*Official* 2024 South Africa tour of New Zealand: 2 tests

[Aidan11]

Fell for the short ball.

 

[NZTailender]

I need to start doubting Blundell again. I posted this just before he scored 57* vs Bangladesh, after he had 6 innings where he scored 13, 2, 8, 0, 11, 0. He then had a run of form for a year where he scored 1025 runs @ 68.33.

I think Blundell is a decent player too but either as an opener or when he doesn't have the pressure of the world on him. You feel like the last 3 test matches in particular, for most of those innings he's come in after small collapses and felt the weight of the innings entirely on his shoulders. Batting at 6 or 7 though you're always going to run that risk so you've got to ask yourself will he get better in those situations or is he more of a pace on the ball type opening? He averaged 35 with the bat opening, including a century in Australia which is no mean feat, but for the first time in yonks we actually have a few people who could open the batting and I don't think he's top 2 in the country for that overall, but maybe he could do the job for a time.

I suspect NZ will keep the faith for the 2nd test so barring a double ton, I'd like to see Cleaver or Fletcher a run vs SA. I think asking Conway to keep is a surefire way to make sure we don't get the best out of him with the bat when really he's our 2nd best bat currently.

Since his 90 vs England last summer he's had scores of 7, 3, 17*, 6, 6, 0, 2, 11, 5*, 4. Or 61 runs @ 7.62.

So anyway, let's give Cleaver or Fletcher a run vs Australia

 

[SeamUp]

Sad

 

[Bahnz]

Very nicely done by O'Roruke

 

[The Hutt Rec]

I need to start doubting Blundell again. I posted this just before he scored 57* vs Bangladesh, after he had 6 innings where he scored 13, 2, 8, 0, 11, 0. He then had a run of form for a year where he scored 1025 runs @ 68.33.



Since his 90 vs England last summer he's had scores of 7, 3, 17*, 6, 6, 0, 2, 11, 5*, 4. Or 61 runs @ 7.62.

So anyway, let's give Cleaver or Fletcher a run vs Australia

They need to include Cleaver in the squad again, that seemed to do the trick last time.

Didn't realise his recent run has been quite that bad.

 

[Athlai]

Actually Macca he was probably better off not playing a shot at all

 

[anonymouskefe]

They need to include Cleaver in the squad again, that seemed to do the trick last time.

Didn't realise his recent run has been quite that bad.

I need to start doubting Blundell again. I posted this just before he scored 57* vs Bangladesh, after he had 6 innings where he scored 13, 2, 8, 0, 11, 0. He then had a run of form for a year where he scored 1025 runs @ 68.33.



Since his 90 vs England last summer he's had scores of 7, 3, 17*, 6, 6, 0, 2, 11, 5*, 4. Or 61 runs @ 7.62.

So anyway, let's give Cleaver or Fletcher a run vs Australia

Not sure why he's batting ahead of Phillips

 

[NZTailender]

They need to include Cleaver in the squad again, that seemed to do the trick last time.

Didn't realise his recent run has been quite that bad.

I don't see much point in batting him above Phillips as well tbf

 

[straw man]

Very nicely done by O'Roruke

Yeah very nicely directed, right height, seamed in a little to chase the batsman - was a good bouncer.

 

[NZTailender]

I don't see much point in batting him above Phillips as well tbf

Like its a smaller sample size but he has a better record at 7

6th Position	2020-2024	17	26	2	530	106	22.08	1249	42.43	1	2	3	65	1
7th Position	2021-2023	6	8	2	564	138	94.00	945	59.68	1	5	0	75	1

 

[straw man]

Since his 90 vs England last summer he's had scores of 7, 3, 17*, 6, 6, 0, 2, 11, 5*, 4. Or 61 runs @ 7.62.

Oof I didn't realise it was that bad. Includes 14/4 in Bangladesh. Of course, was insanely productive for several series prior to that. All batters have ups and downs, but that's why I wrote yesterday that for Blundell it seems to be series-by-series. Either the whole series is an up or the whole series is a down.

 

[_Ed_]

Couple of great shots by Brand.

 

[ashley bach]

O'Rourke 1/11 @SillyCowCorner1

 

[SeamUp]

Fell for the short ball.

Out to 2 different shots to the short-ball as well. Can't survive in test cricket doing that. It was Hamza's problem first time around as well.

 

[anonymouskefe]

geez hes good

 

[Aidan11]

That was a good ball.

 

[Bahnz]

That was a brute

 

[_Ed_]

So good from O'Rourke.

Please don't be as injury-prone as so many predecessors.

 

[Aidan11]

SA 3 down with the lead just 70.

NZ are well in this game.

 

[straw man]

That's such great bowling, bounce and seam from O'Rourke. He even looks like he's improved a lot since those ODIs vs Bangladesh a couple of months ago.