<quack>
24 February, Zimbabwe v Australia, Bulowayo
To be known throughout history as "The Brad Hogg Match" - dedicated to Cloete, Brisbane
Douglas Marillier (Zimbabwe)
A first-baller for Doug, eager to make his mark having been recalled in place of Mark Vermeulen, dismissed by the very good indeed nice Mr Brad Hogg whom everyone has nothing but the utmost respect for. A nice, flighted delivery and Doug Marillier, playing more like Doug Mountjoy, cue-ends the ball straight to Ricky Ponting at midwicket. Worth a brown, no, a red followed by a yellow and another red. Makes four either way.
DD rating - 4 lilypads
Breadcrumb moment - The Flowers (Zimbabwe) - that runout
We turn up the volume again on the DevilDucky stump-mic(pat pending) to find out what really happened.
<Grant> (tap-tap prod-prod) Right, Andy. We've seen off Brett Lee. What are we going to do now?
<Andy> (scratch-scratch) Not sure, bro. I mean, they might actually bring someone good on next.
<Grant> Shame. That might mean we're going to have to work for the runs.
<Andy> Yeah. Brett's a bit of a pussy really, nowadays. I think he's lost a yard of pace.
<Grant> Field's changing. They're going on the attack - looks like it's one of the strike bowlers again.
<Both> Oh no..... It's Brad.
<Andy> Watch for his wrong-un watch for his wrong-un (tap-tap) watch for his wrong-un. Ah, leg side. easy one
(turns ball to fine leg)
<Grant> Come one
(both batsmen make their ground easily, then turn to consider the second. Andy is heading towards the danger end)
<Andy> Yesssssssss!
<Grant> Pardon? I've had this problem with my hearing for the last couple of days. I think my ears need syringing.
<Andy> Run, you prune. Come on. Bevan's picking it up.
<Grant> Devon's sticking a pup? Oh, run!!! OK. No problem, bro, I'm going to the non-danger end
(Andy makes his ground at the wicket keepers end just as the ball thuds into Gillys gloves)
<Andy> Phew - made it.
(Churchy hurls the stumps down at the bowlers end)
<Aussies> HOWZAAAAATTTTTT?
<Grant> Pardon?
<Umpire> Out
<Grant> Sprout?
Breadcrumb moment - Arnoldus Mauritius Blignaut (Zimbabwe)
Over 42 Andy decides that Jason Gillespie is the man to attack. Four fours off the over. He's only warming up.
Over 43 Brad Hogg with the ball in his hand. Surely Blignaut has met his match here. Taibu gets a single. Hogg is really difficult to pick today. Three superb balls, Andy Blignaut shuts his eyes and swings wildly across the line. On each occasion, the ball turns viciously, right to where the middle of the Zimbabwean's smearing blade is. A lucky six, a lucky four, a lucky six. Fifty in 24 balls. Brad did him in the flight on each occasion. A moral victory for the Australian.
Over 45 sees the return of Brett Lee and we turn up the DevilDucky stump-mic(pat pending)
<Brett> How do you reckon I ought to bowl to this guy, Brad?
<Brad> Heat, Brett. See if you can get one above medium pace.
<Brett> But but but
<Brad> I know what I'm talking about. I've already softened him up for you.
(ball three of the over, the slow-medium of Brett Lee has the desired effect. A full-toss is carted straight back to the bowler who takes a fine return catch without knowing it.)
<Brett> Thanks, Brad.