England v S Africa | 5th ODI | Cardiff | 3/9/08

[Oxy]

Cardiff unveils its newly refurbished Swalec Stadium.

Cardiff unveils its usual cricket weather - it's raining!!!

England need to win to complete their 1st 'whitewash' of any team in years!

I dont think it'll happen.....rain will be the only weather.

 

[SameerM]

atleast the commentators will have a chance to go on and on and on about flintoff and kp... and how england is the no1 odi team.

but how tests should be more important but they will hide that.. and concentrate on how England can beat the OZzies in the ashes blah blah

 

[Oxy]

Very very strong winds in Cardiff - and its sunny!

Might dry things up a bit.

Heres hoping!

 

[Oxy]

They are starting at 4.30pm!!

England won the toss - and elect to field first.

 

[Oxy]

Couple of photos to keep you interested whilst they pad up...

Freddie Arriving at the stadium - had to ask him to wind his window down! Thankfully he obliged!

 

[Oxy]

Followed by Jimmy....nice VW Tourages driven by the players (who all came in 1 by 1)

 

[SameerM]

4 litre petrol guzzlers.. great for the environment hey?!

oxxxy are u there ? i thought u wasnt going to the match?

 

[Mohsin]

England won the toss and bowled first.

Broad got Gibbs early on and after 3 overs SA were 6/1. The rain returned and players are now off BUT play will resume at 5:45

 

[lollol]

Bloody rain....

 

[Oxy]

4 litre petrol guzzlers.. great for the environment hey?!

oxxxy are u there ? i thought u wasnt going to the match?

I just went at at midday to get a feel for the atmosphere - took my camera just in case.

Players that drove past me were, Ali Cooke, Flintoff, Bell, Broad, Wright, Jimmy.

Also, Botham (Chauffeur driven), Nick Knight drove 'Bumble' in, Angus Fraser.

Graham Thorpe walked in unrecognised - was very miserable.

 

[Oxy]

Match Abandoned - No Result

England win the series 4-0

 

[Savak]

Pollocks retirement has definately left a huge void in the side. Steyn and Morkel while match winners will concede plenty of runs too and will not be as economical as Pollock was. Morkel has been disapointing in this series. He has not bowled flat out as he is capable off. Steyn also lost form as the series went on.

This is the first time Kallis has had a really bad tour. Boucher this time wasnt as consistent and the lower order couldnt rescue the South Africans. Their poor forms i think made the biggest difference to the South African team. Also i think Smith's presence makes a huge difference to the side.

But again take no credit away from England, they have definately regrouped under Kevin Pieterson who does look like an aggressive captain always on the look out for wickets. The move to move Andrew Flintoff up the order to no 5 was a master stroke as was asking Harmison to come back to ODI's. The English players stepped upto the plate while the South Africans just slacked after the third test and when they lost the momentum they couldnt get it back.

 

[cars112]

^^^ Yep Steyn goes for a lot of runs in ODIs. Bond, Akhtar and Lee are/were all devastating at ODI cricket, but Steyn is still searching for consistency despite being a fine Test bowler

Kallis had a total shocker.

 

[James]

Shocking tour for Kallis, arguably his worst ever.
Another good summer for Pietersen.

 

[12thMan]

Match getting abandoned is too bad. The #2 ODI spot was there to compete for. The spectators probably get their money back but then they probably spent 20 pounds on food and drinks waiting 4-5 hours for the game. So half the money but they wouldn't like this deal

When will they start playing with tennis balls on rainy days

 

[Oxy]

I'm happy. I got to see all the England players & all the Sky Commentators driving into the ground!

 

[india_fan]

I'm happy. I got to see all the England players & all the Sky Commentators driving into the ground!

How come there is no Team Bus ?