sport V72 E1 - 12 FEBRUARY 2013 19

often brings a flurry of )? Still confused? Find an Anyone? encyclopaedia and read all about it in our well-stocked and splendid Alasdair Fraser There are those that find Test world-class library. Or just log cricket “a bore” and often chortle onto Wikipedia. with sarcasm when they discover Yes folks, the Proteas are in town, The world’s number-one ranked that even after both teams have and for just 60 Randelas, you can Test cricket team rolls into Cape slugged it out for five days, a draw is see them ‘live’ in the flesh showing Town for the second Sunfoil Test possible. exactly why they are the best Test against Pakistan at Sahara Park It is the purest form of the game, team in the world. Newlands, starting on Valentine’s with both players and pundits Why pay over a R100 to watch a Day. labelling it as the most prestigious T20 match (we’re not that good in For all those foreign students who format of cricket. this newer format of the game and escaped the colonial clutches of the Both teams play in the same you only get to watch 40 overs) when British Empire, therefore missing colours – the traditional white. The you can watch Hashim Amla (World out on cricket, afternoon tea and ball is almost the same as it was a No.1 Ranked Batsman), Dale Steyn cucumber sandwiches, this is no century ago and the rules haven’t (World No.1 Bowler) and Jacques time for romance and red roses – just changed much either. Kallis (World No.1 All-Rounder) raw aggression for five days. This is There’s a reason why they call it a play 90 overs of what they do best. what Test match cricket is all about. ‘Test’: it is an examination of stamina, Do yourselves a favour, buy a The only red you’ll see is that strength and mental toughness from Image: Paul Gallo ticket and be part of something leather ball being hurtled through the each team-mate while both teams great. Who knows, you might even air at speeds of up to 150 km/h. Five deal with the elements of nature for With what other sport can you up just in time for the new ball to be fall in love. days of it – unless Pakistan succumb five days – which can dramatically read a book while intently following taken (for those who are confused, a Rob Byrne previews the to arguably South Africa’s greatest fast alter playing conditions and player the action? Or be able to have a nice new ball is offered after the previous Newlands Test in full on - bowler of all time, Dale Steyn. performance. snooze, catch a suntan and still wake new ball has had its 80 overs – this www.varsitynewspaper.co.za/sport Rob Byrne UCT show strength in PE White line fever Sports Editor Sean Culinan and Staff while an impressive 81 runs were reaching 51/0 in ten overs. A mix-up Writer added in the last ten overs by led to captain Joseph being run-out, The Good Graeme Beghin (21 off 10 balls) and and a collapse then followed, leaving CT performed admirably in Keulder (28 off 23). UCT’s opening UCT’s lower order with a tough task; in Sport Uthis year’s USSA ‘A’ cricket bowlers started well, restricting UJ managing only 153 all out, 87 short tournament in a predictably windy to 33/3 in the first ten overs, and the of UWC’s total. Port Elizabeth. Placed in a tough fine work continued with the ball Following the loss to UWC, day t was an enduring image, and pool, including hosts NMMU and as UJ collapsed to 121 all out, 100 five saw UCT face TUKS in the third Ione that has stayed with me defending champions Stellenbosch, short of victory. Bell finished with and fourth play-off. Beating the for a long time. Andrew Flintoff UCT’s finest cricketers finished in a 4/23, ably supported by Dods (2/30) former multiple champions proved crouched, consoling his adversary respectable fourth place out of eight and Golding (2/10). to be a tough ask, as they bowled and fellow cricketing heavyweight, teams. Riding high on their success, UCT out for 72, with only Golding . The year was 2005 Day one saw UCT take on NMMU, UCT then faced local rivals (23) showing resistance with the bat. and a heady one for any English The point is this: Despite themselves former champions in an and Western Province League Along with the fourth place cricket fan. whatever flaws Flintoff has, he got event on their home soil. Winning champions, UWC, in the semi- finish, UCT had a lot of positives On the final day of the one thing right. He was able to the toss and electing to bat first, final. UWC posted an impressive to take home. Opening batsman Edgbaston Test, Lee had battled to show compassion, he was able to UCT posted a commanding 232/7 240/9 after some wayward bowling Michael Pote was selected for the 43 and with a mere three runs left recognise that his greatest enemy in 50 overs, largely thanks to a 101 by UCT in the latter stages. Bell, SA Universities Team and bowler to chase down, it seemed for all the in a fiercely contested series was run opening between however, returned with excellent Wesley Bell, UCT’s player of the world the Australians were going to not at all that different to him. Adeeb Joseph (43) and Michael Pote figures of 4/37. In reply, openers tournament, finished amongst win the Test. But when his batting I write this article at a time (56). Wayne Lombard also chipped Adeeb Joseph (26) and Michael the top -takers over partner Michael Kasprowicz when the sporting world has in with a powerful 68, including four Pote (32) took the attack to UWC’s, the five games. gloved a been turned upside down. The huge sixes. Despite some good work to the wicket keeper, it was all over. Armstrong saga and now the from the opening bowlers, some ill- England had won. Australian investigation into disciplined bowling in the final overs What happened next was doping have sparked a common saw the team suffer an agonising remarkable. Flintoff, himself theme in many editorials, calling loss off the second-to-last ball man of the match, chose not to into question “winning at all costs.” of the game. celebrate with his teammates. It seems that in the heat of the Rather, he recognised the battle many sportsmen, whether Wesley Bell, UCT’s player herculean efforts of Lee, now through a desire to be the best, hunched down in disbelief. He or to falsely influence referees or of the tournament, was a kindred spirit, an adversary umpires, have forgotten that they finished amongst the who left everything on the field. In are cheating not only themselves, top wicket-takers a moment of supreme ecstasy he but their worthy adversaries too. showed compassion and allegedly And if they’re not worthy, let them muttered a few words along the face the consequences, not you. On day two, UCT faced local lines of “bad luck mate…I’ll see Call me sentimental, but the rivals Stellenbosch. Batting first, you inside for a beer.” Hardly image of Lee and Flintoff reminds UCT were all-out for 172, made poetic, but the gesture was still a me of everything good about possible thanks to Michael Pote grandiose one. sport. Here at UCT, where sport (51) and Dewald Keulder (40). You may ask why I am so is intertwined in the fabric of the Defending a low total, the UCT Students and professionals! Interested in furthering concerned with something that institution, we must remember bowlers restricted Stellenbosch to your studies? happened some seven-and-a-half that fair play and a sporting 46/5 in 15 overs, with Keulder and years ago. At that specific moment, gesture can go a long way. Dods picking up two wickets apiece. Have you considered a career in corporate governance? I, and a lot of people, held Andrew We have our own intense However, Stellenbosch recovered in CSSA offers an all-round internationally recognised Flintoff up as a talisman, a modern rivalry to be played out on the the middle overs and by the final qualification that offers you many career options such as: day Ian Botham of English cricket. Green Mile on March 4th, and let’s over needed just six runs to win with Company Secretary; Governance Professional; Risk Officer; A talented player no doubt, but not forget to treat our adversaries one wicket in hand. Dewald Keulder or Compliance Officer following an unsuccessful stint with the respect they deserve. stepped up to the plate, conceding as captain, unfounded criticism The fiercest competition just four runs and taking the final If you already have a degree you can proceed directly to the of Michael Atherton, and even has even been known to spark wicket to hand UCT their first four Board subjects: an attempted boxing career, his friendship. Just ask Brett Lee. victory, completing a fine individual • Corporate Financial Management • Corporate Secretaryship reputation has been eroded. He has the iconic photo hanging performance with figures of 4/41. • Corporate Governance • Corporate Administration I even saw Freddie boozed up up in his house, with a message An effective quarter-final against in a nightclub once and wanted to from Flintoff reading, “Any UJ then took place on day three. Registration is now open! Registration and payment 28 February tell him how disappointed I was in danger of you getting out? Well UCT’s batsman started off cautiously 2013 closing dates are Enrolment and payment 31 March him (beer is a recurring theme). batted. Looking forward to the on a difficult pitch, finishing on as follows: Examination dates 20 May to 24 May In the interests of my own safety next battle.” 220/6. Seb Golding anchored the it was probably for the best that I You can follow Rob on twitter Telephone: +27 11 551 4000 innings with an outstanding 53, Join us on: didn’t. He is a big man after all. @ByrnseyGsy. Email: [email protected] Website: www.icsa.co.za