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A couple of points about who might or might not be playing in the WC qualifiers:

It's by no means assured that ANY of SA, WI and Sri Lanka will avoid having to play in that tournament...although SA are fairly likely not to have to. But even if SA win both games against the Netherlands, Ireland (not sure why they haven't even been mentioned) could pip them to the post if they whitewash Bangladesh in May and keep their net run rate above SA's. (at the moment, it's almost identical, Ireland's being fractionally better). If they drop a game, SA will be OK with one win and one tie/abandonment this weekend--but of course they won't know that!

Namibia, meanwhile, are no longer certainties to be in the qualifiers at all (it hasn't been possible for a few weeks now that both Nepal and Namibia could get direct entry to them). Nepal are in, along with Oman and Scotland, but Namibia have to finish in the top two of the pre-qualifying competition currently in progress--and they were hammered in their first match, albeit by one of the best other teams. But if they lose to the UAE it's going to be looking pretty dicey for them.

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Good stuff Manners. I hear Sri Lanka are 1 down v NZ...

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Thanks for the "end-of-term" photos. I am glad that you explained where they were taken as, for a fleeting moment, I thought that they were Dunedin NZ. My favourite town. Sigh.....

This is from my end-of-weekend mood after watching SA rugby.

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Great piece as always Manners! I am afraid I have never visited Klerksdorp before in my 48 years on the planet, and based on your photos, they do not inspire me to consider doing so either in my remaining years! The images are of a run-down place with aged infrastructure, and weeds growing as tall as the dustbins on the pavements. On the cricketing front, it has been good to see a bit of oomph from the Proteas. I wonder how much has been the change in coaching staff and some fresh players keen to impress or just simply that West Indies look out of their depth on the international circuit?

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Test cricket sadly on slide whatever is done $$ b4 cap no doubt …. Wen u moving to Klerksdorp …..😂😂

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