NZL A in RSA

[_Ed_]

I never knew Vincent could bowl! So that means he can bat anywhere 1-6, keep wicket and also bowl (although some would debate that he can't do any of them consistently well). Quite a versatile cricketer.

 

[Tim]

S.A 311/6...NZ have let things slip!

 

[anzac]

unless RSA 'A' experience a NZL like batting collapse they will secure a 1st innings lead...............

NZL must not drop their heads & continue to press........both with the ball & bat.........

 

[anzac]

I think the 3 players contesting for a spot on the Bangladesh tour are Sinclair, Vincent & Fulton.

How??????????

 

[anzac]

Canning bowls between 120 km's & 125 km's. So he's definately not RFM. Although I have noticed that Cricinfo do seem to make a mess of who they justify as being RFM, RF etc.

I would imagine though that on the bouncy South African tracks, Canning would be a difficult customer.

with the likes of Oram, Tuffey & Franklin also bowling mid 120s - mid 130s I don't think Canning is likely to force any of them out of the full squad............

 

[Tim]

I think the opening spots are covered with Papps, Fleming & Richardson...#6 where Cairns batted is now open to those 3 or Hamish Marshall. Bracewell seems to be also open to the idea of using Astle or McCullum as openers if necessary.

How will have to wait a little longer.

 

[Kent]

This first match has draw written all over now, which is a shame.

The players who've put on a 200 partnership both have FC averages of 40+, but once again it's that habit of NZ sides to get teams 6 or 7 down and not finish the job.

Speedsters tend to thrive on that task, making the omission of Sherlock all the more disappointing.

 

[marc71178]

That's a pretty damn good depth of batting line up the SA side have there!

 

[Craig]

I believe that Ross Taylor had two duck's against S.L 'A' in the ODI's & now a 0 against S.A 'A'. That suggests to me, he's nowhere near ready to start playing international cricket yet.

I think the 3 players contesting for a spot on the Bangladesh tour are Sinclair, Vincent & Fulton.

I would say Sinclair would be ahead of Fulton, with Vincent at the bottom of the list IMO.

However, if Fulton keeps piling on the runs, I can see a Black Cap in line for Fulton.

 

[anzac]

a couple of bowling changes in line for the 2nd 'test' perhaps as the NZL A attack seemingly lacked penetration..............

Sherlock to come in & add some pace / venom & probably Wiseman as the only specialist spin bowler available..........

I certainly can't see the point in taking the same attack into the next one........

 

[Kent]

Anzac was right - Sherlock in for Mason, Wiseman in for Taylor, Walmsley in for Canning.

Electing to bat first in Benoni, NZ are currently in a bit of trouble at 69/3.
http://nz.cricinfo.com/db/NEW/LIVE/frames/NZ-A_RSA-A_14-17SEP2004.html

 

[Tim]

Extremely bad decision by the looks of it...I think this pitch might have been better for the bowlers.

 

[Kent]

Benoni is where John Davison played that whirlwind innings against us I think.

Not sure what their FC pitches are usually like, but I have to admit I'd have been tempted to try racking up some runs there.

 

[Tim]

Well we'll see how tommorow goes. Sherlock is opening up.

 

[Kent]

You have to wonder how a RMF like Sherlock got the new ball...

NZ laboured through to 226, with apparently 6 catches in the slip region put down. I think we were tempting fate a bit with Franklin at 6 and Hopkins at 7, although with SA reported as setting attacking fields all day this pitch may have a bit in it.

http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/Cricket/0,,2-9-839_1589227,00.html

 

[Tim]

It looks as though the NZ team is wanting to give the entire squad a go in this series whereas South Africa seem to be wanting consistency in selection.

Peter Fulton has clearly been our best & most consistent bat: 63, 54 & 47.

 

[Kent]

I agree - Fulton's scores on tour are now 39, 94, 62, 54 and 47. I guess he's disappointed he hasn't kicked on a bit more, but he's starting to show his FC ave. of 45 (hardly any NZ-based players have got above the mid-forties) isn't flattering him.

Sometimes I wonder how much of getting into the BCs comes down to just being in the right place at the right time, a bit like Styris and Marshall were. If you don't get that lucky break it seems very hard to convince NZC staff (other than Hadlee of course..) that the likes of Astle and McMillan aren't untouchable.

Most of the batsmen we've tried in recent years have actually enjoyed some instant success, and I'd like to think Fulton isn't too far away from getting his shot.

 

[Tim]

The thing I like about Fulton is that he can attack & he can also defend depending on the situation. His 300 was off about 550 balls, but the other day he scored 90 odd about 120 balls with 4 sixes & 11 fours.

He plays cover drives like Mark Waugh, but Im certainly not saying he will be the next Mark Waugh.

He's a much better option at 6 than McMillan IMO...Fulton has actually come in 3 times now where NZ 'A' have been 70 odd for 3 & he's played them out of serious trouble.

As for Sherlock..Cricinfo need to update his profile. He's had the RMF tag since his days in the U19 side 3 years back.

 

[Tim]

S.A 'A' have made a quick start this morning...looks like NZ's inexperienced bowling attack might suffer.

Good learning curve though for Sherlock in particular.

 

[Kent]

I've found Cricinfo need to update a lot of their profiles! It's almost like they and Wisden are taking a stand against the mindless masses and their obsession with pace.

I'm sure in 20 years the whole F, FM, MF thing will have almost died out of common use anyway. Everything will be in numbers like baseball I presume.