**Official** New Zealand in South Africa

[NZTailender]

So, if McCullum somehow guns it at 4, what will happen when Ross returns?

Wild and unlikely speculations aside, I'm looking forward to how Wagner and Bartin go. Hope Watling can farm a hundred before then too.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Ross will open the batting and keep obv

 

[Prince EWS]

So, if McCullum somehow guns it at 4, what will happen when Ross returns?

Ross just won't return IMO.

 

[Hurricane]

So, if McCullum somehow guns it at 4, what will happen when Ross returns?

Apparently what is best for McCullum is best for NZ.

 

[NZTailender]

Apparently what is best for McCullum is best for NZ.

Both could do with a swift kick up the arse, tbh.

 

[BeeGee]

So, if McCullum somehow guns it at 4, what will happen when Ross returns?

Wild and unlikely speculations aside, I'm looking forward to how Wagner and Bartin go. Hope Watling can farm a hundred before then too.

So are we calling them Bartin and Cartin? It's lucky there isn't a Fred Martin playing.

 

[banquetbear]

...Jonathan Millmow posted this in the Dom the other day:

Twenty20: New Zealand's Strongest Lineup | Stuff.co.nz

Although the series was lost 2-1, McCullum settled well into the captaincy role, there was a togetherness about the team that hasn't been evident previously, and a couple of rookie bowlers upstaged more senior team-mates.

Did anyone else see this evidence of "togetherness?"

 

[SilentOne]

it's Millmo, he's a ****.

I wouldn't read anything that **** writes.

 

[Howsie]

Colin Munro has apparently stayed on with the test squad because Fulton's knee has flared up. Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse

Sounds as though the only reason Brownlie isn't playing in this game is because he's picked up a bug, so fingers crossed he's right come next week.

 

[straw man]

Couldn't really see Fulton scoring runs anyway. Just means we're stuck with Franklin, who is just as unlikely to score runs but can compliment that with a few overs of pies.

 

[Kippax]

Hope Sinclair's wrist is okay. Could easily see a sensational PE return for him after some Cape Town carnage.

 

[Hurricane]

Couldn't really see Fulton scoring runs anyway. Just means we're stuck with Franklin, who is just as unlikely to score runs but can compliment that with a few overs of pies.

So what's the team then:

Guptil
Baz
Kane
Brownlie
Flynn
Watling
Franklin
etc

That team will go just as well with or without Fulton.

If Franko doesn't perform in the 1st match Colin could debut in the second.

 

[Kippax]

Fulton out of the tour says little Cricinfo chrome extension.

 

[Bahnz]

Martin and Wagner taking some serious tap. Looks like it'll be Boult, Martin, Bracewell and Patel for the first test. Really hoping for a holiday season miracle that Martin is back to his accurate and somewhat effective self of a couple of seasons ago.

Seriously, a ****ing thumb injury?! FFS Southee...

 

[Bahnz]

Fulton out of the tour says little Cricinfo chrome extension.

I wasn't expecting much from him but it would've been nice for him to get one more shot at test cricket. Ah well.

 

[straw man]

I wasn't expecting much from him but it would've been nice for him to get one more shot at test cricket. Ah well.

yeah from that perspective, even though my expectations were very low, it's sad for Fulton to get one last chance and it to be cut short like this

 

[Mike5181]

Martin and Wagner taking some serious tap. Looks like it'll be Boult, Martin, Bracewell and Patel for the first test. Really hoping for a holiday season miracle that Martin is back to his accurate and somewhat effective self of a couple of seasons ago.

Seriously, a ****ing thumb injury?! FFS Southee...

They've pulled it back now, both well under 3 runs an over. That's good news about Brownlie btw.

 

[Garson007]

Scoring at a typical South African pace at the moment. Still no wickets though, and these aren't county level openers. I'd be worried if I was McCullum.

 

[Howsie]

Martin and Wagner taking some serious tap. Looks like it'll be Boult, Martin, Bracewell and Patel for the first test. Really hoping for a holiday season miracle that Martin is back to his accurate and somewhat effective self of a couple of seasons ago.

Seriously, a ****ing thumb injury?! FFS Southee...

I wouldn't bet on it. He's taken 10 wickets @ over 50 his last six first class games, looked well down on pace during that 20/20 a couple of weeks ago too. If Wagner can't beat him out you may as well write him off as an international prospect.

 

[Hurricane]

can't buy a wicket.