**Official** New Zealand in South Africa

[Days of Grace]

If we are only 5 down after 80 overs, I'd be happy, tbh.


I'm quite excited over Munro's debut. His bowling will be no worse than Franklin's.

Picking this to be a much improved second test performance. Because that's the way we roll.

 

[Bahnz]

If we are only 5 down after 80 overs, I'd be happy, tbh.


I'm quite excited over Munro's debut. His bowling will be no worse than Franklin's.

Picking this to be a much improved second test performance. Because that's the way we roll.

While his batting can't be any worse than Franklin's, his bowling certainly could be. Franklin's height and gentle swing still makes a slightly tougher proposition than his 120k pies have any right to be.

Anyway, because everyone is now expecting us to put in an improved performance, I'm predicting that we'll defy expectation once again and get completely stuffed, losing by an innings and 200.

 

[Zinzan]

Ok fellas, time to start getting a bit excited. Weather looks pretty good overall for the 5 days with just a few scattered showers forecast for day 1.

Sounds like the XI will be....

McCullum
Flynn
Williamson
Brownlie
Guptill
Watling
Munro
Bracewell
Wagner
Patel
Boult

B Martin 12th man

Which means Munro and Williamson may need to send a few overs down.



;

 

[Days of Grace]

Has it been confirmed that Flynn and Guptill are swapping?

Worth a try if that's the case.

 

[straw man]

Saw that batting coach Bob Carter has expressed that he has complete confidence in Guptill as an opener. Make of that what you will.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

I reckon Guptill would almost rather be dropped than move below 3 in the order.

 

[Athlai]

Baz mentioned the idea of the swap but noted he didn't think it was necessary.

 

[centurymaker]

what time does the match begin?

9 pm
or 9.30 pm?

 

[Marius]

what time does the match begin?

9 pm
or 9.30 pm?

10:30 AM!

How can they play a Test at night?!?!?!?!

And if they start that late stumps will be at like 5 AM.

That's just nuts.

 

[Mike5181]

what time does the match begin?

9 pm
or 9.30 pm?

9:30

 

[Mike5181]

Bowling first. Not a bad result.

 

[Marius]

Bowling first. Not a bad result.

And PE has been a bit of a hoodoo ground for South Africa (not that they have played many Tests there in the past decade though to be fair).

Three South African born players in the NZ side too.

 

[Mike5181]

Doull having a massive go at Patel.

 

[Bahnz]

And PE has been a bit of a hoodoo ground for South Africa (not that they have played many Tests there though to be fair).

Three South African born players in the NZ side too.

Yeah, though Wagner is the only cricketing opportunist, the other two came over in their younger years and played for the NZ u19's.

 

[Bahnz]

Doull having a massive go at Patel.

He's just pissed off that no one bothered to read his column that called for Bartin's selection (called him an aggressive attacking spin bowler - would he ever actually have seen him bowl in a Plunket Shield match? doubt it)..

 

[Zinzan]

Doull having a massive go at Patel.

What did he say? Was it re that gutless performance with the bat in the last test?

 

[centurymaker]

Doull having a massive go at Patel.

jeets to take 4+ wickets and make the **** eat his words.

not to mention a 30+ score in the 1st innings to go with it..


Am I the only one thinking that NZ have a chance of winning this game, now that they are bowling first.

get SA around 250 and you never know..

 

[Marius]

Yeah, though Wagner is the only cricketing opportunist, the other two came over in their younger years and played for the NZ u19's.

Yeah, I know.

Just interesting.

Says things about the size of the South African diaspora and NZ's cricketing depth I think.

 

[Mike5181]

What did he say? Was it re that gutless performance with the bat in the last test?

Yeah, he said Patel should never play for New Zealand again.

 

[thierry henry]

He's just pissed off that no one bothered to read his column that called for Bartin's selection (called him an aggressive attacking spin bowler - would he ever actually have seen him bowl in a Plunket Shield match? doubt it)..

Probably played with him tbh