**Official** New Zealand in South Africa

[Bahnz]

While Martin's pace has been well down, he was still probably been the best of the bowlers, at least in terms of his line and lengths and consistency of swing. But there's no way that he's good enough as a 125k bowler.

 

[Meridio]

SA declaring? Really? They booked to go on safari for days 4 and 5?

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Martin ends up with better figures than Boult. Not a game played on paper etc. he's cannon fodder on any pitch in the world but this one.

 

[Hurricane]

Good luck martin Guptil. You have worked hard in county cricket. Now save your test match career.

 

[Scaly piscine]

I didn't think South Africa would bat on long - they typically haven't against minnow standard opposition, but even still.

 

[Zinzan]

Come on NZ, earn the right

 

[Meridio]

So the plan is to bat for two days, setting a target of 300 or so in a day and a half, right guys?

 

[MW1304]

What an utterly pointless declaration when there is so much time left in the game. Its not as if Philander and Steyn are clueless either, baffling.

 

[Mike5181]

What an utterly pointless declaration when there is so much time left in the game. Its not as if Philander and Steyn are clueless either, baffling.

There's no point risking injuries. You didn't need to score any extra runs with your bowlers at all.

 

[ohnoitsyou]

What an utterly pointless declaration when there is so much time left in the game. Its not as if Philander and Steyn are clueless either, baffling.

Probably scared of steyn getting a broken jaw from a Franklin bouncer

 

[Mike5181]

Jeremy Coney's having a massive go at McCullum.

 

[Tricia McMillan]

Weird declaration. Almost insulting.

Not that we don't deserve the insult.

 

[Meridio]

What an utterly pointless declaration when there is so much time left in the game. Its not as if Philander and Steyn are clueless either, baffling.

Yeah it makes no sense - sure, I'd still be surprised if we make SA bat again, but it's only just after lunch on day 2 FFS. If SA had batted first and were still in at this point, they wouldn't be declaring now. I can only presume Smith is feeling sorry for us.

 

[Bahnz]

Good luck martin Guptil. You have worked hard in county cricket. Now save your test match career.

Thanks for reminding me, almost forgot to put money on him failing.

 

[MW1304]

Just let them go out and have a whack ffs, they're both aggressive batsmen. Looks like Smith swinging his dick about tbh.

 

[Zinzan]

So close to being clean bowled first ball

 

[Meridio]

Jeremy Coney's having a massive go at McCullum.

Ooh, do tell. Any particularly juicy bits?

 

[Mike5181]

Thanks for reminding me, almost forgot to put money on him failing.

Almost gone first ball.

 

[Flametree]

Yeah, I've found South Africa's approach to this innings as a whole a bit weird. It's felt a bit like once they got to fifty only one-down they knew they were going to win and it didn't matter how they went about it. Amla was walking all over the crease, way more than he would have in a "live" match situation. And got out to straight half-volley in effect. He could have batted for a couple of days you'd think but seemingly didn't want to.

Almost miss the old South Africa who would have batted two days for about 430 and given nothing away.

Carry on in the same manner with the ball and there could be a lot of cheap runs on offer for any kiwi who can stick around 10 minutes....

 

[Briony]

AB's shot suggested they were in a hurry. Their batting was ordinary today and Elgar is offering them nothing.