***Official*** South Africa in New Zealand 2012

[Prince EWS]

I'm fairly annoyed by Boult being dropped, so I can only imagine how Howsie's feeling.

Haha yeah, same.

 

[Woodster]

Not too many terrors out there for the NZ batsmen at all, the swing that was present early has died down somewhat and a lack of seam movement means that Guptill and McCullum may enjoy this period with the hard ball coming on nicely and attacking fields set.

 

[Days of Grace]

Yes and if anything was guilty of looking too hard for wickets in the first innings and was pitching it up looking for swing. Give him conditions where it will swing like Hamilton and he'll be far more effective.

Yes, disappointed about Boult being dropped for Arnel, but I think you hit the nail on the head here. Taylor and the selectors probably thinking they can't afford to have three attacking bowlers (including Dougeh in this, probably unfairly since he normally goes for under 3s per over), who may go for a few.

Thus, they have gone for a 50-50 split between steady and consistent (Martin and Arnel) and attacking (Bracewell and Gillespie).

Very harsh on poor young Boult, though. But his time will come.

 

[_Ed_]

One of the main reasons I'm so annoyed about the decision to play both Arnel and Gillespie and drop Boult is what it's done to our batting. Boult's proven he's pretty capable, and I'd be much happier with him at 9 than Arnel. That looks like a long tail.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Who's the **** claiming that McCullum only performs against the stronger teams?

Career: 37
Bangladesh: 72
Zimbabwe: 49

 

[Mike5181]

Lol @ Smithy about the six he hit.

 

[Mike5181]

Who's the **** claiming that McCullum only performs against the stronger teams?

Career: 37
Bangladesh: 72
Zimbabwe: 49

Simon Doull thinks it brings a fighting attitude out of him. I hope he doesn't think he actually score more runs against them because that couldn't be further from the truth. He is playing well in this tour though.

Guptill gone.

 

[_Ed_]

I just groaned audibly at work when I saw that on Cricinfo. ****.

 

[Woodster]

Guptill caught in several minds it seems and chops on again. Bat came down at the wrong angle and once he just hung his bat out there it was only deflecting off it into one direction.

 

[Neil Pickup]

Can't work out what Guptill was trying to do with that ball.

 

[Dick Rockett]

Guptill's been exposed as a fraud. The search for two decent openers continues.

 

[Woodster]

Runs had just dried up prior to Guptill's dismissal, Taylor's intent may be just what NZ need here to get some impetus into the innings.

 

[Woodster]

Can't work out what Guptill was trying to do with that ball.

Think primarily he was thinking about leaving it, should probably have stuck with thought.

 

[Woodster]

One of the main reasons I'm so annoyed about the decision to play both Arnel and Gillespie and drop Boult is what it's done to our batting. Boult's proven he's pretty capable, and I'd be much happier with him at 9 than Arnel. That looks like a long tail.

Don't think the number of runs your number nine scores should weigh too heavily in the selection meeting, yes those runs can be handy, but the top five need to get the big runs on the board and let the number nine concentrate on bowling SA out.

McCullum's got himself another start, really needs to focus on converting this and making a significant impact on this Test.

 

[morgieb]

Why the **** was Boult dropped?

 

[Dick Rockett]

Don't think the number of runs your number nine scores should weigh too heavily in the selection meeting, yes those runs can be handy, but the top five need to get the big runs on the board and let the number nine concentrate on bowling SA out.

Agreed.

 

[straw man]

Guptill's been exposed as a fraud. The search for two decent openers continues.

Harsh on Guptill - at least he's made noticeable improvements since brought into the side, plus is playing FC county cricket. I'd give him another year and if he is still poor and someone is scoring massive domestic runs, only then think about a change.

 

[straw man]

McCullum's hand is a bit of a worry. I get the feeling if we lose another wicket we will be in a lot of trouble too.

 

[Hurricane]

Matt: "When are the Black Caps actually going to produce a cricketer to the calibre of Gilchrist or Warne or Ponting or McGrath who can actually take the game away from the opposition and intimidate them just by walking onto the ground. Batting averages of 30 and bowling averages of 40 just aren't good enough!!!"

From cricinfo comments -

My response - yeah we will get right on that and give you a Shane Warne tomorrow evening. Sorry for the inconvenience you are suffering.

 

[Dick Rockett]

Harsh on Guptill - at least he's made noticeable improvements since brought into the side, plus is playing FC county cricket. I'd give him another year and if he is still poor and someone is scoring massive domestic runs, only then think about a change.

I hope you're right, I really do. I like to watch him, especially when he's playing straight. But all I'm seeing from him are diminishing returns. Williamson's heading the same way.