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The Tanner Report

I can easily recall a conversation with a Fulham supporter some 22 years ago. There were only 2500 of us then, so we were all on first name terms. Justin, in assessing our chances in the forthcoming season, said ruefully but correctly: “Just like every other season. Out of every competition [...]

January 11, 2016 // 0 Comments

Wrapping up

It proved a rewarding and productive trip from which all four Rusters would have taken away their own perceptions. It should be remembered that Cape Town is rather a bubble for many reasons not least that it is run by the Democratic Alliance (DA). The DA under a black leader Mmusi Maimani is doing [...]

January 10, 2016 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard

Thanks to the good offices of Bob we were upgraded to first class but I can’t say I was overly impressed. BA is over categorised: first, premium, club world, world traveller and standard. I was told that first class provided a 6 foot bed with a hostess each side which no doubt was behind [...]

January 9, 2016 // 0 Comments

A visit to the Vineyard

On the last full day of the tour Allan Lamb had organised a visit to the Welbedacht  Vineyards in Wellington, a 90 minute drive away. These vineyards normally have a restaurant and wine tasting areas with breathtaking views and this was no exception. See here for a link to their website – [...]

January 8, 2016 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard/ 12 Apostles Hotel

Yesterday Bob Tickler and I took time off the cricket and shopping to go to the Azure restaurant of the 12 Apostles at Camps Bay. Doug Heath was fairly sure the game would peter out to a draw. In fact England gave us a few hairy moments in the morning but in the end we made the right call. The 12 [...]

January 7, 2016 // 0 Comments

Fourth day

One of the biggest issues in South African cricket is the quota system to develop non-white cricketers. Initially I took the view that a team should pick its best side but being here, reading the local press and and appreciating the political culture, my position has shifted. One must remember the [...]

January 6, 2016 // 0 Comments

Third day of the Test

In an attritional day, after the fireworks of the previous, Amla played a captain’s innings to keep South Africa in the game. On a  pitch that offered the bowler of pace, swing or spin no succour, England must have rued the two chances of catching Amla that Anderson and Compton failed to [...]

January 5, 2016 // 0 Comments

A la Colthard/Baia restaurant

Bob Tickler invited Conchita and her family and the Rusters to Conchita’s favourite restaurant Baia, a Portuguese fish restaurant in the Waterfront  Mall and overlooking Table Bay. It’s peak season and only through Conchita did we obtain a reservation. Things got off to bad start when [...]

January 4, 2016 // 0 Comments

Fourth day / first day, second test

In the great NR debate on attendance v home watching the quality of the stadium/venue plays a role and few are as beautiful as Newlands the scene of the second test. It’s aspected by a mountian range that gives as thrilling a back drop as a Western and by the sea. The stands are around the [...]

January 3, 2016 // 0 Comments

Day 3: let battle commence

England start as firm favourites with Jimmy Anderson back in the bowling line up. South Africa have deep problems. The side that dominated world cricket are now in severe decline, inevitable with the retirement of Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith and their 3 best players, Amla, AB De Villiers and [...]

January 2, 2016 // 0 Comments

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