Cook's waft and Prior's dive
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the second day of the third Test at Lord's
Firdose Moonda and George Dobell at Lord's
17-Aug-2012
Alastair Cook was left regretting a poor shot against Dale Steyn • Getty Images
Poor shot of the day
Most wickets tend to be due to a combination of batsman error and decent bowling, so perhaps it is unfair to pick on one player for their mistake. But the shot that brought Alastair Cook's dismissal was awful. Reaching a long way from his body to attempt to drive a wide delivery from Dale Steyn, Cook was never in any position to play the stroke and could only edge the ball to Jacques Kallis, who clung on to a sharp chance at second slip. It was an oddly out of character stroke from Cook who has a hard-earned reputation for leaving the ball well and selling his wicket dearly.
Most wickets tend to be due to a combination of batsman error and decent bowling, so perhaps it is unfair to pick on one player for their mistake. But the shot that brought Alastair Cook's dismissal was awful. Reaching a long way from his body to attempt to drive a wide delivery from Dale Steyn, Cook was never in any position to play the stroke and could only edge the ball to Jacques Kallis, who clung on to a sharp chance at second slip. It was an oddly out of character stroke from Cook who has a hard-earned reputation for leaving the ball well and selling his wicket dearly.
Catch of the day
Matt Prior claimed six dismissals during South Africa's first innings, five catches and a stumping, but none were more impressive than the effort to dismiss Morne Morkel. Flinging himself to his left, Prior pulled off an excellent low catch that would not have carried to first slip. It was another reminder of Prior's vast improvement as a wicketkeeper since he first came into the England side in 2007.
Matt Prior claimed six dismissals during South Africa's first innings, five catches and a stumping, but none were more impressive than the effort to dismiss Morne Morkel. Flinging himself to his left, Prior pulled off an excellent low catch that would not have carried to first slip. It was another reminder of Prior's vast improvement as a wicketkeeper since he first came into the England side in 2007.
Review of the day
Graeme Smith made an excellent decision to utilise the DRS after Jonathan Trott was adjudged not out by umpire Kumar Dharmasena following an lbw appeal against Steyn. While AB de Villiers was far from convinced and Smith took 20 seconds before calling for the review, his judgement was vindicated when replays and ball tracking technology combined to prompt another over rule of a decision by Dharmasena.
Graeme Smith made an excellent decision to utilise the DRS after Jonathan Trott was adjudged not out by umpire Kumar Dharmasena following an lbw appeal against Steyn. While AB de Villiers was far from convinced and Smith took 20 seconds before calling for the review, his judgement was vindicated when replays and ball tracking technology combined to prompt another over rule of a decision by Dharmasena.
Milestone of the day
Vernon Philander leaned onto his back foot to hook Stuart Broad to fine leg with all the confidence and time of a top-order batsman. It was the shot that took him to his first Test half-century and told a wider story of an innings built from the uncertain foundations of a South African line-up, which turned it into a much more solid structure. Philander of the South African domestic circuit is known as bowling allrounder. With a highest first-class score of 168, he was always expected to perform with some aptitude at No.8 but his previous best in a young Test career was 29. This time, it was different for Philander. He showed tenacity and skill to dig South Africa out of a hole.
Vernon Philander leaned onto his back foot to hook Stuart Broad to fine leg with all the confidence and time of a top-order batsman. It was the shot that took him to his first Test half-century and told a wider story of an innings built from the uncertain foundations of a South African line-up, which turned it into a much more solid structure. Philander of the South African domestic circuit is known as bowling allrounder. With a highest first-class score of 168, he was always expected to perform with some aptitude at No.8 but his previous best in a young Test career was 29. This time, it was different for Philander. He showed tenacity and skill to dig South Africa out of a hole.
Bird of the day
There were no ducks today but there was another kind of bird causing confusion on the outfield. An interested pigeon walked towards the slip cordon but Smith did not feel the need for an extra catcher and shoed it away. It only went about a yard, however, and seemed keen to return in time for the next ball so AB de Villiers was tasked with getting rid of it. After the ball had been played into the covers, de Villiers chased the bird only for Hashim Amla to shy at the stumps and, with no de Villiers in place, allow Ian Bell and Jonny Bairstow to steal a single.
There were no ducks today but there was another kind of bird causing confusion on the outfield. An interested pigeon walked towards the slip cordon but Smith did not feel the need for an extra catcher and shoed it away. It only went about a yard, however, and seemed keen to return in time for the next ball so AB de Villiers was tasked with getting rid of it. After the ball had been played into the covers, de Villiers chased the bird only for Hashim Amla to shy at the stumps and, with no de Villiers in place, allow Ian Bell and Jonny Bairstow to steal a single.
Shining moment of the day
To celebrate the fact that one-and-a-half million children have now benefited from Chance to Shine - the campaign to educate children in state schools through cricket - the charity were out in force at Lord's promoting their work and raising funds. In 2012 around 350,000 boys and girls will play competitive cricket as a result of Chance to Shine, with the charity on course to reach its initial target of two million children in a third of state schools by 2015. The donations received at Lord's will go some way to covering the £5m annual cost of the programme.
To celebrate the fact that one-and-a-half million children have now benefited from Chance to Shine - the campaign to educate children in state schools through cricket - the charity were out in force at Lord's promoting their work and raising funds. In 2012 around 350,000 boys and girls will play competitive cricket as a result of Chance to Shine, with the charity on course to reach its initial target of two million children in a third of state schools by 2015. The donations received at Lord's will go some way to covering the £5m annual cost of the programme.
Quote of the day
While the incident, strictly speaking, belonged to the first day of this game, it bears re-telling. Alice Cooper may have sold tens of millions of records, but his fame has clearly left Geoffrey Boycott untouched. Introduced to the rock star, Boycott, presuming - not unreasonably - that anyone called Alice might be a woman, shook the hand of Cooper's wife and said it was nice to meet her.
While the incident, strictly speaking, belonged to the first day of this game, it bears re-telling. Alice Cooper may have sold tens of millions of records, but his fame has clearly left Geoffrey Boycott untouched. Introduced to the rock star, Boycott, presuming - not unreasonably - that anyone called Alice might be a woman, shook the hand of Cooper's wife and said it was nice to meet her.