**Official** New Zealand in South Africa

[BackFootPunch]

I think the term 'white line fever' sums Wagner up quite well.

[Flem274*]

Can see one of the guys already in SA getting the call up since they're already there. McClenaghan, Bates etc

[Mike5181]

I'd probably go with Mitch, especially if he has a decent T20 series. It's only a reserve spot anyway.

[NZTailender]

So, Boult and Bracewell the locks it would seem (if Bracewell was going to be dropped due to some poor tests recently he won't be now). If Franklin plays, they may leave Wagner out rather than have 3 left arm seamers, which means Martin might play with Jeets or B.Martin the spinner.

personally, from the squad (without knowing Southee's replacement), I'd pick:

1. Guptill
2. McCullum
3. Flynn
4. Williamson
5. Watling+
6. Brownlie
7. Franklin
8. B Martin
9. Bracewell
10. Boult
11. C Martin
12th man: Patel

Phantom's swansong? Given he's record in South Africa, he deserves a crack.

[straw man]

lololololol Southee injury sounds so ridiculous it must be true

Originally Posted by morgieb

NZ should just go home right now. That's like their two best players unavailable.

You forgot Vettori

[straw man]

Originally Posted by Immenso

What are his instincts and positive intent like? They are important

Originally Posted by Kippax

Not too far removed from psychotic, and he's just bought an Audi convertible, so damn good.

does he have street smarts and execute plans?

[Flem274*]

Which Audi convertible he drives is important. Can't have any metro quicks out there after all.

Though if he wins the Important Moments he may be forgiven.

[straw man]

I would arrange the deck chairs in this order

Brendon McCullum
Martin Guptill
Kane Williamson
Dean Brownlie
Daniel Flynn
(insert best allrounder from T20 )
BJ Watling
Doug Bracewell
Neil Wagner
Jeetan Patel
Trent Boult

Don't want either Franklin or Fulton in the XI. Bowlers named Martin are the others to miss out.

[centurymaker]

southee is a huge blow, so it is essentially SA vs NZ 'A' now

ffs, just when you thought southee might finally turn into a very good bowler, he got injured.

strong possibility: amla and kallis to now score more runs in the series than the combined total of NZ

[Cabinet96]

That's some seriously devastating news about Southee. My intrestest in the test series has waned significantly as a result.

[robelinda]

So, Luke Ronchi scores 2 tons in the match, surely he is a dead cert for NZ now???

[hendrix]

I think Boult will be the bigger threat in this series, but losing that combination sucks.

Martin will be the replacement bowler. He better not **** it up.

[centurymaker]

Originally Posted by hendrix

I think Boult will be the bigger threat in this series, but losing that combination sucks.

Martin will be the replacement bowler. He better not **** it up.

at least there is some depth in the attack.

# still hope.

[Arachnodouche]

Too much pessimism. Southee would have been good but isn't he equally likely to go missing in action every now and then? And Wagner looks very good also; let him play, you might uncover something there. He and Boult have to be the two most promising lefties around, now that Amir isn't in the frame. Get Martin to do a support gig and everything isn't so bleak. SA are prone to brain farts at home..SL beat them last year.

Sorry, you've got Bracewell, so Martin can push on to the old folks home. And Starc is another left armer.

[Bahnz]

OH C'MON!


Tugaga to replace Southee.