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.

Well That's All We Need ...

... South Africa with another effective fast bowling option!

Too Damn Quick

Too damn strong.

Too damn good.

An Old Favourite

Andre Nel is another of those favourite cricket characters that the T20 circuit has brought back on to the cricket viewing screen.

It would be a shame to have that face and attitude restricted to just a limited local audience.

A Bit More Tongue Action

Lonwabo Tsotsobe shows that it is not only spin bowlers who can use the power of the tongue in producing the unplayable ball.

Morne Loves Training...

... or at least that is what the image implies.

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.

Easy!!

Imran Tahir can be forgiven for thinking that test cricket is a doddle. Eight tests into his career and he gets to be part of a famous drubbing. It will be hard for him to realise just how long it might be before the stars all align again, so what the hell, just love the moment.

T For Terrific

In Vernon Philander's case it should probably be T for 10, as in wickets.

Frightens the hell out of me  what this attack might do when they make their way to NZ.

Eye Of the Tiger

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

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.

A New Crush

I have decided that Wayne Parnell will become, as they say on ESPN, "my boy".

There are many good reasons for annointing the new kid on the block, but why should I foist my opinions on you all. Why don't you give me 10 good reasons for loving Wayne Parnell.

1. He is better looking and slightly less insane than Nel Boy.
2. He is named after a cowboy.
3. The bigger the boy the bigger the bounce(r).

Respect

The greatest tribute you can give a fast bowler is that they always kept charging in.

Makhaya Ntini has charged in for 100 Tests and surely deserves every accolade that comes his way. At his best he was damn near unplayable but it was his attitude as a new boy and now an aging master that most impressed me.

Botha Appeals To The Gods

Elbows? What elbows? Straight as a die me!

Hands Zondeki

I have a new (potential) favourite cricketer.

I like the look.
I love the (nick)name.

Now if he can just play a bit.

It's An Age Thing

A sure sign of age in a cricketer is the arm coming around rather than over. It might just be camera angle but it would seem that even evil penguins are not immune to the ravages of time.

Put Your Best Head Forward

Can't find anything topical that inspires me so here is an image of Paul Adams doing his thing. Not the sort of action that is likely to lead to a long career, but definitely unique.

Dis Steyn

A fellow blogger recently described Dale Steyn as a bit quicker than James Anderson and slightly more accurate. A masterful understatement.

Mr Steyn's eyes convey a deep hatred for all things batting, with the strength to back up his deeply held convictions. Wee Jimmy Anderson, on the other hand, gives the impression he just needs a jolly good cuddle.

Please note this was written before the Lord's Test started, but posted after day one. Steyn 1 for 68, my ability to lay a curse continues to grow stronger!