**Official** New Zealand in South Africa

[Garson007]

South Africa just have too many players averaging around 50 for NZ to really have a sniff.

[Гурин]

A question for the Saffers here, I've read that there are some troubles between the players and the board over some Nicholson review.

Given that according to this article the players are considering a strike as early as februrary as a possibility, I'd like to know something more about what's going on and what was that Nicholson review about.

[Flametree]

Just got up to read the review of the day. Can anyone imagine Kruger van Wyk not demanding the skipper review a catch??? Watling needs to be more like a real keeper...

[ohnoitsyou]

Originally Posted by Flametree

Just got up to read the review of the day. Can anyone imagine Kruger van Wyk not demanding the skipper review a catch??? Watling needs to be more like a real keeper...

didn't want McCullum to do a Taylor on him

[straw man]

Watched most of the second session - a real mixed bag from all of Boult, Wagner and Bracewell. All were getting some shape with the older ball and in the periods I watched were bowling testing lines and lengths around 4 balls an over.... unfortunately the other 2 or so were poor balls and that can be seen in their econ rates of 3.9, 4 and 3.3 respectably.

Not a lot in the pitch mind you - fairly slow. Will be interesting to see how SA bowl, particularly once the shine wears off the ball (hoping we're not 5 down by then).

Williamson dropping Amla was a huge let-off - could have had SA 152/4 with a chance to bowl them out for around 350. He's been pretty good in the gully recently but completely misjudged that and ended up in the wrong position. Also disappointing to see we should have had FDP caught down the legside.

All in all we didn't bowl terribly but SA have predictably moved into a position of dominance in the match.

[Flametree]

Originally Posted by straw man

Watched most of the second session - a real mixed bag from all of Boult, Wagner and Bracewell. All were getting some shape with the older ball and in the periods I watched were bowling testing lines and lengths around 4 balls an over.... unfortunately the other 2 or so were poor balls and that can be seen in their econ rates of 3.9, 4 and 3.3 respectably.

- snip-

All in all we didn't bowl terribly but SA have predictably moved into a position of dominance in the match.

Hmm... I'd say bowling 1-2 bad balls per over is terrible test bowling isn't it? You might get away with it at lower levels, but it seems to suggest the bowlers can't make the step up to test level.

[straw man]

From what I saw (and gathered of the first session from cricinfo/here) I'd give them a 4 out of 10 rather than a terrible 2. If Williamson had taken that catch or they'd had a smidgeon more luck with edges the scoreline would have been a little more favourable.

[Athlai]

Our bowling hasn't been the best but that said we've put some very good batsman under pressure in conditions that aren't particularly helpful to our attack.

An adequate performance that will only see us get humiliated when our batting (by far our weakest suit) gets rolled.

[Spiced]

Going to be a tough batting day. Conditions suit bowling,

[BeeGee]

Amla is a cricketing God.

[BeeGee]

Bracewell has earned the right to be aggressive.

[wellAlbidarned]

Originally Posted by Athlai

Our bowling hasn't been the best but that said we've put some very good batsman under pressure in conditions that aren't particularly helpful to our attack.

An adequate performance that will only see us get humiliated when our batting (by far our weakest suit) gets rolled.

Disagree. There's been enough assistance but we've been way to inconsistent to use it. Prepare for a minefield when SA bowl.

[ohnoitsyou]

there's the mandatory loose ball per over

[Athlai]

Originally Posted by wellAlbidarned

Disagree. There's been enough assistance but we've been way to inconsistent to use it. Prepare for a minefield when SA bowl.

We have used it. Not to the extent that we probably would have if Southee was in the team but still to a decent standard. South Africa has a **** load of the best batsman in the world and if we lose out on a few chances and a few decisions don't go our way then seeing us or any attack besides an ATG one at 320/4 is hardly disgraceful.

It's not great but it isn't poor either.

I look at the SA batting and see a top 6 that has averaged 50 a piece for yonks. It's disheartening tstl.

[Kippax]

Athlai's in Paeroa using a phone btw, only a small step towards more informed observations on this test than Phlegm, who's in the wops with a tranny.