Rob Smyth's Blog, page 42
November 14, 2023
Scars from South Africa’s ultimate self-sabotage still bring pain and fear | Rob Smyth
The scariest ghosts of the Proteas’ World Cup past – Australia and semi-finals – await in Kolkata with 1999 weighing heavily
“When you call us chokers you have to go back pre-1997. This is 1999, the choking thing is all played out.”
It is more than 24 years since the then South Africa coach, Bob Woolmer, pleaded with the press to change the narrative, and 16 since his shocking death during the 2007 World Cup. Yet the choking thing is still playing itself out.
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November 12, 2023
Chelsea 4-4 Manchester City: Premier League – as it happened
Cole Palmer scored a 95th-minute penalty against his old club to secure a deserved point for Chelsea in a spectacular game
On Remembrance Sunday, the players gather round the centre circle for a rendition of The Last Post. Now it’s time for the most important of the least important things.
More freshly baked match reports
Continue reading...November 11, 2023
England beat Pakistan by 93 runs: Cricket World Cup 2023 – as it happened
David Willey took his 100th ODI wicket in his final game as England ended their miserable campaign with victory
And the future of the Champions Trophy:
Our queen of women’s cricket, Raf Nicholson, on the ICC.
Continue reading...England v Pakistan: Cricket World Cup 2023 – live
And the future of the Champions Trophy:
Our queen of women’s cricket, Raf Nicholson, on the ICC.
Continue reading...November 10, 2023
South Africa beat Afghanistan by five wickets: Cricket World Cup 2023 – as it happened
South Africa completed their round-robin games with a flourish to end Afghanistan’s hopes of a semi-final place
4th over: Afghanistan 18-0 (Gurbaz 3, Ibrahim 15) Rabada and Ngidi are hammering a good length. Ngidi, in particular, would appreciate a quiet new-ball spell after being taken to the cleaners by Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.
Inevitably, the moment I type that, Ngidi drops short and is flayed through point by Ibrahim.
Continue reading...South Africa v Afghanistan: Cricket World Cup 2023 – live
4th over: Afghanistan 18-0 (Gurbaz 3, Ibrahim 15) Rabada and Ngidi are hammering a good length. Ngidi, in particular, would appreciate a quiet new-ball spell after being taken to the cleaners by Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.
Inevitably, the moment I type that, Ngidi drops short and is flayed through point by Ibrahim.
Continue reading...November 8, 2023
England thrash Netherlands to end losing streak at Cricket World Cup – as it happened
A century from Ben Stokes along with fifites from Dawid Malan and Chris Woakes helped England win their first match in five and keep alive their Champions Trophy qualification hopes
“Good morning Rob,” writes Krishnamoorthy V. “There were a lot of discussions on Angelo Matthews in the OBO yesterday till the MadMax screening took over. The irony of the jump in focus from one for whom time ran out to one for whom time stood still can’t be ignored.”
Heh, very good. It’s the best ODI innings ever, right? Or, at least, it’s the best big ODI innings ever. It’s very hard to compare it to great innings in lower-scoring games, for example Graham Gooch against the four horsemen in 1986.
Continue reading...England v Netherlands: Cricket World Cup 2023 – live
“Good morning Rob,” writes Krishnamoorthy V. “There were a lot of discussions on Angelo Matthews in the OBO yesterday till the MadMax screening took over. The irony of the jump in focus from one for whom time ran out to one for whom time stood still can’t be ignored.”
Heh, very good. It’s the best ODI innings ever, right? Or, at least, it’s the best big ODI innings ever. It’s very hard to compare it to great innings in lower-scoring games, for example Graham Gooch against the four horsemen in 1986.
Continue reading...November 5, 2023
India thrash South Africa by 243 runs: Cricket World Cup 2023 – as it happened
Virat Kohli made a century on his birthday as India bowled South Africa out for 83 to continue their unbeaten World Cup run
3rd over: India 35-0 (Rohit 15, Gill 12) Yeah, India will bat first all right. Rohit leathers Ngidi for successive boundaries over point and through extra cover, then Gill joins in with a wristy clip through midwicket. That’s a gorgeous shot. Gill has only faced seven balls but he looks in exquisite touch. Thirteen from the over.
2nd over: India 22-0 (Rohit 6, Gill 8) Marco Jansen, the Powerplay specialist, shares the new ball. He’s taken 12 wickets in the first 10 overs at this World Cup; only Dilshan Madushanka (7) has half as many.
Continue reading...India v South Africa: Cricket World Cup 2023 – live
The pitch
Ricky Ponting thinks that, independent of the psychology, batting first is a significant advantage for India on a dry, used pitch that should take spin. Ponting also reckons the easiest time to score runs will be against the new balls.
Continue reading...Rob Smyth's Blog
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