How to play cricket like the professionals

England Lions vs. South Africa – one day international

I was lucky enough to go to watch South Africa play the England Lions at Grace Road, the home of the Leicestershire Foxes. I was excited to see how many star players the England lions had to offer as I considered it to be a substandard team.

We arrived early to watch the warm-ups and I saw some very interesting batting drills used by the more experienced of the Lions and South African players.
 South Africa won the toss and put the lions into bat on what seemed to be a very good pitch to bowl on, which showed early signs of seaming and slightly odd bounce. Owais Shah and Joe Denly opened the proceedings for England and received early luck in the match with Denly being dropped by Philander at second slip, and Shah dropped at square-leg by Botha the captain, however I would not count this as a dropped catch but more of an excellent stop as he dived to his left at the ball whipped into the leg-side by Shah.

Denly steamed into action scoring a few boundaries but only to be bowled by Dale steyn from the indoor practice area end. The captain Rob Key came in to assist Shah who immediate seized on the opportunity to relieve his skipper of pressure playing some wonderful shots through the on and off-side. Rob key joined the action by charging down the wicket and hitting Ntini for a four over square-leg and straight after the same shot into the crowd a big six from Rob Key.

This inspired a change from the pavilion end taking Ntini off and bringing in Philander, a few overs later Shah fell to Philander popping up an easy catch to cover. Ravi Bopara came to the crease and batted wonderfully with his captain playing some great shots to everywhere on the ground, but he ran himself out for 21.
The power plays had ended as Matt prior came into bat a good defense first ball to Philander and it was the over Rob Key stole a single off the new bowler Nel and Prior was on strike, Nel ran up and bowled it hit Priors pads and he was out lbw, Samit Patel to come. Patel strode confidently to the crease but dollied an easy catch to cover first ball, Nel on a hat-trick.

 Luke Wright came in and easily saw off the hat-trick ball of Nel’s good over. Next to fall was the captain Key for a good innings of 51 having played on, disappointed with himself he trudged off raising his bat to the pavilion end crowd who greatly appreciated his efforts. James Tredwell came next and supported Luke Wright as he sped to 20, but he was caught down the leg-side by a fantastic diving catch by the wicket-keeper AB de Villiers Number 9 was Kabir Ali, South Africa were into the tail.

 Ali stayed in as Tredwell tried to push on the innings as the lions were only on 170 off 35 overs, Ali was next to go bringing in Tremlet who also came and went very quickly and Kirby was brought into the action. Kirby resisted for 7 over but was then taken, a poor innings by the lions.

The South African innings was opened up by Hershel Gibbs and Hashim Amla which got off to a flyer, with Hershel Gibbs scoring very quickly through the off side. Amla played very well before being bowled by Kirby. It was Duminy next to bat. He and Gibbs put on a very good partnership before Dimily fell unleashing the star wicket-keeper AB de Villiers. Gibbs celebrated his 50 soon after as de Villiers got a quick 20 or so.

There was only ever going to be one winner when England had posted such a low total, but Wright and Kirby picked up some wickets towards the end to make it look a bit better.

I picked up loads of good practice drills, and really enjoyed watching the stars in action, epecially de Villiers behind the stumps, he was fantastic keeping wicket.