After a great start last week, the Currie Cup is gettign very interesting.
WP beat the Sharks, could it be the return of province? Few shaky starts but all out best rugby ever.
Being at Craven week, i can sit down and watch the Tri-Nations and the Currie Cup.
My predicition was Sharks by 16, but they slaughtered the helpless Boland!
Prediction: Lions by 5
Prediction: Griquas by 15
Again difficult one for me – as i picked Sharks last week.
Hoping WP go and win this – but will predict Bulls.
Tri Nations.
New Zealand will be running out at Eden Park trying for their 20th consecutive win.
The All Blacks look a bit shaky and could be a match to watch as the Wallabies have done really well in their last few International matches. Still think NZ will take it as they will be better at the breakdown.
Prediction: NZ by 3
South Africa’s premier domestic competition kicks-off this weekend as the Sharks set out to defend their Currie Cup title.
With being the longest running domestic competitions in the world, the Currie Cup makes this an interesting weekend with two local derbies in the mix.
Full Fixture list available here:
Boland Kavaliers v Leopards
The 2 smaller teams take battle with the Leopards first premier league match.
The Cavaliers win – by 10 points or less
Free State Cheetahs v Griquas
From sharing players for Super 14, to fighting it out in Currie Cup, this will be one of the matches to watch!
The Cheetahs to win by 10
Blue Bulls v Lions
One of the big clashes the weekend. With 10 players out for the Springboks for the Bulls, they are playing mostly second string players, but the Bulls have depth!
There will be emerging boks in the team so they will go out to show what they are made of. The Bulls will be in the Top 4 this year.
The Bulls by 15 points.
Western Province v Sharks
There has been huge banter between these 2 teams this week and it will be the match of the weekend. Sharks have lost more players to the SA camp than province, but with 4 players that did play one of the Test vs the B&I Lions they look like the stronger out of the 2 teams on paper.
But the ball and pitch will have the last say!
Undecided still….
Either – Sharks win – by less than 10 points.
WP win – by less than 5 points
West Indies v South Africa (3992923)
Date: 06/07/2009 at 15:30
Ground: Kensington Oval
We are going to play the West Indies in our first ever test match this next monday. It will be something new and I have not much of an idea what to expect from the match. The first ideas for a lineup are already floating around and some players are for sure not going to play, was stated by manager sunrider
Day 1 – Morning Session
A crowd of 2908 turned up at Kensington Oval stadium for the Historic inaugural BT NT Test Match.
West Indies won the toss and elected to bat on a cracked pitch.
Arnold opened the bowling with Hale, who with great bowling kept the runrate to a minimum.
Long’s first ball was driven to the boundary for a 4, but his spin bowling was just too much, beating Julian and claiming the first WI wicket in the same over! Keil was supporting from the other end on his debut.
The players are off the field for lunch.
Over 35. West Indies: 79-1, runrate=2.26
Wickets –
Julian b. Long 20 (FOW: 38/1)
SQUADS:
SA:
James, Jenny, Delap, Fitzpatrick, Kelly, Lampard, Long, Keil, Arnold, Hale, Mercer
WI:
Julian, Hooper, Seargeant, Dancy, East, Maynard, Naykutse, Farquharson, Gillan, Deane, Roberts
Day 1 – Afternoon Session
So far only taken 1 wicket, SA came back on the field wanting more! The runrate was nice and low, but was not goign to help us if we do not take any wickets…
Veteran Spinner Mercer was brought into the attack to try break the partnership after lunch. However it was not to happen. The batsman slowly pondered along with SA doing all they could to get a wicket. Long was brought back into the attack and with his third over this spell got the much awaited wicket of Hooper who went back to the pavilion for 74 off 179 balls. Seargent however did not stay in long, and Long sent him packing as well for 47 off 113 balls.
Keil hungry for a debut wicket got the wicket of East who was looking to be dangerous before tea.
The players are off the field for tea.
Over 70. West Indies: 195-4, runrate=2.79
Wickets –
Hooper c. Delap b. Long 74 (FOW: 145/2)
Seargeant lbw b. Long 47 (FOW: 146/3)
East b. Keil 16 (FOW: 171/4)
Day 1 – Evening Session
With the final 40 overs to be bowled, South Africa will be hoping to get wickets and capatilise before the end of play on Day 1.
Arnold got the breakthrough giving a sitter for James at midwicket.
Last few overs WI started to push the runrate as our bowlers were showing fatique.
Long has been exceptional, or is it elite :P, today with 7 out of the 10 wickets. What a great match he is having!
The players are off the field for the change of innings.
Over 107. West Indies: 311-10, runrate=2.91
Long 24-6-58-7
Wickets –
Maynard c. James b. Arnold 14 (FOW: 199/5)
Naykutse c. Lampard b. Long 34 (FOW: 280/6)
Farquharson b. Long 4 (FOW: 298/7)
Dancy lbw b. Keil 84 (FOW: 310/8)
Deane c. Kelly b. Long 0 (FOW: 311/9)
Roberts b. Long 0 (FOW: 311/10)
3 Overs left of day 1, all SA needed to do is keep wickets, and build partnerships tomorrow.
James and Jenny opened the batting for us and will continue in the morning.
Great day of test match cricket!
*Interesting facts about today’s game:*
Both captains opened the batting for their teams.
SA only gave away 12 extras in their 107 overs.
WI already has given 5 in 3 overs.
zero sixes has been scored
31 fours were hit.
SCIENIDE - Matrix_xFx 