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

[straw man]

Just declare now Graeme, I dare you.

What am I saying, please bat for three sessions Smithy

 

[Flem274*]

We wouldn't chase this down without Ross tbh.

 

[_Ed_]

vitstl

So a collapse of 6/56 there. Not our most epic one of the series, but still a decent effort.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Holy ****! That's Tipene Friday, huh?

I used to play poker against him at Four Kings when I was in Wellington.

Anyhoo.... Vernon ****ing Philander huh?

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Toull is such an angry bastard.

It's not a national secret, you just have to ****ing ask. Stupid angry useless tool.

 

[Hurricane]

Oh ffs, you see, this is why we shouldn't bother stacking the team with "batsmen." We've provided the batting every opportunity of passing the follow on on a flat pitch and the ****s are still going to bottle it at the final hurdle.

Wouldn't have made the follow on without 6 batsman. You could argue that the follow on mark would have been lower with 5 bowlers however.

I didn't see any of Phillander's bowling but if he can take a 5 fer on this deck and help skittle us for 300 - then yep he is good.

 

[Flem274*]

Petersen is such a **** batsman, but by God is he a good and prolific **** batsman.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

The comms are such ****s. That looked like it was going over the top. They make out like it should have been reviewed. "Doug Bracewell should have demanded a review". Then they see it going over and say nothing else, and pretend like they never said anything in the first place. FMD.

 

[Howsie]

The comms are such ****s. That looked like it was going over the top. They make out like it should have been reviewed. "Doug Bracewell should have demanded a review". Then they see it going over and say nothing else, and pretend like they never said anything in the first place. FMD.

I always love this part of the summer in regards to our commentators. Main test series is almost over, New Zealand have been pummeled into the dirt and they start asking questions. What should be changed, or should go/come in. Always a good time.

 

[Flem274*]

Thierry Henry's true identity is revealed

I can't believe the way Rattue expressed that piece makes me almost skip back to being firmly in the Vettori camp (as opposed to loving his batting only).

I mean...

Quite frankly, I'd ban orthodox finger spinning other than for supermarket carpark cricket, and order coaches or players to get the Murali Muralitharan and Shane Warne tapes out. Under this policy, finger spinners could apply for dispensations which would only be given scant consideration if they proved able to spin a ball square on cotton wool. Otherwise, pal, it's back to the carpark.

Someone to tell him who the two best spinners in the world are methinks.

 

[Bahnz]

I don't even really want to think about today's play. From 220/4 to 275 all out. Another brilliant knock from Doug Bracewell. Genuine allrounder, why don't New Zealand bat him at 6????

I think I'll just look forward to the future. So I guess Wagner will be coming into the team for the West Indies tour. While I don't hold him in particularly high regard, his batting must make him a strong candidate for inclusion if we go back to the 4 seamers strategy (if we do that, we'll need some lower order players who can bat, as lord knows the top 6 aren't going to make enough runs). If so, our team will start to have almost as much of an international flavour as England's.

I wonder if Martin will consider retiring now. He hasn't had a great series by his high standards (v SA), and he'd have to play until he is about 40 to get anywhere near 300 test wickets. As much as I hate to say it, with Bracewell, Boult, Gillespie, Wagner and Southee jousting for positions, it might be time for El-Ahrairah to call it a day.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

As much as I hate to say it, with Bracewell, Boult, Gillespie, Wagner and Southee jousting for positions, it might be time for El-Ahrairah to call it a day.

The Lord Trickster of Rabbits.

 

[Bahnz]

The Lord Trickster of Rabbits.

So thrilled somebody got the reference.

 

[Flametree]

Yep, Martin has bowled some decent stuff, but his opening spells have generally been fairly unthreatening. I think Wagner or Boult with Gillespie would be a more threatening combination with the new ball. It's a very difficult call for the selectors to make, so maybe he should make it for them.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

So thrilled somebody got the reference.

And I thought it was Gillespie who looked as if his arse had been 'blessed'.

One of my favourite books/films. Classic.

 

[TT Boy]

By not yet bowling Vettori, presumably NZ are still interested in a run chase. Once he comes on then all NZ wants to see tomorrow is Smith and Petersen make big hundreds.

 

[Prince EWS]

I wonder if Martin will consider retiring now. He hasn't had a great series by his high standards (v SA), and he'd have to play until he is about 40 to get anywhere near 300 test wickets. As much as I hate to say it, with Bracewell, Boult, Gillespie, Wagner and Southee jousting for positions, it might be time for El-Ahrairah to call it a day.

Yep, Martin has bowled some decent stuff, but his opening spells have generally been fairly unthreatening. I think Wagner or Boult with Gillespie would be a more threatening combination with the new ball. It's a very difficult call for the selectors to make, so maybe he should make it for them.

And so the cycle continues. Now there are murmours again he'll no doubt have one absolutely awful match to trick everyone into hopping on this bandwagon, then dominate for the rest of the series. Then he'll slowly get less penetrative for a series or two and the cycle will continue forevermore.

 

[Flem274*]

Haha, too true.

The way I see it, Martin has had an outstanding and consistent summer bar this match and the first match in Zimbabwe. He is our number two strike bowler right now and deservedly so. He can play as long as he likes. Having a few good bowlers waiting in the wings is a nice change and considering it can only be a matter of time before the injury bug starts following us again, pace bowling depth is vital.

 

[Mike5181]

I always love this part of the summer in regards to our commentators. Main test series is almost over, New Zealand have been pummeled into the dirt and they start asking questions. What should be changed, or should go/come in. Always a good time.

. Did anyone hear Doull have a go at the teams media manager for not telling them the result of Taylor's scans etc? He was soOo angry.

He needs to start doing his job.

 

[Hurricane]

So thrilled somebody got the reference.

Watership Downs?