Newlands was a clear warning to the Proteas that the series balance was shifting in favour of the tourists. Instead of adapting and improving to meet this challenge, the Protea’s skill sets and application – evidenced at Cape Town -  were jettisoned in the "Friendly City" in favour of a cricket-brand not witnessed on home soil in recent memory. Exposed in all facets of the game, the Proteas are now  up against it to  secure an honourable draw. How did it come to this? Are England really THAT...

A later than anticipated reflection on the 2nd Test at Newlands. Ken Borland celebrates his own 50* and reflects on the performances and efforts of the Proteas and the "Engerland". The first century of the series, catching records, a dogged fightback from the Proteas on days 4 and 5 and a nail-biting finish into the final session of day 5. So, not much to reflect on before proceedings get going in PE in a day or two! Meanwhile the Zoo Lake Opener tries to recover from late night listening and...

In this stripped-down ("naked") episode of the Nightwatchmen we look back at the Protea's win in the first test vs England at Centurion. We discuss the performers and the weak-links as well as the influence of the new-look Protea coaching team on the field. Recorded in Adelaide, Australia and Johannesburg, South Africa, Ken and the Zoo Lake Opener (who reveals his alias) also look ahead to the showpiece of the cricketing calendar: the New Year Test at Newlands. --- Send in a voice message:...

A concise refection on England's opening tour match in Benoni; the Protea's Test squad announcement and the return of King Kallis and Charl Langeveldt into the Protea setup in consulting roles.  Also: A momentary refection on the Mzanzi Super League conclusion and [even] more off-field announcements... It's enough to declare the 2019 innings on!  Next episode will follow at the conclusion of the Boxing Day Test.   A warm welcome to the  England team and Barmy Army legions. Festive greetings...

What a month it has been for Cricket South Africa…A mirror of our current national South African malaise and recovering captured State?   Whilst rugby shows the nation what is possible with transformation, leadership and dedicated goal setting, CSA has imploded leaving players considering strike action;  sponsors re-assessing or withdrawing from future commitments; journalists locked out of grounds and denied the Constitutional Right to freedom of the press. And meanwhile the coffers are...

A series that started with excitement, talk of transition and new faces ends with a second straight innings defeat and whitewashed 3-0 result. It wasn't meant to be end like this was it? Or, was it ever going to be any different? The stats read like a horror show if you follow the Proteas. Ken and The Zoo Lake Opener reflect on what was seen and read respectively. Audio inserts from a fatigued skipper Faf also make for an interesting listen. Settle in for an extended dissection of the match...

This is a Naked Nightwatchmen podcast episode brought to you on the hoof! A disastrous outing for the Proteas in the second test and a historic and crushing victory for India who seal the series without breaking sweat. What a disappointment. Lots to consider as Ken dissects performances and looks ahead to a third test in Ranchi and who we can expect to see coming into the team. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/nightwatchmencricket/message

A little late but better late than never! Ken Borland and the Zoo Lake Opener dissect the Proteas loss to India. Lots to discuss: team selection, effectiveness of the THREE spinners in SA lineup and some really impressive patches of play from the Proteas batting line up - in the one innings! We hear from skipper Faf du Plessis as he reflects on the challenges and some plusses notably from debutant Senuran Muthusamy. Feel free to have your say via the Voice Message link on Anchor! Enjoy the...

The T20 series is done and dusted: the spoils  shared between hosts India and the Proteas (and the weather)! Some old flaws in technique and application haunt the "A" side also touring India. In this episode Ken and the Zoo Lake Opener reflect on what went right and what needs improving ahead of the Test Series. We touch on the appointment of the Proteas "hired-gun" batting coach Amol Muzumdar and what we can expect personnel wise from India - in particular from their batting. There's some...

In our second episode we hear from T20 skipper of the India tour Quinton de Kock, KG Rabada, T20 batting coach Zulu Klusener  and team director Enoch Enkwe as we consider the places, pitches and expectations that lie ahead in India. The first half of our second Nightwatchmen podcasts looks back at the contributions of four of the Protea's finest - Dale Steyn, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy and Imran Tahir: all no longer available for the India Tests and tour. We hope you enjoy! Do leave us a voice...

A first for South African cricket? An independent podcast focusing on the hopes and fears of the Proteas cricketing teams. Up first in this pilot episode cricket writer Ken Borland and The Zoo Lake Opener reflect on a turbulent period for the Proteas men's team. After a woeful World Cup we find interim arrangements across the coaching set up, a daunting assignment in India round the corner...Oh, and no Steyn, Amla to lend a hand! Mission impossible? Listen on and understand the lie of the...