Old Dog's all-singing cricket and crumpets thread.

[Old Dog]

Marvellous catch by Kallis sees the end of Trott's gallop.

146/6

[Piquet]

Another great win for a Tipp hurling team yesterday - even if it was cricket that they were playing!

So well done, Nenagh. I hope that Michael, Clubman and SRG are thrilled!

Munster Minor Cup Final played at Ballyeigan 19 August 2012:

Nenagh 79 in 27.3 overs beat Limerick 61 in 21.2 overs by 18 runs.

I passed by that pitch last week. I don't know how the Limerick team found it. It's on the back road from Birr To Nenagh. On the slopes of Knockshigowna. Nenagh CC seem to be renting it.

[the plastic paddy]

England go past 200, still 142 to win but there is no incentive for them to try and draw the game. Could we be witnessing something exceptional?

[taz]

England go past 200, still 142 to win but there is no incentive for them to try and draw the game. Could we be witnessing something exceptional?

Doubt it.

[Piquet]

Possibly, but now that you have said that, a wicket ( or more) is bound to fall before Tea.

[Piquet]

See. They'll probably put back Tea now and finish it up.

[the plastic paddy]

Broad out hooking think the game is up barring divine intervention.

[Piquet]

It appears they'll be taking Tea at its usual time.

[Piquet]

Listening on TMS, Blowers and Tuffers sound optimistic after the second over after Tea puts on 10. The new ball is due in seven overs, though.

[Piquet]

110 needed with three wickets 30 overs left.

[taz]

Listening on TMS, Blowers and Tuffers sound optimistic after the second over after Tea puts on 10. The new ball is due in seven overs, though.

115 runs to get from the tail end,nahh.

[Piquet]

15 runs off the over, 91 left, Prior gets his 50, they're going to have to sedate Blowers.

[taz]

They can still only afford to lose a wicket every 40 odd runs now. It would be one of the greatest wins ever in cricket if..

[Piquet]

Another 10 from that over. Blowers has just said " I must go and have a cold shower" Tuffers has said they'll have to get them (81) in three overs ( before the new ball)

[taz]

They need another 30-40 off the next 3 overs to stand a chance.

[taz]

65 to get off 25 overs,3 wickets in hand,new ball is around the corner though...exciting stuff indeed.

[taz]

Swann gone...

[Piquet]

Swann has run himself out going for a quick single. 64 needed, two wickets left, the new ball is available in nine balls' time.

[Piquet]

Prior caught but the big screen shows it as a no ball and the Umpires agree. Prior was "nearly over the rope" according to TMS, when the roar told him to wait.

[the plastic paddy]

Whatever happens, what a test match. For excitement very little surpasses a close test match.

[Piquet]

SA are not taking the new ball. Tahir is continuing TMs reckon he's going to bowl into the rough to the lefthander (Anderson)

[Piquet]

They're looking at a possible stumping of Prior. Aggers thinks Out. Not Out.

[Piquet]

Steyn is given the new ball. another review of a run out. " safe" to borrow a Baseball term.

[Piquet]

Prior out, caught behind by Smith. Finn will do well to last the over, I'd say (two balls left)

[Piquet]

Out, first ball. Caught Kallis in the slips. SA win by 51 to go top of the World Test Ranking. Phillander is on a Hat Trick, next time up.

[the plastic paddy]

Great game, SA the better side in all departments but the adage rings true, catches win matches!!!

[MrsMcGahan]

Very good effort by England who resisted total capitulation for once but got some cheap runs in the final sessions since SA had enough in the bank to maintain continuous attack.

[taz]

It rumbles on...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/19324501

Kevin Pietersen has been left out of the England squads for both the World Twenty20 tournament and the preceding one-day series against South Africa.

The 32-year-old was dropped for the third Test against South Africa after allegedly insulting Test captain Andrew Strauss in texts to the tourists.
Pietersen apologised for the messages, admitting they were "provocative".
England team director Andy Flower said: "There's unresolved issues of trust and respect which have to be resolved."

[the plastic paddy]

Very good effort by England who resisted total capitulation for once but got some cheap runs in the final sessions since SA had enough in the bank to maintain continuous attack.

Don't know about that Mrs M, the Saffers were defensive enough all day, think Tahir bowled every ball around the wicket, and they were getting decidedly jittery when Prior was in partnership with Broad and Swann. The thing that helped England's chase was that a draw was of no use to them. A cracking test match between the two best teams in the world, in English conditions, with the better team winning, just wish we had two more tests to which we could look forward.

[Old Dog]

Don't know about that Mrs M, the Saffers were defensive enough all day, think Tahir bowled every ball around the wicket, and they were getting decidedly jittery when Prior was in partnership with Broad and Swann. The thing that helped England's chase was that a draw was of no use to them. A cracking test match between the two best teams in the world, in English conditions, with the better team winning, just wish we had two more tests to which we could look forward.

Instead of which we've a 5 game rubber of ODIs to bring down the curtains on a very wet 'summer'. And England's status as no. 1 on the ODI rankings is under threat from guess who!

So important are these ODIs that Stewie Broad has been given a fortnight's rest from all cricket so he can prepare for the mental and physical challenge of leading England's t20 World Cup campaign in India in a month's time. Give me a break!