Sports Notes

Rugby Notes

Australia squeaked past South Africa 20-18 on Saturday. The first half was an ugly kicking contest with nobody seemingly willing to run with the ball. Australia looked dismal compared to recent outings and the knives seem to be out for George Gregan.

It could have been the shock of the tournament when the Boks were leading with 3 minutes to go. A late Matt Rogers try and Sterling Mortlock conversion stole it for the Aussies at the death.

Highlight of the game was ref Joel Jutge’s comment when penalising South Africa for diving into a ruck – “It’s not a swimming pool”.

Cricket Notes

England won in fine style in the 3rd Test against Pakistan. Chris Read showed well with 38 and 55 and 5 victims. Looks like its back to Abergavenny Shackleton’s for Geraint Jones. Who would have guessed that Monty and Mahmood would each have 6 wickets? With 4 run outs (Pakistan’s running between the wickets was reminiscent of Geoff Boycott in his prime) there were only 3 wickets for Harmison and Hoggard.

Highlight of the game was Pakistan’s 3rd wicket partnership of 363. Farce of the game was Inzamam’s hit wicket dismissal.

Cricket fact that might interest only me I

The Times reports that Inzamam-ul-Haq has now been out 8 of the 10 ways you can be in cricket. Only hit the ball twice & timed out left for a full set. Like most people, I've got the usual 5.

Cricket fact that might interest only me II

Q. Which batsman playing in his first and only Test match for England, scored ducks in both innings and never played for England again due to unfortunate circumstances?

A. George Frederick Grace, the youngest of the three Grace brothers who made their England debuts at The Oval in 1880. He died from congestion of the lungs following a severe cold, aged 29, just 2 weeks after that match ended. Although he scored a pair and did not bowl, he did hold a magnificent running catch off such a towering hit by George Bonnor that the batsmen had allegedly almost completed their third run.

Gavin Hamilton (where is he now?) also got a pair in his only test for England against South Africa in Johannesberg in 1999-2000.