I hide my smile behind the pained Proteas

[MajGenl.Meade]

Gob.... what a day! It began with the conviction that 171 all out was a worse disaster than Boy Shakira. And then with SA at 124-3 it really looked bleak. I had to drive into town to a friend's house and when I got there he dragged me into the house (ahead of my wife and 6 kids we had with us) exclaiming "It's a disaster, boet!" But what did I find - a miracle! Wickets down at 124 124 124 and 127! And we sat on the edge of our seats, beating each other (him if they got a 4; me if we got a wicket) and .... mirabile dictu!!!! 165 all out and we're back to #1 until India beats Ireland.

Maybe you should forgive Murdoch, close your eyes and think of Cornwall.... you are missing out big time!

Cheers
Meade

[Gob]

I weep, I truly weep...

[dales]

MLB seaon will be starting in a few weeks!

HUZZAH!

[rubato]

There's acres of proteas just up the road. Nothing to do with nasty cricket.


http://arboretum.ucsc.edu/



yrs,
rubato

[MajGenl.Meade]

Aha! Not in CA perhaps but today in SA, nasty cricket is very much associated with the Proteas. Missing the chance to down the rooinecks - nay, humiliate them (even if they are one third hansoppers) - is a bitter end to the struggle



...and the horse you rode in on!

Dunkirk Meade

[Gob]

Meade. WTF?! Over.

New Zealand joined India and Pakistan in the World Cup semi-finals as South Africa collapsed when in command of a straightforward chase in Mirpur.

New Zealand batted cautiously, making 221-8 with Jesse Ryder (83) key.

South Africa were excellent in the field and their varied bowling attack kept the Black Caps pinned down.

When they then reached 108-2 after 24 overs the Proteas seemed to be cruising to victory, but they subsided horribly to be all out for 172.

With Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers batting so calmly just before the mid-point of the South Africa chase and having stayed ahead of an undemanding required run rate, New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori must have sensed the worst.

But the game changed dramatically when Kallis, on 47, attacked a gentle long-hop from Tim Southee and unerringly picked out Jacob Oram at deep midwicket.

Seven wickets remained and there was absolutely no reason for South Africa to panic - but they did just that, bringing to mind similarly ignominious exits in the 1999 and 2003 World Cups.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/9434651.stm

[MajGenl.Meade]

Oh Gob..... well on the bright side one team of mutton molesters remains in the game - if you count curry of course that would be two more and perhaps one more today. I don't fancy Englands chances. I shall settle down in three hours time to watch the horrorshow and consider putting in a bid for those wonderful souvenir replica bats signed by 4 Indians I'd never heard of until March 2011.

Another bright side - I'm informed the Twinsburg High School girls' basketball team won the state (Ohio) championship with a come-from-behind victory that preserved an unbeaten season.

Another bright sisde - Cleveland Browns (and all other NFL teams) locked out by the owners (?). If they keep it up it will be the Browns best season since er.... I forget when but I had a hat. Speaking of which, drop me your postal addy again woodja?

'K bi
Meade

[Gob]

I damn near wet myself reading that!

[MajGenl.Meade]

... and I wet myself watching my prediction come true.... what a bloody shambles!

The only good part was rooting for Oomagoolies to also get a century.

Right well I'd best start supporting New Zealand - that should ensure an India / Sri Lanka final.

As for England.....

[Gob]

Whosoever is in the final, I'm watching it. We should get the highlights on terrestrial TV here.