Friday, November 03, 2006

SA v NSW game decided on day 1

South Australia for the second week in a row have thrown away a game with a weak batting performance: all out 154. NSW, who surprisingly omitted Henriques from the team after his 5/17 last week, have replied strongly to be 2/96 at stumps.

I watched most of the play after lunch, when SA were already on the ropes. The NSW pace bowlers, with the occasional exception of Thornely, bowled a tight line. I was particularly impressed by Bollinger, the left armer: is it my faulty memory or is his action reminiscent of Alan Davidson's?

Had the Blues's fielding been anywhere near as good as their bowling SA would have been lucky to reach three figures. The main offenders were the slip fielders Mail and Jaques: the bowlers held on to everything that came their way in the field or at the bowling crease (though McGill's catching of Lehmann was more reflex than premeditated).

Tomorrow the SA bowling will need to move up a notch or two to keep the Blues to a relatively modest first innings lead. today Gillespie bowled very well and economically: if he (or the team) could take several quick wickets there yet be something for SA supporters to look forward to.

The Cricinfo report of the day's play, with a link to the scorecard, is here.

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