Life isn't a carnival
The day's most interesting moments on and off the field
Dileep Premachandran in Antigua
03-Apr-2007
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The joy of six
Mickey Arthur wanted a comprehensive victory, but the fighting Irish ensured that South Africa would have to strain most sinews for the two points. The target though was reached in the best possible fashion, with Ashwell Prince slamming a beautiful six over long-on. Stodgy batsman with few strokes? Those that watch him come through the ranks in Cape Town would tell you a very different story.
Mickey Arthur wanted a comprehensive victory, but the fighting Irish ensured that South Africa would have to strain most sinews for the two points. The target though was reached in the best possible fashion, with Ashwell Prince slamming a beautiful six over long-on. Stodgy batsman with few strokes? Those that watch him come through the ranks in Cape Town would tell you a very different story.
A wide ... or not?
If Niall O'Brien hadn't reached for it, the umpire wouldn't have had to think twice before calling a leg-side wide. As it was, Charl Langeveldt was gifted a wicket, with the attempted glance ballooning off the back of the bat to Herschelle Gibbs. A gimmie if there ever was one.
If Niall O'Brien hadn't reached for it, the umpire wouldn't have had to think twice before calling a leg-side wide. As it was, Charl Langeveldt was gifted a wicket, with the attempted glance ballooning off the back of the bat to Herschelle Gibbs. A gimmie if there ever was one.
Pie thrower of the day
Langeveldt missed out on the wicket-off-rubbish-ball award though, when Andrew White's run-a-ball 30 ended with him smacking a Graeme Smith full toss straight to midwicket.
Langeveldt missed out on the wicket-off-rubbish-ball award though, when Andrew White's run-a-ball 30 ended with him smacking a Graeme Smith full toss straight to midwicket.
Plucked chicken
Those who waited for the Trent Johnston chicken dance weren't disappointed. It helped that it came after another absolutely stunning catch, this time an audacious pluck five inches off the ground after Smith had walloped one straight back at the bowler.
Those who waited for the Trent Johnston chicken dance weren't disappointed. It helped that it came after another absolutely stunning catch, this time an audacious pluck five inches off the ground after Smith had walloped one straight back at the bowler.
Are you at Lansdowne Road?
After AB de Villiers slashed at a fairly wide delivery from Boyd Rankin, William Porterfield briefly resembled a frozen-fingered wing on a bone-chillingly cold March day at Lansdowne Road. He fumbled, nearly fumbled again, and then held on. Just as well too. Rankin's not the sort of guy you should be looking to upset.
After AB de Villiers slashed at a fairly wide delivery from Boyd Rankin, William Porterfield briefly resembled a frozen-fingered wing on a bone-chillingly cold March day at Lansdowne Road. He fumbled, nearly fumbled again, and then held on. Just as well too. Rankin's not the sort of guy you should be looking to upset.
And the band played on
Despite all the prohibitions and the restrictions - you have to get permission from the local organising committee before musical instruments can be brought inside the stadium - the band never let up throughout the day. What a shame then that it was mostly soulless plastic seats that made up the audience. The World Cup a celebration of the Caribbean way of life? About as true as Hitler being a philanthropist.
Despite all the prohibitions and the restrictions - you have to get permission from the local organising committee before musical instruments can be brought inside the stadium - the band never let up throughout the day. What a shame then that it was mostly soulless plastic seats that made up the audience. The World Cup a celebration of the Caribbean way of life? About as true as Hitler being a philanthropist.
Dileep Premachandran is features editor of Cricinfo