Match presentation with Sky Sports' Paul Allot
Paul Allot: Good evening ladies and gentlemen. We've experienced a fantastic match here at Durban today. Both teams played well, but in the England coming out winners.
A vote of thanks to all our guests on stage, who will be presenting the awards. A special thanks to pop singer Alizee for coming here today and watching the match.
First I would like to call the losing captain, Graeme Smith, on stage
Well Graeme, what a match that was?
Graeme Smith: Yeah it was a great game. Disappointed that we lost, but we tried our best.
Paul Allot: Well you were once leading the series 2-0, and now England have drawn level. How do you see the final match shaping up after this?
Graeme Smith: Well its like a final. We are obviously disappointed that we could finish the job earlier, but now we have to work hard for the Centurion game, and I am sure we can keep these 2 defeats behind us and win that match, and with it the series.
Paul Allot: Thanks Graeme.
Now I would like to call upon Michael Vaughan.
Well Michael, how do you rate this win?
Michael Vaughan: Very high Paul. It was a great game of cricket. We batted well earlier on and put South Africa under pressure, but they too fought till the end, and I must say I am very pleased to have won this match.
We've worked hard. We had an uphill task being 2-0 down in the series, but we fought back well and have now leveled the series.
Paul Allot: And your decision to send Geraint Jones up the order paid off at the end, dint it?
Michael Vaughan: Yes it did, Paul. He is one batsman who can score runs quickly and hit the ball hard. We needed someone like him to score runs quickly early on in the innings, so that we get a good score in the first 20 overs or so. But he went far beyond that and played a leading role today, which we knew he was very capable of doing. His innings was a treat to watch.
Paul Allot: Thanks Michael.
Now for the man of the match. Quite a few eye catchers, but none quite as much as Geraint Jones, with his unbeaten 187 coming in just 140 deliveries. Sensational stuff, and he is our man of the match.
Geraint, pleased with your performance?
Geraint Jones: Yes Paul, very much. More than the fact that I scored 187, what pleases me is that it helped my team post a good total on the board, and at the end win the match. I enjoyed batting on the wicket, and tried my best to make most use of the conditions.
Paul Allot: Well since you have mentioned about the pitch, tell us a bit more about it. How was it overall?
Geraint Jones: Like I said it was great pitch for the batsmen, but not quite for the bowlers. Not much pace or bounce, and hence it was easy for the batsmen to time and execute their shots. I would definately not want to bowl on this wicket, had I been a bowler.(laughs)
Paul Allot: (giggles) I can understand that Geraint. Thanks a lot, and please collect your prize from Mr. Majola, the president of the UCB South Africa.
So thats all we have from today's match presentation ceremony. Till next time, its good bye from me and the rest of the team of Sky Sports.
