Story England International Season - September 8th, 2007 - India in England

[treva]

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"South Africa will miss Ntini" - Rhodes

26 August 2007 (07:21)

Ex-South African international, Jonty Rhodes, has stated that South Africa
will miss Makhaya Ntini whilst he's out with a calf strain. Rhodes' comments
come off the back of South Africa's 1 run loss to Zimbabwe in the second
match of the three match series.

"[Makhaya] Ntini is a huge blow for the team. He is a very good player, and
has been the cornerstone of the South African attack for many years. We
would have loved to have his experience to depend upon in the Twenty20
World Championships," Rhodes told reporters in Harare.

Rhodes also stated that the final match of this current Zimbabwe series is
crucial in their preparation for the opening game with West Indies on
September 11. "We need to win this final game, and convincingly. It is vital
we go into the Twenty20 World Championships in good form and confident
that we can win the competition. The lads are very disappointed with today's
loss, and I think you'll see a very determined team out there tomorrow,
putting everything into making sure they come away winners."

South Africa take on Zimbabwe at 10:00, live, only on SuperSport 1, channel 201.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Yeah Rhodes said it right. Ntini will be surely missed to get the Zimbabwe all out as last time it didnt happen..

 

[surendar]

I feel very pity for Gibbs as his magnificent ton went in vain.. that too shocks like these against countries like Zimbabwe is always tough to forget!

 

[Pakistani Army]

Damn. The South Africans will miss Ntini as he is their main strike bowler. Hope he gets fully fit before the start of the World Twenty20.

Fantastic presentation Treva!

 

[treva]

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Zimbabwe v South Africa, 3rd ODI, Harare
South Africa seal series win
The Bulletin by Jamie Alter
August 26, 2007

South Africa 313 for 7 (Bosman 54, Smith 53, Dabengwa 3 for 88) beat Zimbabwe 247 for 8 (Masakadza 55, Taibu 36, Steyn 2 for 58) by 66 runs
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

South Africa wrapped up a 2-1 series victory against Zimbabwe, winning by 66 runs in Harare. Graeme Smith and Loots Bosman both hit half centuries as South Africa racked up 313 after winning the toss. Zimbabwe could only manage 247 for 8 in their 50 overs to hand South Africa a win in their final game before they face West Indies in the first game of the Twenty20 World Championships.

After defeat in the last ODI South Africa made sure they put pressure on their opponents early, Smith winning the toss and batting first. Gibbs smashed the ball about early, hitting 21 from 20 deliveries, before he was run out by Elton Chigumbura. Smith hit 53 before falling to his opposite number, Prosper Utseya.

South Africa's middle order continued to pile on the runs, Duminy, de Villiers, Pollock, Philander and Albie Morkel all hitting 30's. The stand-out innings came from Loots Bosman, who hit his second international fifty, his first also coming against Zimbabwe. Bosman's 54 came from just 42 balls, smashing 8 fours and 2 sixes in the process, helping South Africa to 313 from their 50 overs. Dabengwa took three wickets, but they came at a price, as 88 runs were smashed off his 10 overs.

Zimbabwe's top order tried desperately to keep up with the required rate but none of them could go on to hit a big score. Masakadza hit the highest score of the game with 55, but it came from 80 balls. Sibanda, Taylor and Williams all hit 32 each, and Taibu 36, but it wasn't enough.

Dale Steyn and Andre Nel both picked up two wickets a piece. Both Albie and Morne Morkel took a wicket, as did Philander, leaving Pollock the only wicket less bowler for the South Africans. Bosman picked up the 'Man of the Match' award, whilst the South African captain Graeme Smith picked up 'Man of the Series'.

? Cricinfo

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Wow thats a good win for the South Africans. very convincing and great opening innings by Bosman and Smith..Good series win for them at the end...

 

[shefellover93]

No surprise there anyway Bosman and Steyn the main men really. When's the next English match?

 

[treva]

The 3rd ODI is on August 27, and that SA-Zim game was August 26. So the teams will be up next

 

[surendar]

SouthAfrica really had no problem in defending that total though Zimbabwe desperately tried for the victory Keep up the good works, Trev

 

[saladguy]

South Africa have looked like they've put that loss behind them. Great to see this story back mate!

 

[treva]

England vs India
3rd Natwest ODI
August 27, 2007
Edgbaston, Birmingham

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the 3rd one day international between England and India. I'm David Gower, here from the wonderful Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. It's been raining quite heavily over the past few days, but thankfully the rain has stopped, and despite grey clouds, we should start on time. The series is currently tied after two ODI's at one a piece. England dominated in the 1st ODI, overhauling India by 6 wickets. It was a different story, however, in the 2nd ODI, in which India managed to defend 208 to win by 12 runs. We are set for a thrilling contest here today, neither side wanting to go down in the series at such a critical stage.

Like I said, the weather has been pretty poor over the last few days, but the rain has held off so far today. This means that the pitch is rather damp and runs will be hard to come by with the slow outfield. There is a high chance that some rain my creep over at some point during the day, but we expect the match to have a definite result come this evening.

Both teams have announced their line-ups for today's game, and it seems both sides have gone unchanged from Bristol.

England will open with Alistair Cook and wicketkeeper Matt Prior. England's middle order consists of Ian Bell, the flamboyant Kevin Pietersen, Owais Shah and the captain, Paul Collingwood. Andrew Flintoff, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom and Monty Panesar make up the all-rounders and bowlers.

India have the fearful duo of Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar to open up. Rohit Sharma comes in at 3, captain Rahul Dravid at 4, and then Yuvraj Singh, MS.Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh at 5, 6 and 7. Irfan Pathan, Piyush Chawla, Zaheer Khan and RP.Singh round off the Indian team.

Before we head down for the toss, lets take a look at Sky Sports' 'Commentator Predictions'.

Now lets head down to the toss where the two captains are with Ian Botham...

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Wow brilliant update treva are we gonna see some screens from now on?? I loved the scorecards and also the predictions thing . KUTGW cant wait for the match to start...

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Two very interesting sides there. Cook, Panesar and Masceranhas for England. Collingwood captain as well. India have a very strange team as well. Ganguly and Tendulkar opening, neither are openers. Sharma at three is weird as well. I think that the weird top order for India will be disastrous and England will win.

 

[treva]

Worked well last game Mani And both Tendulkar and Ganguly opened throughout the series in real life

Shantanu, yes I will be doing screenies. There will also be match reports at the end of the game in my usual style.

Thanks for the comments guys

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Yeah I know, I'm just trying to add conversation .