***Official*** New Zealand in South Africa

[marc71178]

I agree Patel was superb and I have been worried about him at this level.

Can you him playing the ODIs then?

 

[marc71178]

Well a few years ago he really was the only back-up option. It just shows you how dire our spin bowling was.

I know the feeling - I take your Wiseman and raise you a Batty!

 

[Zinzan]

Can you him playing the ODIs then?

After that performance Patel probably will partner Vettori in the first ODI. But I still get the feeling on another day he may get taken to the cleaners by the Africans.

Unless its a slowish or particularly dry wicket i'd still probably stick with Bond, Mills, Adams and Vettori as the main bowlers with Oram, Astle and Styris sharing the 5th bowling option. Although I'm not sure that Oram and Styris are quite bowling fit at the moment and of course Franklin is the other bowling option.....Franklin is very expensive at times but is definately a wicket taker in any form of the game as you English fans discovered last year.

Its actually a really tough team to select going into this first game

 

[marc71178]

For a moment I was going to question if you'd lost your marbles in not bowling Oram as a main - how close to being fit is he?

 

[Tim]

I'd play this side for the 1st ODI presuming everyone is fit.

Fleming
Astle
H.Marshall
McMillan
Styris
Oram
McCullum
Vettori
Adams
Bond
Patel

Franklin/Mills as super-sub.

Mills is not up to it, he's going to be fodder.

 

[Tim]

South Africa already have shown that they will stuggle to attack the slower bowlers so I think we've got to play Astle, Vettori & Patel. Hopefully Oram is going to be able to bowl soonish.

 

[James]

I'm shocked that we managed to get up this morning, was expecting us to get done but looks like we put in a pretty good performance.

Looking at your team Tim, I'd say its too weak batting wise. You have 8 bowlers there (including McMillan). I'd drop Patel for Vincent.

 

[Tim]

Yeah I fully expected us to lose as well, but it appears (touch wood) that we might be getting over the domination South Africa have had over us.

 

[meatspx]

Patel needs to be on the money every ball if he wants to bowl at this level.

Morkel hit him for a six off a half-volley.

In a world cup situation I would only play him on selected grounds and against selected teams, ie. I wouldn't play him against the likes of Pakistan.

 

[Zinzan]

For a moment I was going to question if you'd lost your marbles in not bowling Oram as a main - how close to being fit is he?

I'm pretty sure Oram's just got a few niggles currently but unfortunately since he reshaped his bowling action since his last big injury he doesn't look as effective....Hope I'm wrong

 

[Tim]

This might have already been posted, but it seems South Africa really are baying for blood & revenge on NZ by the quotes made in this article:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3451818a1823,00.html

 

[sportychic33]

I'm pretty sure Oram's just got a few niggles currently but unfortunately since he reshaped his bowling action since his last big injury he doesn't look as effective....Hope I'm wrong

yeah i think he just has a few niggles which came about because of the long 14 hour plane flight over then loading up to soon after the plane flight, not letting his back relax, or whatever you would like to call it. as for his bowling action, i read a recent article saying that they were working on him getting his bowling action comfortable and as effective as the previous one was for the 2007 World Cup. At the moment I think he is just trying to get used to a new action and will be fine after getting plenty of overs under his belt.

 

[Blaze]

.

Looking at your team Tim, I'd say its too weak batting wise. You have 8 bowlers there (including McMillan). I'd drop Patel for Vincent.

Vincent shouldn't be anywhere near the ODI side IMO.

Looking at Tim's side I would swap Patel for Franklin and play Patel as the supersub. McCullum at 7, Vettori at 8 and Adams at 9 isn't too bad.

 

[Nate]

Fleming
Astle
Vincent
H.Marshall
McMillan
Styris
Oram
McCullum
Vettori
Adams
Bond

Franklin

for mine.

 

[Langeveldt]

Twentysomething

Seeing as Pro20 cricket champions mediocre cricketers and teams (Somerset), I'm happy with our triumph over the kiwis last night

On a more serious note, nice to see a full Wanderers making that much noise.. Summer has well and truly arrived! I'm off to get tickets for the match at the St.Georges park, grass bank seats and Castle Corner.. Expect photos, and not just of the cricket..

 

[Linda]

Seeing as Pro20 cricket champions mediocre cricketers and teams (Somerset), I'm happy with our triumph over the kiwis last night

On a more serious note, nice to see a full Wanderers making that much noise.. Summer has well and truly arrived! I'm off to get tickets for the match at the St.Georges park, grass bank seats and Castle Corner.. Expect photos, and not just of the cricket..

(I was quite impressed with the fact they had men dancing half nek too. Catering for all at last.)

Im still not convinced with this Twenty20 business. I enjoy innings like Smiths as much as the next person, but seeing wickets to such weak bowling gives me the yips when it happens over and over again and the bowlers act like its their doing.... rant over.

 

[MoxPearl]

smith as usual won the award for bad sportsmanship......

Didnt walk when he obviously got caught
Would not let marshy have a runner...

 

[meatspx]

smith as usual won the award for bad sportsmanship......

Didnt walk when he obviously got caught
Would not let marshy have a runner...

Styris never deserved a runner, he had a hamstring injury before the match. It was a 20/20 match, but nethertheless it was an international and it did have meaning to both of the camps. The NZers tested the waters and tried to get Marshall on, but ultimately they accepted Smith's protests because he was RIGHT.

Not sure Smith was thinking when he didn't walk though.......sometimes you have wonder if batsman are really that unsure if they hit the ball in the air or not.

 

[Zinzan]

Just about ready to rumble !!!!!! Yahoo says weather is fine

Anyone know what the wicket is expected to be like??

 

[shaka]

when is H Marshall going to start scoring some good runs again, it seems as if that Warne delivery is constantly playing with his mind.