Good Times For South Africa, With 500 Days Left Until the 2010 World Cup

So yet another series win over the once mighty Australian cricket side. While the Australians were celebrating Australian Day, the Proteas were stealing the thunder and turning it into a day of mourning.

Once they were a great side, but at the moment they are nowhere, with South Africa taking the series today in fantastic style, thumping them by eight wickets!

What has happened?

Well many factors, but the most important one I think is the self belief that the South African have in themselves. They believe that they can win any game any time. The only thing I still think they are weak in is in Twenty20; however it is Mickey Mouse cricket.

The Australian's problem is they have lost worldclass players in Warne, McGrath, Langer, Gilchrest, and Hayden. Make no mistake, Haden, Johnston, Katich, and Clark are fantastic young cricketers and given another year or two they will be back at the top.

The only weak link they have is a world class spinner.

In the Standard Bank Pro 20, the Dolphins, Cobras, and Warriors have got off to a fantastic start. It is also fantastic to see the Pro 20 Cheerleaders again. But with only five games in each pool, you must win and finish in the top two positions to get to the Semi Finals.

Durban will have their first Pro 20 on Friday when the Dolphins take on the Warriors. It would be nice to see some of the other teams make the semi finals. Hopefully it will be the Dolphins, Warriors, Lions and Cobras who do the business this year.

The Varsity 4^thcricket side kept up their winning ways, by beating Umbilo/Harlequins by four wickets. They are still top of the log. I would also like to take this opportunity to say farewell to Tyron who has been a fantastic player for the team with bat and ball. Also the great humor he brought to the team will be missed. There goes my smoking buddy. Tyron, thank you and good luck with the soccer refereeing in the UK!

On the football side, Liverpool and Everton drew 1-1 yesterday in the FA Cup 4^thround. Arsenal drew 0-0 with Cardiff so it will be replays all round for them. Manchester United beat Spurs 2-1. Pompey, the Cup holders, got bundled out by Swansea 2-0. No other major upsets took place.

Although the FA Cup is the oldest competition in the world, it seems not that important to me. Today was an important milestone for South Africa. There is just 500 days left before the World Cup 2010 begins. And yes all the negativity about cost the economy will not be able to handle it, disruption the roads in Jo'Burg especially.

Well, guess what, it is going to be a fantastic event and boy I can’t wait for the Durban airport to move out to Zimbali/Umhlanga rocks way. I can have peaceful nights and late afternoon, without the roar of aircraft taking off or landing… Imagine taking 30 minutes to drive from Jo’burg to Pretoria and that at 8am in the morning.

Good things are happening and it is about time.

In the Australian Open the 4^thseed Andy Murray was knocked out by Fernando Verdasco. Nadal is now favorite to take the title, but Federer is still in (Sorry Jean, but I think Dad has it right this year, Roger will take this one.) In the ladies section Jankovic, Ivanovic, and Venus Williams are all out. It is anybody's title and there is going to be some fine tennis to come. A bookies nightmare!

PS: On a happy note for all the Luke Watson fans—if there are any—he got booed every time he handled a rugby ball yesterday in the Stormers game against Saracens. Even when he scored a try he still got booed. Same Luke…Not!

Until next week, take care.

ONETIME