Birmingham - Black Caps v South Africa
The first person other than the porter that I see when I arrived at my Birmingham hotel was the South African (Saffer) Captain Faf du Plessis. He was deep in discussion with another member of the SA management. He looked worried. He should have been. It was dark days to come. Arriving in the plane into Birmingham this was a crucial match for the Black Caps. To date we hadn’t played a team worthy of being called very good. India was a washout as much as I was facing an ankle wipeout. South Africa always play well against us. The hotel could not check me in at 12 with a suitable disability room (read no SHUB but a shower) but hallelujah their sports bar had Sky Sport and a half way decent food menu (read options other than fish and chips). I was still in semi-crippled mode so didn't venture outside the hotel into Birmingham. I am told by those who have been to Birmingham this was a good thing. I see Ross Taylor skulking around in jandals and shorts. Everyone seemed