*Official* South Africa in New Zealand

[luckyeddie]

I love the smell of linseed oil in the morning

(to put 'Apocalypse Now' into a cricketing context).

Pakistan's attack can be breathtakingly good - but also absolutely abject (and sometimes Shoaib can achieve both extremes in the same over - witness the second ODI against India)

Saying that, if someone offered Sami and Shoaib to New Zealand and said 'Here's your new seam attack' what do you think they would say, even allowing for the fact that they have their ups and downs?

 

[Craig]

and another thing ur new zealan bowling attack is RUBBISH!!!

I also never claimed that this NZ bowling line-up is good or great. And how much creditability do you have in this arguement if you resort to that comment?

 

[tooextracool]

I also never claimed that this NZ bowling line-up is good or great. And how much creditability do you have in this arguement if you resort to that comment?

and what exactly did u mean when u said this??

He hasnt been pushed as much as captain or as player until he arrived in New Zealand.

IMO u were trying to say that after smith played in england and pakistan he is being tested by this nz bowling attack!!!

 

[marc71178]

By any chance have you seen any of today's play?

Even if he had, what would that have told him about any bowling attack except the South African one?

 

[marc71178]

IMO u were trying to say that after smith played in england and pakistan he is being tested by this nz bowling attack!!!

It read like that to me as well.

I also wonder how he cannot have been challenged as a captain by a series that was drawn 2-2, and a series they were whitewashed in?

 

[Beleg]

Craig posted,

Beleg I'm referring to South Africa v Pakistan in South Africa in 02/03. South Africa won 2-0.

Ah, okay. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

[anzac]

oh wow!!!!!!!:O

it's been a long time between drinks to see a NZ batting line up dominate a major player like they did today - probably back to the Perth Test.................

I'm also happy to see the 3 players under my sights have all performed well - even if I'm still waiting to see Cairns perform with the ball (and I still have my fingers crossed for consistency from them)...............

that said congradulations to Martin, Styris, McMilan, Cairns & Oram for some very good work over the last 2 days.........if they can back their efforts up over the remainder of the Test then I think the only change we are likely to see for the 3rd Test would be for Tuffey to be rested..............

as for a replacement so much will hang upon the SRL 'A' 2nd innings as to who puts up there hand.............& what type of bowler the selectors are looking for - strike or containment????

I see Butler has a couple from the 1st innings as does Franklin, Mason has none while Mills has taken 3 for 23 off 11!!!

So far as this current test is concerned it has proved exceedingly difficult to get any batsman out once he has become established, particularly while the sun is out. This being the case I do not see this NZ attack taking any easy wickets as IMO RSA will be looking to save this match rather than win / loose it.

Fleming will be aware of this and will want a decent period of time to bowl RSA out - this being the case I would not be surprised if we see an early declaration tomorrow morning if the clouds are about, as these have been the best bowling conditions.......

8D

 

[Tim]

I think it's going to be tough work to bowl out South Africa on this pitch...but at least they've got 250 odd runs in the bank so if they get 5 or 6 good pieces of bowling, they can make in-roads & hopefully go for the win.

 

[Tim]

NZ all out for 595..lead of 299

Chris Martin bowls Smith 1st ball!! lol..no 300 run partnership for Graeme & Herschelle this time!

 

[Tim]

Rudolph is the most annoying batsmen i've seen...he never looks like he is settled at the crease, yet in between that he plays some glorious shots.

 

[aussiefan]

i rate them higher than ur nz attack which seems to be good only when the ball seams around!

WELL SAID

yes i too think in the same lines. NZ are only good when they play in NZ and when they play on traks suited to them.

 

[Langeveldt]

Rudolph is the most annoying batsmen i've seen...he never looks like he is settled at the crease, yet in between that he plays some glorious shots.

Hehe he reminds me of a Trescothick... But not as ugly looking.. and he actually moves his feet...


I was watching the review of the Hamilton test on Sky.. That crater on leg stump was awful!! How did it happen???

 

[thierry henry]

Rudolph could get 1000 today and I'd still think he stinks...classic flat track bully and sooooooo ugly to watch- very reminiscent of Gilchrist to watch but not as good.

Anyway, did you guys think Gibbs was out?? I did, but Martin Crowe certainly didn't. For mine it would've uprooted leg-stump.

 

[thierry henry]

NZ getting smashed now, Kallis in great touch.

Vettori deadset bowls lollipops these days. Anytime a batsman wants to hit him, he can.

 

[Tim]

Rudolph perhaps should have been given out lbw to Vettori after he padded up but anyway not to be...Kallis has been sensational so far, boy he looks ominous for a big big score.

 

[Tim]

I reckon Australia, Pakistan & South Africa have the best bowling attacks, then the rest are fairly even..India probably a bit lower than the others. Of course, Zimbabwe & Bangladesh being well off the pace.

 

[Kent]

Sadly it's becoming a bit of a rut for NZ. Plenty of runs, plenty of trundlers, plenty of draws.

This isn't really an invitation to Butler, but I can see the merit in wanting someone who actually bowls with some emotion. I'm sick of not having Bond, and watching Vettori go through the motions on one of the 99% of test tracks that's too "______" for him.

You can see it in the eyes of spinners like Warne, Murali, etc. - you look at Vettori and it's like a dog watching a card trick or something! He clearly doesn't know where his next wicket might be coming from.

If the selectors are going to carry VIP passengers, no wonder guys like McMillan start pouting when they're told to perform.

 

[Adamc]

Kallis on target to equal Bradman's record, on 71* at the moment. Will be a great achievement if he gets there, although I did hear it mentioned that Bradman's 'real' record was 8 centuries in consecutive tests in which he batted. He injured himself while bowling thus preventing what could have been his 7th century in consecutive Tests (seeing as Hutton scored 364* in that match, this was reasonably likely) then scored centuries in his next two Tests after that. Good luck to Kallis nonetheless.

 

[MoxPearl]

omg .. 3 quick wickets in like 1 ball :P

Martin on a hattrick

 

[Adamc]

well not gonna happen

McMillan just bowled him :o

lbw, same thing :P Kallis will be kicking himself, though a match haul of 40 and 71 is not too bad by any standards.

Kirsten out lbw for 1 now, unlucky as it pitched just outside leg, sad end to a great career.

Mckenzie out as I type, spooned one to midwicket pushing forward, another wicket for Martyn. NZ with a great chance to finish this game off now.