genghis_khan
International Cricketer
poor Gibbsy...he'll be back im sure...just some technical problems exposed this summer.
New Zealand in South Africa
- Thread starter Ricky pontinG
- Start date
James219
International Cricketer
Well he'll have to make some massive overhauls, seeing as these technical flaws have been exposed to the whole world and it has become common knowledge to persist with an aggressive off-stump line when bowling to him. But I'm sure he'll bounce back, he's a class competitor and will always be a threat when in form.
Maxkarter
Battrick Tournament Host
Hopefully they give Hashim Amla a go to see if he has matured after the series in India and the one against England where he performed quite horribly. It looks like he wanted to get back into the side because he was the leading runs scorer in our domestic 4-day league. Its really about time we stop going by the 'tried and tested' even when they aren't performing, so they should try some other players for a change.
venom2011
Club Cricketer
I've been reading the past 5 pages of this thread and i can't believe that most people thought this series is an even contest. Clearly if SA and NZ both play at their best, SA will come out on top 8/10 times (if their is a result). If SA would just drop Prince and start giving Devilliers the gloves, thereby allowing an extra specialist batsman in place of boucher, then it'd be 9/10.
SA were shown up by the Aussies yes. SA still havent found the right combinations in tests and couple that with the mentle block when facing the Aussies and the fact that the Aussies are still no.1, it was a tough battle.
But come on, NZ will be extremely lucky if they hold on to no.5 in test rankings.
NZ have sum good batsmen in Styris, Fleming, Oram and Marshall, but non of them are special, imo they have 1 special player and that's Bond, who probably wont be at 100% even if he does play. And as far as SLA bowlers go, Vettori is right up there.
Its been very cold and raining quite a bit in Cape Town and i dare say that it will be a battle of the fast bowlers again at Newlands. Theyre playing on the same pitch that that Aussies won inside 3 days when it was seaming quite a bit and the weather was sunny then. Maybe another 10 for Makhaya
SA were shown up by the Aussies yes. SA still havent found the right combinations in tests and couple that with the mentle block when facing the Aussies and the fact that the Aussies are still no.1, it was a tough battle.
But come on, NZ will be extremely lucky if they hold on to no.5 in test rankings.
NZ have sum good batsmen in Styris, Fleming, Oram and Marshall, but non of them are special, imo they have 1 special player and that's Bond, who probably wont be at 100% even if he does play. And as far as SLA bowlers go, Vettori is right up there.
Its been very cold and raining quite a bit in Cape Town and i dare say that it will be a battle of the fast bowlers again at Newlands. Theyre playing on the same pitch that that Aussies won inside 3 days when it was seaming quite a bit and the weather was sunny then. Maybe another 10 for Makhaya
Well, I don't think you can totally judge the whole series being close or not after 1 game.
The other 2 games should be close. If Bond plays especially. Our test team is just finding its feet at the moment. I think its on the way up myself.
I think on paper the teams seem even enough. 1 game up is a big advantage, but you havn't won the series yet.
The other 2 games should be close. If Bond plays especially. Our test team is just finding its feet at the moment. I think its on the way up myself.
I think on paper the teams seem even enough. 1 game up is a big advantage, but you havn't won the series yet.
venom2011
Club Cricketer
Im not judging it on the game. Im judging it on the calibre of players. U know from a south african perspective, the series' against Australia was alot closer than it looks at 5-0. There were some close games, but the better teams have the ability to come back after a poor day and thats where Aus held the edge, and thats where SA will hold the edge
after a 10 min research i found these stats
This is based on the current top 6 in both teams
SA : 21209 runs , and an average well uhh average of 42.1 runs per player, and a combined 295 tests caps
NZ : 14068 runs and............................................. 37..07 runs per player and a combined 237 test caps
after a 10 min research i found these stats
This is based on the current top 6 in both teams
SA : 21209 runs , and an average well uhh average of 42.1 runs per player, and a combined 295 tests caps
NZ : 14068 runs and............................................. 37..07 runs per player and a combined 237 test caps
IloveGilly
News Team Member<br><a href="http://www.planetcric
Yes, Papps taking over would be a much better move for NZ if Marshall is injured (cracked ribs 
)
They really do need Bond in the side or there's going to be all kinds of struggles for them. I can picture that SA may get 400.
)They really do need Bond in the side or there's going to be all kinds of struggles for them. I can picture that SA may get 400.
They didn't concede 400 in the last test so unless SA produce a flat pitch which is highly unlikely NZ shouldn't be conceding 400 in the next test match. With Oram back the bowling lineup looks much better. Mills hasn't had many games so you can't say much on him but the fact he keeps getting better must be encouraging for NZ.
venom2011
Club Cricketer
Update on the weather:
Still a bit cloudy, and hasnt rained today, temperature was about 18 celsius today.
Still, the pitch should be a little damp, but the groundsman said hes trying to get a flat deck outta this one, so i would expect little grass covering. Pitch should be at its best nearer to the end of the test (maybe day 3) if theres no further rain.
Still a bit cloudy, and hasnt rained today, temperature was about 18 celsius today.
Still, the pitch should be a little damp, but the groundsman said hes trying to get a flat deck outta this one, so i would expect little grass covering. Pitch should be at its best nearer to the end of the test (maybe day 3) if theres no further rain.
Thanks for the update 
Martin can come out for Bond. Mills has bowled very well his last few tests.
Fulton should not have to open again, that was a pretty unfair move. I guess he was given the option of open or be dropped. He has never opened before to my knowledge and his career started soo well at 3. So I want to see (presuming Franklin is injured and Bond is fine)
Papps
How
Fulton
Fleming
Styris
Astle
Oram
McCullum
Vettori
Mills
Bond
I don't see why 3 seamers with Styris and Astle as a medium option can't do the job. Along with Vettori of course. I don't like to have How in there, but Fulton is a number 3.
If Both Bond and Franklin are out, we may need to use both Mason and Martin to make up for it. Fleming should open, he has done it before at least. Fulton hasn't.
Martin can come out for Bond. Mills has bowled very well his last few tests.
Fulton should not have to open again, that was a pretty unfair move. I guess he was given the option of open or be dropped. He has never opened before to my knowledge and his career started soo well at 3. So I want to see (presuming Franklin is injured and Bond is fine)
Papps
How
Fulton
Fleming
Styris
Astle
Oram
McCullum
Vettori
Mills
Bond
I don't see why 3 seamers with Styris and Astle as a medium option can't do the job. Along with Vettori of course. I don't like to have How in there, but Fulton is a number 3.
If Both Bond and Franklin are out, we may need to use both Mason and Martin to make up for it. Fleming should open, he has done it before at least. Fulton hasn't.
IloveGilly
News Team Member<br><a href="http://www.planetcric
NZ sure do have a lot of bowling options to go too.
