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

[_Ed_]

"Follow-on target is 393 but you can bet your bottom dollar Stephen Fleming won't enforce it"

...really?

 

[marc71178]

Well yes.

Since SA are "infinitely better" than NZ there's no way they won't make 850 or so...

 

[_Ed_]

Of course. I shouldn't get too big for my boots.

Well bowled Jeetan Patel. Excellent work getting Smith in his first test over.

 

[andyc]

Patters gets Smith with his third ball. By the way, how the hell did Patel get picked when his domestic average is over 40!?

 

[oz_fan]

Smith out, caught and bowled by Patel in his first over.

 

[Sw1fty]

Of course. I shouldn't get too big for my boots.

Well bowled Jeetan Patel. Excellent work getting Smith in his first test over.

Nice work from Jeetan Patel.

 

[_Ed_]

Patters gets Smith with his third ball. By the way, how the hell did Patel get picked when his domestic average is over 40!?

Spinners in NZ all have pretty bad averages. Seaming pitches.

 

[oz_fan]

Spinners in NZ all have pretty bad averages. Seaming pitches.

Is Patel the second best spinner in NZ? Are there any others you think could play tests in the near future?

 

[_Ed_]

Bruce Martin has been close for quite a long time, but he's the same style as Vettori which goes against him a bit.

Patel's stats aren't as good as some of the others but when you watch him bowl he looks clearly the second best.

 

[Sw1fty]

Looks like Patel is doing a good job here.

 

[James]

Amazes me the difference in turn between Vettori and Patel.

Vettori is hardly spinning it at all and Patel is getting really sharp turn and looks extremely dangerous. Almost un-playable to Amla.

 

[Sw1fty]

Yeah very interesting that Patel is getting good turn and Vettori isn't. Patel making the batsman play.

 

[Zinzan]

To me, Vettori bowls equally as well whether the pitch is helping or not. Since his main injury, he has relied on flight, drift and change of pace to get his wickets and hasn't been a big spinner of the ball. Still a good test bowler, but seldom rips through sides.

 

[Loony BoB]

Possibly also something to do with where they're bowling - footholes can mage a huge difference.

 

[thedarkmullet]

Isn't this the part where SA crumble in the face of our mighty spin attack?

 

[_Ed_]

That was the plan.

Dippenaar and Amla playing well.

 

[oz_fan]

Yep Dippenaar and Amla are building a good partnership. (72 from 164)

 

[steds]

Isn't this the part where SA crumble in the face of our mighty spin attack?

Here it comes...





poor Boeta.

 

[oz_fan]

Dippenaar out bowled by Patel for 47.

 

[steds]

Dippenaar out bowled by Patel for 47.

It was you. You jinxed him. Jinx