Currently South African cricket's only independent podcast focusing primarily on the on-field concerns of Proteas cricket. Brought to you by Joburg-based cricket journalist Ken Borland and cricket enthusiast Pete Ahmad (a.k.a. the Zoo Lake Opener) based in Cape Town.
Episode 11: 4 wickets, 1 run, 25 minutes: "That’s all folks!" (Well, at least at the start of Day 4)
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 good or are the Proteas rally that distracted / poor? Both are teams "in transition" but presently, only one is standing up and being counted (in spite of injuries, sickness and touring pressures)!
Ken and the Zoo Lake Opener ponder the challenges, self-inflicted and imposed by a rampant England and try and find green shoots for Johannesburg. In summary, there's little of those green shoots around...South Africa 1 England 2 (one to play)
Recorded Jan 20th 2020
14 Jan 2020
Episode 10: "Cometh the Firestarter" - Stokes and England restore parity at Sun-baked Newlands
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 viewing of proceedings from Down Under, jet-lag and three continents of travel. Go easy on him as he forgets who is who in the England bowling setup and when the next test starts!
It's all set up for a magical conclusion and final two tests.
30 Dec 2019
Episode 9: SA 1 England 0 - Protea's rediscover that winning feeling
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.
19 Dec 2019
Episode 8: Calm Before the Storm - England Open Up in Benoni and Faf and co. Prepare for Centurion's Boxing Day "Festival of Speed"
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 to all our listeners!
16 Dec 2019
Episode 7: Cricket Capture and Second Comings
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 increasingly bare…You REALLY can’t make this up.
The journalists targeted include Nightwatchmen co-host Ken Borland: one of the “disciplined” five well-known and respected South Afrcan sports journos in what appears to be an infamous own-goal of epic proportions – pun absolutely intended. Hear from Ken as he discusses on record and for the first time his reflections on the wild and the whacky goings-on.
Before the end of the first week of December the landscape of the top-echelon has changed – temporary in some instances but merciful change nonetheless - and coaching positions are filled with outstanding leaders and for the coming four years. Faul, Smith, Nkwe and Boucher become the foundation stones around which the future short-term destiny of South African Cricket will be shaped. As Ken states: This is not over.
Hear from them and Ken as he assesses the lie of the land as the wind changes direction and the conversation begins to turn back to on-field issues and worries (at last).
25 Oct 2019
Episode 6: India 3 RSA 0: Rancor and ruin in Ranchi
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 which saw numerous changes to playing personnel and the series which ends without the Proteas registering a single point on their first series outing in the ICC Test Championship: Played 3: Lost 3: Points 0.
14 Oct 2019
Episode 5: "Murder in Pune"
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.
8 Oct 2019
Episode 4: Raining sixes: Blunted Proteas go one down against India
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 episode!
26 Sept 2019
Episode 3: Shifting Gears and Rotating Talents
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 concerning stirrings from Newlands and a brief take on the Boks in Japan that closes out today's episode. Recorded 25th September 2019
11 Sept 2019
Episode 2: "Indian Summer Reign"
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 message and let us know if you are enjoying the Nightwatchmen Podcast!
27 Aug 2019
Nightwatchmen: Opening the Innings
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 land. The episode includes excerpts from the press conference announcing Enoch Nkwe as interim team Director. It was recorded moments after a certain Ben Stokes had rewritten cricketing folklore thousands of miles away in Leeds, UK. Not much to talk about then! Enjoy :-)
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