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)).

Shelsey93 wrote:Great stuff from SA. They've looked like the No. 1 by a distance in this series!

I'd reiterate my word of warning for SA fans though. When England were No. 1 people tended to get ahead of themselves by comparing the team to the great teams. I didn't think it was that wise to do so at the time, and the poor form in 2012 proved me right. You can't take your foot off the gas at any moment, and its important to be wary of underestimating some challenges (particularly Pakistan away).

Indeed, I'd hope that with a long break from Tests for the next while SA will be focusing on making sure that they win that series.

A lot of English people thought we had the best pace attack in the world when we went to the UAE and that in spite of potential deficiencies batting v spin they'd get us through. They actually bowled outstandingly, but it wasn't quite enough.

Now, I wouldn't expect SA to collapse as England do - they have more players with considerable sub-continent runs in the past. But Ajmal is a super bowler and its just important to be weary.

I don't think there is much of a chance that will happen to SA fans Shelsey, however this is the best run of form SA has ever had.

ShankyCricket wrote:

gboycottnut wrote:

ShankyCricket wrote:Surely Tahir can't be considered for int'l cricket again?

Well Tahir is still a quality spin bowler as he showed against England last year. It is just that he had the unfortunate time to come up against a very strong Australian batting lineup with batsmen like Clarke, Hussey, Watson, Wade who know how to take on a spin bowler.

He averaged over 40 in England. If thats good, then it just shows how low his standards are.

Swann did not do particularly well in that England series, either....two Tests, four wickets at 77.

In any case, Robin Peterson seems to have done enough to earn a run in the Test team.

kingraf wrote:Kleinveldt really cashing in today, but I still feel he, along with Elgar and R Peterson should not be playing Test Cricket. Ryan Mac is as good a bowler as Rory and twice the batsman. South Africa dont play again for a while after Pak, by which point JP should be back, barring a big tour v Pak from Elgar, you have to assume JP takes his spot as Faf has gone pretty quickly from ABDV-clone to superstar

You might be right, but you can't fault their efforts in putting away a poor team....

Series averages:

Elgar - 124

Peterson - 5 wkts at 21.80

Kleinveld - 4 wkts at 24.25

Of course, we will see how they fare against better Test teams....

Elgar has only scored runs, when the team has already amassed a total..remeber he made a pair on debut, and struggled in the first innings of this series....

also i dont think Peterson and Klevindelt should play tests...Tahir needs to get form back also, De Lange is much better prosepct in tests than Kleinvedlt

Yeah and Ian Bell only made runs against Bangladesh right?

Its a bit early to say Elgar is the new Faf du Plesis or that hes just a fair weather bully really isnt it. Hes not proven anything either way yet.

Elgar did what was required to get another chance, nothing more, whether there were runs on the board or not, he was under pressure for his place.

ODI series starts tomorrow...NZ should be more competitive in this form of the game, but let's be honest, it should still be a relatively comfortable series win for SA

The squad doesn't look too bad. But McLaren has had a number of opportunities and has really not made a mark yet. With an economy rate of over 5 and an average of near 50 per wicket in 13 ODI's what more can he show?

AB de Villiers (capt) - Nashua Titans
Hashim Amla (vice-capt) - Nashua Dolphins
Farhaan Behardien - Nashua Titans
Quinton de Kock - bizhub Highveld Lions
Faf du Plessis - Nashua Titans
Colin Ingram - Chevrolet Warriors
Rory Kleinveldt - Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras
Ryan McLaren - Chevrolet Knights
Morne Morkel - Nashua Titans
Robin Peterson - Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras
Aaron Phangiso - bizhub Highveld Lions
Graeme Smith - Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras
Dale Steyn - Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras
Lonwabo Tsotsobe - Sunfoil Dolphins

Think that's a little unfair on McLaren BB.

He's often played when Steyn and Morkel are rested.

He'll get better playing in a full strength seam attack.

Hope so mate.

NZ won the toss and will bowl first.

Commentators agree with the decision, they reckon will be something in the pitch first up and will get better later to bat on.

NZ doing well here, SA 27/2

Ball is doing enough to make batsmen either get edges or misses.

Both Amla and Smith back in the hut.

The average first innings score on this ground is 177.

If SA get 225 here they would do well.

SA only scored 25 runs in the first five overs and then just five runs in the next five overs.

The Black Caps doing really well here.

I suppose on such a tough track it may level the play abit..

It might, but when you bat second and you are chasing a lowish score you know you don't need to take risks, SA really need to put a solid score on, otherwise NZ might walk this and there goes AB as well.

I wouldnt be overly worried if i was you bilt.

But good to see a bit of competition in this series!!

Have SA won yet?

SA 68/3 after 18

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Have SA won yet?

They won't be declaring in this innings.

I was slightly surprised that Farhaan Behardien wasn't selected in the match.

We lack a finisher and Farhaan has been in good form in the domestic limited overs competitions.

Faf continues his excellent form. Another ODI 50.

SA 182/9

Upset looming ? Wouldn't rule out NZ all out for 100 , but at least they've given themselves a chance.

Kiwis have bowled pretty nicely today.

Especially McClenaghan on his debut. 4/20 off 10 overs. Kane Williamson did very well too.

Nice ground in Paarl. Some spectacular looking scenery there.

Kiwis off to a flyer , I see

10/2...

Now 21-3.

msp83 wrote:Now 21-3.

Tsotsobe with the early inroads....

ouch...

NZ have small total to chase and yet again they have a batting collaspe...its embarassing watching NZ at the moment, and im not even a kiwi!

The Beeb says the match is still going with NZ needing 21 with 1 wicket in hand, is this current?

Congrats to NZ, winning by 1 wicket.

SA never had enough runs on the board, but their worst offenders were their bowlers giving away nealry 30 extras.

Wow, didn't expect NZ to pull that off. Last wicket partnership of 22 to bring the Kiwis home, well done Franklin.

Well, tbh, the SA ODI squad is about as settled as the middle East, thus even a series defeat wouldnt shock me. We have been experimenting with it for the last 5 years. Heck, we even experimented during the World Cup! Quinton de Kock is a player I rate highly, but he has no business playing 50-overs.

next game starts tomorrow...anyone think there will be changes for either side?

De villiers has a two match ban so David Miller is likely to start in his place.

I expect Faf du Plessis to be captain.

yup Du Plessis has been confirmed as captain for tomorrow.....whats happened to Colin Ingrram?

Not sure to be honest.

CF wrote:whats happened to Colin Ingrram?

Ingram is a decent player, but he has issues with his footwork. Plays away from his body too much.

Look at his FC stats, only an average of 35.

His List A record is excellent, but there are less catchers in limited overs cricket.

Biltong wrote:De villiers has a two match ban so David Miller is likely to start in his place.

I expect Faf du Plessis to be captain.

Berhardien is likely to debut BB. He deserves his chance.

I would also like Miller to play, but it doesn't seem likely.

Gerry SA wrote:

CF wrote:whats happened to Colin Ingrram?

Ingram is a decent player, but he has issues with his footwork. Plays away from his body too much.

Look at his FC stats, only an average of 35.

His List A record is excellent, but there are less catchers in limited overs cricket.

When Colin Ingram first played for SA, I thought that at long last SA had a true successor to the great Graeme Pollock as an attacking left-handed batsman who bats at number 4 for SA. Sadly however he hasn't fullfilled his promise and potential as yet. Like Pollock, Ingram shares with him the batting technique of playing the ball away from his body but unlike Pollock he doesn't manage to middle the ball as often and as hard as Pollock did.

Ingram, miller, Du Plessis all came in at similair times....but only Du Plessis has really cracked international cricket.....

It seems that CSA is using the ODI's as rest period for their test players, so due to the rotation more guys will get exposure at limited overs cricket.

I suppose it is a bit of a hit and miss at the moment. Kirsten did say 2013 is the year to establish his best ODI side, but the mere fact that he gave the reigns over to the other guy (can't remmeber his name ) tells me there are differing priorities.

I am sorry but I just don't believe McLaren is up to standard.

NZ were 36/1 after 13 overs, then McLaren steps in with Williamson on somethign like 13 off 30 balls. First ball McLaren bowls so wide if Williamson chose not to play a shot it would be called wide, But Willimason swings for the rafters and gets a four, next ball too full, drivesa four, next ball attempted yorker no run, next ball overpitched four runs.

That is the three fours that doubled Willimason's score and set him on his way.

So far MCLaren 46 runs off 6 overs.

Great knock in the end from Williamson, 145 not out off 136 balls, some lusty hitting from him and Kyle Mills at the end (they added 34 off the last 14 balls) got NZ up to 279/8, which should be competitice. Could have made more but for the traditional middle order collapse though.

Yep, well batted. He was due a score.

I have been impressed with a number of NZ players, Williamson, Watley and Brownley have all played important knocks for NZ this summer.

Like I said, I really wouldnt be shocked if we lost the series.

Fair play though, great knock from Williamson.

165/1 to 180/4, are South Africa choking?