2nd Test: New Zealand v South Africa at Hamilton Mar 15-19, 2012

[TheParraboy]

Thought NZ competed well in the 1st test, but SA should be too strong from now on, as much as the rest of the cricketing world would love to see the Proteas lose

Game kicks off Thursday

 

[Hallatia]

I hope NZ continue to compete and become a decent test side. I think if they continue to challenge us here, even if they don't win a match, they will gain so much from this series. But I think New Zealand on the whole need to play more cricket.

 

[Rod]

Our test schedule from this series on for the next year or so is reasonably busy so that's good.

I think we will take a lot of confidence from that first test.

 

[Hallatia]

I really hope so, it has been a while since New Zealand were really competitive in tests. I think that Hobart win was huge and the first match in this series was really good for them too, so this could be the start of a good rise.

 

[shiznit]

I really hope so, it has been a while since New Zealand were really competitive in tests. I think that Hobart win was huge and the first match in this series was really good for them too, so this could be the start of a good rise.

the last SA series here was awesome...

1-1 all i think it ended...

 

[African Monkey]

Daniel Flynn should have been selected. He's been killing it in domestic cricket. I seriously hope we don't go with Brent Arnel. Nethula or Gillespie for Southee depending on how the wicket plays.

 

[IanG]

The wicket at Seddon Park

 

[Meth]

De Villiers playing?

 

[Meth]

De Villiers is playing. South Africa win the toss (a great toss to win, damn it) and field.

Arnel and Gillespie in for NZ; Boult and Southee out.

 

[edabomb]

Not much variety in the NZ attack with Boult dropping out. Although he was ordinary last test up. Four right arm overs who are mainly between the 130 and 135 mark.

 

[Meth]

Not much variety in the NZ attack with Boult dropping out. Although he was ordinary last test up. Four right arm overs who are mainly between the 130 and 135 mark.

Arnel is boring. Docile. Consistent. A miserly plodder, at best.

Gillespie is a bit of a wild card.

I don't think these are great changes at all. We're leaning heavily on Martin, Bracewell and Vettori.

 

[Meth]

Also, we drop two pace bowlers in their 20's for two 'pace' bowlers in their 30's. NZ Cricket- future minded.

 

[African Monkey]

I don't mind Gillespie's inclusion. Arnel won't offer anything.

 

[Meth]

I don't mind Gillespie's inclusion. Arnel won't offer anything.

Neither. I would have been ok with Gillespie in for Southee, to give Southee a wake up call.

 

[edabomb]

Arnel is boring. Docile. Consistent. A miserly plodder, at best.

Gillespie is a bit of a wild card.

I don't think these are great changes at all. We're leaning heavily on Martin, Bracewell and Vettori.

Yea Arnell is an odd one. There seems to be a group of them that hover around the NZ team - Arnell, Aldridge, McKay, Bennett (IMO) etc. Guys that will do a great job at domestic level but simply aren't up to elite international level.

 

[Meth]

Yea Arnell is an odd one. There seems to be a group of them that hover around the NZ team - Arnell, Aldridge, McKay, Bennett (IMO) etc. Guys that will do a great job at domestic level but simply aren't up to elite international level.

Not wanting to point out the obvious, but that will always be the case in NZ cricket, more so than Australian cricket, because of the significant disparity that exists between NZ domestic and international cricket.

 

[edabomb]

Not wanting to point out the obvious, but that will always be the case in NZ cricket, more so than Australian cricket, because of the significant disparity that exists between NZ domestic and international cricket.

Yea I agree we'll never have that depth of quality other countries do. But with Gillespie at least something happens when he's around - these other blokes will be lucky to average less than 50 in the test arena against teams other than Bangas and Zim.

Nicol gone. Good to see us persist with playing 9 batsmen in this test as Martin and Nicol are walking wickets for SA.

 

[Meth]

Nicol gone.

Would have been much better to have Flynn at 3 or 5.

 

[edabomb]

Nicol gone.

Would have been much better to have Flynn at 3 or 5.

And if they're planning to persist with Nicol at least have him at 5 or 6 where he could contribute 30 or 40 on a good day.

 

[Earl]

Anyone else wanna join me in lol@Guptill?

I'm not sure what it is, I just don't like the guy. Maybe its because the NZ commentators talk him up so highly, but ive rarely seen him score runs against quality oppisition.

He can obviously play, but I'm just not a fan.