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

[thedarkmullet]

I think he should be. Wouldn't want to predict what Bracewell is going to do though...

He has taken a couple of koncks to the head this summer and just doesn't look like he is approaching his batting in the right mind state.

Too right, he probably should have come off for a bit after that blow this match.

 

[Ming]

It's not about the knocks that's making him not score any runs. He's always had a thing for prodding and pushing needlessly outside off stump.

 

[NZTailender]

He needs to bat at 3. That's where he bats best, IMO.

 

[thedarkmullet]

Jimmy on a hattrick...again

 

[thedarkmullet]

But doesnt take it.

 

[NZTailender]

Good stuff from Jimmy.

Edit: Franklin is actually one of my favourite players. To me, he's our second best seam bowler behind Bond...easily!

 

[Loony BoB]

Agreed. About both Styris and Franklin.

 

[thedarkmullet]

Another one to Jimmy, he's got a reasonably handy average too from memory.

 

[oz_fan]

Nel out LBW to Franklin for 12.

 

[NZTailender]

Franklins average is around 28. His SR is pretty good, about 47.

 

[Loony BoB]

You know you spend too much time in the CW Dev League when you think "He's turning into a real Nick Hancock"

 

[marc71178]

Loony Bob,

Why can't we compare Patel and Vettori? Dan would probably have more footmarks to bowl into than Patel, considering both sides are predominantly full with right-armers (bar Boje, Franklin and Vettori, himself.

Patel has definitely been more penetrating in this test.

Out of interest would you say that's he's putting pressure on if they only play 1 spinner in the future or will he need to show more?

 

[Loony BoB]

Even I'd say he's putting on a bit of pressure - but with Vettori's solid bat along with him seemingly assured of captaincy once Fleming leaves, he's got some work to do yet. If Patel keeps taking wickets, though, I don't see why we can't play them both more regularly.

 

[NZTailender]

Looking at the stats, once Prince gets past 50 he's damn hard to get out...

 

[Steulen]

An 80% conversion rate...pretty handy

 

[andyc]

Looking at the stats, once Prince gets past 50 he's damn hard to get out...

Yeah, he's only not made a century after getting to fifty once, and that was a 93.

 

[marc71178]

Is Patel now injured?

Seems strange that Vettori's now had 20 more overs than him, when there's a chance they'll only need 1 spinner for the last Test so might as well rest the one they'll play?

 

[Smudge]

Out of interest would you say that's he's putting pressure on if they only play 1 spinner in the future or will he need to show more?

I'm not so sure if it's related solely to onfield performance when it comes to Bracewell's selections anyway.

 

[NZTailender]

Yeah, he's only not made a century after getting to fifty once, and that was a 93.

Yeah, pretty good. Excep he has a lot of scores in the 20 and 30's as well, which is where it all falls down, I guess...

 

[TazzX]

Here is a question for you guys. Was Fleming perhaps to arrogant thinking that he can get 20 wickets in 8 sessions? SA was ALWAYS going to come out and block the test into a draw, or try to at least. Would he have been better off to set them 400-450 leaving the door open for SA to attack more and perhaps NZ getting more wickets? I just think batting for 7 sessions pretty much killed the game setting a score of 600. Yes the pitch is flat and when they play conservative wickets will be hard to get, but as soon as they start attacking things change Smile

thoughts.