***Official*** South Africa in New Zealand 2017

[SeamUp]

It was even quite a tester for India's batsmen against some inexperienced/meh spinners. It was a fun series to watch but it shouldn't be looked upon as a normal series to compare with other performances in any way, really.

Oh definitely. Prince still feels it was unfair to judge van Zyl from that series. Then we had Elgar outbowling Piedt/Harmer at times.

I think only two of our batsman showed any survival instincts in that series and it was Elgar and AB so while he didnt score big it showed the type of character Dean is.

 

[Prince EWS]

Oh definitely. Prince still feels it was unfair to judge van Zyl from that series. Then we had Elgar outbowling Piedt/Harmer at times.

I think only two of our batsman showed any survival instincts in that series and it was Elgar and AB so while he didnt score big it showed the type of character Dean is.

Yeah if anything that series made me really start to rate Elgar, as opposed to being the sort of anomalous black mark that earlier statistic indicated.

 

[straw man]

Not surprisingly, we really need a wicket with the new ball here. C'mon Boult.

 

[veganbob]

The fielding in tests this season has been the worst its been in my 25 years of watching NZ.

 

[Zinzan]

I know they never select him, but Tahir could have been handy as a 2nd spinner on this instead of perhaps Morkel, especially bowling last.

 

[Daemon]

Woah, had no idea this was starting today. I thought CW was being mean and ignoring ***** talking to himself in the Blitz thread but I guess everyone's here.

 

[StephenZA]

@ Zinzan.
Nah... Tahir is not a test bowler, he needs protection in the deep otherwise he just goes for a few to many runs. We did have a few spinners behind Maharaj, Piedt Harmer etc. But lack of form and Kolpak has meant one spinner for the SA squad. But SA was unlikely to ever play 2 spinners anyway unless in subcontinent conditions.

 

[Bahnz]

I know it's day 1, but not a great look that on a pitch where we've picked 2 spinners, all 4 wickets have gone to the seamers.

Good effort from Boult and Wagner to keep going this strong so late in the day.

 

[Zinzan]

I know it's day 1, but not a great look that on a pitch where we've picked 2 spinners, all 4 wickets have gone to the seamers.

Good effort from Boult and Wagner to keep going this strong so late in the day.

I'm betting they wagered SA would bowl first like everyone does here, & Faf called their bluff seeing the two spinners.

Not so flash when you're bowling first. Wasn't disappointed to see Southee spelled though.

 

[StephenZA]

Excellent from Elgar... take that from 22/3 with QDK to still come in.

 

[straw man]

Not a great day for NZ in the end, with Watling dropping Elgar leaving a bitter taste in the mouth. A wicket or two with the new ball could have made up for that, but as it is SA are in a good position.

 

[Zinzan]

Disappointing, but not terrible or surprising. A couple of quick ones early tomorrow, we could easily have them 250/6, and an outside chance to bowl them out for <300.

 

[BeeGee]

Top knock from Elgar.

The spinners need to take some ****ing wickets.

 

[Tom Flint]

With de kock coming in next its more likely to be 400+ than <300

 

[Zinzan]

With de kock coming in next its more likely to be 400+ than <300

Well yeah, obviously NZ would have to do well to get them <300, more realistically I can see SA scoring in the 360-370 range, & if de Kock really comes off, who knows?. 450+.

 

[Howsie]

And this is what happens when you drop your best seamer, stupid ****s.

 

[Zinzan]

And this is what happens when you drop your best seamer, stupid ****s.

We missed 20 overs, 1 /71 today.

 

[akilana]

And this is what happens when you drop your best seamer, stupid ****s.

That wasn't the worst drop in the test so far

 

[veganbob]

And this is what happens when you drop your best seamer, stupid ****s.

I would have played him instead of santner probably. 3rd best. You don't really think hes better than Boult or wagner do you?

 

[Zinzan]

I would have played him instead of santner probably. 3rd best. You don't really think hes better than Boult or wagner do you?

Why Patel over Santner incidentally?