**Official** New Zealand in South Africa

[Daemon]

ftr "Those terrific people at Opta have this: "Vernon Philander's 25-ball 5-wicket haul is the third fastest in Test match history" (Cricinfo)

 

[benchmark00]

Will Steyn get the 300th wicket in this game?

Reckon they've got enough time to bowl them out thirty times? Wouldn't bet against it.

 

[Howsie]

lol, wtf was that? Even with as at 28-5 Franklin still looks in a far different class of ****ness.

 

[Zinzan]

Am I being overly harsh labeling Franklin the epitome of a 'soft' international cricketer?

 

[NUFAN]

Chance for flynn to get his maiden ton?

Might get left stranded in the nervous 9's.

 

[NZTailender]

On the bright side, we might get to see our bowling attack have fun with the pitch. Well, Boult and Bracewell anyhows...

 

[Flem274*]

Am I being overly harsh labeling Franklin the epitome of a 'soft' international cricketer?

Nope

Seems to be one of those "confidence players" along with not being a technically proficient batsman.

 

[Hurricane]

List of the lowest scores just in case we lose another couple

Team records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

 

[Zinzan]

On the bright side, we might get to see our bowling attack have fun with the pitch. Well, Boult and Bracewell anyhows...

Wait on...Chris Martin to get an inspirational 2-107 off 36.3 overs

 

[straw man]

lol, wtf was that? Even with as at 28-5 Franklin still looks in a far different class of ****ness.

Yes. So ****ing crap at anything resembling quality. And can't cash in when it's easier either. Get him out of the team ffs

 

[Flem274*]

Declare and bowl imo. Our tail is a true tail. All we're doing is giving SA more time in good conditions.

 

[Athlai]

I kept it to a double. Another wicket may make it a triple.

 

[Burgey]

Is this the same ground that SA has Aust 24 for 9 or whatever it was?

Yeah, but we led by about 150 odd on the first innings when they did it to us.

Terrible for NZ here. Had hopes for a good match here.

 

[ohnoitsyou]

if we are going to continue to play franklin, why oh why cant we give the captaincy to him, saving us Baz's idiocy and leaving all our competent players free of extra responsibility

 

[Athlai]

Who do we have to pay to get a camera on Ross Taylor's reaction to this?

 

[wellAlbidarned]

No one would blame the tail for having a swing. It's our only chance, need to soften the ball and throw the bowlers off somehow. Just sitting ****ing ducks atm.

 

[Bahnz]

Chris Martin to top score.

 

[Flem274*]

Might take a peek at Crowe's twitter box in the morning.

Old man Bondy could test a few of this lot even now.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Lovely bit of gold from cricinfo....

"I agree with Mark, batting first was idiotic," says Evan. "Bazz is too proud, too much of a gambler. Hopefully this will make him pull his head in a bit and play the percentages, instead of trying to prove that his "stones" are as big as anyone elses

 

[Hurricane]

No one would blame the tail for having a swing. It's our only chance, need to soften the ball and throw the bowlers off somehow. Just sitting ****ing ducks atm.

Look at the **** Haddin got though.