Cricket Records Continue
A few days ago, I commented on the many fine cricket performances and milestones we have seen recently. Well, the hits just keep on coming.
In Pakistan, the one-day series continues to enthral, with great cricket being played in a fine spirit in front of frenetic crowds, the series being even at two games each, with the clincher to come tomorrow. Great batting preformances from all the big names, and fine bowling too. And the test series to follow.
In Sri Lanka, Australia have demolished the hosts, despite terrible starts in both tests, Muralitharan has joined Shane Warne in taking over 500 test wickets, and Warne is in sight of overhauling Courtney Walsh's record in the third test, after another ten-wicket haul in the 2nd test, bowling them out on the last day when they needed 51 runs from the last 3 wickets..
In New Zealand, South Africa crashed to a miserable defeat in the second test, the first they have ever lost in New Zealand after losing the one-day series, and are looking anything but winners; they appear to be exhausted, the bowling resources seem very thin, and Graeme Smith, after his great start in England, has been thoroughly out-skippered by Steven Fleming. Along the way, Chris Cairns has joined a select group of the great all-rounders, and Shaun Pollock has passed Alan Donald's total to be South Africa's leading wicket taker, and needs only 102 runs to join the allrounder club. Jacques Kallis didn't quite make to to six hundreds in six matches, but still scored 140-odd runs in the match, and ranks alongside the great Bradman. Gary Kirsten announced his retirement at the end of the series, after playing in his 100th test and scoring his 21st century; he will be remembered as a great team man and gritty performer, the first cricketer to score hundreds against all other test-playing nations, and in total runs scored, only exceeded by Tendular and Lara. Farewell Gazza!
Steve Harmison continues his amazing performances in the West Indies, and is being spoken of as the best bowling talent in 25 years. His presence will strengthen England immeasurably, and SA would like to unearth a talent like that to back up Pollock and Ntini.
1:47:11 PM 
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