THE South Africans don't think much of our commentators. Cable network SuperSport has been airing less than complimentary advertisements in its homeland featuring Ian Chappell, Michael Slater and Tony Greig calling Graeme Smith's century at Edgbaston earlier this year. As Smith raises his bat to acknowledge the Birmingham crowd, the trio are heard discussing not the batsman's achievement but his apparent selfishness at not declaring. A message then rolls across the screen, informing viewers that, in the quest for unbiased commentary, SuperSport has flown its own four-man commentary team to Australia for the three-Test series. Langer's long walk of shame
The WACA Ground security staff have been particularly bolshie in enforcing dress codes and the like this week, but one incident took the cake for sheer authoritarianism. Former Australian opener and West Australian icon Justin Langer was attempting to walk back to his car after a WACA luncheon this week when bailed up by a heavy. The guard informed Langer he now required accreditation to walk in front of the dressing rooms he occupied for the better part of two decades. Langer protested briefly, but in the interest of not causing a scene, took the long way around the players' pavilion. Splint for stricken Prince
South African batsman Ashwell Prince has not given up on playing in the Boxing Day Test. Prince will wear a plastic splint on his broken left thumb for the next seven days after he was forced to withdraw on the morning of the first Test, in the hope his tour is not over. The injury, sustained when he was struck while batting in the nets by Makhaya Ntini the day before the match, is a devastating blow for the South Africans as Prince has been in rich form, with 900 runs at an average of 64.28 for the year. The injury cleared the way for left-handed batsman Jean-Paul Duminy to make his debut at the WACA Ground. Duminy, 24, has an impressive first-class average of 53.69 as well as substantial international experience through his 37 one-day games for the Proteas. Akhtar pushes Pakistan cause
Shoaib Akhtar has suggested organising a professional Twenty20 league in Pakistan along the lines of the Indian Premier League to attract foreign players back to the country. "I know there are many wealthy people in Pakistan who could organise such an event, and it will help attract foreign players towards Pakistan," Akhtar said. "If a Pakistan premier league meets success, I am sure international cricket will return to Pakistan." Sight claims overshadow Ashes
Controversy has overshadowed the blind cricket Ashes series in Sydney this week after claims England's star player is not as visually impaired as he claims. The Australian team lodged a protest with the governing council over English all-rounder Nathan Foy, who led the visitors to a series win with a century in one game and 54 yesterday in the fifth and final clash. There were claims Foy, who is deemed to have virtually no vision, was playing too well and could see. The World Blind Cricket Council said all players had been assessed and met the criteria.