All posts by h716a5.icu

Dale Steyn has said that his ODI captain AB de Villiers has given him the “license to run in and try to hit the stumps and attack the body a little bit more”

Firdose Moonda18-Nov-2014Like most of us, Dale Steyn does not always get exactly what he wants, but the last few months have been particularly frustrating for him.South Africa’s premier paceman wanted a Test series win over Australia at home. Instead, he got an on-field confrontation with Michael Clarke. He wanted an apology for the said altercation, but did not get that either. Instead, he got to hear of a few ‘I’m sorries” that Clarke issued in public, and did not accept them. He may have hoped to meet Clarke at the other end of 22-yards but barely got that either when Clarke’s re-injured hamstring ruled him out of the latest South Africa-Australia clash.But there is one thing Steyn has got, thanks to his captain AB de Villiers. “He’s given me a license to run in and try to hit the stumps and attack the body a little bit more,” Steyn said ahead of the third ODI. “So I feel like I might go for a couple more runs, which is fine. Generally when you are attacking, you’re bowling more boundary deliveries but you might pick up a couple more wickets too.”What that means is that Steyn no longer has to concentrate as much on containing, and can focus on two length: short and full, with not much of the in-betweens. “If you want to strike you’ve got to bowl short and attack the body, and then you’ve got to pitch the ball up, hit the stumps and find the edge of the bat,” Steyn explained. “If you want to contain, you kind of bowl that back of a length, you don’t give a guy room, you tuck him up and you don’t give him the freedom to hit you down the ground but also not too short to be able to pull you. It’s never a wicket-taking length, you’re kind of waiting for the batsman to make a mistake.”

If you want to strike you’ve got to bowl short and attack the body, and then you’ve got to pitch the ball up, hit the stumps and find the edge of the batDale Steyn

That is now the task of the rest of the attack, with someone like Vernon Philander taking on a more Test-match-style role in order to tie up an end.”You’re still trying to bowl good lengths to find the edge of the bat when you’re opening up the bowling and I’m speaking specifically on someone like Vernon, he attacks the stumps, he attacks the top of off stump so he’s always in the game with an lbw, bowled, caught behind,” Steyn said. “He would admit himself he’s not the quickest guy in the world to rush you with a bouncer but he does bowl a skiddy bouncer and can catch you off guard at times. But his biggest strength is his line and length and that’s exactly what he does for us in the Test side.”Although Morne Morkel is able to extract significant bounce from certain surfaces, he has also played a containing role by concentrating on tight lines and lengths. Even Imran Tahir has become an important part of the strangle strategy. What South Africa have mainly lacked, though, is an extra bowler, following the injury which ruled JP Duminy out of the series. “It shows how important JP is, he plays such a massive role for us, being able to bowl off spin. We were so lucky to have him,” Steyn said.In both ODIs so far, South Africa have needed Farhaan Behardien’s medium-pace, more so in the second game where Ryan McLaren was left out. Behardien accounted for Shane Watson and as far as Steyn is concerned, showed the importance of having part-timers who are ready to step up.”We did set up the game for Fudgie but the guy’s still got to land the ball in the right place, and pick up a wicket like Shane Watson – that doesn’t just happen,” Steyn said. “The guy is bowling in the nets right now, even AB de Villiers is bowling in the nets. If David Miller didn’t have such a bent right elbow he’s probably also bowl a couple overs”Although Duminy is expected to recover from his knee niggle in time for the World Cup, South Africa understand that they have to come up with contingency plans, in case they have to do without him, or anyone else at the World Cup. To be able to learn that in the same place the tournament will actually be played is even more beneficial.”It’s nice we’re finding out those lines and lengths, getting used to the crowd, getting used to the fields and those sorts of things. It’s very important for us to get that kind of experience.”For Steyn, this is mainly a chance to get the feel of being the assassin-in-chief, which he will be expected to replicate at the World Cup. “It’s a great opportunity for us to figure out how we’re going to pick up wickets, because wickets are what slows the game down quickly, and also what wins you games,” Steyn said ” For me, I can only do that by bowling two lengths, I’ve got to bowl full and short.”

New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder will make his first appearance in the BBL this coming summer after signing with the Melbourne Renegades

Brydon Coverdale20-Jun-2014New Zealand batsman Jesse Ryder will make his first appearance in the BBL this coming summer after signing with the Melbourne Renegades. Ryder has been granted leave from the Otago Volts to take part in Australia’s domestic T20 competition and has joined a top order that also features Aaron Finch, Matthew Wade and Callum Ferguson.”Respect and appreciation to Otago cricket for their flexibility,” Ryder said from England, where he is currently playing county cricket with Essex. “I’m stoked and grateful to be taking part in one of the best T20 competitions in the world. The Renegades have some class players so I’m looking forward to contributing.”Ryder averages 27.40 at a strike-rate of 145.90 in T20 cricket but his on-field exploits have often been overshadowed by his behaviour off the field. Most recently, he was dropped from New Zealand’s Test squad in February after he and team-mate Doug Bracewell stayed out late at a bar on the night before a Test match in which they could have played.Subsequently, Ryder was also left out of the squad for the World T20 in Bangladesh, with New Zealand’s selection chief Bruce Edgar declaring that he had to be excluded because “character is really important as part of our selection process”. Ryder has not played for New Zealand since.However, the fact that he is playing cricket at all is a positive after he was assaulted outside a Christchurch bar last March. The attack left Ryder in a critical condition in hospital, although he made a full recovery.Later in 2013, he was given a retrospective six-month suspension for failing a routine drug test earlier in the year, while he was playing in the Ford Trophy. His list of off-field indiscretions stretches back to 2008.However, the Renegades coach Simon Helmot said they had “a lot of faith” in Ryder, and that their director of cricket Tom Moody had been instrumental in recruiting him.”He had no hesitation in nominating Jesse as a ‘must have’ for the Renegades and we’re delighted to welcome him to the Renegades this summer,” Helmot said. “We have a lot of faith in Jesse and I’m sure he’ll quickly become a favourite with his big hitting in BBL 04.”

James Foster led from the front as Essex closed in on victory against Kent after dominating the second day of their Championship Division Two encounter at Chelmsford

Press Association10-Sep-2014
ScorecardJames Foster’s first Championship hundred of the season set up Essex before the bowlers drove home the advantage•Getty ImagesJames Foster led from the front as Essex closed in on victory against Kent after dominating the second day of their Championship Division Two encounter at Chelmsford.After the home skipper scored his first century of the season to lead Essex to a total of 328 and an advantage of 130 runs, they then dismissed their opponents for 151 in the final over of the day to leave themselves needing just 22 runs on Thursday to record their fourth Championship win in five matches and keep alive their hopes of promotion.Foster, taking full advantage of a pitch that had lost much of its venom and helped by bowling that was found wanting in line and length, drove withauthority as he figured in two productive partnerships on the way to a score of 108 before he was pinned lbw by Mitch Claydon.The first of 90 featured Jesse Ryder, who carried his overnight score to 58 before behind caught behind off Claydon’s bowling. Then Foster found fine support from Graham Napier as the pair shared in a seventh-wicket stand of 114 in 20 overs that carried their side to a third batting point.Napier, with some typical forthright strokes through the onside, hit 10 fours in an innings of 62 before he too fell to Claydon after hitting to Daniel Bell-Drummond on the midwicket boundary.The departure of Napier led to a rapid conclusion of the innings, the final four wickets falling in the space of 17 deliveries for just one run. Two of those were claimed by Darren Stevens who finished with 5 for 83 from 30.1 overs, while Claydon emerged with figures of 4 for 76 from 23 overs.Kent’s hopes of getting off to a good start were soon ended as they lost two wickets before the total had moved into double figures. Ryder, as he had done in the first innings, got rid of Bell-Drummond lbw for 1, while David Masters removed Ben Harmison, who edged behind to Foster to depart for 2.A recovery of sorts was launched by Rob Key and Brendan Nash, the latter soon despatching Monty Panesar for a six and a four in an over when he was introduced into the attack. But after they had put on 64 in 20 overs, Panesar had his revenge when he made a delivery lift and turn to find Nash’s outside edge and Foster dived to his right to complete the dismissal.Three overs later, Napier turned the screw by claiming two wickets in an over to leave the visitors in complete disarray. First of all he breached the defence of first innings century-maker Sam Northeast for only 2 and then ended the stubborn resistance of Key as he uprooted the Kent captain’s off stump for 28.In his next over he had Sam Billings caught at mid-on for a duck – his third victim in the space of seven deliveries at a cost of two runs.Stevens and Claydon fell cheaply to Panesar and Masters respectively but a lively approach from James Tredwell and Adam Riley ensured that Essex would have to bat again. Tredwell struck Panesar for three successive fours during a partnership of 45 in nine overs before the arrival of offspinner Tom Westley broke the stand when he had Riley caught in the deep for 21.Tredwell then became another victim of Napier’s after he had made 29, caught on the midwicket boundary to bring the innings to a close. Napier finished with 4 for 28 from 9.2 overs while Masters and Panesar each picked up two wickets.Reflecting on the day’s play, Foster said: “It’s obviously been a great day for us. We got a decent lead and then bowled them out but I am a little disappointed because I felt we should have got a lot more runs than we did when we lost those last four wickets for one run. But the way our bowlers performed was excellent.”Stevens, whose five-wicket haul saw him pass 50 wickets for the season, said: “That’s huge thing for me personally, it’s the first time I’ve achieved it but I’ve probably never bowled 400 overs either. But the bigger picture is that we are in a poor position. Bowled out for not very many in the second innings and it’s just not good enough.”

Glamorgan batsman Will Bragg produced a sterling effort to thwart Worcestershire’s attempts to force a victory that would extend their lead at the top of Division Two.

Press Association07-May-2014
ScorecardWill Bragg staved off a potential Glamorgan defeat (file photo)•Getty ImagesGlamorgan batsman Will Bragg produced a sterling effort to thwart Worcestershire’s attempts to force a victory that would extend their lead at the top of Division Two.Bragg’s unbeaten 91 underpinned a Glamorgan second innings total of 229 for7 as they batted all day for a draw after being 14 for 2 when he arrived at the crease.Bragg found excellent support from skipper Mark Wallace and StewartWalters during a knock that lasted 343 minutes and 285 balls, putting on 97for the seventh wicket with Wallace and compiling a fifth-wicket stand of 52with Walters.Glamorgan were in all kinds of trouble at 38 for 4, having lostnightwatchman Dean Cosker caught by wicketkeeper Ben Cox off Gareth Andrew foreight, Gareth Rees lbw to Jack Shantry for three and then seeing Murray Goodwinbowled by Shantry following an attempted leg-glance.With Goodwin back in the pavilion for just 7, Glamorgan looked as thoughtheir unbeaten first-class record this season would evaporate against the leagueleaders.But after Bragg and Wallace steered the home side to 149 for 6 at tea, therecovery act was well under way, with Glamorgan’s victory target of 382 at thestart of play never a realistic target.Wallace took a blow to his finger fending off a sharp Andrew delivery, but hewas able to continue after treatment, before a heavy shower forced the playersoff with just 11.1 overs in the day remaining.A loss of three overs before the resumption helped Glamorgan, yet Wallacedeparted when Saeed Ajmal trapped him leg before, leaving Graham Wagg to joinBragg as tension mounted.The pair batted out 41 further deliveries, and although Bragg finished nineruns short of what would have been his second Championship hundred, it was acase of job done as Glamorgan took eight points and Worcestershire nine.

The MCC has refused to take further consideration of the controversial residential development plans for the Nursery End at Lord’s until work on other areas of the ground have been completed

ESPNcricinfo staff08-May-2014The MCC has refused to take further consideration of the controversial residential development plans for the Nursery End at Lord’s until work on other areas of the ground have been completed.Mike Gatting, MCC’s president, told the annual meeting that they presented a potential distraction at a time when emphasis was being placed on improvements to the pavilion end of the ground.The MCC Committee, at the request of the Rifkind Levy Partnership, received a presentation last month from David Morley Architects, working on their behalf, in relation to development on the club’s leasehold land at the Nursery End of Lord’s.Gatting told members: “The club is putting all its resources, at present, into plans to redevelop the pavilion end of the ground, including the south-western corner – which comprises the Tavern and Allen Stands, the Thomas Lord Suite, the Middlesex office and the pavilion extensions.”Until the club has completed the redevelopment of the Warner Stand and the south-western corner, there is no need to consider any further presentations from RLP. The club must not be distracted from its plans.”MCC members have won a battle to preserve leg room in the redeveloped Warner Stand. They voted in favour of a resolution requiring seat row depths in the redeveloped stand to be no less than 900mm – an increase of 50mm on the current plan.The design will only require adjustments, not the submission of a fresh planning application to Westminster City Council, who granted permission in March this year. Subject to the approval of MCC members next summer, the two-phase construction of the Warner Stand is due to begin at the end of the 2015 season.The design for the new stand – which has been developed by Populous, architects of the London 2012 Olympic Stadium – includes a semi-translucent fabric roof, supported by a timber structure, which is the first of its kind in the country.

Sri Lanka Cricket has reaffirmed its commitment to the tour of Bangladesh even if a canceled tour may increase pressure for the Asia Cup and World Twenty20 to be moved elsewhere

Andrew Fidel Fernando and Mohammad Isam13-Jan-2014Sri Lanka Cricket has reaffirmed its commitment to the tour of Bangladesh even though a canceled tour may bring the Asia Cup and World Twenty20 to Sri Lanka. SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga has said the board will not compromise on player security but is otherwise eager to support its Asian neighbours. Sri Lanka is believed to be among the reserve hosts for both those tournaments.”Player security is what we are most concerned about, but if we tour Bangladesh, we can help ensure the region stays strong from a cricketing perspective,” Ranatunga said. “In Asia, we have a situation currently where we can’t tour Pakistan. Even though a tournament could be moved, in the long-term it is better for us that the region remains strong. Bangladesh has a cricket-loving public and it’s important that cricket is played there, if possible.”SLC has monitored the security situation in Bangladesh during the past weeks, but has maintained its willingness to send a team throughout the upheaval. Its final decision on the tour is expected by January 15, and is subject to the findings of a security delegation that arrived in Bangladesh on Sunday. The Sri Lanka team is scheduled to leave for Bangladesh on January 24.The board’s enthusiasm to send its team is also driven by an element of reciprocity, Ranatunga said. “In the past we have had problems in our country as well, but during that time, Bangladesh were happy to tour. As long as there is no risk to our players, we would like to support the BCB as well.”The Sri Lanka team had been victims of a terrorist attack in Lahore in 2009, and Ranatunga had earlier said the board would play close attention to any possible security threats. SLC has received advice from the Sri Lankan High Commission in Dhaka in the lead-up to its final decision.The two-member security unit will visit Mirpur on Tuesday and meet the local security authorities on the following day. One of the two men will stay back in Dhaka for the January 20 World Twenty20 security assessment meeting with the rest of the participating boards and the ICC.

The dust has hardly settled on the gripping finish to the Test series, but already both South Africa and Australia have switched to Twenty20 mode

The Preview by Brydon Coverdale08-Mar-2014Match factsMarch 9, Port Elizabeth
Start time 1430 local (1230GMT)Brad Hodge, the highest scorer in T20s, is finally getting another chance for his country•Getty ImagesBig PictureThe dust has hardly settled on the gripping finish to the Test series, but already both South Africa and Australia have switched to Twenty20 mode. Most of Australia’s Test cricketers are gone, with only three members of the victorious squad required for these three matches, while South Africa’s T20 outfit features much greater crossover. And while the Test series was no doubt the major event of this tour, the T20s take on extra significance given the proximity to the World T20 in Bangladesh. Neither South Africa nor Australia have ever won the World T20 and when this series finishes, the first match of the world tournament for each side will be less than ten days away.Australia have strong recent form behind them after beating England 3-0, but it is hard to tell how greatly that result was affected by England’s general malaise by the end of their Ashes tour. The Australian selectors have trusted form and experience over youth, recalling veterans Brad Hogg and Brad Hodge, although they have also tossed green legspinner James Muirhead in at the deep end. South Africa have not played a T20 since November and they have in their squad uncapped fast bowler Beuran Hendricks and the allrounder Albie Morkel, who last played for his country at the 2012 World T20 in Sri Lanka. Both teams might just have some tinkering to do in these three games.Form guide(last five completed games, most recent first)
South Africa LWWWL
Australia WWWLLIn the spotlightSouth Africa hope David Miller will be one of the emerging stars of the World T20 in Bangladesh. At 24 he has already played 19 T20s for his country but is yet to really show his best at T20 international level. A brutal striker of the ball, Miller has experience in domestic T20 leagues in four countries and the Australians cannot afford to underestimate him in this series.Brad Hogg will become the oldest man ever to play a T20 international if he features in this series. At 43, Hogg will break the record set by Steve Tikolo of Kenya, who was 42 when he last turned out for his country in November last year. Hogg was a surprise recall for the previous World T20 in Sri Lanka and has not played for Australia since then, but his canny spin for the Perth Scorchers made him a tempting choice for the selectors with another World T20 in Asian conditions. Hogg remains athletic in the field and as enthusiastic as ever, and his wrong’un remains tough to pick.Team newsDale Steyn will miss at least the first two matches due to the hamstring strain he suffered in the third Test and Kyle Abbott has been called into the squad as cover. Wayne Parnell and Beuran Hendricks have passed fitness tests and are available for selection.South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (capt), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.Mitchell Johnson was part of the squad and will join the rest of the group for the World T20 but has been sent home to rest after the Test series. Australia’s most recent T20s, against England, were played without key men David Warner and Shane Watson, so their return will force some reworking of the batting line-up.Australia squad: George Bailey (capt), Daniel Christian, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin (wk), Moises Henriques, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, Glenn Maxwell, James Muirhead, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.Pitch and conditionsPort Elizabeth provided the slowest surface of the three Tests and the same may be true of the T20s. In the last T20 international held at the venue, South Africa batted first and scored 179 for 6, which New Zealand failed to chase down. There is the chance of light rain on Sunday and the top temperature is forecast to be 19C.Stats and trivia South Africa start this series ranked third and Australia sixth but such is the volatile nature of the T20 rankings that Australia could jump South Africa if they win the series 3-0 Australia’s squad includes only three players who took part in the Tests – Watson, Warner and Brad Haddin. South Africa’s T20 squad has nine. Australia’s squad boasts the highest scorer in all of Twenty20 history – Brad Hodge has made 5902 runs at 36.88 for a total of 14 teams, and he is finally getting another chance for his countryQuotes”We’ll be trying to get some game time into our World Cup squad, so we’ll chop and change a bit here and there.”

“We have won nine out of our last 12 T20 matches in the last year. I’m happy with the progress we have made.”

The Islamabad High Court has reserved judgment in the motion brought by the PCB against the order passed by Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui on July 20

Umar Farooq17-Dec-2013The Islamabad High Court has reserved judgment in the motion brought by the PCB against the order passed by Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui on July 20, when the court overruled all major decisions taken by interim chairman Najam Sethi, asked for fresh elections and changes in the structure of the PCB, among other measures. A two-judge bench comprising Justice Riaz Ahmad Khan and Justice Noor-ul-Haq Qureshi heard the arguments on Tuesday and will issue an order later this week.Siddiqui’s original order had called for drastic changes in the PCB – it questioned the appointment of the selection committee as well as its financial and recruitment affairs – and brought the board’s administration to a standstill. The judge had ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan to carry out elections for PCB chairman, directed the federal government to appoint a District Management Group (DMG) officer as the PCB secretary, and also reduced the powers of the president of Pakistan, making the Prime Minister the new patron of the PCB.The court had earlier suspended the elected chairman Zaka Ashraf and questioned the legality of his election, calling the process “dubious” and “polluted”. Sethi had been appointed interim chairman until his powers were also eventually clipped.The PCB appealed against Siddiqui’s judgment, claiming the election could not be carried out because electoral collage of regional associations was incomplete. They argued that the board has its own constitution, according to which chairman has been nominated by the patron, a practice that has been followed for decades.Ashraf’s lawyer said to the bench that the government of Pakistan and the ICC had endorsed Ashraf’s election, and that he should be reinstated as PCB chairman.

A round-up from the latest matches in the Dhaka Premier Division

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Nov-2013Abdul Mazid struck an unbeaten 102 to guide Kalabagan Cricket Academy to a nine-wicket win over Gazi Tank Cricketers in the Dhaka Premier League. The win took KCA to fourth position with 11 points.It was the first List-A hundred for the opener who struck 12 boundaries and two sixes in his 136-ball innings. He shared an unbroken 150-run second wicket stand with Hamilton Masakadza, who made 77 off 70 balls with five fours and three sixes. Mazid had added 57 for the opening wicket with Avishek Mitra.Earlier, Gazi Tank were bowled out for 204 runs in 49.5 overs. Captain Imrul Kayes’ made 83 but his was the only contribution of note. Aftab Ahmed and Hamidul Islam made 22 each. Maksudul Hasan, Mitra and Zakaria Masud took two wickets each.Left-arm spinner Shamsul Alam’s five-wicket haul put Abahani in more safety after they beat Brothers Union by 27 runs. He finished with figures of 5 for 37 from ten overs.Batting first, Abahani made 227 in 49.3 overs with Greg Smith scoring 62 off 106 balls. Alauddin Babu and captain Shahriar Nafees scored 44 and 43 respectively. Shurawadi Shuvo took four wickets. In reply, Brothers Union were bowled out for 200 runs in 46.1 overs with Jashimuddin top-scoring with 33.Prime Bank Cricket Club crushed Victoria Sporting Club in Mirpur. Batting first, the defending champions were bowled out for 134 runs in the 41st over.Left-arm spin duo Liam Dawson and Enamul Haque jnr took three wickets each while Ravi Bopara took two wickets. In reply, Saikat Ali’s unbeaten 81 off 69 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes.Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club beat Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity by six wickets. Elias Sunny and Dilshan Munaweera starred with ball and bat for the winning side.Batting first, Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity made 190 in 46.5 overs with Steven Mullaney making 44 and Michael Vandort’s 40. Sunny took 4 for 22 while Nahidul Islam and Angelo Perera took two wickets each.Munaweera then blasted 88 off 81 balls with five fours and five sixes, enough to complete the chase in just 35.2 overs.

AB de Villiers said that the inability of South Africa’s bowlers to deal with Colombo’s sapping heat played a major role in the 180-run loss on Saturday, after the attack conceded 320 for 5

Andrew Fidel Fernando21-Jul-2013AB de Villiers said that the inability of South Africa’s bowlers to deal with Colombo’s sapping heat played a major role in the 180-run loss on Saturday, after the attack conceded 320 for 5. South Africa prevented Sri Lanka from achieving a quick start after electing to field first, but were woeful at the death, conceding 137 in the last 12 overs.Sri Lanka’s total was propelled by a 134-ball 169 from Kumar Sangakkara, who built steadily alongside Upul Tharanga and Mahela Jayawardene before embarking on a manic pace in Lahiru Thirimanne’s company. He hit 103 in his last 46 deliveries, and was bowled by Ryan McLaren in the 46th over, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball because too many fielders had been stationed on the fence.”I don’t think we started badly,” de Villiers said. “Going at four or five runs an over was a good effort on that wicket. There’s a lot of heat out there and I think the bowlers took a lot of strain. We let it get to us. I tried to keep their spells nice and short, which we managed to do. Unfortunately we lost a bit of momentum when Sanga and Jayawardene got that partnership going. There was another partnership after that and then the no-ball and the wickets – things didn’t go our way there.”South Africa continued to bowl short throughout the innings, with little reward on a slow surface, but de Villiers said it was not the bowling strategy, but the attack’s indiscipline that spurred their downfall. Pinpoint yorkers were scarce in the latter overs of Sri Lanka’s innings, with both Sangakkara and Thisara Perera succeeding in hitting over the top in the final flourish.”I think execution was the problem at the death, when the bowlers were tired. The fields were set and the balls kept flying, and then you add Sanga’s class to that. He manipulated the fields really well. Once you brought the fine leg up, he’d play the lap shot and if we had limited men on the off side he’d manipulate there. I don’t think our plans were bad.”South Africa’s chase was effectively scuttled by the 17th over, as the visitors continued to lose quick wickets in pursuit of quick runs. They succumbed for 140 in the 32nd over, but were missing three top batsmen, with Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith not with the squad and Hashim Amla sitting out the match with a neck injury.”We lost wickets early on, which was a problem,” de Villiers said. “I thought they executed their skills well. We tried too many big shots and tried going for boundaries instead of working it around and getting into the game. We didn’t have a pattern of play with the bat in hand. There were no partnerships and we kept losing wickets at the wrong time.””We definitely missed Hash [Hasim Amla] today. He’s a world-class player and the number one batter in the world. We’d have liked more stability up front. Without him, our order looks a little light but there are still no excuses to be four or five down with 60 or 70 runs on the board.”De Villiers also defended his decision to bowl first, with his team then having to chase under lights. The Premadasa surface has in the past become noticeably slower in the second innings of an ODI, but de Villiers suggested that conditions remained good for batting throughout the match, despite his side’s collapse.”We looked at the past statistics and eight out of the last ten games had been won by the team chasing. Also, when I looked at the wicket this afternoon, I realised it wasn’t going to change much over 100 overs. At night, with maybe a bit of dew and having cool conditions to bat in, I thought it was a very nice chance for us to chase. But 320 was a bit much and we were under pressure.”