Here are some quotes I picked up from BBC’s blog on the day of the Oz-Protozoas semi match

“1415 BST: Dressing-room doors firmly shut at the mo, and we can only imagine what’s going on in there - Jacques Kallis practising his forward defensive in the mirror while Andre Nel is being restrained with ropes, while in the Aussie locker-room Matthew Hayden gulps down his third protein shake of the day while bench-pressing a fridge with his spare hand.”

- Tom Fordyce, the live text commentator for BBC

“1400 BST: If you’re not looking forward to this one, you’re no fan of cricket - that’s how big it is. Graeme Smith’s won the toss and chosen to bat first, which probably works best from the neutral’s point of view.”

- Tom Fordyce, the live text commentator for BBC

1st over: SA 5-0: <br/> With tension crackling in the air, Bracks bounds in to Smith - and the skipper’s off the mark with a streaky edged single to third man. AB leaves two big swingers alone and then gets a controlled edge past first slip for four. Chat between the fielders and batsmen coming along nicely too - just caught a snatch of Ponts seeming to berate Smith for having two left feet, which seems a slightly football-specific sledge.

From Andy in Boston, TMS inbox: “I’ve had 3 hours sleep last night and am looking forward to some fireworks to get me going…”

3rd over: WICKET - Smith b Bracken 2, SA 7-1:
Bracken strikes - but what was Smith thinking? He came charging down the track, there was a touch of away-nibble and the off-stump was rocked back. Smith grimaces with anguish - the Aussies are cockahoop.

From Ross Thomas in Scotland, TMS inbox: “I used to try and hide the BBC webpage from my boss, but I’ve given up and am now sitting at my desk wearing out the F5 button while telling her how this is the greatest game for years. I’m hoping to be sacked early, so I can get to a telly soon.”

4th over: SA 7-1: From Simon in Essex on TMS blog (BBC): “Good luck to anyone expecting to get served quickly in a London pub today.”

10th over: WICKET - Boucher c Hayden b McGrath 0, SA 27-5: <br/> From Carin in Cape Town, TMS inbox: “Please tell me this is not for real! I’m too scared to switch on the TV. Have they gone bonkers? I think I should stay away from the F5 key.”

15th over: SA 55-5: <br/>From Gareth in Cape Town, TMS inbox: “I have all my Aussie mates bombarding me with emails and I just don’t have anything to say. Think I’m going to slit my wrists with the wheel of my mouse - goodbye, cruel world.”

19th over: SA 69-5: <br/>From George in Cape Town, TMS inbox: “Had my girlfriend cheat on me this past week, but this is way worse.”

23rd over: WICKET Gibbs c Gilchtist b Tait 39, SA 87-6: <br/>From Stuart in Nottingham, TMS inbox: “Is Gareth from Cape Town killing himself because of the cricket or because he has some Aussies as friends?”

9th over: WICKET - De Villiers c Gilchrist b Tait 15, SA 26-3 :<br> From Neil Rees, TMS inbox: “The Aussies and South Africans at my work are squaring up, sledging each other like pros. I myself lament the exit of England, but support any team against Australia.”

43rd over: SA 144-9: <br/>Charl drops Tait to leg and hares down the track for a relieved single. Kemp takes another straight away, much to Charl’s horror, and the round-faced paceman is forced to jab down on the rest of the over. <br>From Ben Alexander, TMS inbox: “Who’s got the scariest eyes in cricket - Angry Andre, ‘Gunslinger’ Steve Waugh or Murali whenever he bowls?”

3rd over: Aus 6-1: <br/> From Eugene in Toronto, TMS inbox: “Did you know Kallis does shampoo commercials in South Africa?”

4th over: Aus 19-1
Woosh - Langers drops short to Ponting, who pulls to Prince at midwicket - but the leftie spills a super-sharp one diving to his right. Ponto chomps chomps chomps on his gum and then leans back to pull another behind square for four, and then polishes off with a sumptuous straight drive for four more. Charl’s struggling, and Graeme Smith strokes his chin at mid-on. His own chin, not Charl’s.

From Steve in Cambridge, TMS inbox: “You guys always say, ‘have we got a game on here?’ when early wickets fall - then the losing side falls apart. Stop jinxing it! We’d like a game on here.”

6th over: Aus 27-1: <br/> From Steve Smith in Los Angeles, TMS inbox: “My Australian neighbour is currently in St Lucia watching the match. I have put our house up for sale this morning and hope to have moved out before he returns. I shall miss the BBQs and ice-cold Fosters at his place, but the humiliation is just not worth it.”

24th over: Aus 109-2: <br/> From Rory Goethel, TMS inbox: “An idea to make cricket more even: 50/20s. Opposition get 50 overs and Australia get 20 to chase them down.”

Viewed 890 times by 328 viewers