***Official*** South Africa in New Zealand 2012

[Prince EWS]

Pretty disappointed in Boult; New Zealand aren't going to keep playing four specialist seamers unless they're all consistently good (or Southee) so he can't afford to bowl like that too often. Southee bowled okay; he was in the wind mostly as discussed before and even though he was wicketless he did look threatening (although not as threatening as Bracewell or Martin) and kept the pressure on.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Man, not the most convincing shot from Nichol first up. Close LBW second ball too; looked good real time.

Missing on replay; height.

 

[Howe_zat]

Superb effort by NZ to keep SA under 250 on this very good batting track.

I'll be very disappointed if NZ don't get at least 100 run lead.

I'd be very surprised if they do.

 

[Days of Grace]

Let's see how smug Barry is this morning.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Nichol looks a massive LBW candidate. Planting his front pad and almost bringing the bat across from off rather than down straight.

 

[Zinzan]

Let's see how smug Barry is this morning.

I kind of like Barry's smugness tbh.....adds some colour and more importantly some personality to an otherwise dull commentary box.

 

[Mike5181]

I kind of like Barry's smugness tbh.....adds some colour and more importantly some personality to an otherwise dull commentary box.

He's been fine in this test match IMO.

 

[NasserFan207]

If NZ reach 50 without being 3 down I'll be shocked

 

[African Monkey]

Nicol gone. Didn't look at all comfortable.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Well, nearly LBW anyway.

Nicol doesn't look a test batsman to me based on that evidence.

Great line from Philander too.

 

[Mike5181]

Don't think anyone is overly surprised Nicol is gone. Probably won't start the second test.

 

[Zinzan]

Lovely piece of bowling that.

 

[NasserFan207]

Vernon is a beast. Scary accurate

 

[hazsa19]

Has Vettori been moved up the order? Nz batting card looks even weaker than usual tbh

 

[Bahnz]

Glargh, I just can't believe Nicol was picked. Surely the CdG of the test side.

 

[Furball]

Beautiful looking ground.

 

[Blakey]

Predictions for a NZ first innings total?

174 all out.

 

[hazsa19]

Beautiful looking ground.

This. Proper cricket ground.

 

[Zinzan]

Vernon is a beast. Scary accurate

Indeed, also looks suspiciously like Jacques Kallis' bowling when he hits the crease. Lots of shoulder in the action.

 

[BeeGee]

predictions for a nz first innings total?

174 all out.

387