Cricket Banter

Warwickshire are using hot-lamp confiscated by West Midland's Police from cannabis growers in an effort to promote grass growth on their Edgbaston playing surface.

Be interesting to see how England do in their one day series against the West Indies later on today.
England badly need some wins to get some confidence back.

For anyone else that did not realise (although it was probably only me!) a separate thread has been started for West Indies v England 2014 series. I have deleted my two earlier posts about that series I made on this thread earlier by mistake.

Australia win the toss & bat in the deciding Cape Town Test match.

The unlucky Marsh misses out as Watson comes back in now that he is fit to bowl & Siddle is replaced with Pattinson.

For South Africa Kyle Abbot comes in for the injured Parnell & Alviro Petersen returns after missing the last match through illness with de Kock making way.

Latest - Australia 108-1 (23 overs) Warner 70 not out

Cloes day 1 - Australia 331-3 Warner 135 Clarke 92 not out Smith 50 not out

Big blow to have Steyn limped off injured after only bowling 10 overs.

Close Day 2 - Australia 494-7 Clarke 161 not out Smith 84 Watson 40 Dumminy 4-73

A quality century from Clarke who has been short of runs.Yesterdays battle with Morkel who bowled fast & short around the wicket was compelling viewing.He was hit on a number of occasions but never backed down.Again today he face over 20 balls on 99 but showed patience.

Rain prevented any further play as the left the field shortly before tea.

Former England coach Andy Flower has been rewarded by ECB and taken up the role of Technical Director of elite coaching for England and Wales.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/26422176

SA shot out for 287 on day 3 in Cape Town. Du Plessis making 67. Johnson 4-42 and Harris 3-63. Aussies closed on 27 without loss and look in control with a big lead of 234 runs.

South Africa have been helped by the loss of 50 overs on Day 2 or they would be in a much worse position.They will try to play an extra 8 over on the remaining days ,this is a joke as today's slow over rate made this impossible.

South Africa's Test Captain Graeme Smith will retire after the Final Test at his home ground Newlands.