Kumar Roach you biscuit!! 

Sixth World Cup hat trick and the first ever by a West Indian. He has done something in West Indian cricket not even the likes of Marshall or Walsh was able to achieve, albeit against the mighty Canada (or Asian XI judging by names on the score card). 

I think the team that have stuck their hand up highest so far believe it or not is the Pakis. The old Journeyman Afridi is looking dangerous with ball in hand and when he gets going with the bat anything is possible.

Speaking of Journeyman I couldn't help but have a good chuckle when I saw the lineup for the Highlanders game this weekend. Tony Brown is back at the ripe old age of 39!!! Most of you will remember him as the fly half for the Sharks when we made the semis in about 2004. I think he also spent a season or two with stormers but I could be wrong. Interesting to see him up against Lambie or Janjties with a near 20 year age gap between them.

Rugga predictions for last weekend where relatively straight forward. Played the spread with the Sharks, Stormers and England to get an easy trifecta at 7/1. 

 

I called the Pakistan v Sri-Lanka game but the India v England threw a bit of a spanner in the works. I think my exact words last time where "India to run riot over the Poms." I was clearly a little over confident but it was still a great game of cricket, with another South African in Andrew Strauss leading from the front.

Value this week might lie with Zimbabwe against against New Zealand. Taibu is a world class player with a decent World Cup average. If he can get some support from Irvine etc look to them to push the Black Caps right to the end.

I mentioned last week that Fi's brother Dan was taking part in Xterra Graabouw. He finished a in a highly creditable 8th Place and coupled with his 5th from the last event has qualified for the SA team competing at the World Champs in Hawaii. Great Stuff! One of my oldest (literally and figuratively) Rich also took part and I was blown away to see he finished in 25th. I think that there might have been some sneaky behind the scenes training with a result like that. 

Finally off the topic of sport a big congrats to Downsie and Joe on their engagement this weekend. Will definitely have to celebrate that with a few beers next time I'm in town.

I'll be back Friday to wrap up the week and hopefully provide some insight into the Super games taking place next weekend.

Till next time, increase the peace.

First Day On The Job

I swear I must be driving Fi crazy at the moment Cricket World Cup, Super 14, Champions League, Premier League Football!!!! It never ends....

On the subject of the Cricket World Cup you cant help but be enthralled, in the England v Holland game on Tuesday there was the some total of 7 South Africans in the 22 man squads. The adopted players have really put there hands for their new countries none more so than South Africa's new wunderkid Imran Tahir. It really was fantastic seeing him stamp his authority on the game at an international level so quickly. RESPECT!

Prediction for the weekend Pakistan to knock over the home town boys Sri-Lanka and India to run riot over the Poms.

Super 15 also kicked off with a bang last weekend and it was great to see the Sharks kick off the season with a home win. It was my first time in the tank for a while and it was a little disappointing to see such a poor crowd, maybe those that didn't brave the rain had some insight into the quality of rugga that both teams where going to play. On a positive note I got the spread with the Sharks over by 13 so that made things a little more bearable.

I think there might be some value in the Lions at Newlands this weekend so lets see wait and see what the bookies are offering.

In between a couple of weeks of sport watching I did have the privilege of acting as MC at my sisters wedding. She has taken the plunge and married and American. Great guy and it was fantastic spending some time in Durban with the family.

With an American getting married in South Africa it was inevitable that a few of them made the long trip for the wedding. I think they where all blown away by South Africa and where most impressed that the roads are in fact paved. It was great having them all here and hopefully they will return home with enough good stories to convince a few more of them to make the long trip.

If anybody out there is thinking of making a quick buck I think I have the perfect solution. Find out which terminal the flights to SA leave from JFK and open a shop selling "safari"gear. It seems all American's think khaki is a mandatory colour when entering South Africa.

Off the beaten track in South Africa sport this weekend is the Due South Xterra. A great global event of which a South African Conrad the Caveman Stoltz is world champion. Holding thumbs that Fi's bro can do some damage there and upset a few of the big guns. Good Luck DC.

Till next time, increase the peace!

GOOD LUCK PROTEAS!!!!!!!