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

[Zinzan]

What lead do we think NZ need for it to be 50/50 considering they're batting last? Minimum 40 runs?

 

[vandem]

What lead do we think NZ need for it to be 50/50 considering they're batting last? Minimum 40 runs?

70. Batting last without their 2nd best batsman.

 

[veganbob]

About 60-80.

 

[_Ed_]

"Any update on Ross Taylor?" Likely to come in at No. 11

Hmm.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

That was a painful innings from Santner, made Watling look like a reckless attacking genius.

 

[straw man]

Hrmm, sounds like a pretty poor innings from Santner.

On the positive side, lasted 42 balls against the new ball which makes it a little easier for Wagner, Taylor and Boult when they come in.

 

[straw man]

Nice to see Watling in some form now - hasn't been the best time for him in the last 12 months or so.

 

[_Ed_]

Watling's first 50 in nine tests since the Zimbabwe tour in July.

 

[straw man]

Oh for a thirty run lead. Taylor should come in ahead of Boult, but he's not.

 

[Zinzan]

Taylor is apparently in the nets now.

Any truth to this? It's promising if they were even contemplating it. I'd be happy if he can bat both innings even without being able to run. Could still be worth 30 runs across 2 partnerships.

Poor innings from Santner, I suppose the only thing you can say is he's blunted the 2nd new ball, but can't see it making much difference.

Today's been a classic stalemate.

 

[Immenso]

I'll be extremely pissed off if Taylor doesn't bat.

Assume he will, seeing as he's had a net.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

Quite looking forward to Taylor coming in on one leg and trying to blast a few.

 

[hendrix]

we really need a lead here. Pitch is dead and we'll be batting last so SA bowlers could be in a can't-lose situation which is dangerous for us.

 

[Zinzan]

we really need a lead here. Pitch is dead and we'll be batting last so SA bowlers could be in a can't-lose situation which is dangerous for us.

Yup, the more I think about it 60-70 might be the min to get parity.

Edit: ahh what a poor time to lose Watling.

 

[Zinzan]

Quite looking forward to Taylor coming in on one leg and trying to blast a few.

Taylor better bat, could the worth another 15-20 runs.

 

[OverratedSanity]

How's Maharaj bowled? His figures look pretty impressive.

 

[Bahnz]

Taylor better bat, could the worth another 15-20 runs.

I dunno, do we really want to risk aggravating his injury with the forecast looking dodgy over the last 2 days?

 

[Zinzan]

How's Maharaj bowled? His figures look pretty impressive.

Average overall, too many loose ones to really maintain pressure in pretty favourable conditions.

 

[Zinzan]

I dunno, do we really want to risk aggravating his injury with the forecast looking dodgy over the last 2 days?

Unless their medical people say it's particularly high-risk I'd take any runs possible. He may need to restrict certain extravagant shots.

 

[straw man]

They're only forecasting 0.2mm rain tomorrow, though could be more Sunday.

Cold though, 14 both days and like today they're going to lose overs to the light.