South Africa vs New Zealand series 2012/13

First topic message reminder :

NZ are touring South Africa in December and January, playing 3 T20 internationals, 2 tests and 3 ODIs. Just setting up this thread up as a placeholder.

South Africa are on a high following their wins away in England and Australia, while NZ should also be on a high coming off a drawn series in Sri Lanka with a big win in the second test. Things are definitely not looking good for the Black Caps however. Veteran left armer Dan Vettori has been ruled out, while star batsman Ross Taylor may also miss the series due to coach Mike Hesson's efforts to remove him from the captaincy:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/8036042/Ross-Taylor-keen-to-stay-on-as-captain
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/8041737/Taylor-could-pull-out-of-South-Africa-tour
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/8030383/Coach-Hesson-asked-Ross-Taylor-to-resign


As per usual NZ Cricket are reinforcing their status as an amateur and incompetent governing body

NZ squads: http://www.espncricinfo.com/south-africa-v-new-zealand-2012/content/current/story/595709.html
Test squad Brendon McCullum (capt), Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Peter Fulton, Daniel Flynn, Dean Brownlie, BJ Watling (wk), James Franklin, Tim Southee, Doug Bracewell, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Jeetan Patel, Bruce Martin, Chris Martin.

Twenty20 squad Brendon McCullum (capt, wk), Martin Guptill, Rob Nicol, Peter Fulton, Colin Munro, Nathan McCullum, Corey Anderson, James Franklin, Jimmy Neesham, Derek de Boorder (wk), Mitchell McClenaghan, Doug Bracewell, Trent Boult, Ronnie Hira, Adam Milne (Mark Gillespie (Michael Bates)).

alfie wrote:

gboycottnut wrote:

Duty281 wrote:Quite frankly, losing by an innings inside 3 days is the sort of thing Bangladesh used to do when they were a very young Test side. Surely the Kiwis haven't regressed this far?

I'm sure that when England tour New Zealand in march, the Black Caps will show England just how good they really are, as they are likely to have their best players back such as Taylor, Ryder, Vettori. Also an interesting player who England need to look out for is the former Western Australian wicketkeeper batsman Luke Ronchi. Just after Adam Gilchrist retired Ronchi looked like becoming the wicketkeeper in the Australian test team, however loss of form or injuries prevented this from happening for him. Nevertheless, he is still good enough to get in most test teams in the world, apart from perhaps Australia and South Africa where there seems to be a healthy vein of wicketkeeping riches.

...and , perhaps , England ? Chap called Prior ?

Wonder if that was an oversight or an attempt at trailing a bait...

A chap called Prior and no-one else really apart from one man and his dog.

Oh my.....,

Well played SA.. 45 all out is some bowling- what ever the team or surface...

Duty281 wrote:Quite frankly, losing by an innings inside 3 days is the sort of thing Bangladesh used to do when they were a very young Test side. Surely the Kiwis haven't regressed this far?

Just to point out England only avoided the same fate by 15 runs in the first Pakistan test

mystiroakey wrote:Oh my.....,

Well played SA.. 45 all out is some bowling- what ever the team or surface...

Yep. Don't forget that SA did this in 2011 to Australia as well, with the Aussies at 29 for 9 at one stage before finally being bowled out !

Anyway I'm looking forward to when England play the All Blacks in their own backyard in March. If the All Blacks can select a strong batting combination with at least 3 genuine strike bowlers who have good pace (meaning no Chris Martin) then they can give England a very competitive series. At this moment the following XI can be the All Blacks best team to put out onto the field V England (assuming that Mr R. Taylor still wants to remain in exile) :-

1 Guptill
2 McCallum
3 Williamson
4 Sinclair (Aussie who scored a double ton on his test debut but surprisingly has been dumped from test squad since 2010)
5 Brownlie (Aussie who played very well in 2nd innings V SA)
6 Ronchi (Aussie Who qualifies for the All Blacks by the end of this month)
7 Ryder (To play the Gilchrist swashbuckling role)
8 Bracewell (As the All-rounder and the bowler who helps provide line+length control when the team is fielding)
9 Bolt
10 Milne or McClenaghan (never seen them bowl but apparently from cricinfo.com they have good pace when bowling)
11 Wagner

I think the All Blacks have a better chance against us at cricket than the Black Caps do ...and on their last game a better chance than they did at rugby too.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:I think the All Blacks have a better chance against us at cricket than the Black Caps do ...and on their last game a better chance than they did at rugby too.

Yep, and they should use Richie McCaw and Dan Carter as their opening batsmen to face up to the fiery bouncers of Steyn and Morkel.

Andrew Hore has a pretty good Hook

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Andrew Hore has a pretty good Hook

Well in that case he would be a perfect candidate for opening the All Blacks batting V the likes of Steyn. Morkel and Philander. We'll really see just how hard he really is with a hard cricket ball coming at him at 85+ mph!

Which section are you two on

skyeman wrote:Which section are you two on

In between the Rugby section and Cricket section, in order to try and give Kiwi fans hope and a bit of feel good factor before the NZ team's anticipated second test drubbing at the hands of South Africa.

The kiwis are having abit of a sporting chill out at the moment!!


South africa are just to hardcore at the moment. they won all the AI's and Are playing exeptional cricket!!

Philander (does anyone know if his nickname is (er)? ) has been rules out of the 2nd test with a hamstring injury and replaced by Rory Kleinveldt

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/8156171/Black-Caps-destroyer-Philander-out-of-second-test

NZ don't have too many options to make changes to their batting (Colin Munro is the "spare" batsman on tour and is pretty green), but are considering bringing in Neil Wagner to play against his old schoolmates AB and Faf (Wagner and du Plessis are close friends), while Bruce Martin might get a run ahead of Jeetan Patel who was pretty ineffective in Cape Town.

Wagner should have a decent idea about the conditions.
Philander seems to be struggling with a few injuries of late, New Zealand won't mind that at all though!.

msp83 wrote:Wagner should have a decent idea about the conditions.
Philander seems to be struggling with a few injuries of late, New Zealand won't mind that at all though!.

As Wagner is in the NZ squad, why aren't 2 other Saffas Morne Van Wyk and Grant Elliott also included? Both of these 2 Saffas would have strengthened NZ's fragile middle order in that first innings collapse in the first test.

you mean, Kruger van Wyk?

I think Watling should be opening with Guptill. BJ has a good technique and can score 100s.

Would be nice to see Wagner fire it up against the Proteas, he's a very talented bowler.

gboycottnut wrote:

msp83 wrote:Wagner should have a decent idea about the conditions.
Philander seems to be struggling with a few injuries of late, New Zealand won't mind that at all though!.

As Wagner is in the NZ squad, why aren't 2 other Saffas Morne Van Wyk and Grant Elliott also included? Both of these 2 Saffas would have strengthened NZ's fragile middle order in that first innings collapse in the first test.

Kruger van Wyk missed selection to the tour, McCullum is back up keeper for Watling (who was also born in South Africa).

Grant Elliot has been called up for the ODI leg of the tour as Corey Anderson is injured.


Meanwhile the NZ 12 has have been named for the 2nd test. James Franklin is injured so Colin Munro earns his test debut. Munro averages 58 in first class cricket, at a strike rate of 82, and scored an unbeaten 269 in November. He also bowls right arm seam which may prove useful. Neil Wagner replaces Chris Martin in the 12, though on a slow PE track SLA Bruce Martin may be preferred.
New Zealand: 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Brendon McCullum (capt), 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Dean Brownlie, 5 Daniel Flynn, 6 BJ Watling (wk), 7 Colin Munro, 8 Doug Bracewell, 9 Trent Boult, 10 Jeetan Patel, 11 Neil Wagner/Bruce Martin

SA have only one change, Rory Kleinveldt coming in for the injured Philander
South Africa: 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Alviro Petersen, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 AB de Villiers (wk), 6 Dean Elgar, 7 Faf du Plessis, 8 Robin Peterson, 9 Rory Kleinveldt, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Morne Morkel


And (halleluja!) Ross Taylor makes his return to cricket for Central Districts next week, and is available to play against England. No word on whether Jesse Ryder will make himself available as yet.

PS, forgot to say, Colin Munro was born in Durban.

So that's another one

That means we could have
Brownlie (Australia)
Watling (SA)
Munro (SA)
and Wagner (SA)

for the 2nd test. With van Wyk, Elliot, the Cachopa brothers, ... waiting in the wings

At least we poached Jeetan Patel's parents

after the tests, there are 50 over games..rather strange that they are apart from t20's...but anyway...would like to see Quinton Du Kock get another go..didnt get to do a lot when he represented SA last time, and i hope he plays then..

Quinton averages 30 in 50 overs. That is not his game. Averages 60 in FC, though!! He scored 70-ish last week. Would be nice to see him vs Pakistan, especially with Elgar proving he might be the worst player in the Smith era

South Africa seems to struggle at Durban and Port Elizabeth, Their record at Durban this last decade has been woeful to say the least, PE has not been much better.

I know they say the conditions are different with the wind a big factor, the wicket at PE has been low and slow as well, however frm reports I have heard there is a little more bounce and pace in the wicket these days, how much more I don't know.

I think we are in for an interesting test. They reckon the wind will be a major factor by day two on the pitch. If NZ goes in with two spinners it might well work.

Not sure though that their spinners are top class, will have to see.

Overall this test will be more competitive and hopefully Kleinveldt shows some class.

SA won the toss and will bat first.

Looking at our team there are two players who has a lot to do to convince me they belong in international cricket.

Elgar and Kleinveldt.

Decent tart by Boult and Bracewell.

Boult getting some swing, Bracewell getting a little movement.

Bracewell surprised smith with a well aimed bouncer and knocked him on the noggin.

Solid start from Smith and Petersen so far 22 without loss.

Both are predominantly onside players, can't remember any runs being scored on the offside so far

Petersen out for 21, caught at fine leg off a pull shot

SA closing in on the 45 target for the first innings already

This is my only problem with Alviro. Great batsman.. Any opener with a Ton every 4 tests is a good batsman, but he doesnt seem to contribute with those steely 50s

Amla seems intent on ensuring this game lasts at least 3 days

I must say Smith has not been convincing outside of off stump. that is the second or third edge boundary he gets.

I don't think batting is very easy on this pitch. Lots of edges.

Smith hasn't looked his most assured self but importantly he's still there and seen the new ball through. Hashim has got him self in . New Zealand would do remarkably well to prevent another Amla stroll in the park!.

Yeah, he is battling hard here, maybe he will find rythm and form somehow

Smith's batting is more about power and effectiveness rather than style and beauty, but he's my 2nd favorite after ABdV in that lineup. Hopes he gets a big one today.

Amla bats as if run making is like breathing for him. On top of that NZ give him a few free runs by diving over the ball and letting it through for 4!.

Smith (SA) out, he glances a ball from Wagner (SA) to legside, bt gets it wrong and it lands in the gloves of Watling (SA).


Hmmmmm, we do find strange ways of getting ourselves out.

Biltong wrote:Smith (SA) out, he glances a ball from Wagner (SA) to legside, bt gets it wrong and it lands in the gloves of Watling (SA).


Hmmmmm, we do find strange ways of getting ourselves out.

If it's any consolation, we're only South Africa "C" - the "B" team is in India

errr. i put the telly on to watch this game.. but england are playing india!!! which i didnt know about sweet. And see ya later

Kallis gone now as well.

So the captain went after scoring a battling 50 and Kallis had a rare failure. Hashim is on his usual ways. AB has come out and hasn't quite looked in as yet.

There are a lot of false shots and edges, It doesn't look that easy to bat on.

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:PS, forgot to say, Colin Munro was born in Durban.

So that's another one

That means we could have
Brownlie (Australia)
Watling (SA)
Munro (SA)
and Wagner (SA)

for the 2nd test. With van Wyk, Elliot, the Cachopa brothers, ... waiting in the wings

At least we poached Jeetan Patel's parents

What about Luke Ronchi? Has he qualified to play for NZ yet? If so these set of players have suddenly made the NZ team look like being a very useful and decent one which is more than capable of giving any team in World Cricket a good match, apart from perhaps Australia and Pakistan both of which have the pace bowlers of extreme pace to seriously trouble the NZ batsmen.

Must be massively depressing playing a full strength SA...get the opener out Amla comes in...get Smith out Kallis comes in...get Kallis out ABDV comes in...

gboycottnut wrote:

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:PS, forgot to say, Colin Munro was born in Durban.

So that's another one

That means we could have
Brownlie (Australia)
Watling (SA)
Munro (SA)
and Wagner (SA)

for the 2nd test. With van Wyk, Elliot, the Cachopa brothers, ... waiting in the wings

At least we poached Jeetan Patel's parents

What about Luke Ronchi? Has he qualified to play for NZ yet? If so these set of players have suddenly made the NZ team look like being a very useful and decent one which is more than capable of giving any team in World Cricket a good match, apart from perhaps Australia and Pakistan both of which have the pace bowlers of extreme pace to seriously trouble the NZ batsmen.

Ronchi qualifies in February. Though NZC hasn't paid too much attention to him thus far, so I'm not sure if they will select him or not.

And de Villiers throws his wicket away.

He runs down the wicket and hoiks the ball in the air to deep mid on.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

AB has thrown away another start. So frustrating to see him do this!. The fellow is good enough to be the very best in the world.......

that would cheer you up ...oh look theres a guiy who averages more than Bradman to come in and another batsman after that


Ridiculous depth, credit to NZ for plugging away but really this is a huge mismatch

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:

gboycottnut wrote:

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:PS, forgot to say, Colin Munro was born in Durban.

So that's another one

That means we could have
Brownlie (Australia)
Watling (SA)
Munro (SA)
and Wagner (SA)

for the 2nd test. With van Wyk, Elliot, the Cachopa brothers, ... waiting in the wings

At least we poached Jeetan Patel's parents

What about Luke Ronchi? Has he qualified to play for NZ yet? If so these set of players have suddenly made the NZ team look like being a very useful and decent one which is more than capable of giving any team in World Cricket a good match, apart from perhaps Australia and Pakistan both of which have the pace bowlers of extreme pace to seriously trouble the NZ batsmen.

Ronchi qualifies in February. Though NZC hasn't paid too much attention to him thus far, so I'm not sure if they will select him or not.

Ronchi is probably being kept under wraps by NZC just in time so that he can be unleashed on the unsuspecting England cricket team in March!