flashed on the giant electronic screen. A few minutes earlier, she had proclaimed that MTN, the title sponsor, and Kemp were the last word in entertainment. From entertainment to marriage in the space of two sixes - one giant leap for womankind.
Rumour of the day
The squabble between Smith and Lorgat which was witnessed by quite a few created quite a buzz early in the morning. Some suggested that Robin Peterson's non-inclusion had angered Smith, but the more plausible reason was the decision to Andre Nel. He may have felt hard done by, and Smith clearly did on his behalf after his Durban heroics, but Hall's rapid unbeaten 56 and 3 for 45 must have put more than a smile on Lorgat's face.
The squabble between Smith and Lorgat which was witnessed by quite a few created quite a buzz early in the morning. Some suggested that Robin Peterson's non-inclusion had angered Smith, but the more plausible reason was the decision to Andre Nel. He may have felt hard done by, and Smith clearly did on his behalf after his Durban heroics, but Hall's rapid unbeaten 56 and 3 for 45 must have put more than a smile on Lorgat's face.
Dileep Premachandran is features editor of Cricinfo