Facing Off

Good to see Dale Steyn and Ajinkya Rahane embody a full on competition between two quality teams. Nothing worse than a whole lot of "donkey lickings" to start off a tournament.

The Growl Of The Tiger

T20 or Test Match, don't mess with Dale Steyn when he is in the (or should it be a?) mood.

Be Careful Not To Wake the Giants

Because once they have smelt blood there may be no putting them back to sleep.

Too Damn Quick

Too damn strong.

Too damn good.

Dean Elgar, Centurion

And who could blame him. Dale Steyn will certainly accept the addition to his bowling stats, even if he didn't need them any where as much as Dean Elgar needed those runs.

The Eyes Have It

One of the best cricket delivery pics I have seen. Steyn is all business and spooky concentration as befits a world class quick bowler. Not sure what Fred Trueman would have thought of the tattoo as part of the fast bowlers kit though.

Eye Of the Tiger

You can tell from the glint in his eye that Dale Steyn is in the zone.

A Genuine Contest

Isn't it great to see two evenly matched sides thumping away at each other? Well, if they are matched and skilled that is.

No Steyn On The Game

I can't help thinking I am missing something.  While I survive on a diet of meaningless domestic T20 and one sided Ashes tests, cricket fans in SA are witnessing a heavy weight title fight of epic proportions.

It must be a great series as it has cricket writers such as Firdose Moonda writing stuff that reads like Neville Cardus and Denzil Batchelor on very strong speed.

Dale Steyn being compared to Claude Monet! So who would be Tendulkar's artist equivalent?

A Day For The Bowlers

So much of the modern game is tilted towards the batsman I rather enjoyed the bowler dominating in both test matches.

Both pitches were a little sporting but it was quality aggressive bowling that did the damage and Aussie and India will now have a chance to continue the trend.

A Meeting Of Minds

Dale Steyn may hate batsman but he is obviously a dog lover and a friend to all animals.

What does concern me is the fact that the dog does not have that air of menace you would expect from a member of the security forces. Before some one tells me, I do know he is employed for his nose rather than his teeth - the dog that is.

Can You Say Mismatch

Australia v Pakistan
New Zealand v Bangladesh
West Indies v Australia

and now

South Africa v India

What a waste of bloody good sunshine!

Assume The Position

Strauss takes a defensive (actually more of a submissive) position in response to a Dale Steyn bouncer.

This image is something of a metaphor for the whole test match to date.

The Biter Bit

Dale Steyn doesn't look too comfortable with the bouncer but it didn't stop him playing an important cameo knock.

The fast bowler always knows he will get another chance to share the love!

High Emotion

You get the feeling this test is more than just the last in a dead series for the Saffer boys.

Fast Motion

I am enjoying the likes of Steyn and Tait bowling really fast. Even the Windies have guys who can get into the high 140's. What does worry me is how they keep going for runs in the shorter versions of the game. Sooner or later we are going to get fast bowlers bowling their stock ball at 120 and the spinners at 110.

The New South Africa

Love this image from the second test. Smith will get most of the Boys Own heroic mentions from the third but these two have fronted on every occasion and not just doing their own job. The Aussies should enjoy their win because these guys are not going to get any easier back on home soil.

How Sweet It Is?

One wicket, 5 wickets, a test series, it is all good. Just win baby and let the world worry about the rest.

Where Were You?

That was the sort of days cricket where years from now you will remember what you were doing when Duminy and Steyn batted. I was painting my fence, too frightened to come in and watch in case I broke the spell!

Lots will be written about JP Duminy but I think Great Uncle Jrod has summed it up best, and I quote, "The occasion didn't get to him, he got to it."

Discretion Is ...

the better part of valour - but not batting.

I have been known to give myself "a bit of width" when batting but never to quite the extent that young Hossain has here. But then Dale Steyn on a Taranaki batting track would be enough to induce hysteria before taking the field.