You don't go to sporting events to watch teams lose but I gained a slight sense of satisfaction in watching England crumble on the final day of the first Test against South Africa at The Oval.
Just five tube stops away from the Balham bed and breakfast I ducked down for the closing stages and was treated to a few hours out in the English sunshine, watching cricket with a pint in hand.
Good day all round really, not so much for the Poms though who were downed by an innings in the opening of three Tests between the top two nations.
South African quick Dale Steyn was the pick on the day and ripped through the English once he had the new ball in hand for a five wicket haul in the second innings.
Hashim Amla had set up with the win with a record breaking South African triple century in the two days prior.
The most annoying part about the English fans was the polite applause when Matt Prior and Ian Bell were dismissed on the final day.
Maybe clapping was the right thing to do but surely it was the batsman's job to stay out in the middle and save the day for their team, not get out so softly in an hour of need.
Starting to sound like a whinging Pom...shouldn't though with moments like the one above.
Caption: This clock strikes on the hour with the figurines providing more resistance than the English team did today at The Oval.
Links:
*Read the London Eye each day in the Maitland Mercury during the 2012 Olympic Games
*Tune into 1233 ABC Newcastle each morning from 7.30am during the Games period for a live cross from the London Olympics with breakfast presenter Aaron Kearney
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