1st Test: New Zealand v South Africa @ Mount Maunganui Feb 4-8, 2024

[TheParraboy]

Will kiwis do an Australia and drop a test against a depleted opposition ?

2 test series kicks off tomorrow, Sunday 4th Feb 9am AEST

Favourites, underdogs, and a contest where every inch will be earned

Looking at the WTC table, it's a series the teams - full strength or depleted - will want to get as much as they can from

www.espncricinfo.com

 

[Bazal]

I hope South Africa lose by an innings inside two days

 

[JJ]

We were a bit smug against Bangladesh at home and lost one, but without Williamson… smugness not there when he’s around

sadly no Boult, but decent side otherwise and finally Nicholls dropped

 

[AlwaysGreen]

So this SA mob are the dregs who weren't good enough to play the Saffa Big Bonk?

 

[JJ]

So this SA mob are the dregs who weren't good enough to play the Saffa Big Bonk?

Test specialists?

 

[JJ]

Given Jamieson hasn’t played much I’m surprised they’ve left Wagner out…. Santner is a great white ball bowler but with the red ball not sure what he offers that Phillips and Ravindra can’t provide

 

[edabomb]

Latham really cashed in there. 20 will really boost his career average against SA. Keep that form up and he'll be threatening 15 by the end of the series.

 

[Twizzle]

New Zealand 58/2 (22 ov) v South Africa Last Wicket: TWM Latham 20 (48b 4x4 0x6) SR: 41.66

 

[JJ]

65/2 at lunch, Ravindra playing a shot a ball

Good session for the Jaapies

 

[King-Gutho94]

Latham really cashed in there. 20 will really boost his career average against SA. Keep that form up and he'll be threatening 15 by the end of the series.

Just keep him in the team for the Aussies.

Our boys will eat him up for breakfast like they always do.

Career record is flattering take out his record against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh he averages 36.

 

[JJ]

Just keep him in the team for the Aussies.

Our boys will eat him up for breakfast like they always do.

Career record is flattering take out his record against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh he averages 36.

Yeah, he’s bog average at best at the top level, not sure why the media fawn over him so much.

 

[Twizzle]

kiwis with a decent partersnip looking better

New Zealand 142/2 (56.2 ov) v South Africa
Last Wicket: TWM Latham 20 (48b 4x4 0x6) SR: 41.66

 

[JJ]

Williamson seems to be struggling with timing at times, and showing some minor frustration which is unusual, now looking a little more fluent

Ravindra hitting fielders consistently

We’ll set relatively defensive field and nagging bowlers

 

[JJ]

258/2 centuries for Williamson and Ravindra, solid day for us

 

[ColdWetPanther]

Mount Maunganui; isn’t that where they film the original Japanese version of Ninja Warrior?

 

[JJ]

This group of Jaapies is trying, but tbh I hope we f**k them up, if RSA is going’s to disrespect test cricket like this they can f**k off

 

[JJ]

330/3

Seems a difficult wicket to find any rhythm on, attack is accurately but ordinary

 

[bazza]

guessing that Neil Brand is now going to be a trivia quiz answer as he was captain in his first test match

 

[mozza91]

Ravindra is the exact opposite of bald.

 

[JJ]

200 for Ravindra, 399/5