The third umpire was former NZ captain Jeff Crowe, and I don’t think he would do anything dishonest. I’ve no doubt Rabada was provoked. He’s obviously easy to provoke when he’s worked up. That intensity is, I think, part of what makes him such an amazing bowler.

I’ve got very cynical about money on sport. The whole soccer world cup thing and what’s been going on there for years is so disgusting. There are other things I won’t mention because I’ll just come across like a bitter harridan, and I’m hungry and want to have my lunch now anyway!

I agree. I think the inauguration tweet will win too.

I saw it mentioned on CNN yesterday or the day before. I’d like to read it. I’ve got a couple of other books on the go at the moment, so I’ll see how I go.

Money chaging hands? That is a serious suspicion. I just hope it is not.
I do think the Ozzies were trying to provoke KG, they knew he had some penalty points, and needed only a little more to be banned.
Kagiso (KG) Rabada did not evade Smith with this light brush, but Smith did not evade KG either. Normally a bowler has to get out of the batsman’s way, allowing him to run, but I do not know if that should/would apply when the batter has already been bowled out. And Smith kind of immediately turned to the umpire, as if planned. I do not think the ICC was bought, but I do think it was part of the OZ strategy.
All that shows they fear KG, and for good reason, I’d add. He eats wickets like my young boys eat their pap at breakfast.

+2

Yes, and there is no hint of ‘agression’ outside the field as recently was the case with Warner. Many bowlers are kinda aggressive in the field, but meek little lambs once off. ????
(And I found the face of Nathan Lyon frankly scary when AB hit him for a six. But no, I do not think he deserves any punishment for that).

Yes Jenny, I know that feeling, is this POTUS for real? Apparently yes, but it is hard to believe indeed.

I heard the tape of him saying it in such a flip manner. The same report said that he’s subsequently “doubled down” on the veracity of the very claim he so cavalierly said that he made up out of whole cloth. Just another day down the rabbit hole.