***Official*** South Africa in New Zealand 2012

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by Briony

Massive advantage to the kiwis winning this toss. You wonder if the match has been decided already as it sometimes is if one team receives a massive advantage with the prevailing conditions. NZ with four seamers looks to have a powerful line-up, especially with Tahir instead of de Lange weakening the SA bowling attack.

NZ must be super strong favourites. Smith will go early against Martin as he usually does against left-handers so it will up to the rest of the line-up to provide some steel.

They will be looking for Steyn and co. to bail them out if they get rolled for a low total.

Both teams have long tails.

If you really believe all that, go and put all the spare cash you have on New Zealand to win right now.

[Mike5181]

Chill out Briony. You guys are waaay ahead of us at the moment.

[straw man]

Originally Posted by Meridio

Not entirely convinced that bowling first is the best idea - while I would say it plays to our relative strength, the ball doesn't tend to swing when it's cold and wet.

It's better than batting first but yeah, will wait with baited breath to see if there is swing around.

[Mike5181]

Doull says it's a terrible day to be bowling and he is very surprised we are bowling first.

[wellAlbidarned]

Whoever bowls into the wind will swing it around corners hopefully.

[Briony]

Originally Posted by Prince EWS

If you really believe all that, go and put all the spare cash you have on New Zealand to win right now.

I don't bet.

The bottom line is that NZ will never be handed a better opportunity against a SA team whose players haven't had a warm-up match in first class cricket. And the kiwi bowlers will be able to go hell for leather knowing that it's such a truncated day. So absolutely no excuses for the kiwis not to win here in their own conditions.

If SA do lose under Smith, given their super success under AB, you wonder if they will finally promote one of their promising young openers like Edgar.

[Prince EWS]

Originally Posted by Briony

I don't bet.

Well you should. New Zealand are paying 4.85. You're mad not to bet given what you think.

[Briony]

Originally Posted by Mike5181

Doull says it's a terrible day to be bowling and he is very surprised we are bowling first.

All the rest disagree.
Given that he expect the pitch to get slower and slower maybe Steyn and co. won't be a factor during this match at all.

[wellAlbidarned]

Originally Posted by Briony

All the rest disagree.
Given that he expect the pitch to get slower and slower maybe Steyn and co. won't be a factor during this match at all.

Steyn isn't really a "bounce" bowler so that's a poor call imo.

[wellAlbidarned]

Oram's wearing glasses! He must be intelligent and insightful.

[Mike5181]

Originally Posted by wellAlbidarned

Oram's wearing glasses! He must be intelligent and insightful.

I'd take him over McMillan in commentary any day!

[wellAlbidarned]

Originally Posted by Mike5181

I'd take him over McMillan in commentary any day!

Haven't heard much of him as a commentator/analyst, yet to judge. Won't take much to beat Doull and co though.

[Briony]

Originally Posted by wellAlbidarned

Oram's wearing glasses! He must be intelligent and insightful.

Oram thinks that bowling was the right move. Given that the pitch is a batting pitch, if the sun is out tomorrow, it could be a huge advantage to the kiwis if they get to bat in more favourable conditions. de Villiers, Amla and Kallis are easily SA's best batsmen so they will be hoping that they don't see the new ball.

Looks very chilly for early autumn.

[Briony]

Originally Posted by wellAlbidarned

Steyn isn't really a "bounce" bowler so that's a poor call imo.

Morkel is though. de Lange is but obviously they've preferred Tahir who may not get anything out of this pitch given that the cooler conditions will help bind it. From memory Vettori hasn't really starred against SA either so it could be a seamers' match.

[Mike5181]

Martin looks gentle so far.