1st Test: New Zealand v South Africa at Dunedin Mar 7-11, 2012

[Hallatia]

1:45 toss, 2:15 start. Looks like the toss is actually about to happen. I'm excited

 

[Hallatia]

New Zealand have won the toss and elected to bowl

 

[Hallatia]

I think both sides are exactly what was expected.

South Africa:
Graeme Smith (captain), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Jacques Rudolph, Mark Boucher (keeper), Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, Marchant de Lange (12th man)

New Zealand:
Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol, Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor (captain), Kane Williamson, Daniel Vettori, Kruger van Wyk (keeper), Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Chris Martin, Andrew Ellis (12th man)

 

[Hallatia]

Woohoo! Match is beginning

 

[Hallatia]

New Zealand make their first review, and this could well be out

 

[Hallatia]

Wicket! Boult collects Petersen's scalp and South Africa are 34/1 in the tenth over.

The pitch is doing absolutely nothing and it is freezing in Dunedin. Taylor choose to bowl first because of the overhead conditions, but the pitch conditions are very kind to the the batsmen

 

[Hallatia]

51/1 at drinks.

I have to say, I really like the New Zealand commies, I am not sure if they really add anything at all, but they are very friendly and not full of shit or steam. They are optimistic about their side, but with the utmost respect for the opposition. And very positive about the opposition too. Doule is a bit more aggressive than the others, but the Dalai Lama is more aggressive than these guys. I find them kind of pleasant

 

[African Monkey]

I find our commentators extremely annoying.

 

[African Monkey]

Martin gets Smith yet again. Jacques in

 

[African Monkey]

Jacques out to an absolute beauty.

 

[African Monkey]

Chris Martin on fire. SA 90/4.

 

[Hallatia]

whilst I'm sad that 2 of our best batsmen got out for quackers, I'm glad that this has turned into a real contest. Before tea, South Africa were doing it too easy, but then after Tea New Zealand have been on fire, , now it's time for these 2 out there now to fight back and make a 200+ run stand

 

[Rod]

I have to say, I really like the New Zealand commies, I am not sure if they really add anything at all, but they are very friendly and not full of shit or steam. They are optimistic about their side, but with the utmost respect for the opposition. And very positive about the opposition too. Doule is a bit more aggressive than the others, but the Dalai Lama is more aggressive than these guys. I find them kind of pleasant

Yeah our guys are mostly pretty good. Smithy is pleasant and knowledgeable, but can get overly excited if we are doing well, although he's not on a Healy level or anything. The rest are mostly quite new to commentary like McMillan and Bond. Doully is the worst of the lot IMO.

 

[Hallatia]

I reckon these commies could get tiresome, but compared to other guys they are refreshing and they say really cute things - for example, when the fielding side appeals for a wicket and it's not one and isn't exactly, they don't like it and don't approve.

I think the fielding side should appeal for everything which is even close, as long as they are not doing it in a bad spirited manner. One of the oldest umpires I have come across advised us to do this.

Another umpire once told me that according to the laws of cricket, the umpire is supposed to respond to every appeal. If you are being excessive he'll tell you.

 

[Red Bear]

The Phantom!

 

[Hallatia]

Hash has is past 50 and so is this partnership, SAfrica are past 150.
South Africa now 155/4

 

[Hallatia]

I am not sure what time the day's play in supposed to be over by, it would ordinarily be 6, but they would have added time to the end of the day given the time it took the day to start

 

[Red Bear]

Vettori!!!

18 overs to go after that drinks break

 

[hineyrulz]

Grandpa Boucher run out and the Saffa's are in trouble.

 

[African Monkey]

SA falling to pieces here on a good track as well.