***Official*** New Zealand tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa 2016

[Burgey]

Watching Nicholls hands really closely here, I don't know that he has hard hands so much as he plays late and punches the ball, which is kind of unusual in that he doesn't strike me as having overly fast hands like, say, Steve Waugh who used to do play that way.

 

[Burgey]

Rabada pretty ragged here tbh. Sort of spell someone like a Richards or a Ponting would thrive on and possibly ruin his psyche by hooking and pulling him all over the joint.

 

[Howe_zat]

0-50 - morgieb
50-100 cane
100-150 - Howe
150-200
200-250
250-300
300+

Total:15

 

[straw man]

Watching Nicholls hands really closely here, I don't know that he has hard hands so much as he plays late and punches the ball, which is kind of unusual in that he doesn't strike me as having overly fast hands like, say, Steve Waugh who used to do play that way.

Seems like a good theory. Certainly wouldn't say he has granite gauntlets like Guptill anyway. Does look awkward at times when he not so much hits the ball but rather somehow just positions the bat in the spot to hit the ball.

 

[straw man]

I've long wished NZ could get a gritty leg-glancing left-handed crab like Katich or Graeme Smith. Could Nicholls become that man?

Most teams make theirs open though.

 

[straw man]

out, surely

 

[StephenZA]

Good wicket from Piedt... hope he gets some confidence.

 

[91Jmay]

Rabada pretty ragged here tbh. Sort of spell someone like a Richards or a Ponting would thrive on and possibly ruin his psyche by hooking and pulling him all over the joint.

Considering his bounce back after what Stokes was doing to him think his psyche is strong enough.

 

[StephenZA]

Rabada pretty ragged here tbh. Sort of spell someone like a Richards or a Ponting would thrive on and possibly ruin his psyche by hooking and pulling him all over the joint.

Considering his bounce back after what Stokes was doing to him think his psyche is strong enough.

Rabada is pretty mentally strong, particularly for someone so young... and with Steyn around will hopefully learn quickly.

 

[Burgey]

I've long wished NZ could get a gritty leg-glancing left-handed crab like Katich or Graeme Smith. Could Nicholls become that man?

Most teams make theirs open though.

I could actually see him do that job, probably because I was a stodgy left handed opening batsman too. But Fmd he has batted well here. I don't doubt he's a limited shot maker but that's not a bad thing - he plays within himself and makes them bowl at him. It work. It always has and always will.

 

[vandem]

out, surely

You sure of "surely"? BJ was deep in the crease, but Reiffel could see all of the middle stump, did well to pick that >50% but < 100% of the ball hit the pads in line with off. One of those lbws that would not have been overturned if given not out.

 

[Burgey]

Jeez that wa should bowling. Big turnin wide one then the slider but not too quick so hard to pick.. Nearly did for him.

 

[straw man]

I could actually see him do that job, probably because I was a stodgy left handed opening batsman too. But Fmd he has batted well here. I don't doubt he's a limited shot maker but that's not a bad thing - he plays within himself and makes them bowl at him. It work. It always has and always will.

Yeah limited is fine. Leave or miss everything outside off. Hit absolutely everything on your pads (which go out to your offstump) into the legside for runs. It's the greatest and most annoying thing ever. Who needs other shots.

 

[StephenZA]

I don`t care what the thought process was van Zyl should never have gotten any overs before Piedt...

 

[straw man]

You sure of "surely"? BJ was deep in the crease, but Reiffel could see all of the middle stump, did well to pick that >50% but < 100% of the ball hit the pads in line with off. One of those lbws that would not have been overturned if given not out.

would have felt very rough to have that given not out imo

 

[vandem]

Slowly coming around to Nicholls here. Seems more controlled around off stump than vs Aust last summer. Hints of Richardson in that he knows his scoring areas.

 

[StephenZA]

Excellent session from NZ... good to see some fight.

 

[Daemon]

I don`t care what the thought process was van Zyl should never have gotten any overs before Piedt...

3rd best bowling average in the side, should've bowled before Rabada tbh

 

[Moss]

Nicholls has passed KW's aggregate for the game. I'm one of those who feel he doesn't look the part when it comes to test cricket, but can't argue with how he's gone about things here. His contribution in the first innings also deserved a mention here considering there were a bunch of us who kept whining about his selection.

 

[mr_mister]

well he did **** all against the pop-gun attack of Zimbabwe but gotta give the credit where it's due he's looked one of the few capable of handling the South African pacers