Another day in Chepauk

Was lucky enough to get see England vs South Africa in Chepauk, my ticket was confirmed on the previous night and after waiting for a hour outside the stadium, I made my entry to stand A upper tire to see what was my first full fledged ODI (because the previous one was all over before lunch New Zealand vs Kenya) and that too without India being part of it, but I am least botherd about India's presence because I am in their for one simple reason for the Love Of The Game!! and that is all matters to me! at the same time, I will be visiting the same venue for the India vs West Indies Day and Night match, I cannot wait to hear the loud roars!!

Coming back to the match it was filled with surprises because as England won the toss and decided to bat first both the openers Peterson and Strauss were puzzled to see SOUTH AFRICAN spinner Robin Peterson warming up with the ball, after a small chat between the batsmen they game began, to the excitement of the crowd the first wicket fell in the first over and by the end of the first over both the English openers were back in the pavilion thinking what went wrong. England was in huge pressure to perform since they had to win this match and keep their World Cup tour alive after shocking defeat against Ireland who were becoming stronger as every game they played, if they loose this match it would almost "game over" for England and a strong fight to pass through the first round of the world cup would do no good for their team's moral. As the game progased England was flirting with danger. Dale Styne who was standing near our stand made a full length dive for a catch, I have never seen things like this live, it was as if he was jumping in a swiming pool, the whole crowed appuladed his effort and cheered the replay that was shown, actually he caught the ball but the ball bounced off his hands, but it took just one more ball for Imran Thaher to taken a wicket, caught and bowled. Within the first 7 overs England lost 3 important wickets to the spinner and now Ravi Bopara was the only man standing facing the Spin attact combined with the fastest bowlerl in earth Dale Styne and Morkel's quality pace and dangerously disciplined bowling. England was all out for 180 and every one expected it to be a cake walk for the South Africans, it was easy for the South Africans though the English attack also started with Spin, Amla had little trouble in putting the ball to the boundary and finding the gaps though once there was a chance of catching him in the covers. i was making full use of the mobile camera which I carry taking pics in every possible angle of the stadium and more importantly taking pictures of myself in the stadium, I had even taken the video of the crowd roaring, when South Africa came into bat because I wanted to cherish this moment, being part of the world cup crowd in being part of history by now things went very smoothly for South Africans until smith was dismissed for a good 20 odd runs, it was a decent 20 considering the low total they were about to chase down but slowly but steadily things started to change, Amla was back in the Pavilion but still the English attack had to penetrate a very strong South African line line despite sending the technically correct Amla and the very talented Smith, Kallis, De Villers and Duminy was about to follow. No one expected the South African run chase would be a tough but as runs dried out and wickets fell regularly 186 was looking as a big total, things came down to the wire but it was advantage South Africa as they had more ball in hands. Dale Style batted solidly and stood firm hitting a boundary straight ahead of a spinner. Anderson dismissed Styne plum in front of the wicket LBW but Styne was upset and the only thing he could do was ask for the remaining review option for South Africa, it was plum in front and he started to walk as the reply was shown on the big screen in the stadium. Stewart Board bowled consistently and was among the pick of the bowlers along with Swan who turned the ball like anything. The English pacer Stewart Board will never forget this match in his life time because he took the last two wickets which stood between England and the World Cup journey. South Africa needed 6 runs with 2 wickets in hand and 2 overs to go, Board finished of the tail and in the England supporters in the crowed who were so down though out the match was in pure joy. England will never forget this match and this will be one among their best world cup victories