South Africa vs New Zealand series 2012/13

First topic message reminder :

NZ are touring South Africa in December and January, playing 3 T20 internationals, 2 tests and 3 ODIs. Just setting up this thread up as a placeholder.

South Africa are on a high following their wins away in England and Australia, while NZ should also be on a high coming off a drawn series in Sri Lanka with a big win in the second test. Things are definitely not looking good for the Black Caps however. Veteran left armer Dan Vettori has been ruled out, while star batsman Ross Taylor may also miss the series due to coach Mike Hesson's efforts to remove him from the captaincy:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/8036042/Ross-Taylor-keen-to-stay-on-as-captain
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/8041737/Taylor-could-pull-out-of-South-Africa-tour
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/8030383/Coach-Hesson-asked-Ross-Taylor-to-resign


As per usual NZ Cricket are reinforcing their status as an amateur and incompetent governing body

NZ squads: http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-new-zealand-2012/content/current/story/595709.html
Test squad Brendon McCullum (capt), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Peter Fulton, Daniel Flynn, Dean Brownlie, BJ Watling (wk), James Franklin, Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Jeetan Patel, Bruce Martin, Chris Martin.

Twenty20 squad Brendon McCullum (capt, wk), Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol, Peter Fulton, Colin Munro, Nathan McCullum, Corey Anderson, James Franklin, Jimmy Neesham, Derek de Boorder (wk), Mitchell McClenaghan, Doug Bracewell, Trent Boult, Ronnie Hira, Adam Milne (Mark Gillespie (Michael Bates)).

AB gets his half-century....

Elgar under pressure to have a good debut, with Rudolph waiting in the wings, and Duminy to come back from injury.

I think we're being a bit unfair on AB.

In the first test he kept against england he never batted.
In the second test he got 44 and 47
In the third test he got 43 and 27

For a debut series at wicket keeper not a bad return at all.

Then going to OZ:
First test he got 40 and then 29 not out in 110 balls saving the test
Second test he got his first failure in the first innings (1) and then saved the second test with 33 off 220 balls with Faf du Plessis
Third test he got a failure (4) and then 169 off 186 balls.

Considering 10 innings, two failures, 4 forties, two starts in the twenties, two innings of out of character draw savings innings and a masterful 169, that is very good.

Now in his 7 test as wicket keeper he is already on a score over 50.

Biltong wrote:I think we're being a bit unfair on AB.

In the first test he kept against england he never batted.
In the second test he got 44 and 47
In the third test he got 43 and 27

For a debut series at wicket keeper not a bad return at all.

Then going to OZ:
First test he got 40 and then 29 not out in 110 balls saving the test
Second test he got his first failure in the first innings (1) and then saved the second test with 33 off 220 balls with Faf du Plessis
Third test he got a failure (4) and then 169 off 186 balls.

Considering 10 innings, two failures, 4 forties, two starts in the twenties, two innings of out of character draw savings innings and a masterful 169, that is very good.

Now in his 7 test as wicket keeper he is already on a score over 50.

Don't think thats enough to get him a spot over Prior in a World XI though.

shivfan wrote:AB gets his half-century....

Elgar under pressure to have a good debut, with Rudolph waiting in the wings, and Duminy to come back from injury.

It's not his debut, you twit....

He's out for 21, anyway....

ShankyCricket wrote:

Biltong wrote:I think we're being a bit unfair on AB.

In the first test he kept against england he never batted.
In the second test he got 44 and 47
In the third test he got 43 and 27

For a debut series at wicket keeper not a bad return at all.

Then going to OZ:
First test he got 40 and then 29 not out in 110 balls saving the test
Second test he got his first failure in the first innings (1) and then saved the second test with 33 off 220 balls with Faf du Plessis
Third test he got a failure (4) and then 169 off 186 balls.

Considering 10 innings, two failures, 4 forties, two starts in the twenties, two innings of out of character draw savings innings and a masterful 169, that is very good.

Now in his 7 test as wicket keeper he is already on a score over 50.

Don't think thats enough to get him a spot over Prior in a World XI though.

Give it a year, he'll be settled then.


On another note, Elgar is gone 335/6 now, and the new ball is getting bounce.

shivfan wrote:

shivfan wrote:AB gets his half-century....

Elgar under pressure to have a good debut, with Rudolph waiting in the wings, and Duminy to come back from injury.

It's not his debut, you twit....

He's out for 21, anyway....

Consider yourself corrected.

I know Smith won't declare yet, but I would think he has enough runs on the board to do it.

There is still good bounce and movement in this pitch to take NZ out.

He'll probably bat another session and a half. NZ will most likely bowl us out before then.

So de Villiers managed to see off the 40s and I am relieved. He is my favorite in that SA lineup 40s have been his undoing since taking the gloves. Perhaps he should hit a 6 and a 4 to see the damn thing through each time!.

Biltong how's the weather shaping up?

It should be fine msp.

The cloud cover is much less now. I reckon this afternoon will be blue skies.

Then no need to declare, let Robin Petersen gather some confidence with the bat by scoring some, could come in handy later in the season. Despite their terrible batting, the NZ bowling lineup despite missing Dan Vetori, is a quality one, and runs against them shouldn't be discounted. SA have lots of time left in the match to produce a result on day 3 or 4.

Haysman and Wessels are inspecting the pitch, there are some cracks where the pitch has dried out due to the 60km/h winds that has blown the few days before the test, in their opinion this is now almost like a Newlands 4th day pitch.

So the ball has alread started misbehaving a few times when hitting the cracks.

So there are possibilities that NZ haven't reached the bottom of the pit as yet??!

Well they were discussing the decision by NZ to bat first and said if NZ did actually bat well and only declared now they would have seen to have made the right decision to bat first.

Sadly for them, if SA does bat lets say another session the lead will be close to 400 ad then NZ will play on this pitch where Philander, Steyn and Morkel will be have much assistance from the pitch.

I don't see this test going beyond lunch tomorrow.

msp83 wrote:Then no need to declare, let Robin Petersen gather some confidence with the bat by scoring some, could come in handy later in the season. Despite their terrible batting, the NZ bowling lineup despite thanks to missing Dan Vetori, is a quality one, and runs against them shouldn't be discounted. SA have lots of time left in the match to produce a result on day 3 or 4.

Averages 88 with the ball in 2012

If you ever wondered which format cricketers see as the ultimate then it is test cricket according to Dale Steyn.

He was interviewed after his 300th wicket and asked the secret to his bowling success and he said it was due to fitness and management of his game.

He had a talk to Kirsten and said test cricket was his main focus, they agree he must be managed and will play only the important fixtures in limited overs cricket, there after his focus is test cricket.

Simon Doull had a quip he remembered when Steyn was interviewd a few years back.

When Steyn was asked whether he prefereed to spend time in the gym or time in the nets, his answer was "No use looking like Tarzan and bowling like Jane"

They also interviewed Kallis, he is adamanet he wants to play till 2015 for that elusive world Cup trophy.

He says management is important, but he has no thoughts of retiring just yet. when you consider his batting average is actually still climbing, there is no reason to think about retiring yet.

de Villiers gone for 67, SA 342/7.

Must be said it was a poor shot by AB, he steps outside his offstump to play the paddle to legside and the ball hits middle stump.

Way to far to offstump there.

It looks like SA might up the rate and declare in this session.

Shanky, a career can't be judged just on the basis on one poor patch alone.

Petersen hits a four, then out, SA declares .

NZ needs 303 to make SA bat again.

Lots of swing for Steyn in his first over.

Too much in fact.

Guptill gone, Steyn bowls a bad ball, it swung too much on previous deliveries, and Steyn pitches one just outside leg, Guptil puts it into the hands of Amla at forward short leg.

Guptil out for 0

Maybe you could say Amla was at midwicket.

Philander very accurate here.

Biltong wrote:

shivfan wrote:

shivfan wrote:AB gets his half-century....

Elgar under pressure to have a good debut, with Rudolph waiting in the wings, and Duminy to come back from injury.

It's not his debut, you twit....

He's out for 21, anyway....

Consider yourself corrected.

I see your prediction about Smith's declaration was just as accurate....

shivfan wrote:

Biltong wrote:

shivfan wrote:

shivfan wrote:AB gets his half-century....

Elgar under pressure to have a good debut, with Rudolph waiting in the wings, and Duminy to come back from injury.

It's not his debut, you twit....

He's out for 21, anyway....

Consider yourself corrected.

I see your prediction about Smith's declaration was just as accurate....

Philander appeals for LBW, Umpire says no, SA don't go to DRS, DRS shows it was out.

At least it looks like NZ are going to score more than 45 runs in their second knock of this test match! But then again they could all collapse like a pack of cards and get all out for under 30 odd!

Biltong wrote:

shivfan wrote:

Biltong wrote:

shivfan wrote:

shivfan wrote:AB gets his half-century....

Elgar under pressure to have a good debut, with Rudolph waiting in the wings, and Duminy to come back from injury.

It's not his debut, you twit....

He's out for 21, anyway....

Consider yourself corrected.

I see your prediction about Smith's declaration was just as accurate....

I must admit, I didn't expect Smith to declare until some time after tea...he seems to want a quick finish to this match.

Kallis takes his 283rd wicket.

29/2

NZ is doing the best they can here, they try and play only the balls they have to, SA is bowling very disciplined and is giving nothing away.

run rate is slow, but NZ is staying in it, even if it is only delaying the inevitable.

shivfan wrote:

Biltong wrote:

shivfan wrote:

Biltong wrote:

shivfan wrote:

shivfan wrote:AB gets his half-century....

Elgar under pressure to have a good debut, with Rudolph waiting in the wings, and Duminy to come back from injury.

It's not his debut, you twit....

He's out for 21, anyway....

Consider yourself corrected.

I see your prediction about Smith's declaration was just as accurate....

I must admit, I didn't expect Smith to declare until some time after tea...he seems to want a quick finish to this match.

I was actaully surprised, but at least he is becomeing a little more brave with his declarations.

SA off the boil a bit here, this partnership rolling along at a run a ball and they've put down three catches in the last 15 minutes or so, the Elgar one particularly bad. Philander surprisingly erratic in this spell. Just wonder if it's worth giving Peterson a couple of overs here, McCullum will look to be positive which could create chances.

50 for McCullum good knock but his job is only getting started.

One thing I've noticed about SA, excellent as they are, is that they can get rattled when teams get after them. A couple of times against Australia when Clarke got going they lost it a bit, as in England with Bairstow (second innings of the last Test) and KP (second Test). When they're in control they are a very very good side but if you can be aggressive and put them on the back foot you have a chance. Philander's poor spell is probably most to blame here.

SA will still win this game, they're just so far ahead right now. Was a bit surprised by Smith's declaration, as there's so much time still to go, and on a pitch that will break up if NZ could somehow get to 450+ it could be an awkward chase. Anyone know if the forecast is a bit dodgy, that could explain it?

Big Mac gets his half-century, and then gets out....

NZ doing well here, Brownlie is leadig a charmed life, but then that's the way it goes.

msp83 wrote:Shanky, a career can't be judged just on the basis on one poor patch alone.

Well, he's been poor in Tests for quite some time now. Barely takes wickets.

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/38710.html?class=1;template=results;type=bowling;view=series

Series by series bowling averages, Zimbabwe aside, he's been absolutely useless for ages now. With the ball in Test cricket, that is.

To Brownlie on his 1st Test century. Putting up a good fight 2nd time round.

Some way to get through the nervous 90's - two sixes. Well played. Rode his luck a fair bit yesterday, but has shown great fight.

Fists of Fury wrote:Some way to get through the nervous 90's - two sixes. Well played. Rode his luck a fair bit yesterday, but has shown great fight.

Nice work DB (and as soon as I type that he gets out! ). I was hoping he'd do well in SA - he likes bouncier pitches, a legacy growing up in Perth.

Those 1st innings demons have suddenly disappeared it seems, Kiwi... until what you mentioned above.
Much better batting from NZ this innings. The pitch is developing nicely for batting now.

Same thing happened today with Hughes.
He was cruising along playing fine and he then got cursed by Nicholas, Lawry then Healy in the space of 5 minutes...

...and then promptly got out on bloody 87 with an unlucky nick to the keeper!

Linebreaker wrote:Those 1st innings demons have suddenly disappeared it seems, Kiwi... until what you mentioned above.
Much better batting from NZ this innings. The pitch is developing nicely for batting now.

Same thing happened today with Hughes.
He was cruising along playing fine and he then got cursed by Nicholas, Lawry then Healy in the space of 5 minutes...

...and then promptly got out on bloody 87 with an unlucky nick to the keeper!

After I deliberately avoiding commenting when we were on Double-Nelson (222) too

South Africa win by an innings and 27 runs.

But New Zealand did very well in the second innings. They toiled hard and had a solid approach to how to play and their discipline and application was admirable.

They should take some positives out of this despite the 45 run first innings.

New Zealand are a couple of batsmen short (one of them having rather disgracefully thrown his toys out of the pram, but even if he returns they're one short). Wattling is no number 6 IMO, he needs to move one down; Flynn has a good character but is short of quality, and how Franklin is considered a test player is beyond me.

Williamson is a good player and should do ok, and Brownlie looked good when I saw him against Australia and now here, but is probably a number 5 more than a 4.

I'm also not convinced by the Guptil/McCullum opening partnership, but they do at least have a good understanding. Both players should be ashamed of their relatively average test records, they are much better players than that.

The bowling actually looks ok: Boult is a good find, he can beat batsmen on both sides of the edge which is handy, Bracewell is a good hard-working cricketer who can produce the odd very handy spell and either Martin or (preferably) Southee are also reasonable seamers (Southee could be very good). Vettori or Patel won't set the world alight (anymore) with their bowling but will do a job.

Having said that, a major disappointment for me was the batting of the tail-enders. IN both innings, Patel and Boult came in with a recognised batsman at the other end, and in both innings they decided to bat from any position bar in front of the stumps. Not a good enough attitude, and if I were the coach I'd be fuming.

Mike Selig wrote:New Zealand are a couple of batsmen short (one of them having rather disgracefully thrown his toys out of the pram, but even if he returns they're one short). Wattling is no number 6 IMO, he needs to move one down; Flynn has a good character but is short of quality, and how Franklin is considered a test player is beyond me.

Williamson is a good player and should do ok, and Brownlie looked good when I saw him against Australia and now here, but is probably a number 5 more than a 4.

I'm also not convinced by the Guptil/McCullum opening partnership, but they do at least have a good understanding. Both players should be ashamed of their relatively average test records, they are much better players than that.

The bowling actually looks ok: Boult is a good find, he can beat batsmen on both sides of the edge which is handy, Bracewell is a good hard-working cricketer who can produce the odd very handy spell and either Martin or (preferably) Southee are also reasonable seamers (Southee could be very good). Vettori or Patel won't set the world alight (anymore) with their bowling but will do a job.

Having said that, a major disappointment for me was the batting of the tail-enders. IN both innings, Patel and Boult came in with a recognised batsman at the other end, and in both innings they decided to bat from any position bar in front of the stumps. Not a good enough attitude, and if I were the coach I'd be fuming.

Apparently the former Western Australian keeper Luke Ronchi will be eligible to play for NZ by the end of this month. Therefore with his inclusion, it will strengthen the lower order batting as well as relieve the workload on Brendan McCallum.

If anything, I think Watling should open. He's better than BMac/Guptill, for my money.

ShankyCricket wrote:If anything, I think Watling should open. He's better than BMac/Guptill, for my money.

Wasn't Fulton supposed to open NZ's batting before he got injured?

Quite frankly, losing by an innings inside 3 days is the sort of thing Bangladesh used to do when they were a very young Test side. Surely the Kiwis haven't regressed this far?

Duty281 wrote:Quite frankly, losing by an innings inside 3 days is the sort of thing Bangladesh used to do when they were a very young Test side. Surely the Kiwis haven't regressed this far?

I'm sure that when England tour New Zealand in march, the Black Caps will show England just how good they really are, as they are likely to have their best players back such as Taylor, Ryder, Vettori. Also an interesting player who England need to look out for is the former Western Australian wicketkeeper batsman Luke Ronchi. Just after Adam Gilchrist retired Ronchi looked like becoming the wicketkeeper in the Australian test team, however loss of form or injuries prevented this from happening for him. Nevertheless, he is still good enough to get in most test teams in the world, apart from perhaps Australia and South Africa where there seems to be a healthy vein of wicketkeeping riches.

gboycottnut wrote:

Duty281 wrote:Quite frankly, losing by an innings inside 3 days is the sort of thing Bangladesh used to do when they were a very young Test side. Surely the Kiwis haven't regressed this far?

I'm sure that when England tour New Zealand in march, the Black Caps will show England just how good they really are, as they are likely to have their best players back such as Taylor, Ryder, Vettori. Also an interesting player who England need to look out for is the former Western Australian wicketkeeper batsman Luke Ronchi. Just after Adam Gilchrist retired Ronchi looked like becoming the wicketkeeper in the Australian test team, however loss of form or injuries prevented this from happening for him. Nevertheless, he is still good enough to get in most test teams in the world, apart from perhaps Australia and South Africa where there seems to be a healthy vein of wicketkeeping riches.

...and , perhaps , England ? Chap called Prior ?

Wonder if that was an oversight or an attempt at trailing a bait...