Cricket......

['Dale]

50 50 chance of Aus holding them off at the moment i recon. 3 quick wickets and it could change for India.

Precarious stuff indeed

Lekka Test cricket - the gritty kind

[LongDonkey]

Hahaha. "Over my dead body" style of batting. Like that chirp. Impressive stand by those two so far i must say.

[Mntboy]

Awesome we won, but the pitch did no one any favors. A pitch that has a result in 3 days means someone did not think it through, or bowling/batting was up to nuggets. Great bowling to get 6 wickets in an innings (even on day 3). pitch had too much movement o flash at anything outside off. Wonder how secure Cook is feeling, at least he got to double figures in the last innings.....

I think it was a case of poor application by the Kiwis in their second innings rather than a poor pitch. It was a pitch that required concentration throughout a batsman's knock as Nicholls, Watling, De Kock and Bavuma showed in getting their scores in the first innings for their respective sides and Raval in the Kiwi second innings. If Raval had more support then it might have been game on, I reckon.

 

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['Dale]

I think it was a case of poor application by the Kiwis in their second innings rather than a poor pitch. It was a pitch that required concentration throughout a batsman's knock as Nicholls, Watling, De Kock and Bavuma showed in getting their scores in the first innings for their respective sides and Raval in the Kiwi second innings. If Raval had more support then it might have been game on, I reckon.

 

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Yeah, the pitch was rated as many as 'good to excellent

Was a good balanced surface - something for the batters, something for the bowlers 

[LongDonkey]

I did not watch much, but with only one ton in the match i am not convinced it was a pitch prepared for pace bowling. Middle order are pretty much the only ones who decided to focus and try score some slow runs (except Raval in 2nd inn). Better shot selection based on what batsmen saw in changeroom would only apply in the first innings. 

 

But still they are all class guys so lets hope the next test is a bit longer than 3 days and 3 overs.

[Mntboy]

I did not watch much, but with only one ton in the match i am not convinced it was a pitch prepared for pace bowling. Middle order are pretty much the only ones who decided to focus and try score some slow runs (except Raval in 2nd inn). Better shot selection based on what batsmen saw in changeroom would only apply in the first innings.

 

But still they are all class guys so lets hope the next test is a bit longer than 3 days and 3 overs.

Only really watched the highlights but there was bounce and swing for the quicks and reasonable turn for the spinners from the footmarks, what little there was. The pitch was fair and didn't advantage one side over the other. Some of the dismissals were a bit soft imho. As I said it required proper concentration from the batsmen. Those that did got scores. Those that didn't lost their wickets to the class bowlers on display. Also our tenth wicket partnership was over 50 with Morkel getting 40. That doesn't sound like a poor pitch does it?

 

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[LongDonkey]

 Also our tenth wicket partnership was over 50 with Morkel getting 40. That doesn't sound like a poor pitch does it?

 

 

I love it when Jack puts his hand up for the number 8 spot (lucky shots or not).......

Fair comment, (Jack taking 70% of runs in partnership with a slow SR of 60% does show a bit of intent on his behalf) . Batsmen and bowlers need to take advantage of both good and bad balls. Would have had to have watched all the coverage to see if they were flashing outside off every third ball again. Getting nervous about our general form for the CC though.  Some other sides putting up their hand again.

['Dale]

Pujara 202

525 balls

 

Wow 

[Mntboy]

Pujara 202

525 balls

 

Wow

Brilliant player. India blessed with an outrageously talented batting line up.

 

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['Dale]

Two quick wickets for the hosts

8 mins to go

 

Match close to a draw

A rarity these days with all sessions played

['Dale]

SA 123/4

 

Rain ☔️

 

It looked like a great day of cricket while it lasted. Off stump channels, hopping batsmen, elegant Amla, a tough Du Plessis, and a very resolute New Zealand attack. Perhaps the only blemish on an otherwise good day for the hosts was the DRS drama. It is safe to say we've been robbed by the rain. But thanks for sticking around, particularly our rain interruption DRS panelists. It's been fun. Have a good night. See you tomorrow.

 

Cricinfo

['Dale]

SA 1-0 up

Final test

 

Both openers failed

De Bruyn brought in to replace Cook

[Mntboy]

SA 123/4

 

Rain ☔️

 

It looked like a great day of cricket while it lasted. Off stump channels, hopping batsmen, elegant Amla, a tough Du Plessis, and a very resolute New Zealand attack. Perhaps the only blemish on an otherwise good day for the hosts was the DRS drama. It is safe to say we've been robbed by the rain. But thanks for sticking around, particularly our rain interruption DRS panelists. It's been fun. Have a good night. See you tomorrow.

 

Cricinfo

I have to agree. The match is neatly poised and it looked like Dup and Tembs were starting to get a partnership going. Tomorrow first session will be an important one. Could very well determine how the match plays out.

 

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['Dale]

Cool stats for the current Kiwi captain

Unassuming, chilled and solid leader

 

http://p.imgci.com/db/PICTURES/CMS/260700/260764.jpg

[LongDonkey]

Maybe we need to send the Bloem groundsman to NZ and see what he can do...

['Dale]

250th wicket for Morkel

 

6th SA bowler to achieve this feat

 

And The Vern

1000 Test runs and 100 Test wickets - another unique feat