England v South Africa. Day 5. Oval
As most people expected this game was over by tea. But England, well some of them did put up a fight. Ian Bell and Matt Prior worked hard and were somewhat unlucky in getting out. Ravi Bopara looked the average county player he is. But the real story of this game is the great weather, the fact it went 5 days and the superb South African bowling, England were outplayed frankly in almost every regard except Wicket keeper where AB de Villiers looked average to poor.
As a result of making ticket prices 15£, the Oval was decently filled with only the hospitality guests absent as judged by their empty boxes. Dozens of pints were consumed, seemingly by some individuals, and the food prices remain too high for me with the choice poor. A picnic every time for me. But a great day out, a great test match.
Lastly, the stewards. What exactly is their role? Some were gifted lovely luminous jackets with “steward” emblazoned on the back, if we might not have guessed, but others had simeply ” response” on theirs and green jackets. None of them performed any useful purpose other than on occasions blocking visibility. but there again Bopara’s batting or a stewards bottom? The difference is what?
Ian Bell
- Ravi Bopara departs bowled
- South Africa Keeper and Slips
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chris1957
Arcticterntalk.org 