id. If we get him in the game for defense, we got id. If we get him in the game for defense, we got | Forum

It all got a bit lippy during Englands final Test against Pakistan at The Oval a few days ago. Bert Blyleven Jersey . Alex Hales pulled a much-shown face that wouldnt have been out of place in the pre-school sandpit, and predictably perhaps, given their enforcer-like swagger, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson weighed in with their two hapennies worth soon enough.Like those of many fast bowlers, Broads and Andersons emotions run fairly close to the surface. No one smells the slow bleed of self-belief like the pair, and this, in part, is what makes them so dangerous as second- and third-spell stalkers. To get self-righteous about the occasional indiscretion seems hypocritical, because it forgets that radioactivity is hot-wired into their DNA. They can resonate in no other way - and wouldnt be the cricketers they are without it.When he was coach of South Africa, Mickey Arthur used to talk with an amiable yet slightly puzzled air about Dale Steyns red mist. It was a strange and quixotic beast, liable to descend without warning and disappear over the horizon just as quickly. One of the notable features of South Africas slide down the Test rankings in recent months has not only been the absence of the visibly tiring Steyn but the almost complete lack of mongrel in their approach to the game. Where is the snarl? The calculated nastiness? The occasional fumes of anger?Hopefully Steyn plays in the first Test against New Zealand in Durban and, in so doing, brings the mist along with him. Kingsmead was where he cried off against England last summer and there is an argument to be made for the fact that his departure initiated the selection merry-go-round (Hardus Viljoen at the Wanderers?) that ultimately led to South Africa losing the series.Given the recent backstory, Kingsmead is a good place for new beginnings, and theres a pleasing symmetry to watching Steyn restart a Test career that he has long insisted isnt over, in Durban.Steyn likes playing against New Zealand. He was too young and callow a player when he made his debut alongside AB de Villiers against England in Port Elizabeth in 2004, bowling 16 no-balls, but by 2007 had forced his way back into contention. Who should he encounter but New Zealand, slicing through them like a hot knife through a rack of braaied ribs. In two Tests, at the Wanderers and Centurion, late that year, Steyn took 20 wickets against New Zealand, helping bundle the second to a three-day conclusion as the visitors were bowled out for 188 and 136.One of the few players to face Steyn with anything approaching confidence that November was Stephen Fleming, then in the twilight of his distinguished career. Fleming scored the only fifty of either New Zealand innings in Centurion but it was ultimately small change. Bowling his awayswing at pace and picking up a host of bowleds and leg- befores, Steyn was the man. New Zealand blinked first and the second Test - and therefore the abbreviated series - was over before it had ever really begun.Fleming knew a thing or two about the dark arts of intimidation. It was he who launched a premeditated verbal attack on a young Graeme Smith when South Africa toured New Zealand in 2004. Brendon McCallum did much the same to Jacques Kallis at Eden Park towards the end of the ODI series, and the South Africans were badly rattled. Whether Steyn initiates the verbals or whether it comes from someone else, it would give fans all over the country heart to see some aggro from the home side. Without it you begin to wonder about their pride.Steyn might not be the bowler of old, having to cannily ration his energies, but he knows a bit about lip. Perhaps the time has come for him to sledge from the front?News from the South African camp these past few weeks has been about culture workshops and that old chestnut beginning with the letter t - transformation. This is all well and good but you rather feel that transformation is a red herring, a convenient mask for other things. South Africa need, rather, to discover their inner sledge, the hard competitor that made someone like Brian McMillan and Pat Symcox such mean performers.The impression for some time now has been that South African cricket has lost its way. Finding their inner mongrel would go some way to restoring everyones leaking confidence. Twins Jerseys China . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. Stephen Gonsalves Twins Jersey . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. https://www.cheaptwins.com/352t-kirby-puckett-jersey-twins.html . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. NEW YORK -- Some familiar faces are rejoining the New York Mets this weekend as they fight for a berth in the NL playoffsRight-hander Jacob deGrom is scheduled to start Sundays series finale against the Minnesota Twins in his first appearance since Sept. 1. First baseman Lucas Duda, who last played on May 20, is to be activated disabled list Saturday after recovering from a stress fracture in his lower back.DeGrom, who had been bothered by right forearm soreness, will be limited to about 75 pitches. He threw a bullpen session Friday,We know how good he can be in the daytime, Mets manager Terry Collins said. Were hoping that we can get him back up to where if we get into the postseason hes a viable option for us. We think hes going to be fine, but we dont have a crystal ball to know whats going to happen here after he throws Sunday.Right-hander Noah Syndergaard will start Mondays series opener against Atlanta on five days rest. Left-hander Steven Matz, who has not pitched since Aug. 14 because of shoulder tightness, is to throw a bullpen session Saturday.New York leads St. Louis by two games for the NLs second wild card, and Collins said it is too early to make rotation decisions. Matt Harvey had season-ending surgery in July to address Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, and rookies Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman have joined Syndergaard and Bartolo Colon in the rootation. Ian Miller Jersey. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said in early August that he did not expect Duda to return this season. Duda has been taking batting practice and will be integrated slowly.Well try to get him in there in the right circumstances, and, you know what, if we feel that he can help us in the lineup some time, well get him in there, Collins said.In addition, outfielder Juan Lagares was activated from the disabled list ahead of Fridays series opener against the Twins. Lagares hasnt played since July 28 because of a torn ligament in his left thumb that required surgery. He plans to start swinging a bat next week and will be limited to a defensive replacement role, and Collins said having him bat during the regular season was a longshot.He gives us that option of a Gold Glover to come in late in the game and go play center field, Collins said. If we get him in the game for defense, we got to hit for him, we got to hit for him.Infielder Wimer Flores, out since a home-plate collision with Atlanta catcher A.J. Pierzynski Sept. 10, said he had an injection of painkiller in his right wrist Thursday and could return soon.It doesnt feel very good right now but hopefully the next couple days it will feel better, he said. ' ' '