It’s been a very good week in Cape Town. I had good fun commentating on the match and obviously the views at the stadium are fantastic.
England have come to life. It was important that they got back into the series, and they managed to do it.
It was like a home Test match for them out here.
You’ve got to count yourself so lucky to be able to play for England – or a Premier League football team or rugby team, for that matter – because the English support is the best in the world of sport.
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It really was phenomenal.
Ben Stokes in the form of his life
Before Quinton de Kock got out, I thought the wicket looked flat. There was nothing in it.
I said on commentary that I didn’t know where the wicket was coming from, but Ben Stokes is what he is. He’s riding on the crest of a wave at the moment and long may it continue.
His impact massively reminds me of Andrew Flintoff.
He gets the crowd going as soon as he gets hold of the ball and he brings that intensity. He put the pedal down on day four with the bat and then with the ball he was outstanding. His slip catching is also exceptional.
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He’s absolutely the best all-round cricketer in the world.
Virat Kohli is the No. 1 player. He is a freak show. But in terms of all-round capabilities, Stokes is the best.
England are improving
England played OK, but they’ve still got a long way to go.
The wicket was an absolute road, but to deal with any wicket with a bit of bounce and nip they will have to sort their techniques out.
They are going to have to get better at playing spin, particularly given they go to Sri Lanka in a couple of months.
Dom Sibley was brilliant, he dug in and did what he needed to do, but I still think he has a few technical issues to sort out.
His hands get into an awful position on release of the ball, so to find consistency at Test level he’s going to have to focus on that. But he certainly has the character in abundance.
What happens on the field should stay on the field
They were playing fierce Test cricket on day five, so I think what Jos Buttler said to Vernon Philander should be left out there.
There is a lot worse that’s been said on the cricket field. I’ve heard a lot worse and I’ve said a lot worse than that. I’m certainly not going to be one of those people who starts shouting and moaning about it and jumping on the moral high ground.
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There were two irritable guys and it happened. If he gets a fine from the ICC, fine. England won the match.
With the series still alive, it means that there is a little bit of needle between the sides.
Commentary is great fun
It’s nice to hear compliments about my commentary because I just enjoy talking cricket.
I use my batting brain, experience of playing and knowledge of what’s going on in the game now to try and explain scenarios.
I always tried to entertain as a player, and I like to communicate on commentary with entertaining language.
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Obviously there are key differences between radio and TV. On radio you need to talk more and tell stories, but both are such fun with great teams.
(Courtesy: Betway)
