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

[wellAlbidarned]

Another article on the team make-up on stuff website. Basically a whole lot of conjecture and not many answers. A few quotes from Wright (or paraphrased) include:







So yeah my interpretation is Boult will miss out. I shudder a bit to think that our four bowlers will include Vettori who does not take wickets and Gillespie who is always likely to be very hot-and-cold. Seems like we'll be playing for a rain-affected draw tbh (still no way we would bat out a non-rain-affected draw).

If they're saying that they'll play the "four best bowlers for the conditions", then Vettori must be playing as a batsman, so four seamers is still a possibility.

[Kippax]

If they're saying that they'll play the "four best bowlers for the conditions", then Vettori must be playing as a batsman, so four seamers is still a possibility.

Well, in the corridors and dorms of CW that's true. Have to remember Vettori is still "absolutely world-class and right up there with Swann" for less empirical and less iconoclastic folk in the real world (Nash, Trist, etc.), and the Basin was offering Jeets some good turn and bounce in the last Shield game.

45 overs of upwind bowling is a really important consideration and why Nicky Boje got 53.2 overs, more than Pollock and Ntini, in 2004. We don't have the useful Styris-type option we used to. Gillespie has done it a lot obviously, Bracewell looks the ideal sort of build but has only bowled 21 FC overs there in total.

[Kippax]

Gut feeling is that Brownlie won't play, which is daft, but there you go.

Wright has basically confirmed Brownlie will bat 6. Where McCullum and KSW will be sounds more up for debate -
http://podcast.mediaworks.co.nz/Radi...12_JWright.mp3

[Scaly piscine]

Not a very consistent bunch the NZ selectors. They still seem to trying things in the hope that can chase down some magic formula which will make them suddenly become a good side. They have to realise the limitations. The batting will be ****e whoever they pick, but a bowling unit that performs will always give you some chance in Test cricket. Unless South Africa implode to Vettori I don't see how 3 seamers and a slow medium is going to win you a game.

[M0rphin3]

Flynn opening is bizzare - as much as I'd love to see him play, afraid he'd not survive the new ball

[Neil Young]

Not a very consistent bunch the NZ selectors. They still seem to trying things in the hope that can chase down some magic formula which will make them suddenly become a good side. They have to realise the limitations. The batting will be ****e whoever they pick, but a bowling unit that performs will always give you some chance in Test cricket. Unless South Africa implode to Vettori I don't see how 3 seamers and a slow medium is going to win you a game.

Yeah, but the other side of that is you have to get runs on the board to at assert some sort of pressure on the opposition. It's a fine balancing act when you haven't got the resources. Saying that, in a must win game such as the Basin one, 5 bowlers should really be a given. Going forward, I wouldn't mind the a 6/1/4 split.

[stumpski]

Flynn opening is bizzare - as much as I'd love to see him play, afraid he'd not survive the new ball

Steyn to target his remaining teeth I reckon.

[Hurricane]

Weather forecast still not improving. Steady drizzle here this morning.
Wellington Weather - NZ Weather Forecast Wellington from MetService.com

[KiWiNiNjA]

Weather forecast still not improving. Steady drizzle here this morning.
Wellington Weather - NZ Weather Forecast Wellington from MetService.com

3 days of rain followed by 5 days of dry, hot sun.

[Woodster]

Personally pleased to see the distinct possibility NZ will go into the next Test with six specialist batsmen, with Vettori dropping at least a spot and allow for Brownlie and Flynn to return to the side. On balance and on paper think this gives them a much better look, more solid, and more likely to put SA under pressure with a more imposing first-innings total, of course that won't be easy at all against this SA attack, but I do think it gives them a better chance of competing,

I appreciate some people prefer the five-man bowling attack look, but I think with Gillespie, Martin, Bracewell and Vettori it carries enough threat with a competitive score on the board.

[Scaly piscine]

Personally pleased to see the distinct possibility NZ will go into the next Test with six specialist batsmen, with Vettori dropping at least a spot and allow for Brownlie and Flynn to return to the side. On balance and on paper think this gives them a much better look, more solid, and more likely to put SA under pressure with a more imposing first-innings total, of course that won't be easy at all against this SA attack, but I do think it gives them a better chance of competing,

I appreciate some people prefer the five-man bowling attack look, but I think with Gillespie, Martin, Bracewell and Vettori it carries enough threat with a competitive score on the board.

So instead of like 190 they might score 215. Or 220 becomes 245. Not really going to compensate for the extra workload on the bowlers, being forced into using Vettori. So you're working through South Africa and on comes Gillespie (or Martin) who's a bit tired and this time is in pie mode and you're forced to use Vettori to block an end which lets the batsmen settle. The pressure on South Africa will evaporate and even if you get South Africa down they know that they only have to get through a few overs and things will get easier.

[Mike5181]

So instead of like 190 they might score 215. Or 220 becomes 245. Not really going to compensate for the extra workload on the bowlers, being forced into using Vettori. So you're working through South Africa and on comes Gillespie (or Martin) who's a bit tired and this time is in pie mode and you're forced to use Vettori to block an end which lets the batsmen settle. The pressure on South Africa will evaporate and even if you get South Africa down they know that they only have to get through a few overs and things will get easier.

Nah, the workload for the bowlers should never be a problem for the bowlers when three of the five days in the test match have rain forecasted. Flynn and Brownlie should both play.

[SteveNZ]

The fourth seamer hasn't justified selection, whether it be Arnel, Boult or Southee. In fact I believe those three have a combined 1 wicket in two Tests, unless Boult got two in Dunedin.

Workloads will be a moot issue. Vettori will bowl a truckload into the wind and he hasn't been an attacking option in any case. All three rotate downwind, with Brownlie's overs to offer as well for short periods.

If there was a wicket-taking fourth seamer option, I'd want it in the pursuit of 20 wickets and a victory. There isn't.

Yes, we'll probably still score 250 odd. But what is the harm in giving ourselves the best chance to improve on efforts with the bat, which at the end of the day has cost us a Test and stymied us from being in a much better position in the other. Absolutely believe they have the right mix now, as long as Flynn batted at 5 with McCullum opening and Williamson at 3. But sounds like they won't.

[wellAlbidarned]

Boult has certainly shown that he should get at least a few more games to prove himself. Has all the tools.

[straw man]

Boult has certainly shown that he should get at least a few more games to prove himself. Has all the tools.

awta and really want to see him in conditions where there's some more swing around. Is getting the shaft from the selectors at the moment though and if my maths is right could even miss out on the squad for the Windies (cos they will add Wagner and also a second spinner). This would be a dreadful way to treat a promising young bowler.