1st Semi Final - New Zealand v South Africa (24th March)

[Hurricane]

So, bat first or bowl first?

I was thinking bowl if there is rain about in the morning to juice up the pitch

 

[anil1405]

sample size of 1, with every other game cleaned up by more or less the 40th over. Also mclenenenen played that game who is no doubt a liability at times.

The way I look at it, NZ doesn't have enough experience in this WC of bowling in the death. The only time they bowled in the death overs they got smashed so Proteas should consider not losing wickets or going for the attack right from the beginning. Damage can be done in the last 15.

 

[Greenlite]

Rewind back to two games when they had to bowl in the death against Bangers and you guys conceded 100 in the last 10.

We had a guy who bowled in the nets for 6-week straight.

 

[BeeGee]

You're all missing the obvious, glorious conspiracy theory. Let me get my tin foil hat on...

NZ's bowling averages in this tournament:

DL Vettori 15.73
TA Boult 14.63
AF Milne 39.80
CJ Anderson 14.09
TG Southee 23.46

Spot the odd one out?

Never at any stage during the QF did Milne display any signs of discomfort in his heel. None. Yet after the game it comes to light that it's a WC ending injury and therefore allows him to be replaced in the squad.

McHesson want Henry for the SF. They're going for the full "Shock and Awe" bowling attack.

I really want this to be true. I know it's not, but if I believe hard enough...

 

[wellAlbidarned]

The way I look at it, NZ doesn't have enough experience in this WC of bowling in the death. The only time they bowled in the death overs they got smashed so Proteas should consider not losing wickets or going for the attack right from the beginning. Damage can be done in the last 15.

I agree, our death bowling is pretty much an unknown quantity. that's kind of what happens when your strategy revolves around bowling out the opposition before 40 overs. "Not losing wickets" against Southee and Boult has proved easier said than done, if you just sit back and allow them to bowl their lines and lengths that's basically surrendering the game.

 

[Hurricane]

1 more sleep to the biggest day in this group of blackcaps lives. This is bigger than the last semi we were in as we have a better chance of winning.

 

[Hurricane]

You're all missing the obvious, glorious conspiracy theory. Let me get my tin foil hat on...

NZ's bowling averages in this tournament:

DL Vettori 15.73
TA Boult 14.63
AF Milne 39.80
CJ Anderson 14.09
TG Southee 23.46

Spot the odd one out?

Never at any stage during the QF did Milne display any signs of discomfort in his heel. None. Yet after the game it comes to light that it's a WC ending injury and therefore allows him to be replaced in the squad.

McHesson want Henry for the SF. They're going for the full "Shock and Awe" bowling attack.

I really want this to be true. I know it's not, but if I believe hard enough...

Gun theory. Kippax to come out of lurk mode to like this post.

 

[robbypark]

Somebody want to tell me why South Africa is favored by the bookies for this match? Seems to me like New Zealand is the superior, in-form team. South Africa have already laid two eggs in this tournament to teams they were supposed to beat. Additionally, the game is in New Zealand so what gives? Somebody tell me the reason why I shouldn't bet a large amount on NZ to win at + odds or else I'm betting big.

 

[SuperMurali]

Guptill to break Rohit's record in this match

 

[JediNudist]

NZherald thinks Henry will be picked.

 

[Daemon]

This WC has been thankfully free of suspect actions. Can we not have Mills leave a stain on it?

 

[wellAlbidarned]

1 more sleep to the biggest day in this group of blackcaps lives. This is bigger than the last semi we were in as we have a better chance of winning.

*cliche alert* really does remind me what christmas eve used to be like

 

[wellAlbidarned]

You're all missing the obvious, glorious conspiracy theory. Let me get my tin foil hat on...

NZ's bowling averages in this tournament:

DL Vettori 15.73
TA Boult 14.63
AF Milne 39.80
CJ Anderson 14.09
TG Southee 23.46

Spot the odd one out?

Never at any stage during the QF did Milne display any signs of discomfort in his heel. None. Yet after the game it comes to light that it's a WC ending injury and therefore allows him to be replaced in the squad.

McHesson want Henry for the SF. They're going for the full "Shock and Awe" bowling attack.

I really want this to be true. I know it's not, but if I believe hard enough...

doesn't he have to be inspected by an ICC approved physio and doctor? The thought of Hesson and Baz tying Milne down to brutalise his heel is a slightly disturbing one

 

[anil1405]

I agree, our death bowling is pretty much an unknown quantity. that's kind of what happens when your strategy revolves around bowling out the opposition before 40 overs. "Not losing wickets" against Southee and Boult has proved easier said than done, if you just sit back and allow them to bowl their lines and lengths that's basically surrendering the game.

Not attacking doesn't necessarily mean surrendering. They can keep rotating strike and ensure Boult isn't bowling six deliveries at one player.

Southee has been average by his WC standards since his 7-fer against England. If he continues to bowl the same way then Proteas wouldn't be too bothered facing him.

On top of that Kiwis would be picking a bowler whose job was restricted to bowling in the nets throughout the tournament or a bowler who hasn't been with the team for 7-8 weeks and his first WC game would be a semi-final.

 

[Burgey]

Somebody want to tell me why South Africa is favored by the bookies for this match? Seems to me like New Zealand is the superior, in-form team. South Africa have already laid two eggs in this tournament to teams they were supposed to beat. Additionally, the game is in New Zealand so what gives? Somebody tell me the reason why I shouldn't bet a large amount on NZ to win at + odds or else I'm betting big.

AB de Villiers

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Not attacking doesn't necessarily mean surrendering. They can keep rotating strike and ensure Boult isn't bowling six deliveries at one player.

Southee has been average by his WC standards since his 7-fer against England. If he continues to bowl the same way then Proteas wouldn't be too bothered facing him.

On top of that Kiwis would be picking a bowler whose job was restricted to bowling in the nets throughout the tournament or a bowler who hasn't been with the team for 7-8 weeks and his first WC game would be a semi-final.

*Waves dick around some more*

Yeah time to let the teams do the talking

 

[BeeGee]

doesn't he have to be inspected by an ICC approved physio and doctor? The thought of Hesson and Baz tying Milne down to brutalise his heel is a slightly disturbing one

All he has to do is say "Ow!" every time they touch his heel.

Ask any of the bludgers on workers' compensation with mystery back injuries. Piece of piss.

 

[Zinzan]

This is only the 2nd time in the tournament that the kiwis are going to be tested. I wouldn't be surprised if they don't come out on top.

What as opposed to SA losing both games to the only half-decent sides they played? I don't get this logic at all. I heard someone earlier today arguing that it will stand SA in good stead having lost 2 games while qualifying and I just don't buy it. If anything it should make them more nervous and tentative.

 

[Antihippy]

Yeah no way are south africa the favourites in this.Having AB de villiers and Amla doesn't help when the rest of your batsmen crumble to any half-decent bowling attack with some pressure behind them.

 

[Zinzan]

I see a few people are talking about the fact SA won that series late last year 2-0 against us, but I honestly think that WC warm-up game in which we smashed them is equally as relevant as that series played 6mths ago, even if it was just a warm-up. It was still our guys vs. their guys and although winning isn't crucial in warm-ups, when you get blasted for more than 330 runs and then you lose 5 wickets to Boult, it does mean something psychologically imho.