Humble Pie Chuckers

‘NASSER Hussain’s claim that South Africa ‘were ripe for the taking’ may not have been as colourful as Tony Greig’s famous 1976 boast that England were going to make the West Indies grovel.

‘Let’s declare before they really start on us’

But the effect has been pretty similar as yesterday Hershelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith force-fed the England captain with helping after helping of humble pie.

The tourists reached 398-1 at the end of the first day’s play, with Smith unbeaten on 178 at the close.

‘You put a little bit of pressure on yourself when you make comments like Nasser,’ the South African captain told the Express after coming off the pitch.

And the Mail is also quick to blame Hussain, whose first day back in charge was ‘an unmitigated disaster’.

‘Skipper Hussain’s tactics after Michael Vaughan’s triumphant run with the one-day side were laid bare to scrutiny as records tumbled on a perfect batting wicket,’ it says.

In truth, however, there was not much Hussain could do as England’s bowlers sprayed the ball around – still stuck, as Duncan Fletcher observed, in one-day mode.

Another day, another Chelsea transfer story, with Brazilian skipper Emerson the latest name to be linked with the Roman legion at Stamford Bridge.

The Mirror says the Blues are poised to take their summer spending spree past the £50m mark after agreeing a fee of £14.5m with Roma.

And it claims that Claudio Ranieri is still confident of bringing Juan Sebastian Veron to what promises to be a very busy home dressing room in south-west London.

The Sun claims Chelsea are also in the market for Real Madrid midfielder Claude Makelele, although only if the Emerson deal falls through.

And finally a player not going to Stamford Bridge (or indeed to Old Trafford) as Kieron Dyer tells the Express that speculation about his future at Newcastle was all fantasy.

As if the price tag of £25m wasn’t a clue…

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Posted: 25th, July 2003 | In: Back pages Comment | TrackBack | Permalink