*Official* South Africa in New Zealand 2022

[Zinzan]

It really disgusts me how when we lose NZ fans are all ‘well done South Africa’ this and ‘maybe we should have picked a spinner’ that, instead of simply acknowledging that our team are all terrible cowards and we as fans would be better off never having been born.

Well said. A 6'6 remark if ever I saw one.

 

[SteveNZ]

Those occasions you hate being right.

It's really frustrating. Been massively outplayed by a side that we should be able to keep at arm's length in our home conditions. We got to do what we wanted at the toss (even though we lost it) and just have been really average with ball, bat and in the field. Someone said we must've set ourselves mentally for the WTC and I initially poo-pooed it, but now I think there might be something in it. That horribly flat performance v Bangladesh, this, there's just a spark missing (accounting for no Kane as well).

 

[artvandalay]

Verreynne finally coming to the party here, will be huge for SA if he kicks on and become a 30+ average batter for them for a few years.

Reading back and his innings didn't get enough love from those who want him out of the team here imo. Both their gingers are a little underappreciated despite their limitations.

 

[Frost]

Meh love the over reaction from nz fans, saf have had all the luck in this test after having none in the first. At least we now can move on from the young open experiment and pick a specialist, he's done or at least needs a spell. Nz will win comfortably without a spinner in England and all will be forgotten.

 

[Frost]

Let's be honest a series draw with out 2 of our atg isn't that bad.

 

[Skyliner]

'Stat of the day
An absolute gem, courtesy of Cricinfo. New Zealand openers Latham and Young collectively scored four runs in this match, the joint-fewest by a team's openers in a test match.'

 

[StephenZA]

Reading back and his innings didn't get enough love from those who want him out of the team here imo. Both their gingers are a little underappreciated despite their limitations.

Most of us that would give him the love where sleeping... but yes, as one of the people not totally convinced it is great to see. Hopefully he kicks on and contributes to SA improvement. Still not totally convinced on his glove work though.

On a broader note, it does feel like whatever happens, Boucher has brought back some mongrel to the SA team. That fighting spirit that you do need at test level to keep coming back. This would have been a great 3 test series.

 

[Bahnz]

It's really frustrating. Been massively outplayed by a side that we should be able to keep at arm's length in our home conditions. We got to do what we wanted at the toss (even though we lost it) and just have been really average with ball, bat and in the field. Someone said we must've set ourselves mentally for the WTC and I initially poo-pooed it, but now I think there might be something in it. That horribly flat performance v Bangladesh, this, there's just a spark missing (accounting for no Kane as well).

Tbh, I just think the team is starting to get a bit old. Wagner and CdG losing pace, KW struggling with injuries, Boult spending more and more time out of the team to balance work and family life, Taylor and BJ retiring etc etc. We'd hoped that KJ, Conway, Blundell and Mitchell would patch things over for a few years, and I think they will to a certain extent. But when you look at the team-sheet now and compare it to the one from last June, it's pretty clear that our expectations will need to be a bit more measured in the future.

Did anyone seriously expect NZ to pick a spinner after this attack kept SA to 205/20 last week? At the end of the day, the only grounds in NZ that I'd consider playing a spinner are Bay Oval and the Tron. The reality is, SA batted bloody well on the morning of day 1, NZ dropped vital chances in the afternoon, and as a result they ended up posting a first innings effort that was 50-100 above par. NZ's top order then pooed themselves and SA have done enough since to more or less wrap up the match. Sometimes you've gotta accept that the opposition played well and NZ played poorly.

 

[Moss]

Meh love the over reaction from nz fans, saf have had all the luck in this test after having none in the first. At least we now can move on from the young open experiment and pick a specialist, he's done or at least needs a spell. Nz will win comfortably without a spinner in England and all will be forgotten.

Since the WTC final the test performances have been patchy TBH. Sure, NZ haven't played their first choice XI in most cases, but you feel the side has been going through the motions for the most part and haven't had too many answers when the conditions are anything less than seam-and-swing friendly. There's a lot to question if you really look into it.

As for NZ in England, worth noting that that NZ did play a spinner in Birmingham last year and won. Four pacemen works well as long as they're all generally somewhere near their best. There's the series in Pakistan later this year and at this point, I'm not completely optimistic about NZ repeating their 2018 success.

 

[SteveNZ]

Tbh, I just think the team is starting to get a bit old. Wagner and CdG losing pace, KW struggling with injuries, Boult spending more and more time out of the team to balance work and family life, Taylor and BJ retiring etc etc. We'd hoped that KJ, Conway, Blundell and Mitchell would patch things over for a few years, and I think they will to a certain extent. But when you look at the team-sheet now and compare it to the one from last June, it's pretty clear that our expectations will need to be a bit more measured in the future.

Did anyone seriously expect NZ to pick a spinner after this attack kept SA to 205/20 last week? At the end of the day, the only grounds in NZ that I'd consider playing a spinner are Bay Oval and the Tron. The reality is, SA batted bloody well on the morning of day 1, NZ dropped vital chances in the afternoon, and as a result they ended up posting a first innings effort that was 50-100 above par. NZ's top order then pooed themselves and SA have done enough since to more or less wrap up the match. Sometimes you've gotta accept that the opposition played well and NZ played poorly.

Very true. It's definitely not a side that is at its peak, and maybe it's that the WTC came around at exactly the right time in terms of our seamers being one year younger, Ross still having an ounce in him, KJ being in first year beast mode etc.

I read an article about the make-up of our side on Stuff and laughed. There was never any chance, nor should there have been, of a spinner being picked. For a start, Ajaz is injured. Santner isn't a Test bowler's backside. Somerville isn't a threat.

My biggest gripe out of this Test is Verreynne scoring a ton. Good player domestically by the looks, but his technique outside off stump has outrageously significant holes. Too much I saw was straight or short, especially the junk that Jamieson bowled at him later on.

 

[Moss]

Tbh, I just think the team is starting to get a bit old. Wagner and CdG losing pace, KW struggling with injuries, Boult spending more and more time out of the team to balance work and family life, Taylor and BJ retiring etc etc. We'd hoped that KJ, Conway, Blundell and Mitchell would patch things over for a few years, and I think they will to a certain extent. But when you look at the team-sheet now and compare it to the one from last June, it's pretty clear that our expectations will need to be a bit more measured in the future.

In the case of Wagner, it's probably time NZ start planning for how to replace him, or rather (given that Wagner is one-of-a-kind and can't be replicated), how they intend to challenge opposition batsmen with the older ball once he retires. They've been mostly able to deflect suggestions of having a one-dimensional attack because of his brilliance as enforcer/workhorse with the older ball, but the impact of him first not being selected in India and now losing pace is noticeable.

 

[thundaboult]

if wags goes...its lockie time...no ifs and butts about it...lets get the 2-3 years out of lockie if we can NOW, and hopefully by then sears is ready for a longer stay

 

[Bahnz]

if wags goes...its lockie time...no ifs and butts about it...lets get the 2-3 years out of lockie if we can NOW, and hopefully by then sears is ready for a longer stay

If we keep Sears in the queue for 2 or 3 years, I fear that it's more likely that he'll be turning out for the annual Chapman Tripp v Russell McVeagh Christmas match than for the Blackcaps.

 

[Dendarii]

Yeah, but there was also continuous talk of dropping him... mainly because we had a long tail and everybody wanted the extra batsmen at the expense of the spinner. I wanted the extra batsmen as well (actually I wanted Mulder playing) but not at Maharaj's expense. I`m glad they never dropped him.

I think the talk about dropping him was more in the media than coming from the team/selectors. So based on what actually happened (i.e. them sticking with him), this is one time I'm inclined to be charitable towards the selectors, despite my dislike of other decisions they've made.

 

[Shady Slim]

my boosting of maharaj has paid off

the guy is just good

 

[Dendarii]

On a broader note, it does feel like whatever happens, Boucher has brought back some mongrel to the SA team. That fighting spirit that you do need at test level to keep coming back. This would have been a great 3 test series.

As much as there are still issues with the team, Boucher does seem to be starting to get it right as a coach. The first test was a dismal performance, but it was something of an anomaly given the team's recent performances, which being able to bounce back in such a fashion has proved.

 

[Bahnz]

In the case of Wagner, it's probably time NZ start planning for how to replace him, or rather (given that Wagner is one-of-a-kind and can't be replicated), how they intend to challenge opposition batsmen with the older ball once he retires. They've been mostly able to deflect suggestions of having a one-dimensional attack because of his brilliance as enforcer/workhorse with the older ball, but the impact of him first not being selected in India and now losing pace is noticeable.

Yeah, Wagner has obviated the need for a quality spinner for the past 5 years. I always felt he's the most irreplaceable member of the attack for that reason. As his career winds down (I hope without too much damage to his outstanding record) NZ will have to pivot to playing a spinner more often. Especially since the England tests are being played in July, NZ are going to have to get comfortable with leaving one of the frontline quicks out for Ajaz. Boult and Southee will play, so it will probably depend on whether or not Jamieson can pull his socks up between now and then.

 

[Flem274*]

We'd hoped that KJ, Conway, Blundell and Mitchell would patch things over for a few years, and I think they will to a certain extent. But when you look at the team-sheet now and compare it to the one from last June, it's pretty clear that our expectations will need to be a bit more measured in the future.

disagree with this bit. Conway and Jamieson turned NZ 2021 from a very good team with a couple of past it players (Taylor, Watling) to the clear best in the world, at least in June. The newer players aren't the issue.

Barring our ATG bat being injured, the team sheet isn't the issue per se, it's that Jamieson in particular and maaaaybe if you're harsh Conway have regressed and we're patching the opener position with our reserve middle order batsman.

As always with NZ I don't see a lack of tools to use coming through (especially now we're not crippling teenagers with biomechanics), but again starting to wonder if the establishment is lacking that extra drive or skill to get the most out of these guys.

Good test batsmen worldwide are worth big dollars now and we can't just piss about with Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips etc. They must be managed well.

Where I do agree is there is a massive, gaping hole in the general ringcraft and field manipulation of the top six called the Williamson-Taylor partnership. Nicholls' cut shot the other day was such a 'my first top 4 job out school' dismissal.

Jamieson and Wagner do concern me. Henry gives me hope though, he has been genuinely good for about 12 months.

 

[StephenZA]

As much as there are still issues with the team, Boucher does seem to be starting to get it right as a coach. The first test was a dismal performance, but it was something of an anomaly given the team's recent performances, which being able to bounce back in such a fashion has proved.

We have struggled with first day and first test problems for years... before Boucher; hopefully its another thing we can rectify sooner rather than later.

 

[Apex Predator]

Excellent from SA. They are missing Nortje & Ngidi who I thought was excellent in last series. If their entire bowling attack stays fit, We would have a interesting Australia series this year.
NZ really made a blunder not to play Ajaz here. Maharaj has been brilliant to watch in this game.