A bit more World Cup reading for you
Here’s the Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed
“It was a complete team performance. We tried a few combinations, which is why Haris Sohail wasn’t in the team, but he took his chance today. Sometimes it’s good for the team when we know we have to win. We have to work harder on our fielding – we dropped so many catches today – but with the bat and ball it was a great performance.”
The South African captain Faf du Plessis speaks
“We’re not playing great cricket. We started pretty poorly with the ball and gave them a good start. There was a response and we were good through the middle overs, but they got 20-25 too many on that wicket. And then we made the same mistake of batsmen getting in and getting out. It’s not just spin that has troubled us; we’re struggling for confidence as a batting line-up. We’ve been working hard, but confidence in sport is an amazing thing.
“Imran Tahir has been amazing throughout this tournament. There haven’t been enough guys standing up like him, which is why we’re where we are. We’re not doing ourselves justice and that’s the biggest disappointment.”
The Man of the Match is Haris Sohail
“It’s very difficult to be out of the team but I knew I could take my chance when it was given to me and do well for Pakistan. I wanted to build a partnership with Babar Azam – it was not easy but we did well.”
South Africa are mathematically gone, although they could still have a say in who makes the semi-finals. Their remaining matches are against Sri Lanka and Australia.
Pakistan have three must-win games - just the way they like them - against New Zealand, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. If they win all three they will pick up 11 points, which could be enough to finish above England or perhaps New Zealand. If England lose to Australia at Lord’s on Tuesday, things will get very hairy.
PAKISTAN WIN BY 49 RUNS!
50th over: South Africa 259-9 (Phehlukwayo 46, Tahir 1) Andile Phehlukwayo goes down swinging, taking 11 from Amir’s final over. But Pakistan win the game comfortably to keep their World Cup hopes alive. It’s on! (Possibly.)
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49th over: South Africa 248-9 (Phehlukwayo 35, Tahir 1)
Excellent performance Pakistan! The bowlers backed up Haris Sohail's brilliant batting effort. Hope the momentum will be sustained in the games ahead. BUT the fielding must improve so many dropped catches, can't be excused at all! #WeHaveWeWill
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) June 23, 2019
WICKET! South Africa 246-9 (Ngidi b Wahab 1)
This is a stunning old-ball spell from Wahab. He gets his first third wicket with a Wasim Akram tribute that is angled in from around the wicket and straightens to hit off stump. It was too good for Allan Lamb in 1992, so it was bound to be too good for Lungi Ngidi.
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48th over: South Africa 246-8 (Phehlukwayo 34, Ngidi 1) South Africa need 63 from 12 balls. Not even in Stick Cricket could they win this.
47th over: South Africa 239-8 (Phehlukwayo 28, Ngidi 0) Imagine if Australia beat England on Tuesday and Pakistan beat New Zealand on Wednesday. Should that happen, there will be what I believe the young folks describe as “scenes”.
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WICKET! South Africa 239-8 (Rabada b Wahab 3)
Wahab gets his second wicket with a low, reverse-swinging full toss that thuds into Rabada’s middle stump. Not for the first time in this tournament, South Africa are going down with a whimper. They’ve been almost bewilderingly poor.
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46th over: South Africa 237-7 (Phehlukwayo 28, Rabada 2) Mohammad Amir concedes his first boundary of the day from the penultimate ball of his eighth over, when Phehlukwayo whaps a low full toss to cow corner. He top-edges a hook for four off the next delivery as well. South Africa need just 72 from 24 balls.
45th over: South Africa 225-7 (Phehlukwayo 17, Rabada 1)
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WICKET! South Africa 222-7 (Morris b Wahab 16)
Wahab Riaz joins in the fun, bowling Morris with a blistering leg-stump yorker. Pakistan are heading for an emphatic victory.
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44th over: South Africa 221-6 (Phehlukwayo 15, Morris 16) Phehlukwayo heaves a slog-sweep for four off Shadab, who finishes a fine afternoon’s work with figures of 10-1-50-3. South Africa need a deluxe Brathwaite, or 88 from 36 balls.
43rd over: South Africa 213-6 (Phehlukwayo 9, Morris 14) A bit of defiance for Morris, who cuts Afridi for four before check-driving a gorgeous straight six. Sixteen from the over.
“Yet again SA’s batsmen fail to impose themselves on a bowling attack,” says Richard Mansell. “They’ve been pitiful this tournament. The team has barely threatened any of its opponents.”
I suppose nobody can accuse them of choking this time.. They haven’t been in a position to do so. It’s been a desperately disappointing tournament for them, one that will surely end a few ODI careers.
42nd over: South Africa 197-6 (Phehlukwayo 3, Morris 3) Phehlukwayo survives a big LBW appeal after missing a reverse sweep at Shadab. He was hit on the full and it looked very close; Joel Wilson said not out.
41st over: South Africa 193-6 (Phehlukwayo 2, Morris 1)
WICKET! South Africa 192-6 (Miller b Afridi 31)
Another one gone! Miller makes room to blast Afridi through the off side. He misses, Afridi hits with a slower ball, and South Africa are heading for another heavy defeat.
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40th over: South Africa 189-5 (Miller 30, Phehlukwayo 0) So, South Africa are officially out of the World Cup, and Pakistan will enter Wednesday’s game against New Zealand in Cornered Tiger mode. If they win their last three matches they may yet sneak into the semis ahead of England or even New Zealand.
REVIEW! South Africa 189-5 (Miller not out 30)
David Miller has an LBW decision overturned on review. He tried to sweep a googly from Shadab and was given out, but reviewed it instantly. Replays showed why he was so confident: there was a slight underedge onto the pad.
WICKET! South Africa 189-5 (van der Dussen c Hafeez b Shadab 36)
Pakistan have taken a catch! It was a smart, aggressive move from Sarfaraz to bring back Shadab at a time when South Africa had to take so many risks, and he struck with his fourth ball. van der Dussen sliced a big shot high in the air towards cover, where Hafeez just about held on.
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39th over: South Africa 186-4 (van der Dussen 35, Miller 29) Miller has given this South African innings some belated urgency. The required rate is surely too high, though. A fine over from Wahab, including a couple of terrific slower balls, pushes it above 11.
38th over: South Africa 182-4 (van der Dussen 33, Miller 27) A big over for South Africa - 14 from it. Miller lashes Shaheen through the covers for four, and then van der Dussen clouts a mighty six over midwicket. South Africa still have an outside chance, although they need almost 11 an over.
37th over: South Africa 168-4 (van der Dussen 26, Miller 21) Both South African batsmen are dropped off consecutive Wahab deliveries! Oh, Pakistan. The keeper Sarfaraz put down a fairly simple chance to catch van der Dussen, and Amir dropped an even easier one at third man to dismiss Miller.
“While we’re on the topic,” says Abhijato Sensarma, “Mickey Arthur always looks like he’s just seen Vince edge another one to second slip.”
I hope they had a camera on him during that last over.
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36th over: South Africa 163-4 (van der Dussen 23, Miller 19) Shaheen Afridi returns to the attack and almost picks up van der Dussen, who walks across, misses, and is lucky that the ball sneaks past his leg stump.
35th over: South Africa 160-4 (van der Dussen 23, Miller 17) Wahab replaces Imad Wasim and is biffed through extra cover for four by Miller. His groin injury doesn’t seem to be affecting him too much. His power hitting is South Africa’s best chance of an unlikely victory. They need 149 from the last 15 overs.
“How good has the renaissance of Amir been?” says Andrew Hurley. “I know there have been many impressive fast bowlers in the World Cup, but Amir has generally been bowling at the other end to a bowler leaking a lot of runs, so perhaps for that reason (if stats alone don’t show it?), I would have him slightly ahead...”
Yes, agreed. Amir, Shakib and Williamson have been the biggest stars so far, in my etc. That said, I’m hopelessly biased when it comes to Amir.
34th over: South Africa 152-4 (van der Dussen 21, Miller 11) A nasty lifter from Amir is taken on the glove by van der Dussen. Amir has bowled two high-class spells: 4-1-9-1 and 3-0-10-1.
33rd over: South Africa 150-4 (van der Dussen 20, Miller 10) Miller, on the run, drives Imad’s first delivery over the top for four. Imad finishes a useful spell with figures of 10-0-48-0, and South Africa are running out of time. They need 159 from 17 overs.
“Dear Rob,” writes Renuka Dhinakaran. “My poor husband Anand, a frequent OBO commentator, has gone through a day of Lego workshop and gym show week with our kid while the Pak v SA match has been happening. He didn’t snarl as he usually would have and I’m grateful to OBO for that. This also seems to be a good time and place to tell him that he has to take the trash out.”
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32nd over: South Africa 143-4 (van der Dussen 19, Miller 4) Mohammad Amir drops Miller off his own bowling! He clasped the ball in his right hand but it fell out when his elbow hit the ground. That would have put him out on his own as the leading wickettaker in the tournament.
He has a big appeal for caught behind turned down later in the over when Miller tries to hook. Amir is desperate to review but Sarfaraz turns him down; both have apparently forgotten that Pakistan have already used their review. Not that it matters - there was nothing on Ultra Edge.
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31st over: South Africa 140-4 (van der Dussen 18, Miller 2) “Who has been the most frustrating cricketer to watch this World Cup?” says Tuvic Tuslow. “For me, it’s Markram; he’s the Proteas James Vince - looks perennially good, but gets out too soon, too often.”
I think the James Vince Award for most frustrating cricketer at any tournament should go to James Vince, even when he’s not playing.
30th over: South Africa 138-4 (van der Dussen 17, Miller 1) “Hi Rob,” says Jon Salisbury. “Am I not getting something or are these ‘phases won’ stats (like the day’s pie-charts for Tests) a useless gimmick; subjective at best and shows no real feel for the game.”
I’m not a fan, but I suspect they enhance the viewing experience for millions so I’m loath to go the full Bill Murray on them.
WICKET! South Africa 136-4 (du Plessis c Sarfaraz b Amir 63)
Mohammad Amir is wonderful. Pakistan needed a wicket; he delivered it with the third ball of a new spell. du Plessis clouted a cross-seam delivery miles in the air, and Sarfaraz waved everyone away before taking the catch. Amir has his 15th wicket of the tournament, a spectacular personal performance in a hitherto losing team.
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29th over: South Africa 133-3 (du Plessis 61, van der Dussen 15) South Africa need 176 from 21 overs. Hmm.
“Although she’s proudly Australian, and tribal, Ashleigh Barty’s also one of our own,” says John Starbuck. “Some of her family (on her Mum’s side) are still in Nottingham and she played for quite a while at the West Bridgford Tennis Club, not far from Trent Bridge. Well done her!”
28th over: South Africa 130-3 (du Plessis 60, van der Dussen 13) van der Dussen spanks Shadab straight back over his head, and the ball just evades the stretching Amir as he runs round the boundary. To compound Mickey Arthur’s visible frustration, the ball bounces up onto Amir and over the boundary for four. du Plessis completes a good over for South Africa – 12 from it – with a lusty slog sweep for four.
27th over: South Africa 118-3 (du Plessis 55, van der Dussen 6) Still no boundaries for South Africa – the last was in the 19th over – but they are at least in a rhythm of scoring from most deliveries. It might be time to bring back Mohammad Amir for a couple of overs.
Meanwhile, this.
26th over: South Africa 112-3 (du Plessis 51, van der Dussen 4) The captain du Plessis drives Shadab for a single to reach a dogged fifty from 66 balls. There’s a single from every delivery in that over.
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25th over: South Africa 106-3 (du Plessis 48, van der Dussen 1) Pakistan are squeezing the life out of South Africa. The last six overs, all bowled by Shadab and Imad, have brought two wickets and only 16 runs.
REVIEW! South Africa 105-3 (du Plessis not out 47)
Well, that was odd. du Plessis tried to force Imad off the back foot, prompting a huge appeal for caught behind from Sarfaraz and then an instant review. But there was nothing on Ultra Edge, so du Plessis survives.
PAKISTAN REVIEW FOR CAUGHT BEHIND AGAINST DU PLESSIS!
Sarfaraz is certain this is out.
24th over: South Africa 103-3 (du Plessis 46, van der Dussen 0) A wicket maiden from Shadab, and this has has the feel of a matchwinning spell from Shadab: 5-1-17-2.
WICKET! South Africa 103-3 (Markram b Shadab 7)
Markram has gone, cleaned up by a lovely flipper from Shadab. It may have kept a little low, too, and Markram was left looking pretty silly as he tried to cut a ball that skidded on to hit the stumps.
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23rd over: South Africa 103-2 (du Plessis 46, Markram 7) A slightly better over for South Africa, but still only five from it. Faf du Plessis hasn’t hit a boundary since the 12th over.
22nd over: South Africa 98-2 (du Plessis 43, Markram 5) Just three singles from the over again, this time Shadab the bowler. South Africa need 211 from 28 overs, and you would be unwise to stake your mortgage on them.
21st over: South Africa 95-2 (du Plessis 42, Markram 3) Imad Wasim returns, a logical tactic with a new batsman at the crease. Sarfaraz will want him and Shadab to hurry through a few cheap overs, the old Combined Universities 1989 tactic. Three singles from the over.
20th over: South Africa 92-2 (du Plessis 41, Markram 1)
WICKET! South Africa 91-2 (de Kock c Imam b Shadab 47)
This a huge wicket for Pakistan. de Kock slog-sweeps Shadab high towards deep square leg, where Imam-ul-Haq takes an excellent low catch as the ball dips sharply. The umpires went upstairs to check the catch, but it was fine and de Kock has gone.
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19th over: South Africa 90-1 (de Kock 47, du Plessis 40) Punishing stuff from de Kock, who squirts Wahab for four and then picks him up over long leg for a big six.
18th over: South Africa 77-1 (de Kock 36, du Plessis 38) de Kock swings Shadab on the bounce to the man at deep midwicket. That brings one of four singles from another quiet over. The required rate has sneaked up to 7.25 per over.
17th over: South Africa 73-1 (de Kock 34, du Plessis 36) de Kock has a windy woof at Wahab, who is working up a decent pace. He rams a couple of bouncers over the head of de Kock, who then swings freely over midwicket for a single. That’s drinks.
16th over: South Africa 70-1 (de Kock 32, du Plessis 35) Quinton de Kock slog-sweeps the new bowler Shadab Khan emphatically for six. He is looking ominous; after scoring 12 from his first 32 deliveries, he’s added 20 from the last 15.
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15th over: South Africa 62-1 (de Kock 25, du Plessis 34)
14th over: South Africa 59-1 (de Kock 23, du Plessis 33) de Kock drives Imad handsomely over extra cover for four. Imad responds excellently and almost dismisses du Plessis on three occasions: a checked drive fell just short of the bowler, and two deliveries from around the wicket almost sneaked between bat and pad.
“In other news,” says Abhijato Sensarma. “part-time excellent cricket player, full-time amazing tennis player Ashleigh Barty is the new world No1 after winning the Birmingham title. Congratulations!”
And the best thing is she reads the OBO religiously, so your message will get through.
13th over: South Africa 53-1 (de Kock 18, du Plessis 32) Wahab replaces Afridi (4-0-18-0), starting with a zestful over that goes for a couple. South Africa need 6.91 per over.
12th over: South Africa 51-1 (de Kock 17, du Plessis 31) Quinton de Kock gets his first boundary in the 12th over, driving Imad Wasim through extra cover for four. This is a good spell for South Africa. It’s time, I suspect, for a bit of Wahab Riaz.
“Hello Rob,” says Geoff Wignall. “I know he was a very naughty boy - though I always thought his punishment was at the upper limit of reasonable - but seeing Amir and his mojo back in harness is probably the greatest single, context-free delight of this World Cup to date. Who knows, despite the lost years perhaps he can do an Anderson over the next decade. It’d be lovely to see him get to play in the final.”
11th over: South Africa 44-1 (de Kock 12, du Plessis 29) When Afridi gets his line and length right – just full of good, inviting the drive without enabling it – he looks pretty threatening. But he’s a little erratic, as 19-year-olds are wont to be; when he bowls one delivery a touch too straight, du Plessis flicks wristily through midwicket for four more.
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10th over: South Africa 38-1 (de Kock 11, du Plessis 24) Looks like the post has been delayed. The left-arm spinner Imad Wasim is coming into the attack, which should mean a bit of respite for South Africa. du Plessis, on the walk, crunches a boundary down the ground.
9th over: South Africa 32-1 (de Kock 10, du Plessis 19) du Plessis is dropped! He edged a drive off Shaheen to the left of backward point, where Shadab Khan flew like a goalkeeper but was unable to hang on. That would have been a great catch. Both these batsmen have now been given a life. Often that’s a positive for a batting team, but at the moment it feels like another wicket is in the post.
8th over: South Africa 31-1 (de Kock 10, du Plessis 18) du Plessis, on the drive, edges Amir wide of the only slip at catchable height. It’s been a top-class opening spell from Amir: 4-1-9-1.
7th over: South Africa 28-1 (de Kock 9, du Plessis 17) Shaheen Afridi beats du Plessis with a beautiful delivery – just full of a good length and moving enough off the seam to beat the edge. He’s only 19 but has the tools to be a great. Mind you, I always thought that about Steven Finn. A good over from Shaheen; three from it.
“Afternoon Rob,” says Brian Withington. “There was I robustly condemning a complete waste of Pakistan’s review loudly enough for anyone listening out in the kitchen. Cue pause and pregnant silence, broken only by a polite query from the distance ‘You wouldn’t have made a mistake by any chance, would you, father?’ Not for the first time, I am left to contemplate the vagaries of my certain opinion.”
I remember loudly bemoaning David Elleray’s decision to send off Roy Keane against Manchester City in 2001. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the replay.
6th over: South Africa 26-1 (de Kock 7, du Plessis 15) de Kock is beaten again, this time by some sharp seam movement from the superb Amir. He gets hold of a back-foot drive later in the over, and Fakhar makes a fine diving stop to save three runs.
“Afternoon Rob,” says Simon McMahon. “My head is beginning to hurt regarding the possible permutations for the remaining group matches and who needs to do what to qualify. Thankfully we have the OBO to make it all really simple. Now, here’s my question. I have tickets to see Pakistan v Bangladesh at Lord’s on 5 July. What are the chances that it will be a winner-takes-all match for the final qualification place, perhaps leading to scenes reminiscent of Northampton in 1999?”
Well, it’s possible, but England would have to make a rare mess of their last three matches. Dare to dream.
5th over: South Africa 23-1 (de Kock 6, du Plessis 14) Shaheen Afridi replaces Mohammad Hafeez. His first ball is angled across du Plessis, who is lucky to inside-edge a leaden-footed drive past the stumps for four. There is no luck involved off the last delivery, however, which du Plessis thumps through extra cover for four.
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4th over: South Africa 15-1 (de Kock 6, du Plessis 6) The world is a better place when Mohammad Amir is on a roll. Nobody in world cricket has quite the same combination of skill and haal, bitter and sweet. He swerves a fine delivery past the edge of de Kock, who can’t get any of the subsequent deliveries past the infield. A maiden.
“Hello Rob from Kampala Uganda,” writes Vali Jamal. “I delayed eating my lunch to coincide the one at the match. What do they serve? Curries? CTM? Biryani? Amla and Tahir would love that. Or are the British still chaffy about spice smells? Myself I made do with a spiced omelette from the street.”
I have no idea what they’re serving at Lord’s, though Adam may be able to enlighten us. At Guardian Towers we’re having the usual: vegan foie gras with a side of moral superiority.
3rd over: South Africa 15-1 (de Kock 6, du Plessis 6) Hafeez continues, with an unspoken invitation to de Kock to try his luck hitting over the top. He politely declines the invitation for now, but he does feather a classy cover drive for three.
2nd over: South Africa 8-1 (de Kock 1, du Plessis 4) The new batsman Faf du Plessis survives another huge LBW appeal after being hit in the box by a big inswinger. That was definitely missing, but it has been a majestic start from Mohammad Amir. From the end of the 2017 Champions Trophy to the start of this World Cup, he took five wickets in 15 ODIs at an average of 93. In this tournament he’s taken 14 in five matches at an average of 12. Pick that one out!
WICKET! South Africa 5-1 (Amla LBW b Amir 2)
What a brilliant review from Pakistan! I was sure that was missing leg stump - or at best hitting the outside of it - but Amir was insistent and replays showed why. The ball pitched on middle and leg and straightened sharply to hit Amla on the pad as he flicked across the line. It was hitting the meat of leg stump, and so the in-form Amir strikes with his first ball.
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PAKISTAN REVIEW FOR LBW AGAINST AMLA!
It was from Amir’s first ball. I don’t think this is out; I suspect it’s umpire’s call at best for Pakistan.
1st over: South Africa 4-0 (Amla 2, de Kock 1) de Kock is dropped off his first delivery! He dragged Hafeez towards mid-on, where Wahab muffed an awkward low chance as he dived forward. It was an, a-hem, ambitious shot from de Kock, who came charging down the track straight away, and he was lucky to get away with it.
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The players are back on the field, and the first will be bowled by Mohammad Am ... Hafeez.
Thanks Adam, hello everyone. It’s an immutable law of Pakistan cricket that, before they can win a major trophy in a blaze of glory, they must first take in the view from the precipice. They must be on the brink of elimination halfway through the first round, ideally after being thumped by India. It happened at the 1992 World Cup, the 2009 World T20 and the 2017 Champions Trophy, so perhaps this is the start of another sequel, Cornered Tigers 4: For The Haal Of It.
Pakistan are ninth in the table, above only Afghanistan. But if they win their last four matches in the league stage – New Zealand, Afghanistan and Bangladesh are the others – they will reach 11 points. They’d still need a favour from elsewhere, but then that was the case in 1992. It’s on!
(Guardian disclaimer: it may not actually be on.)
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Set up beautifully. With both sides having periods in the ascendancy though the 50 overs, both will go into lunch feeling as though they have done plenty right. It sets us up for a fantastic chase on a true Lord’s wicket in front of a very enthusiastic packed house. What more could you want in a World Cup Sunday? For that I’ll leave you with the great Rob Smyth. Thanks for your emails! Bye!
PAKISTAN FINISH ON 308-7 (Sarfraz 2, Shadhab 1)
Nearly a run out from the last ball, Shadhab unable to heave Ngidi outside the circle, but the throw isn’t on target and the bowler knocks the bails off with his hand. All told, a solid finish for South Africa, giving up just four in the final over and 21 across the last three. But that takes nothing away from Sohail who along with Imad really did put the foot down through the final stanza.
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WICKET! Sohail c de Kock b Ngidi 89 (Pakistan 307-7)
Fine death bowling, this. Ngidi gave Sohail nothing to hit so he made room to try and make something from nothing, a top edge going high in the air to de Kock. The end of a fantastic innings, his 89 coming in 59 balls, three times clearing the ropes. One ball to come.
WICKET! Wahab b Ngidi 4 (Pakistan 304-6)
That’s one way to stop them scoring, Wahab missing Ngidi’s accuate slower ball.
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49th over: Pakistan 304-5 (Sohail 88, Wahab 4) Wahab walks out to join Sohail, another man who can hit the ball a very long way as we saw a couple of weeks ago against Australia. Rabada lands his yorker first up, Wahab squeezing two out to midwicket. From the next, another on the crease line, they take the quick single instead so that Sohail can get a pop. But he’s also kept at home base by the yorker, having to give the strike back to Wahab. Excellent over, this. Wahab’s single to third man gets Pakistan to 300, a score they would have taken an hour ago, I reckon. A bumper nearly nails Sohail from the penultimate ball - more fine fast bowling. He has one more chance against Rabada and does make solid contact, clipped out to midwicket for four. Nine off it. Ngidi now to bowl the 50th over.
WICKET! Imad c Duminy b Ngidi 23 (Pakistan 295-5)
A solid death over from Ngidi, who mixed up his slower balls and won a miscue from Imad, well taken from Duminy running in from long-off. He did get him away for four down the ground back over the head of the umpire from the previous delivery, but South Africa will take eight runs and a wicket from the 48th.
48th over: Pakistan 295-5 (Sohail 83)
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47th over: Pakistan 287-4 (Sohail 81, Imad 17) Rabada has two overs left and will need to be precise or risk going around at his pace, given how well Sohail is seeing them. But he’s off strike first up with one to deep point, moving into the 80s. Imad is just as important now too, repeating the shot that ended up the final over taking two from a ball just pushed into the legside. Super batting. Rabada goes a fraction shorter and Imad knows it is coming, swivelling his hips to help it on its way for four more! Giving Sohail a pop at one ball to finish, he makes sure that he keeps the strike by declining the offer to come back for a second leg bye to midwicket.
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46th over: Pakistan 277-4 (Sohail 79, Imad 10) Ngidi has a deep back of tricks he’ll need at the death but Sohail is seeing the ball as well as anyone has in this tournament, middling a punishing pull shot over midwicker for SIX MORE into the Warner Stand. He has hit so many runs into that deep corner of the ground. Off strike with one, Imad smacks two down the ground to raise the half-century stand between the two in 26 balls, the second quickest in the World Cup so far. Imad then bunts down the ground, Sohail again racing back for two. 11 off it.
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45th over: Pakistan 266-4 (Sohail 72, Imad 6) Morris is an experienced man who knows how to land his yorker, and does, but he is not supported by Tahir who should have taken Sohail at deep cover but can’t complete the tough chance. They pay the price, Sohail throwing the bat at the next offering, his top edge trickling into the third man rope this time. He’s into the 70s. All told, Morris has done well there giving up just eight. Get yourself a World Cup ton at Lord’s, Haris!
44th over: Pakistan 258-4 (Sohail 65, Imad 5) Imad is straight into it too! He hit out nicely against India last week when all was lost, now getting a chance to make a difference when he matters. Advancing at Phehlukwayo, he slams him through cover to get a four from the first ball he faces. He then cleverly gets off strike to let Sohail go again who clears the rope for SIX at long-off in front of the members! Duminy was back there but in waaay too far from the rope. Sure enough, the set man has another crack, this time at the slower ball, heaving it across the line through the gap. Four more! An outstanding over, 16 off it! Sohail is 65 from 43.
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43rd over: Pakistan 242-4 (Sohail 54, Imad 0) This is a wonderful hand from Haris Sohail, moving to his half-century in 38 balls with another of those pristine uppercuts, placing Morris perfectly, evading the man running around from third man. Earlier he helped another boundary off his pads, albeit with no bat involved, but that matters little at this stage. He’s taking twos instead of ones now too, using the pace to third man and placing to the right of cover. It all adds up to 13 from the over with a quick single to keep the strike. Fantastic batting, clever batting.
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42nd over: Pakistan 229-4 (Sohail 45, Imad 0) Sohail is not deterred by losing Babar at the start of the over, deflecting a boundary to the third man rope. A different approach to the muscle we have seen from the left-hander so far, but all fours are welcome at this stage. If he’s still there at the end, they can get 320.
WICKET! Babar c Ngidi b Phehlukwayo 69 (Pakistan 224-4)
Babar takes on Phehlukwayo in an attempt to go up the gears but picks up Ngidi at deep cover. He looked to be going a fraction straighter than that but the bat might have twisted as he made contact. The end of a stand worth 81 from 68 balls.
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41st over: Pakistan 222-3 (Babar 67, Sohail 40) Tahir excellent again, getting through his tenth and final over for just five singles to the sweepers. I suspect both sides are happy enough with that for the 41st over. Tahir finishes with 2/41. Brill.
“This is Anand, from the Lego party at the beginning of the game.” Hello again! “The scene has now shifted to my son’s gym where he has a show week. So, you might want to reconsider your thoughts about procreating. Any expert parents out there who have come up with excuses to wiggle out of commitments for the sake of cricket? The saving grace at this point is that I will be nicely settled on my sofa by the time the Saffers being their chase. Let’s hope the game can match the drama of last night.” Great to have you back with us. Quality game, this.
40th over: Pakistan 217-3 (Babar 64, Sohail 38) Phehlukwayo gets the last over of this power play, Faf using him in short bursts only. Again it works, four runs from it and nearly grabbing Babar’s prized wicket in the process, locating his inside edge. We’re now into happy hour with Pakistan well placed for at least 300ish.
39th over: Pakistan 213-3 (Babar 62, Sohail 37) Sohail again! He’ll take on Tahir, don’t worry about that, coming down the track and slamming him through cover for four to start the new over. With that boundary in the can, they settle for the other singles on offer, helped by a rare wide from the master leggie.
“This is Eric Clapton’s Layla,” says Mark Nicholas as the cricket bat guitar finally gets a run for the first time today. [David Brent] Knowledge [/David Brent]
38th over: Pakistan 206-3 (Babar 61, Sohail 32) Another over with back to back boundaries to finish! It’s Babar time now, showing his class with a delicate little deflection through the cordon, beating third man. He then goes the other way but with a similarly accute angle, glancing well enough to deny fine leg! This partnership is now 63 from 48 balls, the 200 also up during the Morris over.
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37th over: Pakistan 195-3 (Babar 52, Sohail 30) Tahir is back, prompting a chorus of boos from the Pakistan fans. Best I don’t comment on that, other than to note that it happened. Tahir, brilliant in his first spell, has three overs left. Mindful of the threat, no doubt, Babar and Sohail are happy taking four risk-free singles.
Here is that Tahir celebration from earlier. 40 years old. What a delight.
CAUGHT AND BOWLED 🏏
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 23, 2019
It's the Tahir show at the moment! He takes another wicket, getting down low to take the catch one handed.
Watch #WeHaveWeWill vs #ProteaFire live on Sky Sports Cricket World Cup or follow online here: https://t.co/fXGP3Ftc56 pic.twitter.com/S6fndyAOud
Babar to 50!
36th over: Pakistan 191-3 (Babar 51, Sohail 28) Chris Morris is back for Markram, who more than did his job. First up, Babar gets to his 50 (61 balls) with a single to point. But it is all about Sohail now, who slams another boundary behind point, this time on into the ground rather than the stands. “This could be a game-changer,” observes Mark Nicholas of the left-hander’s work. Go you good thing.
“Tahir, against all odds, is still going on,” notes Abhijato Sensarma. “His stunning catch is an ode to his perseverance. His flexibility defies biological norms. His variations fox the best in the business. And his celebratory runs put the world’s best sprinters to shame when they reach his age. He’s the best ODI spinner in the history of Proteas cricket. Once he retires, he has confessed he will become a T20 freelancer, which means he isn’t going away anytime soon; when he does, we will realise what a man he was.” Nice. You have a lot of love to give, Abhijato.
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35th over: Pakistan 184-3 (Babar 49, Sohail 23) Haris Sohail!! To begin he plays a crushing drive down the ground towards our press box position along the carpet for four. But next? When the short ball inevitably comes from around the wicket, the left-hander makes room to uppercut him into the Warner Stand! As you do against Kagiso Rabada! I don’t understand how Sohail (23 off 11) isn’t in every Pakistan XI. Three further singles makes 13 from the over, the biggest of the day.
“I appreciate the sentiment of imagining Kane Williamson as Captain Haddock (over 22),” writes Edmund King after saying kind things about the OBO. Thanks so much. “But is the good Captain really an accurate analogue for the eternally cool and collected Williamson, considering his tendency to (for instance) career down hillsides chasing condors, be assaulted by llamas, and have bears menacingly creep up behind him when he least expects it? Granted, though—each of those things would add to to the drama of the occasion were they to happen to Williamson during an ODI.”
34th over: Pakistan 171-3 (Babar 47, Sohail 12) Interesting that Markram is going around again, a real show of faith from Faf. Can he get in and out of it without a boundary? Nup, Babar instead plays a gorgeous little glance off the front foot, timed and placed perfectly past Rabada on the 45. He puts in a big dive but it isn’t enough. Earlier in the over, he swept in a similar direction for three, Rabada getting there on that occasion with a timely slide. You can’t question the big man’s commitment. And now he has to go back to his mark and bowl again.
33rd over: Pakistan 162-3 (Babar 39, Sohail 11) Ooh, so close for Rabada, who misses Babar’s edge by the smallest possible margin. Fine bowling. At the start of the over, Pakistan were ahead thanks to a classy drive through cover for four via Haris Sohail’s broad blade. He likes batting here; his half-century in a low-scoring Test here last May was a real highlight of that match for mine.
32nd over: Pakistan 156-3 (Babar 38, Sohail 6) Markram leaks runs from five his six deliveries this time around but none of the strokes reach the boundary, which South Africa will be fine with. Three overs 1/13 constitutes a nice little cameo. That should be enough to give Faf the flexibility he needs in the final ten. Drinks!
31st over: Pakistan 149-3 (Babar 36, Sohail 1) I like this from Faf, bringing back Rabada to punch the Pakistan bruise. But Babar enjoys the added pace, timing the attack-leader nicely for two then clipping a straighter ball for three. Sohail is off the mark from the final ball, glancing one. Rabada has four more up his sleeve.
WICKET! Hafeez lbw b Markram 20 (Pakistan 143-3)
What a bonus! The part-timer Markram has picked up Hafeez, who missed his sweep and was trapped dead in front. That’s just what any off-spinner is trying to do from around the wicket, pitching in line and straightening. Lovely bowling. No review needed there, that’s for sure.
30th over: Pakistan 143-3 (Babar 31)
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29th over: Pakistan 139-2 (Babar 29, Hafeez 19) Phehlukwayo is spun around to replace Tahir, giving him three to bowl later in the innings. And again the all-rounder is efficient, giving up one to Babar first ball down to third man then dotting up Hafeez for the rest by mixing up his stock delivery and off-cutter.
28th over: Pakistan 138-2 (Babar 28, Hafeez 19) Clever captaincy from Faf to get part-time offie Markram on for an over while the sting is out of it just a little bit. It works, racing through it for just just two singles. TV suggests that the over was delayed because they couldn’t get the music off the PA. Speaking of music, we haven’t seen Cricket Bat Guitar Guy so far today. His rendition of Everlong when Nabi holed out in the final over yesterday hit me right in the sad spot.
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27th over: Pakistan 136-2 (Babar 27, Hafeez 18) Tahir to Babar, a heavyweight battle this. The leggie has him under his thumb early before getting him down the ground for one, Hafeez doing likewise. 2/26 from seven. Will Faf bowl him out?
“Hello Adam, hope you are well.” Thank you Richard Dennis. I am! “With regards to the now synonymous Tahir celebration, it’s great, I enjoy it, I mean how could you not? But with a dismissal like Fakhar’s, where the wicket is merely a cause of the batsman’s stupidity, a celebration like that does look a it silly, don’t you think? Maybe Tahir needs to keep the big celebration back sometimes, for a wicket a lot like his next one even. I think it would improve the spectacle. If you could let him know from me, cheers.”
Yep, I’m with you here. It’s the best. But better when he’s made the wicket happen. For instance, the opening morning of the tournament when he picked up YJB for a golden duck. What a moment that was.
26th over: Pakistan 134-2 (Babar 26, Hafeez 17) Phehlukwayo has a calming influence at the bowling crease for South Africa here, dotting up Babar early in the over before he takes one to cover. Hafeez wasn’t able to beat de Kock with his glance, then happy in defence to finish. Just one run from it. Push and pull.
25th over: Pakistan 133-2 (Babar 25, Hafeez 17) DRAMA TO FINISH with Tahir denied a leg before decision from his brilliant googly. It was too good for his fellow veteran Hafeez on the sweep, hitting him low to the ground. Turned down and sent upstairs, the technology showed the ball doing everything it needed to but going over the top of leg stump by a about two cricket balls, if you like. Heart rates were already elevated the ball before when Hafeez hit him for six over square leg, just clearing Ngidi, the tallest man on the field. Livin’ la vida loca is the man they call The Professor. What a great couple of hours of entertainment we’ve had so far!
24th over: Pakistan 125-2 (Babar 25, Hafeez 9) The crowd are going WILD now as Babar adds another boundary, this time behind point from the outside portion of his bat off Phehlukwayo; back into the attack for a second burst from the pavilion end. Earlier in the set, Hafeez flicked three behind square. He’s started positively. With a wide and a couple of other singles in there, it’s a most prodcutive over.
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23rd over: Pakistan 114-2 (Babar 19, Hafeez 5) That’s a dropped catch! Tahir wins Hafeez’s edge and it was in/out. I’m not even certain it was in, on reflection. But it was down and that’s the main thing. Other than that, the singles are now being opened up to the sweepers by this pair against Tahir. But how close he was to a third in a hurry. Halfway through his complement, the 40yo leggie has 2/16.
22nd over: Pakistan 108-2 (Babar 17, Hafeez 1) Babar goes bang, bang! That’s what they needed, slamming Ngidi’s penultimate ball through midwicket before driving quite beautifully down the ground into the rope in front of the pavilion.
“Cricinfo are reporting that the TV and official scorers both/all failed to record the second ball of the 14th, so in fact it ended up being a seven-ball over,” writes Romeo. “Cricinfo reported it accurately on their ball-by-ball.”
Gosh, I love that this can still happen at a World Cup. Cricket: bless it.
Billions of bilious blue blistering barnacles in a thundering typhoon !#KaneWilliamson #BackTheBlackcaps #NZvWI @JimmyNeesh @collinsadam pic.twitter.com/XcR1cyVCbj
— Bored Wallaby (@BoredWallaby) June 23, 2019
21st over: Pakistan 98-2 (Babar 8, Hafeez 0) Hafeez gets down the track to Tahir, just as he tried to do last week when coming in against India’s wristspinners. That didn’t last for long, mind. Just one run from the successful over. Despite how well Pakistan started, both of their set men are now back in the shed and they have only gone at 4.68 runs an over. Babar, time to take back control. (No, not like that)
Here is the Fakhar dismissal. Hopefully, they will also put up the Tahir catch.
What are you doing Fakhar?!
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 23, 2019
The opener gets out in peculiar fashion, trying to paddle it over the wicket keeper. Everything was going so well.
Watch #WeHaveWeWill vs #ProteaFire live on Sky Sports Cricket World Cup or follow online here: https://t.co/fXGP3Ftc56 pic.twitter.com/a2KsWmwH6W
WICKET! Imam c & b Tahir 44 (Pakistan 98-2)
What a snaffle! In his follow through, Tahir gets down low to his right for a superb reflex catch. And what a celebration! Even by Tahir’s standards this is something, all-but jumping into the crowd ala Pat Cash after winning Wimbledon! The catch looks better on every replay, too. Brilliant cricket. They’re back in business.
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20th over: Pakistan 97-1 (Imam 44, Babar 7) Oooooh, that’s better. Babar looks a million bucks driving Ngidi off the front foot, crunching through the gap at cover for his first boundary. He was in lovely touch last week at Manchester until falling, the wicket that set off the collapse. It has been a brutal week for Pakistan cricket since but they have bounced back nicely today as Father Time strikes midday.
“At least it means Marais Erasmus can umpire the Final,” says Jonathan Salisbury, digging out a tangential positive from this World Cup campaign for South Africa.
19th over: Pakistan 92-1 (Imam 44, Babar 2) Tahir has 1/9 from his first three, changing the feel of the game as he does so often. The leggie has played five fewer World Cup games than Allan Donald for that same return, the TV says. They’re giving Babar nothing, but he is able to take a single from the last ball to deep point.
18th over: Pakistan 90-1 (Imam 43, Babar 1) Ngidi is back and it is two tidy overs in a row, not letting Babar get down the other end; making him defend everything.
17th over: Pakistan 89-1 (Imam 42, Babar 1) Great start this from Tahir, Imam showing complete respect for the man who now has 38 World Cup wickets, level with Allan Donald for South Africa by that measure. On TV, Mark Nicholas is having a nice gallop about the spirit of cricket and the end of the game at Manchester last night. What an over from Neesham to set it up. He’s a great fella.
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16th over: Pakistan 88-1 (Imam 41, Babar 1) Imam has to kick on with it now that Fakhar has given his start away. He gets one on leg stump from Morris and is able to flick him nicely through midwicket into the gap for four, moving into the 40s.
There is an amazing shot from spidercam on the telly at the end of the over, taken from the top of the media centre. What a beautiful place this is. The building celebrated its 20th birthday last month. There’s currently an exhibition in the Lord’s museum marking that milestone, which is well worth a visit.
“Your suggested change of removing the edge defence has its merits but could also be a nightmare to umpire,” writes Nick Clark. “ It would have to be a very fine edge for the deflection to not take it away from the stumps. The small amount of travel between the bat and the pad would not give umpires enough evidence to judge the new path so they would basically need to say no away but can’t use the defence that it hit the bat first.”
I hadn’t really thought of that. Fair enough. I’ll put that thoughtbubble away.
He adds: “The pitching outside leg thing was brought in to stop very defensive bowling from around the wicket, it enables batters to swing for it in more freedom.”
Brian Withington wants me to explain in greater detail my inside edge proposal, but I’m sufficiently happy with Nick Clark’s point to let it go.
15th over: Pakistan 81-1 (Imam 35, Babar 0) What made Fakhar’s dismissal all the more bewildering is that he drove Tahir through cover for four to begin. Alas, it’s all over now. Babar’s turn, the main man at No3. He defends his first delivery.
Here is the John Dory with Kohli and his fine. Not surprised to see this.
WICKET! Fakhar c Amla b Tahir 44 (Pakistan 81-1)
Tahir gets the breakthrough from his fifth ball! It’s such an unnecessary bit of batting from the set man, going for the premeditated scoop. It is edged in the air to Amla at slip. “No, no, no!” says Mark Nicholas. Correct. Sigh. Drinks.
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14th over: Pakistan 75-0 (Imam 34, Fakhar 39) Imam gives the strike to Fakhar with a single to third man. The big hitter tries to put him into the stands but misses. A quirky end to the over when the umpire calls it after five balls, Morris then sent back to bowl one more. You don’t see that very often in the pro game.
13th over: Pakistan 73-0 (Imam 33, Fakhar 38) A lot to like about Phehlukwayo, as I’ll continue to bang away through his spell. Fakhar has his measure early on here with a couple to mid-off then deflecting two more to third man. But the South African all-rounder bounces back with a lovely delivery that jags away from the left-hander, beating him outside edge. Imam gets his go later in the over and retains the strike with a firm push out to deep point, his preferred target so far.
12th over: Pakistan 67-0 (Imam 32, Fakhar 33) Gosh, that hurts: the delivery after the catch that wasn’t is pulled away for four by Fakhar, just to the left of Tahir this time. Sure enough, the Pakistan fans - the vast majority of those here today here supporting Sarfraz’s side - are absolutely loving this turn of events.
“Your point about the Allen Stand scoreboard seems also to apply to the one above the Edrich stand,” notes Romeo. “The one over the Compton has shown the score in at least one TV shot I’ve seen, but anyone in the Upper Compton has to either turn round to see it or try and make out what the mechanical one between Tavern and Mound says (and of course that has very limited information). Those in the Lower Edrich - where can they see the score? Anywhere at all? Seems ridiculous.”
Precisely. I’m not complaining about my vantage point in the media centre and never would, but from here we can only see the small mechnical board under Father Time. Those below us would definitely be in that same situation, especially at ground level. Seems a bit over the top to take away all the scoreboards for sponsors? I appreciate they fund the World Cup. But still. There’s a balance.
NOT OUT! Morris prompts a false stroke from Fakhar, slapping out to Tahir at midwicket who make a fantastic diving take. However, the soft signal is not out, which means conclusive evidence is required. There isn’t that, according to the third umpire, so it remains not out. “But I do wonder had it been soft signal out,” asks Ali Mitchell on TV, “would it have remained out?” I’m with her. du Plessis is fuming about the initial soft signal; Tahir certain he caught it. But not to be.
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11th over: Pakistan 61-0 (Imam 31, Fakhar 28) Phehlukwayo does the one thing you can’t do with your first ball of the day- he oversteps. The Fakhar free hit goes over mid-on, Ngidi electing to let the ball bounce instead of catching it but keeping it to one. Other than that, it is a good first over from the all-rounder, who has been very good in this World Cup with the ball.
“It just occurred to me that all of the qualifications to LBW (pitching outside leg, impact outside off) come from the days before DRS,” says Paul Stubbs. “Are they still needed in today’s game? Could not the rule be simplified? If it is hitting, then you’re out?”
Oh, I don’t think it is technology (or lack thereof) that was denying bowlers who pitched outside leg. My preferred left-of-centre amendment would be to eliminate the ability for an inside edge to save the batsman. If the ball is hitting, even via an edge, I say give it out. But I know I’m very much on my own with this one.
10th over: Pakistan 58-0 (Imam 30, Fakhar 27) The final over of the first power play is another good’un from Morris - a most underrated bowler, for mine. Fakhar plays him respectfully before they opening pair trade singles to the sweepers at long leg and third man. That makes 58 from the first ten. Nice work but pegged back well by the Proteas in the last few. They were on track for 70-plus until then.
9th over: Pakistan 55-0 (Imam 29, Fakhar 25) Two top overs on the bounce from Rabada, targeting Fakhar’s toes then his lid before getting through him with pace. Off strike with a single, Imam is beaten outside the off-stump. South Africa’s best over of the morning. Will Faf keep Rabada on for a sixth? They must break this up.
8th over: Pakistan 54-0 (Imam 29, Fakhar 24) Morris is on to replace Ngidi from the pavilion end and he’s immediately driven down the ground by Imam for four, bringing up the 50 partnership! He’s been just as productive as Fakhar, all along the carpet. Oh, until now: that’s a genuine edge Morris has found but between the wicketkeeper and the man at about second slip. Fragmented cordons never work.
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7th over: Pakistan 46-0 (Imam 21, Fakhar 24) du Plessis shows faith in Rabada to go again and he’s rewarded with a better return. First up, Imam tried to flick and missed, prompting an enthusiastic appeal. They are right not to review it, the ball pitching comfortably outside the leg stump. Rabada sprays the next but is where he needs to be for the remainder, just a single added to third man.
“Spent a couple of hours of a sun-kissed afternoon in a Birkenhead pub with views over the river Mersey to the Liverpool waterfront discussing the finer points of Afghanistan run chase with a random stranger,” writes John Norris. “World Cup cricket bringing people together, Adam!”
You’re filling my heart. It feeeeeels like this tournament turned a corner over the last four days or so. Let’s hope we can put all the negativity behind us from now.
6th over: Pakistan 44-0 (Imam 20, Fakhar 24) Ohhhh, find a TV; Fakhar is ON ONE ALRIGHT! I suppose that qualifies as a shortish offering from Ngidi, but the timing on the Fakhar slap/pull is immaculate, landing it in the grandstand for the first SIX of the day. Both openers are into the 20s at better than a run a ball. Keep going!
5th over: Pakistan 35-0 (Imam 17, Fakhar 18) Ooh, this is joyous cricket! Fakhar given just a fraction of width by Rabada at the better part of 90 miles an hour slaps him off the front foot behind point for another four! Yes, that was in the air but good luck stopping it. My favourite Fakhar innings was when we were at Harare last year for a T20 tri-series and single-handedly (well, with Shoaib) won the final against Australia with a perfectly timed chase. Good little tournament, that.
4th over: Pakistan 29-0 (Imam 16, Fakhar 13) Imam’s turn! Ngidi goes fuller than Rabada at the less flamboyant of the openers and he responds with a pristine square drive for four. Lovely. And again from the second ball, this time nailing his cover drive... four more! He makes it a third in the ober from the final ball, timing the pants off a push that bisects where the previous two went, hitting the cover-point rope. There’s an awful lot to like about these two when batting freely.
3rd over: Pakistan 17-0 (Imam 4, Fakhar 13) Fakhar is having a pop in this power play! Rabada drops just a fraction short an he’s onto it immediately, pulling out to the Mound Stand for four. Later in the over, from roughly the same length, he goes again with a calculated hoick over square leg, a couple of bounces into the fence in front of the Tavern Stand. Ooooh, I love it when Fakhar is on one. LOOK OUT.
“Went for a swim in the morning so I could get into my afternoon nap immediately after lunch & avoid watching on tv,” writes Omar Ahsan of his Sunday. “Cheated & checked Guardian coverage. I gather we’re batting. Good show. Will check again at my teatime (18.15 pst / 14.15 bst) & if we are not doing well I will blame it on some I’ll will you harbour ‘gainst my blv’d Sarfraz’s stalwarts.” I’d watch if I were you!
2nd over: Pakistan 9-0 (Imam 4, Fakhar 5) Ngidi begins with the other new ball from the pavilion end. Usually there is a scoreboard in operation down that way above the Allen Stand but not during this World Cup - it has been turned into an advertising screen when replays aren’t being shown. I’m not sure about that. Anyway, Ngidi is played carefully by Imam for the first half of the over before he leans into a compact drive through cover for three. Fakhar tries to play the more a more elaborate version of that stroke to finish but doesn’t get all of it, keeping the strike with one to extra cover instead. Good positive batting from the openers.
1st over: Pakistan 5-0 (Imam 1, Fakhar 4) Imam is away first ball with a tuck off his hip. Fakhar is too, creaming a shortish delivery outside the off stump from his back foot through cover for four! A lovely way to begin for a man who is surely due to go big soon. Rabada finds his preferred line and length by the end of the over.
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We’re ready to go at Lord’s! Kagiso Rabada has the new ball in his hand, running away from us at the Nursery End. Imam is facing the first delivery. PLAY!
Anthems. Beginning with the best of them all, South Africa. Pakistan’s is one of the more stirring going around in the cricket world as well, for mine. Nice stuff.
Virat Kohli has been stung 25 per cent of his match fee. “Excessive appealing during an international match,” the formal reason. Most amusing that it was Chris Broad handing down the sanction, given the history. Twitter will be fun today.
As we wait for anthems, a note in from Kimberley Thonger on this semi-steamy morning. “You ask how we shall be spending our Sunday? Sitting in an interminable queue at the recycling centre in a white van dealing with the aftermath of our daughter’s house move, man(&woman)fully listening to TMS and reading OBO to keep our spirits up. So here’s to white van men and women all over the cricket playing world. May your radio and 3G signals be ever strong.”
Mind picking up the tree I cut down before the World Cup and forgot to get rid of before starting this run of 18-hour days? About a mile north of Ally Pally. Ta.
“Good morning.” And to you, Anand Kumar. “My son turned 7 yesterday and we are having a lego themed workshop and party happening as I type this. I had calculated that, with the kids engaged with their instructor, I would get to watch the game undisturbed for a bit. However, my phone is now connected to the bluetooth speaker blasting out Marshmello songs. So, I will be relying on OBO to make things interesting. Help me out.”
The chance to spend hours a week playing lego is a huge incentive for me to get busy and procreate. But I’ll do my best to give you some over-by-over respite.
The teams as named
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk) , Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (c), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Imran Tahir
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk & c), Haris Sohail, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Wahab Riaz, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir
So, Shoaib Malik has been left out for Haris Sohail. Shaheen Afridi gets another chance too, at the expense of Hasan Ali. Sarfraz says the track is a belter.
Pakistan have won the toss and are batting
Teams coming shortly.
My below picture is a bit deceptive. It’s turning into a smashing day in London. It’s still a little bit grey overhead but the sun is doing what you would expect it to on 23 June. I saw reports of a green track 24 hours ago but it isn’t that. Some grass remains but I can’t imagine that will be enough to convince a captain to bowl first. Not on the evidence of this tournament, either. They’ll be out for the toss shortly.
Couple of compelling games yesterday, weren’t they? Here’s how I saw India’s win. I had a scorched-earth intro ready to go if Afghanistan fell over the line. Next time.
Welcome to Lord's!
It has been a long time coming, the carnival arriving at headquarters for day 25 of the tournament. When administrators were piecing together the schedule, they could not have expected that the first game to feature here would be between two teams who have so far disappointed more than any other. A nice upbeat start!
Coming in with one win from six starts, South Africa arrive in eighth spot while their opposition, Pakistan (one win from five), are ninth. Due to that game in hand, Pakistan are the more alive of the two, but that isn’t much of a calling card.
The 1992 comparisons with Sarzraf Ahmed’s side have been done to death, but given we’re at that part of the wild ride from 27 years ago, we’ll do it one more time. In short, if they were to orchestrate a remarkable rally, they could finish on 11 points and make the semis. But four on the trot? Remember, this team has won four of their last 24 ODIs. Beat England though, didn’t they. A long time ago.
Predicably, the response to Pakistan’s loss to India was unhinged, especially from the crew of ex-players making headlines for any number of zany reasons. Maybe Sarfraz will walk out to the toss in a cornered tiger t-shirt? We can only hope.
Mathematically, South Africa can also make the four (I promise this is the only time I will say this today), but that is a fact that the camp themselves weren’t even certain of in the lead up to this game. In reality, nine points – their ceiling - won’t cut it. So much has happened since Faf du Plessis’ team lost to England in the opener on 30 May. But they were gallant in defeat against New Zealand.
These sides have never before played at Lord’s, with South Africa enjoying a healthy overall lead in ODIs (50 to 27) and in World Cups (3-1). In all ODIs at Lord’s, the Proteas have won one of four, coming in 2017 against England when they bowled them out for very little on a green top. Pakistan have four wins here.
So with expecations, shall we say, suitably managed, let’s hope they are exceeded. We had a superb day in the sun yesterday, let’s have another. I’m looking forward to your company throughout. How are you spending your Sunday? Hit me up.
At last, on day 25, #CWC19 arrives at HQ. pic.twitter.com/fmpHitxi5l
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) June 23, 2019
