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Exasperated Proteas abuse `slow coach' Trott | South African cricketers led by their skipper Graeme Smith indulged in on-field abuse of England middle-order
batsman Jonathan Trott for taking too long to prepare between balls. Even team-mate
Graeme Swann admitted that Trott's method has driven him to distraction plenty
of times in the past. Trott was 17 not out as England finished a curtailed second
day of the Second Test with 103-1 in reply to South Africa's 343 all out. Andrew
Strauss made a blazing half-century from 49 balls before being bowled, while Alastair
Cook will resume this morning with 31. Trott's slow coach approach angered the
South Africans during the ODI series and First Test but their fury reached new
levels here. Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher and several fielders were throwing up their
arms in exasperation before Trott had even faced a ball. The England No 3 scratched
his crease with his studs three times, wandered around, re-took his guard and
generally delayed proceedings. The Sun quoted South African AB de Villiers as
saying: "It is very frustrating and something Graeme Smith is dealing with and
the umpires are aware of. All our bowlers have little rhythms so it is particularly
frustrating for them." "It's a tactic that might get him into trouble if he keeps
doing it. Graeme is talking to the umpires and talking to Trotty as well - that's
talking to him on the field. It might be one of his tactics but I think we will
use it to our advantage," he added. The crowd also heckled Trott, who has vowed
not to speed up as he needs to be prepared mentally and physically before he takes
strike. Spinner Swann said: "It's just Trotty, it's how he bats, how he goes about
things. He has a very organised game plan. I can probably understand South Africa's
frustrations because I've stood at slip for Notts in the past calling him every
name under the sun. Not everyone bats at the same tempo. Some of us get ready
very quickly, some take their time." Strauss' attacking innings showed he is clearly
determined to finish his epic, Ashes-winning year with one final leap towards
glory. Earlier, Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini put on 58 for South Africa's last
wicket but, in their real job as purveyors of the new cherry, they failed. Steyn
looked short of a gallop following his recent hamstring injury while Ntini, who
played his 100th Test in Centurion, is close to a spent force. Strauss tore into
them with drives, pulls and cuts. Ntini was removed from the firing line after
bowling three overs for 25. Such was Strauss' aggression, he reached 50 out of
59-0. He was then given out lbw but a review showed an inside edge. There was
also an inside edge when a ball from Morne Morkel clattered into Strauss' stumps
and he was out for 54. Cook will be relieved by his effort as he has not scored
a half-century in nine innings since Lord's against Australia in July. |
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