1st Test: South Africa v New Zealand at Cape Town Jan 2-6, 2013

[attila_the_gorilla]

A bit disappointing that they're not looking to score now. Do they expect the new ball to be easier to score off?

 

[Hallatia]

I reckon they're saving their efforts for when the tide comes in, they think they have something to prove against it. Forgetting that they have a lot to prove in general

 

[Horrie Is God]

Good knock by Brownlie but that was a shocking shot..

 

[Red Bear]

Shit way to get out after a good fighting innings

 

[Hallatia]

I'm glad that my man Morne finally got one

Can't see New Zealand doing much after that wicket though

 

[Xfactor1979]

in terms of appalling cricket:

sri lanka's 2 and a half day living nightmare had no redeeming qualities to that match. 3 of their players got injured. that looks a worse effort than nz folding for 45

at least nz cracked 200 and someone got a century

 

[Horrie Is God]

Seth Efrika are a very good side,but what has always held them back from being a champion outfit is the lack of an effective spinner..

The frog in the blender,Paul Harris,Symcox etc..

 

[Hallatia]

I reckon South Africa are a real chance of batting again, and that can be put down to the poor fielding yesterday

 

[Horrie Is God]

Patel's in now..

That 45 they need to make Seth Efrika bat must seem like a thousand..

 

[Hallatia]

hey, they managed 45 in the first innings, who's to say they can't achieve that incredible feat again?

 

[Horrie Is God]

Rudolph wussed out on that catch..

If he goes hard at it he's a chance..

It's not like runs are an issue if he misses it..

Steyne ends up doing it on his own..

 

[Hallatia]

Boult batting interestingly

 

[Horrie Is God]

Can The Phantom do what Dizzy did??..

If he can then it'll make it a tricky chase..

 

[Earl]

haha chris martin

 

[Hallatia]

some one jynxed him and now the poor man has a diamond duck

 

[Horrie Is God]

Well the kiwis are put out of their misery..

The Phantom was looking sensational for every one of those zero balls he faced..

I wonder how many Diamond Ducks that is for him now??..

Seth Efrika doing exactly what was expected of them..except for their catching late yesterday..

 

[Timbo]

Martin with a diamond. An accurate reflection of his career.

Kiwis can take heart from the second dig though. Brownlie and Watling were excellent.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Alright here is the side that competes with any other Test side

Watling/Flynn
McCullum
Brownlie
Taylor
Ryder
Williamson
Ronchi
Vettori
Southee
Bracewell
Boult

Problem is getting most of them on the park for starters.

I wouldn't have McCullum opening in an ideal world but there is no room in the middle order, and plus averaging mid to high 30's as an opener for a NZer is actually really good.

I'd also consider interchanging Ryder and Brownlie.

The main problem with this side is it's a bit light on bowling so guys like Ryder and Williamson would have to fill almost 15 overs in a day, I think Ryder is good enough to fill a 4th seamer spot but his injury history is a bit of a concern with his bowling. I hope we can get something like this side on the park against England, imo it's a pretty damn good side.

 

[Iafeta]

You don't need to bracket Flynn and Watling. You spoke about Flynn showing 'balls'. He didn't do that in this test match. Watling at least showed he can bat time in a hopeless cause in that second innings. Good innings from Dean Brownlie, although I was petrified every time Peterson pitched up to him given that he played practically every delivery from behind his crease - he's a massive LBW candidate against spin. He needs to get better at judging length and playing it appropriately against spin to be a top class test bat.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Man, I'd at the very least wait to end of this series to make a decision on Flynn vs Watling. Flynn didn't even get an opportunity in the first innings, was down the other end while wickets tumbled and then in the the 2nd Watling battled hard for 40 which was good to see but that hardly seals him a spot.