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IceCreamMan wrote: them NZ team are really crap
NZ Cricket is in a very unhealthy state, with lots of internal disputes and a board that doesn't have much money. They're short of some their best players for various reasons. With Vettori, Southee and Taylor on board and the team in happy mood (which they are not right now, and not just because they're getting hammered by SA) they'd put up a better fight, lose by less gigantic margins.

They don't have much depth either. Flynn went in at number 5 for this match. This is his 24th test. His record shows 6 balls delivered in test matches, so he's not being picked for his bowling. He doesn't have a hundred in any international game, and yet this is the best they have to send in at number 5.

It's bad. Even with Taylor on board and with Jesse Ryder making himself available, they'd be two injuries away from the situation they're in now (and with Ryder's history, there's no guarantee that he'd be fit and on good terms with the team for any length of time).

Flynn actually is a tough customer, as is McCullum. The latter gets resolutely in line and will not be cowed by aggressive fast bowling. But that's not enough.
    Only one way to level the playing field(s) - we trade Jacques Kallis for Richie McCaw and AB for Dan Carter. Help our rugby and their cricket at the same time.
      5 months later
      Looks like same old same old out there right now....
        IceCreamMan wrote: them NZ team are really crap
        some others as well.
          Cricket....what's that???....Boredom incarnate.
            Hammeron wrote: Cricket....what's that???....Boredom incarnate.
            Hammeron!!!!!!!! >☹
              To be fair, SA were significantly weakened in this match. Smith and Kallis never started the tournament. Steyn and Morkel both broke down. That's a big chunk of talent and experience to lose.

              Flip side of the coin is that SA has not been good at one day cricket the last couple of years - despite being the number one ranked side in proper cricket. The last two tours TO SA we've won the tests and then had the visitors open up a can of whipass on us in the short format matches.

              Given the missing names I was surprised to see us make the semis.

              I think that Kirsten and the selectors erred in not picking Philander. He bowls a fuller length than most of our bowlers, and you'd expect him to do well in English conditions.
                3 years later
                IceCreamMan wrote: small chance of a win today too
                Can't see us winning now, buuut......it will certainly be a psychological victory for RSA?
                Especially after posting such a big first innings total!!
                  briang wrote:
                  IceCreamMan wrote: small chance of a win today too
                  Can't see us winning now, buuut......it will certainly be a psychological victory for RSA?
                  Especially after posting such a big first innings total!!
                  not to be but I guess some positives to be taken from the game
                    not to be but I guess some positives to be taken from the game
                    [/quote]

                    Yip, agreed.
                    And the team seems to have a new zip and energy about them.
                    And now we understand why AB was the vocal one in the huddle before they took the field (and why # finally scored some runs!!)
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