Black Caps v South Africa

[No Quarter]

@Rapido said in Black Caps v South Africa:

@No-Quarter said in Black Caps v South Africa:

Ronchi was sound in India, but I'm not sure he has (or ever really had) the ability to hit from ball one. He's failed way more then he's succeeded in that role. In India his best innings were when he had time to get himself set before accelerating, which is probably why there's been talk of him at 5.

He certainly used to. In his first 18 months his ability to hit from ball one was what really impressed me about him. In particular he had a great knack of hitting over the bowlers head (regardless of length, and even line)

Now he can hit from ball one straight to fielders at a nice catchable height.

Fair enough, but that was when he was in top form. Seems nowadays he takes a bit longer to get his eye in, so a bit more time at the crease would be beneficial to him.

To @hydro11's point - I think that really shows how much we miss Elliot in that role. We really don't have anyone bar Kane that is adept at rotating the strike.

[hydro11]

Neil Broom is a bit of a funny one. Made runs against Bangladesh and played a good innings versus the Aussies. He was talked about as the next test #5. Now I think he will need injuries to play for the Black Caps again. Will probably get a go versus Ireland or Bangladesh, I suppose.

[Paekakboyz]

Is Ronchi at 5 Hesson's plan or do we think Macca is getting in his ear overly much?

I do like Ronchi but he's been rough for a while now. Hope he takes some time to get in and settled rather than play like a pinch hitter floating down the order... irrespective of the state of the game when he gets in.

In any case I'm keen to see Blundell get a run and with Latham off the boil the time seems right. Agree with other posters that cycling between them lets us work Latham back into form and see what the newbie can do. SA are bloody good but it's much better to debut in your own conditions imo. Aside from the increased fan pressure of course!

[Bovidae]

SA won the toss and will bat. Patel playing as the 2nd spinner. The other changes as expected.

[mariner4life]

Inspired inclusion bringing Dipak back to open the bowing

[Bovidae]

The spins twins are opening...

[Donsteppa]

@mariner4life said in Black Caps v South Africa:

Inspired inclusion bringing Dipak back to open the bowing

Indeed, the triumphant Cricinfo headline:

[Bovidae]

Not sure why Kane only used Patel and Santner for 3 overs. Life is looking much easier against Boult and Southee.

[Chris B.]

Strange review process against Faf.

Third umpire finds no evidence, but there's a small spike as the ball goes past the bat. No hotspot.

I think he might have got a tiny nick and the commentators think Faf thinks he did as well.

[Chris B.]

Making our way through the Jaapies. AB makes a rare mistake and runs out Pretorius.

159/6

Get AB now and we've got the game by the throat!

[Bovidae]

Guptill doesn't look 100% with the hamstrings as he's fielding at 3rd man.

[Damo]

This little spell is costing us the game. Some pretty average bowling and fielding on display.

[Chris B.]

@Damo Yeah - the wheels came off badly.

100 off the last 8 overs and what was looking like 240 becomes 280.

That looks a fair way above par to me.

[Bovidae]

We'll know after 10 overs if this will be another early finish.

[MajorRage]

@Bovidae said in Black Caps v South Africa:

We'll know after 10 overs if this will be another early finish.

optimistic ... whe we are 3/2 after 10 balls maybe better.

[Donsteppa]

Our top order batting doesn't look ominous at all for the Test series...

[Donsteppa]

Guptil 50 off 38. Reasonable...

[Virgil]

Martin Guptill great to see you again son, you have been missed.

[Damo]

Let's please try Guppy at 5 in the tests. He can't open but he's clearly too good to be discarded from tests entirely.

[Chris B.]

Guppy, "My hamstring's sore, I'm rusty and the pitch is tricky...ah fuck it, I'll smack a quick 50".