Mntboy

You don't see the comparisons between other batsmen and Hash early on for a reason. There was little to show from his first few tests that he would be the player he is now. One could see the temperament was there but it wasn't backed up by numbers until a last chance saloon series against NZLD where he but donnered the black caps in a series that Steyn dominated with the ball. That Maharaj is being compared to Warne should indicate how good he could become. Bodge and Harry were steady as she goes type bowlers not real wicket takers imho unlike Maharaj, Piedt and Harmer who are. There is a part of me that would love to see Maharaj and Piedt bowl in tandem. I think that they would make a handy pairing. Losing Harmer to a Kolpak deal does smart as that would've greatly strengthened our bowling stocks! Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

This is an interesting article on Maharaj. http://www.sacricketmag.com/maharaj-living-up-to-the-hype/ The comparison with Warne is damned interesting because if he keeps it up he could theoretically prove to be our own Murali/Warne and he'll definitely surpass the great Hugh Tayfield! And he is yet to play a test in the dustbowls of the Subcontinent! Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

We should definitely win this series at a canter but still it was good to see that certain improvements were made since our last series. Agree with you that we should measure ourselves against better opponents and we'll get that chance against India and Aus later in the season. For now the main points should be to keep up the good batting form we saw during the first test and improve on our fielding especially the catching. Maharaj would've had a 10 fer if not for the trips. And on Maharaj, he now has 50 wickets from 12 tests which is the fastest for a SA spinner since re-admission. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

The positives for us abound but these I feel were the most apparent: Two opening partnerships that got us going. Granted the second dig wasn't as successful as the first but there's enough there to see that Elgar & Markram should be afforded ample opportunity to build on this start. The continued progression of both Maharaj and Bavuma. Maharaj isn't merely stopping an and keeping the runs down he is taking regular wickets and along with Morkel and Rabada forms a handy unit. Bavuma's solidity once again stood out and his pacing of his second dig allowed Faf to go bonkers knowing he could rely on his partner to keep his wicket and the innings tempo intact. Rabada's ability to take wickets when we're missing a key senior bowler remains truly impressive. Three black Africans in the team with differing strong suits. Phelakhwayo didn't get much opportunity during the test but got the wicket of Tamim Iqbal which indirectly lead to their first innings collapse. A good start to Gibson's term as head coach. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

The positives for the Tigers: A series of good partnerships by the batsmen for the first half of their first innings. Most of them displayed decent judgement and lots of positive intent during their innings. Second highest score against SA as a collective and a new individual highest against SA by Mominul who played very well and with better application might've gotten a hundred. Better more disciplined bowling performance in the SA second innings. Placed us under pressure until the Bavuma/Du Plessis partnership. A generally more positive and competitive attitude in general. They got scuppered a little by some poor choices, at the toss and selection wise. Taijul Islam should probably have played in the place of Hasan. More than likely the only change they'll make for Bloemfontein. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

Yeah a lot of positives for both sides but I actually feel a bit letdown by the Tigers. They are a lot better than 90 all out and I really was expecting them to play better than that during their second innings. Perhaps the price of the poor decision at the toss to bowl first. That was definitely a choice that put them behind the 8 ball far sooner than they should have been. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

Die ma kom by haar pasgetroude dogter se huis aan en sien sy loop kaal. Sy vra: "wat gaan hier aan"?Dogter: "ma, dis die rok van liefde." Die ma gaan toe huis toe en besluit om ook in die huis kaal te loop. Toe haar man na werk by die huis kom en sy vrou sien, vra hy: "en dit?'' Sy antwoord: ''Dis die rok van die liefde.'' Man:''Jy kon dit darem gestryk het.'' Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

Apparently rather fortunate that Mominul didn't review the decision against him much like Markram yesterday. Still reckon that despite the poor start the Tigers will make us work for the win. They really have become a decent team even away from home imho.

Firdose Moonda with the positives from this match for both sides! http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/20872146/potschefstroom-offers-everyone

Yes, it would've been. Highest score though for him. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

Day 1 well and truely ours! Just a pity that Markram couldn't get a century on debut. You gotta feel that Faf will only want to bat once in this test. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

Not just this tour, a 6 month break iirc. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

Yeah usually but in this instance I completely agree with Rider #35! And Elgar has been clipping of his hip all day so far. Loving the synergy between him and Markram. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

SA 99/0 at lunch. I'd say that definitely gives us the session. I'd like to see that continue. Poor choice by Rahim to field rather than bat. He has handed us the opportunity to get a very good score while the surface is decent. Bit of a brain fart and one I hope that won't end up spoiling the contest. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

An hour into the first test against Bangladesh and although they haven't taken a wicket it's even stevens with us at 61/0 after nearly 17 overs. Markram looks solid and in good touch while Elgar looks more fluent than ever before. Their partnership also seems to be on the right track. So, so far so good. Let's hope it continues. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

Just remember this is the same guy that has Pollard in his squad but there's no room for Combrink because he hasn't had enough game time, so ja, expecting him to have a decent reason for his selections is a bit silly sadly. Hell PDivvy was better than Toetie with this! Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

Ek werk op skepe en op die wat van kontinent tot kontinent seil durf jy nie laat wees nie. Die ding is laat is 10 minute voor jou werkstyd begin. Elke werksplek het tog maar wel hul verwagting van hoeveel tyd gewerk moet word. En ek het al geleer dat die persoonlikheid van die departmentshoof maak 'n groot verskil in hoe die atmosfeer in die werkplek gesien word. Horlosie kyk is tog maar nie lekker nie. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

Not disagreeing with you on the value that the Kiwis hold the AB Jersey in, 'Dale. What I am saying is that the belief that money doesn't play a role farcical. Can you really say that SBW'S choice to go back to league post RWC11 wasn't influenced by money? The thing that they have done well though is to limit such examples. However these athletes are still looking to make themselves financially secure and for most the status of being an AB is what generates that financial security which is another reason the big talents stay in NZld until the end of their international career. Then they go looking for money elsewhere. The obvious exception to this is guys like McAllister and Donald who left early because they knew that they were going to be on the periphery of the AB'S for much of their career and left to earn more as a class act domestically than get the occasional International cap. And they only did so post becoming an AB. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

Yes it is. A fair number of the AB'S are making money off of being an AB BUT in general because the stature that the jersey holds in the NZLD mindset it makes it harder to accept a foreign offer but if the French or English club flashes enough money around they'll probably get the player they are after. The player still needs to pay the bills, just take a look at SBW's career if you don't agree. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

An interesting interview with the new Protea Coach. http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/20753386/want-take-south-africa-back-no-1-win-world-cup-ottis-gibson Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

JP Duminy has called time on his test career. One has to feel that his was a potential that was never really fully realized. Definitely better white ball cricketer in any event. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

Positives??? We started well enough but the handling errors, poor defending and a even worse set piece put us behind the 8 ball. AB'S are absolutely ruthless on any mistakes and errors and we had far to many of those as well. And no on field leadership today. Hard to see any positives in that lot. Lots and lots to work on. AB'S are a class above. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

Perhaps you can partner Dave Von Hoeslin at flyhalf to his scrummie? Me, I'll have the good sense to be the unused loose forward on the bench. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

Yes indeed. Due to work today was the first game that I've been able to watch and they are definitely playing better than last year. And if you look at the numbers from today's match one can see the improvement in performance. Next week will be a much harder challenge though (and the best measure of how much we've improved) as the Kiwi's won't spoil the contest at scrum time like the Aussies. Or at all for that matter. So yes very much on the right path. Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk

I thought we played well enough to have won. A lot of opportunities created but not enough taken. Du Toit was excellent and Kolisi and Serfontein wasn't far behind either. Happy with the composure the Boks showed today! Sent from my SM-J200H using Tapatalk