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

[King-Gutho94]

He’ll bowl them into form, it’s what he does

The kiwis have always liked the bits and pieces all-rounders then a specialist bowler if they could get them in.

Styris, Harris and Oram spring to mind.

Vettori was a an all-time great so spin options post him have looked to replicate his decent late order batting maybe instead of the actual spinning ability.

I assume Santner's batting gives him the edge over Patel. Despite the clear ability he isn't a front line spinner or wouldn't tie Vettori's shoelaces as a bowler.

Those years of carrying Chris Martin at 11 for example may have scarred the selectors.

 

[JJ]

The kiwis have always liked the bits and pieces all-rounders then a specialist bowler if they could get them in.

Styris, Harris and Oram spring to mind.

Vettori was a an all-time great so spin options post him have looked to replicate his decent late order batting maybe instead of the actual spinning ability.

I assume Santner's batting gives him the edge over Patel. Despite the clear ability he isn't a front line spinner or wouldn't tie Vettori's shoelaces as a bowler.

Those years of carrying Chris Martin at 11 for example may have scarred the selectors.

yeah, there's a lot to like about Santner as a cricketer - but with the white ball...

That said, if they're picking him I hope he proves me wrong - it certainly isn't easy to be a spinner in NZ, he'll be tight, but unthreatening... But I wouldn't expect much from Lyon either

 

[Bazal]

The kiwis have always liked the bits and pieces all-rounders then a specialist bowler if they could get them in.

Styris, Harris and Oram spring to mind.

Vettori was a an all-time great so spin options post him have looked to replicate his decent late order batting maybe instead of the actual spinning ability.

I assume Santner's batting gives him the edge over Patel. Despite the clear ability he isn't a front line spinner or wouldn't tie Vettori's shoelaces as a bowler.

Those years of carrying Chris Martin at 11 for example may have scarred the selectors.

Styris was a quality player to be fair. And I reckon Oram was a gun.

Santner's a toiler but not in their class by any means