Grace
Peter Fitzsimons on Australia's cricketers. Key quote: "Do you remember when our blokes used to be so impressively gracious to beaten opponents like that? No, I don't think I can, either."
Killing him softly
Here is South African batsman A.B. de Villiers when asked to rate Australian Test debutant bowler Bryce McGain, whom he had personally slammed for 35 runs from 22 balls faced, including three sixes and two fours. "It's really hard to answer that," he said. "But without trying to be funny, it was truly heartbreaking. I've got a pretty soft heart, and life is hard. It's really bad to see a guy suffer. I wouldn't want him to get five wickets, obviously not. "Out there it's a battle, and I'm going to give it my best shot and hit him for sixes if I can. If I don't, well done to him. But it was really tough to be out there because I know the guy is going through a hard time." Do you remember when our blokes used to be so impressively gracious to beaten opponents like that? No, I don't think I can, either.