New Zealand v South Africa (3 T20s, 3 ODIs, 3 Tests)

[stewie griffen]

Its a bit gusty here this morning, could be a tough morning for the quicks running into the breeze

 

[JUBJUB]

NZ need 389 to win

EDIT : NZ are 2 for 1

 

[stewie griffen]

Oh lord.... and with Rosco out and Chris Martin... thats pretty much 4/1

 

[DrVanNostrand]

Vetorri also worries me. he did a great job keeping it tight, and I dont think people realise how strong that wind was that he bowled into.But he just doesnt turn the ball, so unless batsmen attack him he's pretty impotent

Doully got started on this yesterday, saying he'd made the wrong choice between Tests and ODIs.

3 wickets in the three Tests against South Africa is pretty miserable reading. I think he only managed the one against Zimbabwe as well. But that's only this home summer. He was MOTM in the away Test against Zimbabwe, created plenty of chances and didn't have a lot of luck in the 2/88 at the Gabba (96 with the bat, still not quite over that, watching it unfold from the mid-on boundary ), and took a Plunket Shield 5for a few weeks ago.

I personally think he'll go to the West Indies and tear them apart. Their batsmen are just as impatient at ours and probably play accurate spin worse. While he's batting at 6/7 (and making runs), he'll be there for a few years to come and hopefully Nethula can develop into a quality red ball bowler (beginning with the two bowling in tandem in the Windies).

 

[stewie griffen]

The thing with Dan is that often there is a bowler or two in the NZ lineup that opposition teams lick their lips at. It was especially the case for when we (Aus) played them in the ODI format. See off Dan, take him for 0/30 off 10 and take your runs off the other bowlers, same for Bond when he was fit.

He's never been a massive turner of the ball, its all pressure, accuracy and varying pace. If he ties up an end, at the very least he's making the quicks jobs easier as batsman are looking to play shots off them. Probably the more disappointing aspect was Bracewell taking 1/100 odd, along with the Phantom's 2/96.

The breeze he bowled into was reminiscent of the one from the first test here in 2009 where Hauritz bowled the best part of 40 overs straight, but it was a first innings pitch with a little bit of grass (albeit day 3, but very little wear and tear and no chance to dry out)... not the ideal wicket for a finger spinner

Its a real tough call to drop him from the side, given what he offers with both bat and ball, unless one of the young spinners comes on in leaps and bounds

 

[KiwiRoo]

Doully got started on this yesterday, saying he'd made the wrong choice between Tests and ODIs.

3 wickets in the three Tests against South Africa is pretty miserable reading. I think he only managed the one against Zimbabwe as well. But that's only this home summer. He was MOTM in the away Test against Zimbabwe, created plenty of chances and didn't have a lot of luck in the 2/88 at the Gabba (96 with the bat, still not quite over that, watching it unfold from the mid-on boundary ), and took a Plunket Shield 5for a few weeks ago.

I personally think he'll go to the West Indies and tear them apart. Their batsmen are just as impatient at ours and probably play accurate spin worse. While he's batting at 6/7 (and making runs), he'll be there for a few years to come and hopefully Nethula can develop into a quality red ball bowler (beginning with the two bowling in tandem in the Windies).

Its a shame Vetorri stuffed his back a few years ago, because the younger model did turn the ball.
Still worth his place as a batsmen, but becoming less pickable as a bowler.

Just read an article stating that Wagner may not be eligible until October this year, so wont be picked for the Windies tour...thats a shame !

 

[the 5th wiggle]

a couple of fair nuts there.

 

[stewie griffen]

Wow

Morne is on fire

 

[stewie griffen]

or some rain arrives.

Not looking likely, not a cloud in the sky here and no rain forecast for another week

 

[Warsaw]

All 5 from Morne? Beasting.

 

[dumb]

no 5/fer for philander this innings. steyn will soon be under 5 a match at this rate.

 

[Hellgood]

11 overs, 5 maidens, 5 for 11 is a bloody awesome return. Especially for Morkel who has been the forgotten man since Philander has come in and been amazing. I've probably said it a few hundred times on here, but I just love watching the South African guys bowl and the depth they have is pretty extraordinary too.

 

[evdo1706]

Heading for an exciting finish I reckon.

 

[stewie griffen]

Any word on an injury for Morne? I notice he left mid over and hasnt been back.

Williamsons doing a fantastic job so far, and van Wyk is hanging in there nicely.

Altho, one wicket will open it right up given they are a man (or arguably two) down

 

[Stig O'Hara]

Kiwis toughing it out. 5/144 at drinks.

Taylor obviously won't bat.

You'd reckon one more wicket will open the gate for the Saffers, not sure why Duminy is getting so many overs with 22 overs left.

 

[Kram]

lol that's gotta hurt.

 

[Phone]

To just go back a few posts - Vettori is pretty much a batting all-rounder nowadays

 

[Stig O'Hara]

Morne gets his 6th, Van Wyck c&b.

Shouldn't be far way for the Saffers.

 

[stewie griffen]

18 overs to go tho... Bracewell and Gillespie can hang around for a few overs, and theres a bit of grey cloud coming in so light might come into play as well.

Imagine if the Phantom can get them over the line with the bat

 

[dumb]

de villiers of all people drops bracewell

am still trying to figure out what amla's emergency surgery was for (hit in the groin off an inside edge)

 

[The Falcon Strike]

Game would probably be over if Williamson was given

 

[stewie griffen]

SA only have themselves to blame for their catching. In hindsight you could say that they only needed to set a target of 330 or so, and given themselves a bit more time to bowl them out, but I would have done pretty much the same thing - make certain of the series and give them no chance to win

Nice innings by Williamson, even if he was more than a touch lucky

 

[KiwiRoo]

de villiers of all people drops bracewell

am still trying to figure out what amla's emergency surgery was for (hit in the groin off an inside edge)

Twisted testicles apparantly..thats was even painful to type !

Good effort from NZ. good to see Williamson fulfilling some of his talent. With he, Taylor and Brownlie theres enough talent to build a middle order round.The bowling is also showing some positive signs

The jury is still out regarding our openers.

as for the South Africans..its hard to believe they're not world no 1. Their quick bowlers are as good as any Ive seen. Looking forward to the South Africans touring Australia .!

 

[4evablues]

as for the South Africans..its hard to believe they're not world no 1. Their quick bowlers are as good as any Ive seen. Looking forward to the South Africans touring Australia .!

They will be no.1 for sure. They look good in every aspect of their game.

They are probably the one team, as an aussie, would be a little afraid to play.

Well done to NZ showing some fight on the last day. Good result for the kiwis as the saffas looked the better team by quite alot.

1-0...pretty respectable!

 

[DrVanNostrand]

What 4evablues said. 1-0 loss is a pretty respectable result. I would have preferred some greener pitches, but that could have easily lead to a 3-0 whitewash.

If only Dunedin didn't get washed out on the last day. NZ might have lost, but it would have been the right game to build up some further interest in Test cricket. having said that, the crowds for the Test series were fantastic. Even if they are small grounds, everyone loves seeing hills populated for Test matches. Time to bring the ODIs back to the Basin and find a suitable, boutique cricket ground in Auckland. Are the outer oval or Colin Maiden Park viable options?

Am I right in thinking Village Green in Christchurch will stage a Test next season?

Wow, the Windies tour starts in the last week of June. Much closer than I thought. FOUR away tours (Windies, India, Lanka, South Africa) before we host England next summer (very short home summer, should get Bangaldesh over for a curtain raiser ala Zimbabwe this season).