The latest tasty quotes from the world’s media, fresh from the front desk of SACricketmag.com.

‘The number on my cap won’t be important. All that will matter is the badge on the front.’
– Zubayr Hamza speaking ahead of his potential Test debut for the Proteas in the first Test against Pakistan. MORE

‘Given the intensity of this series that we are playing right now, we want to keep him fresh, give him a break and he will have a very good game time of five matches against the visiting England Lions.
– Indian selector MSK Prasad on why Rishabh Pant was replaced by MS Dhoni for ODI series against Australia and New Zealand. MORE

‘When you continue to perform, your confidence level increases dramatically. Since then, I’ve been performing the way I wanted to perform.’
– Pakistan’s Babar Azam ahead of the first Test against South Africa. MORE

‘For me, what has worked is being comfortable in where I am playing. Not necessarily looking at how difficult the wicket is, but if you are able to feel comfortable there, then you are more or less in control of what you want to do.’
– Virat Kohli discusses his state of mind at the crease. MORE

‘I loved every moment of my journey as a player and am so very proud of the team and personal achievements along the way.’
– Ricky Ponting on being inducted into the ICC’s Hall of Fame. MORE

‘When it’s a third over of the Test match and it’s not carrying through … you just want it to carry through. First over you’ve got two bowlers bowling 140km/h plus and it’s not carrying through. This pitch here, it’s not overly promising.
– Former Aussie bowling legend Glenn McGrath slates the MCG pitch. MORE

‘There’s a lot of green grass here. Hopefully they will cut it so it looks better. Whoever wins the toss would like to bat first. No one would want to bat in the fourth innings if they’re chasing over 200.’
– Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed ahead of the first Test against the Proteas at Centurion. MORE

‘Technically, we feel, Vihari is well-equipped. I hope he will come out successful. Definitely, it is not a long-term solution, I can tell you that.’
– India chairman of selectors MSK Prasad speaking ahead of Hanuma Vihari’s selection to open the batting in the third Test against Australia at the MCG. Vihari scored just eight while his opening partner Mayank Agarwal scored 76 on his Test debut. MORE

NEWS BITES

Indian cricketer dies after suffering heart attack on field. MORE

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Brilliant catch and run out by Zubayr Hamza against the Warriors Cape Cobras star batter Zubayr Hamza is on the brink of becoming the 100th player to earn a Proteas Test cap when South Africa play Pakistan at Centurion on Boxing Day … and in the last first-class match before the Test he proved his class in the field. Hamza first took an incredible catch at first clip to remove Warriors skipper JJ Smuts for 63 off the bowling of Dane Piedt … followed by quick thinking from the same position at first slip to dash into the covers to field a quick single and send throw in for Dane Piedt to complete the run out of Lutho Sipamla to end the Warriors first innings on 252. Hamza would have been disappointed to get out for a six-ball duck in the first match after the Mzansi Super League (which he was not picked up by any of the franchises this year), but his good effort in the field would have boosted his confidence for the second knock. As is happened, the Cape Cobras scored an imposing 403-3 before declaring, with Hamza on 74 not out off 95 balls, having hit 10 fours and a six. footage: Cricket South Africa @cricket_south_africa @zubyhamza @danepiedt63 @cobrascricket #cricket #danepiedt #zubayrhamza #proteas #cricketsouthafrica #pakistan #castlelager #castlelagertestseries #proteasvspakistan

A post shared by SA Cricket magazine (@sacricketmagazine) on Dec 21, 2018 at 10:31pm PST