The South African domestic season began last week with the opening round of SuperSport Series matches. Cricinfo rounds-up the action from the first three matches.
Petersen double sets up Lions victory
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Category Archives: South Africa
Communication gap leaves Ntini disappointed
Shortly after being left out of South Africa’s limited-overs squads to face Kenya and Bangladesh at home, Makhaya Ntini has expressed disappointment at not being informed of his exclusion.
No plans for Twenty20 tri-series – Majola
Gerald Majola, Cricket South Africa’s chief executive, has dismissed reports of a planned Twenty20 tri-series involving Australia, India and South Africa next year.
South Africa call up McLaren and Kleinveldt
Ryan McLaren and Rory Kleinveldt are in line for international debuts while Johan Botha is preparing to captain South Africa for the first time after Cricket South Africa announced squads for their upcoming series.
Kleinveldt can’t wait to debut
Rory Kleinveldt, the Cape Cobras allrounder, wants to make full use of his “surprise” call-up to South Africa’s squad for one-off Twenty20 match against Bangladesh in November.
Nel demands more passion from the Lions
Andre Nel has said that a desire to play a bigger role in mentoring junior players caused him to switch from the Titans to the Lions. The move has denied Nel the chance of playing the lucrative Champions League with the Titans.
Paul Adams announces retirement
Paul Adams, who burst onto the international scene after only five first-class matches for Western Province in 1995-96, has announced his retirement from professional cricket.
Cricket South Africa election date set
Cricket South Africa’s next round of elections will take place at a special general meeting on October 24.
Contracted players available for first-class competition
Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) contracted players will be available on a phased-in basis for the domestic SuperSport Series starting next week. Gerald Majola, the CSA chief executive, said the players will feature in different rounds of the first-class competition between the South African franchises that goes on till April next year.
Kandamby and Herath script memorable win
The series already wrapped up 3-1, Sri Lanka A finished their tour of South Africa with an backs-to-the-wall win over the hosts in game five in Benoni.
Jacobs to lead Warriors
Davy Jacobs will be leading the Warriors for the 2008-09 South African domestic season. The board of directors announced that the wicketkeeper and middle order batsmen will replace Zander de Bruyn as captain, who is expected to return to the Warriors squad on September 30 this year.
Arthur wants more emphasis on South Africa A
Improving the South Africa A team, and achieving better co-ordination between the senior side and the second tier, will be on national coach Mickey Arthur’s agenda when he meets with Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Gerald Majola in October.
Elgar helps South Africa level series
Free State batsman Dean Elgar’s unbeaten 86 helped South Africa A clinch a close three-wicket win against Sri Lanka A to level the series in the second one-dayer at the City Oval in Pietermaritzburg. After their bowlers had restricted Sri Lanka to 218 for 5, South Africa achieved victory with ten balls to spare.
Arendse quits as Cricket South Africa president
Cricket South Africa’s president Norman Arendse has resigned from his post, even though he has two years of his term left to serve, because he never at “any stage enjoyed the full trust and confidence of the CEO [Gerald Majola], and all 11 affiliates”.
Newlands to get facelift
The Newlands stadium in Cape Town is ready to get a facelift. Turftek, one of the premier turf grass specialists in South Africa have been entrusted with the renovation exercise, to be concentrated mainly on the outfield.
Arendse angry at moves to oust him
Cricket South Africa’s president Norman Arendse is facing moves to oust him according to media reports.
Cricket South Africa president elections delayed
The meeting on September 26 at which fresh elections were due to be held, following the combining of CSA’s amateur and professional arms, will no longer be the forum at which Nyoka becomes the new president.
Amerasinghe bowls SL A to tense win
Ishara Amerasinghe’s five-wicket haul narrowly gave Sri Lanka A victory in the first unofficial one-day international against hosts South Africa A at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.
Hosts in command despite Kandamby ton
South Africa A look on course for a series triumph in the three-Test contest against Sri Lanka A, after Sri Lanka folded up for 395 in their first innings in reply to the 550 scored by the hosts.
South Africa A maintain advantage
Sri Lanka A came back well to dismiss South Africa A – overnight on 388 for 4 – for 550 but lost three wickets in their slow-paced first innings on the second day in Benoni.
South Africa A batsmen begin strongly
South Africa A, leading the three-match series 1-0, began their final four-day game against Sri Lanka A confidently, scoring 388 for 4 in 92.2 on the first day in Benoni.
Jayasuriya to play for Dolphins
Sanath Jayasuriya, the Sri Lankan batsman, has been signed by the Dolphins, the Kwa Zulu-Natal-based franchise, to play on the South African domestic circuit for two seasons.
‘You can never throw away experience’ – Jennings
Mickey Arthur’s comments that senior players may be shunted out of South Africa’s ODI team have not found favour with Ray Jennings, the man Arthur replaced as national team coach in 2005.
Three centurions put South Africa A in command
Centuries from Andrew Puttick, Alviro Petersen and Arno Jacobs helped South Africa A take a massive first-innings lead and capitalise on the advantage created by their bowlers who had dismissed Sri Lanka A cheaply.
Ontong to lead Cobras
Justin Ontong, the Cape Cobras’ new signing, will lead the team in the 2008-09 season, succeeding Justin Kemp, who is no longer available because of his involvement with the Indian Cricket League.
South Africa reject tri-series proposal
The proposal for a tri-series in South Africa, also involving Pakistan and probably Sri Lanka has been has been rejected by Cricket South Africa, who has said that their top players need to rest after the recent tour of England.
Mclaren happy with Kent contract
While Mickey Arthur is keen to lure Kolpaks back to South Africa, Ryan McLaren, who left South Africa to join Kent last year, is committed to his county contract. Arthur had earlier discussed his possible return to South Africa with his agent but McLaren said he hadn’t been personally approached by Cricket South Africa.
South Africa seize advantage early
South Africa A dismissed Sri Lanka A for 180, and then took a seven-run lead with nine wickets left in their first innings.
Tri-series likely to be called off
The proposed tri-series in South Africa, also involving Pakistan and potentially Sri Lanka, is likely to be called off.
Smith won’t return until he’s 100% ready
Graeme Smith, the South African captain, has said he will not damage his chances of featuring in the upcoming away and home series against Australia by making a hastened return to the game.
McLaren to miss two first-class matches
Griqualand West and Eagles batsman, Adrian McLaren will miss the two opening matches of the forthcoming South African domestic season after having been charged under disciplinary grounds
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4-0 to England after Cardiff washout
England’s hopes of securing a 5-0 whitewash over South Africa were denied by the Welsh rain, as the fifth and final ODI at Cardiff was abandoned after only three overs of play. England will no doubt feel frustrated in being deprived a fifth win in succession, but a scoreline of 4-0 against South Africa represents an achievement far beyond their pre-series aspirations. Not even Kevin Pietersen, their unerringly positive captain, could have foreseen England’s dominance.
Pollock’s role yet to be filled – Smith
Graeme Smith, the South African captain, blamed his inexperienced bowlers for the defeat in the ODI series, but was confident his team would regroup in time for the tour to Australia.
Delayed start at Cardiff as England chase 5-0
England’s pursuit to whitewash South Africa 5-0 was delayed at Cardiff, as groundstaff mopped up the remaining puddles after a week of persistent rain. Despite a poor forecast, however, conditions in South Wales were windy but dry, giving hope that England can wrap up an emphatic result and end their international summer on an unlikely high.
Runs galore as Sri Lanka dominate
On a day dominated by the bat, Sri Lanka A seized a 181-run lead over their South African counterparts, with five wickets still remaining in their first innings.
Dhoni displaces Smith as No. 1 ODI batsman
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India’s limited-overs captain, has moved to the top spot in the ICC rankings for ODI batsmen after his consistent performance with the bat in the recent series against Sri Lanka. The other big mover is Andrew Flintoff, who is now ranked as the No. 1 allrounder in ODIs.
Paranavitana ton boosts Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka A’s top order, led by centurion Tharanga Paranavitana, made South Africa’s first-innings total look innocuous as they ended day two of the first unofficial Test 208 runs behind the hosts.
South Africa’s fitness woes worries Cullinan
Daryll Cullinan, the former South African batsman, has expressed concerns over the fitness of the South African players on tour in England, following their defeats in the first two one-day internationals against England.
Jacobs and Amla put South Africa A on top
Centuries from Arno Jacobs and Ahmed Amla placed South Africa A in a strong position after the first day of their four-day game against Sri Lanka A.
South Africa look to the next generation
The fourth ODI against England at Lord’s on Sunday represents not only another opportunity for South Africa to reverse their short-term fortunes, but to reinvent their one-day team entirely as they look ahead to the 2011 World Cup.
‘Our rhythm is not right’ – Smith
Graeme Smith says South Africa’s embarrassing loss to England was one of the low points of his career but he believes giving his players a dressing-down is not the answer.
Tharanga shines in drawn encounter
Upul Tharanga stood out with a quick-fire 169 as Sri Lanka A gained valuable batting practice in their high-scoring draw against the South African Challenge XI at the Willowmoore Park in Benoni.
South Africa reschedule Bangladesh tour itinerary
Cricket South Africa have announced several changes to the itinerary for the home series against Bangladesh in November. The warm-up match between the Bangladeshis and South Africa A will now be a two-day fixture with the two Tests starting a couple of days earlier, on November 19 .
Morkel brothers back in training
South African brothers Morne and Albie Morkel return to training after injury ahead of Tuesday’s second ODI.
Shrubsole sparkles on debut
Anya Shrubsole marked a solid Twenty20 debut with 3 for 19 to bowl England to a 3-0 series win against South Africa.
Champions Trophy postponed until 2009
The ICC has postponed the Champions Trophy, due to begin in Pakistan in 19 days’ time, to October 2009. The decision was taken at a teleconference among board members on Sunday.
S Africa boycott Champions Trophy
South Africa withdraw from the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan amid security fears.
Smith reveals elbow problem
Graeme Smith has revealed that he has been struggling with worsening tennis elbow during the England tour and says he will need to take some time out over the next few months to be ready to face Australia.
Botha ready for Pietersen challenge
Finding some dry weather appears to be the biggest challenge ahead of the one-day series between England and South Africa, but when the contest does get under way – hopefully at Headingley on Friday – one of the major focuses will be how Kevin Pietersen takes on the South Africa attack.
Levi stars in South Africa Academy win
Richard Levi’s 72 of 88 balls helped the South Africa Academy beat the Bangladesh Cricket Board Academy by 18 runs.