*Official* South Africa in New Zealand 2022

[straw man]

Yes excellent hundred. I know some of the SA fans aren't keen on Verreynne and I don't like that little half-forward prod/fiddle he regularly plays outside offstump either, but other than that it's been a very good innings.

 

[Skyliner]

"Stop it, he's already dead!"

 

[Magrat Garlick]

the draw is now back in play...bigtime

needs some weather help you'd think

 

[nzfan]

the draw is now back in play...bigtime

Yup can't rule that out... looks very unlikely other than South Africa win but there is a serious chance our guys could do Matthews/Mendis act from few years ago where not a single wicket fell on the last day of the match.

 

[Meridio]

Goodbye WTC defence.

Can't see us chasing this now, but the draw has become more likely

 

[thierry henry]

Even if we bat well the game probably ends with Jamieson, Southee and Henry consecutively getting caught on the third man boundary trying to ramp 6s

 

[Bahnz]

Us being good actually ended with the WTC right? 3 of 6 tests since we have been absolutely pathetic.

Not necessarily. If KW's elbow comes right and KJ can get himself back to where he was last season, there's still plenty of quality in the XI and immediately outside it, even after the inevitable Wagner and CdG retirements coming in the next 12 months.

 

[ashley bach]

needs some weather help you'd think

maybe but NZ should just try bat 4 sessions now, rather than push for the win.

 

[Meridio]

Jeez our fielding has been all over the place this test. Catching blinders, dropping sitters.

 

[Bahnz]

Jeez, never mind the bowler of 12 months ago, KJ looks a shadow of the bowler who first came into the side in 2020.

 

[KungFu_Kallis]

Exciting opportunity for a world record Test run chase coming up...

 

[Bahnz]

Jeez our fielding has been all over the place this test. Catching blinders, dropping sitters.

Definitely the worst NZ fielding effort I can recall in years. Is that the 6th dropped chance in this test? If NZ had taken their opportunities after SA were 199/3, there's a good chance that they'd have finished the day 240/6 or 7, and failed to make 300 in the first dig.

 

[Athlai]

Can only assume the poor fielding is because they're as tired as I am. Doomscrolling Ukraine news all night

 

[straw man]

maybe but NZ should just try bat 4 sessions now, rather than push for the win.

yes, achievable chance at first ever test series win over South Africa >>>>>>>>>>>> tiny chance of winning this match and still barely staying in the race for WTC final

 

[KungFu_Kallis]

Jeez, never mind the bowler of 12 months ago, KJ looks a shadow of the bowler who first came into the side in 2020.

Ummm yeah because a few slogs by tailenders proves the best Test bowling average for 100 years obviously means nothing.

 

[Athlai]

Wish it was a 3 Test series.

 

[Prince EWS]

Wish it was a 3 Test series.

I wish it was 9.

 

[Bahnz]

Ummm yeah because a few slogs by tailenders proves the best Test bowling average for 100 years obviously means nothing.

He's bowling 5-10kmh slower than he was last year, isn't bowling his outswinger at all (which was his best delivery last season) and has been pitching noticeably shorter as a result. He didn't take 50 wickets at 14 bowling like this.

 

[Meridio]

It seems pretty silly to be exposing one of their pace bowlers to potential injury here. Should've declared by now

 

[ashley bach]

yes, achievable chance at first ever test series win over South Africa >>>>>>>>>>>> tiny chance of winning this match and still barely staying in the race for WTC final

yeah its still very important to win the series.
hope the black caps think the same, because I've absolutely loaded up at 8/1 on the draw.