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

TT Boy

TT Boy

Hall of Fame Member
Be interesting to see if Bracewell promotes Kyle Mills again (and he has said that he may muck around with the top order), for last time New Zealand were at Centurion, Mills batted at three and was out for a two ball duck. :happy:

Oram is apparently defo out whilst Fleming still remains a doubt.

As for South Africa they expected to be unchanged, although, Pollock wasn’t given clearance to play for the Dolphins today so there is still hope for him.

Weather forecast for the test looks pretty good and it should be a hot one tomorrow. And whoever wins the toss will surely bat first, for batting last given the weather and nature of the surface will be tough one suspects.
 
TT Boy

TT Boy

Hall of Fame Member
Neil McKenzie has been called up by South Africa after AB de Villiers suffered a back strain in practice today. McKenzie will play if de Villiers fails a 9.00am fitness test. Neil has had to travel to Centurion from Potchefstroom, where he is currently 157 not out for the Highveld Lions against the Natal Dolphins. If AB does make it, Neil can return to Potchefstroom and resume his innings after the first wicket. Neil was aiming for his first double ton of his career tomorrow but would doubtlessly swap that to resume his test career.

Sensible selection for McKenzie is in top form and just recently scored his career best against the New Zealanders.
 
Woodster

Woodster

International Captain
It does look ominous for New Zealand with everything that they have going on right now. If all of Bond, Oram and Fleming miss the game then I think they may be on the end a seriously bad result. The batting is so important, if they can get a score on the board to put SA under pressure. Martin bowled well in spells in the first Test, there may not be much spin about but Vettori's subtleties may be valuable.

But they need a decent 1st innings score, but my worry for NZ is, if Fleming does not play, who will take them to that total ?
 
Woodster

Woodster

International Captain
Thought Bond was ruled out while the last Test was being played!
Don't think Oram and Fleming have been ruled out yet have they ?
 
Woodster

Woodster

International Captain
Promotion for Vettori also then ?
Oram is a blow, but it makes it imperative that Fleming is passed fit then.
 
S

sportychic33

State 12th Man
batting order does look extremely vunerable without Oram there at 6. Tail now starts at 8, although Mills may suprise. Huge pressure now on the top order to perform
 
Woodster

Woodster

International Captain
Yes the order looks strengthened with Oram at 6, but he hasn't really done anything with the bat since the last time they played against South Africa. He's made just 127 runs in 11 innings, his top score was the 40 which came in the last Test. I realise though that NZ don't play much Test cricket.
Despite this, I do actually agree that NZ are a stronger proposition with him rather than without him.
 
Fiery

Fiery

Banned
Radiosport:

"Gillespie set for test debut
11/16/2007 6:36 AM
The onus is on the top order to perform for the Black Caps in the second test against South Africa in Centurion


The Black Caps have included Mark Gillespie in the 12 for tonight's second cricket test against South Africa in Centurion.


Gillespie looks set to get his first test cap,having been named as a replacement for Shane Bond.


It has been difficult to find a balance in the side with no all-rounder to specifically replace Jacob Oram.


Kyle Mills has been picked, probably to bat at eight with Brendon McCullum to move to six.


The temptation to strengthen the batting has been resisted in favour of asking the top order to perform better."
 
Fiery

Fiery

Banned
Woodster said:
Promotion for Vettori also then ?
Oram is a blow, but it makes it imperative that Fleming is passed fit then.
Click to expand...
I guess so and the way he has been batting this was probably inevitable regardless of the injuries at some stage. He may even have a case to be batting ahead of McCullum
 
Woodster

Woodster

International Captain
Fiery said:
I guess so and the way he has been batting this was probably inevitable regardless of the injuries at some stage. He may even have a case to be batting ahead of McCullum
Click to expand...
Yes I agree, I do prefer Vettori at 7 rather than 6 though, personally.
They need to take a chance in this Test, and hope their top order does what its selected for, and the choice of going with an out and out bowler to replace Oram is a necessity as of course they need to take 20 wickets to draw this series.
 
Matt52

Matt52

U19 Vice-Captain
Wheres Lou Vincent?????!!!!!...Is he out with that virus he had or something?? If not its crazy. Our batting is rubbish so Braces has taken out a batsman, so now we have 5?!!!!?. This guy is simply insane or stupid beyond comparison.

We cant buy a run with six batsmen solets play 5 in our team.....:-O :-O :laugh: :@

Surely, Vincent at 6 and McCullum at 7 is better..... This test will be all over by tomorrow.
 
Matt52

Matt52

U19 Vice-Captain
NZTailender said:
Gillespie :D

Hopefully Vincent is in the side. Tipping him for a hundred tbh.
Click to expand...
I hope your right, and definitely hope your right about the hundred, but I saw a playing 12 for todays game and Vincent wasnt in it, There were 5 batsmen ...well...3 batsmen and Papps and Cumming..... McCullum, and then 6 bowlers. I hope the team was wrong but thats what was there.
 
Fiery

Fiery

Banned
Matt52 said:
Wheres Lou Vincent?????!!!!!...Is he out with that virus he had or something?? If not its crazy. Our batting is rubbish so Braces has taken out a batsman, so now we have 5?!!!!?. This guy is simply insane or stupid beyond comparison.

We cant buy a run with six batsmen solets play 5 in our team.....:-O :-O :laugh: :@

Surely, Vincent at 6 and McCullum at 7 is better..... This test will be all over by tomorrow.
Click to expand...
NZTailender said:
Gillespie :D

Hopefully Vincent is in the side. Tipping him for a hundred tbh.
Click to expand...
Yes, you would think they would put Vincent in there. He's probably a better bowler than Iain O'Brien :dry:
 
Last edited:
Julian87

Julian87

State Captain
Vincent should be the first opener picked tbh. Or if they want to stick with what they've got, the second middle order batsman picked behind Fleming.
 
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