*Official* South Africa in New Zealand

[Kent]

I didn't see much of today's play because of cricket commitments. I saw a bit of Vettori when I got home, and I'll give a Mars bar to anyone who can tell me the last time he got a catch at slip in a test match. They keep one there for decoration though, and the short rubbish he continues to cough up is deflating to watch.

It seems Ashocker De Silva didn't help NZ's cause much today either, so I'm glad I missed most of it!

 

[thierry henry]

The saddest sight of the day was definitely Fleming continuing to bowl Vettori for extended snore-inducing spells. Pretty soon Bracewell is going to have to consider just what purpose Vettori serves in the test team.

 

[tooextracool]

this is quite the reverse of what happened in the 2nd test. a 1-1 draw is definetly on the cards

 

[Kent]

100% agree with T Henry.

I don't which senior players in the NZ camp would start a mutiny regarding Vettori, but my bet's on the guys in-close who have to flinch twice an over.

 

[Craig]

The saddest sight of the day was definitely Fleming continuing to bowl Vettori for extended snore-inducing spells. Pretty soon Bracewell is going to have to consider just what purpose Vettori serves in the test team.

I guess he is picked because a) He is the best spinner by the length of 10 Downing Street (how long is it actually?) b) He is also picked because of the 'variation' factor.

Pre-back he was getting wickets regularly, but not now.

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On another matters I have been impressed by Jacques Rudolph in this Test series and to me he has demonstrated the talent to bat long periods of time and grit it out and not worry about scoring rates.

Martin van Jaarsveldt batted suberbly today and maybe he got make a name in this form of the game.e

And the play off the day? Chris Martin braking his run of quacks (ducks) with his first Test run in over 3½ years.

 

[luckyeddie]

I guess he is picked because a) He is the best spinner by the length of 10 Downing Street (how long is it actually?) .

Downing Street (named after Sir George Downing, IIRC) - it's changed a bit. It's a small cul-de-sac which used to have about 20 houses in the 17th century - most were demolished a long time ago.

Until 2001, there were 3 postal addresses in Downing Street -

No 10 (Prime Minister's house)
No 11 (Chancellor of the Exchequer)
No 12 (Chief Whip's office)

Well, No 12 is now the press office, and a small annex was opened in 2001 - this is No 9 and is the new Chief Whip's office.

I cannot locate any map or actual dimensions (gave up after a couple of minutes) - presumably because of security implications.

<quack> Hey, LE. Why don't you type the words 'bomb' and 'Downing Street' in the same sentence?

DD, there's someone at the door.

 

[Craig]

Thanks for the lesson on London Eddie.

So it isnt that long?

 

[nibbs]

The saddest sight of the day was definitely Fleming continuing to bowl Vettori for extended snore-inducing spells. Pretty soon Bracewell is going to have to consider just what purpose Vettori serves in the test team.

word.

Its been quite some time since I would have considered Vettori to have been dangerous. I remember in 2001/02 tour to Australia, he caused the Australians all kinds of havoc. He was awesome. Maybe its just the New Zealand pitches, I don't know. Clearly something has to change.

However in saying that, New Zealand doesn't have any spinners nearly as good or at the same level as Vettori.

 

[marc71178]

Pretty soon Bracewell is going to have to consider just what purpose Vettori serves in the test team.

Quite a similar one to Ashley Giles I reckon. Adds solidity to the tail, and variety in the attack...

 

[Langeveldt]

Thanks for the lesson on London Eddie.

So it isnt that long?

No its quite short...

Sad to see the demise of Gary Kirsten, Martin seems to have undone him this series.... Van Jaarsveld is on 48*... Hopefully he can stake a claim for the position....

 

[Kent]

Nibblet and Craig - I hope Vettori does well today even if it's a fluke, but what makes you think he's still NZ's best spinner by a mile?

From what I've seen of Bruce Martin and Vettori this season, Bruce Martin has looked the superior bowler. He's got visibly more talent than a Wiseman or Giles, but unfortunately this myth that Vettori is untouchable has become an accepted truth.

A test average of 37 (70 in your last 10 tests), even allowing a few runs for a spinner, should make you as 'touchable' as Paul Adams is for the SA selectors. Hasn't Flem been claiming we've got just as much talent?

Sinclair did well, C Martin's done well, but to put their money where their mouth is, it's time they either forget specialist spinners or test the spin-bowling depth. Being a household name or a close friend should count for absolutely nothing, and he's not NZ's version of Mark Taylor either.

Those who are thinking "but Bruce Martin hasn't done anything against Sri Lanka 'A' yet" - Ian Butler and Lou Vincent have had many opportunities for NZ with far less flattering stats.

 

[Kent]

I agree with Marc's reasoning that they find Vettori's batting handy, timid as it may be.

It's time Fleming stopped making pretty 30's if NZ are worried about runs, rather than making sure they have the best #9 possible.

 

[marc71178]

He's got visibly more talent than a Wiseman or Giles, but unfortunately this myth that Vettori is untouchable has become an accepted truth.

I wouldn't necessarily agree re: Giles - he does have the ability, but the conditions conspire against him. I would always take him in preference to a 5th seamer, but when Pietersen becomes available I can see an arguement to only use him in turning places.

 

[Langeveldt]

SA are self destructing...

Martin bowling that nagging line has himself five...

Hopefully Nico and JR can provide some resistance and get some sort of a lead... Not looking good tho..

 

[Tim]

Chris Martin has been absolutely superb in this series, NZ are right back in this match.

I think it's time Richardson & Fleming put some runs on the board.

 

[Tim]

Well Asoka has pretty much backed up in this test why he has been dropped from the elite panel..already today he's made a couple of awful decisions.

Papps has now had 2 extremely poor lbw decisions in this match, 1 from each umpire.

 

[thierry henry]

Did anyone see the stats they showed today?? Since 1 January 2002, Vettori has averaged 60 with the ball. He has taken something like 25 wickets in 13 tests at the cost of 1500 runs.

I don't agree at all that he is "our best spinner by miles", that's another one of these untouchable truths that's been bandied around for far too long now. For starters, Wiseman turns the ball a lot more than Vettori does, and while Wiseman doesn't have an arm ball, Vettori's is totally ineffectual and he may as well not use it.

 

[Mingster]

Vettori does have an armball, a very effective one - but rarely uses it at all these days. There has to come a time we have to give someone else a go, Bruce Martin is clearly a better spinner than Wiseman, and should be given a chance in Test cricket. Vettori's batting isn't going to save him AT ALL.

The Test is going to be a draw, tomorow is forecasted for hail and heavy rain. I doubt we will get any play tomorow.

 

[Token]

128 for 5.

Mmm the familiar smell of self-destruct pie.

Predictions: Cairns and Styris bat for a day to put on 250 then Chris Martin has a quickfire cameo of 50* off 21 balls. South Africa are made to chase 400 off 60 overs, Martin takes 9 wickets as South Africa race towards 398 with 1 ball left, Martin to bowl. Bowls a yorker which Andre Nel drives straight back on the full into Martin, knocking him back 10 metres where the ball squeaks out onto the stumps, running out Rudolph the non-striker on 299.
Then I wake up.

 

[anzac]

familiar territory with the top order struggling to get going again.........

Papps has been unlucky this Test s shold not read too much into it as yet, Richardson's poor form is more of a worry - no rock at the top to provide a base, Fleming proves he's human after his recent exploits with the bat - it should be noted that he has fallen when trying to accelerate the score / dominate early on by siezing an opportunity,

big efforts required from the 2nd Test heroes to get near a competitive score.............

congrads to C Martin on becoming the fastest NZ bowler to reach 50 Test wickets...........having backed up his efforts from Auckland he will now be a certainty for England..........a seam attack potential of Bond, Martin, Tuffey & Oram looks to have some potential...........

Vettori's form is now as much a concern as has been that of Cairns, McMillan & Co - with Wiseman & B Martin scoring tons v SRL 'A' his batting can no longer be held as any protection..........

perhaps much has to do with NZ pitches - in the past few seasons they have gone from being damp & seamer friendly, to possibly being erring on the safe side & becoming semi lifeless flat & batter frendly - either way little or no encouragement for finger spinners.........

Mason has struggled big time and will need a solid 2nd innings performance to be in consideration for the Test party..............