People do get moved... but each spot has it's own requirements (in theory)

Top players usually do settle on a spot. eg Williamson is a No3... he is unlikely to take on the roll of opening batsman.

Apart from other considerations.. a player picked as bowler (or wicket keeper) has enough responsibility without also being expected to be in top 5 batting spots.

ETA
There is MORE "experimentation" in ODI games, batting order generally stable, but variations tried

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

And Taylor always 4th.

Apart from other considerations.. a player picked as bowler (or wicket keeper) has enough responsibility without also being expected to be in top 5 batting spots.

THIS makes perfect sense. TY

No. 4 is typically your TOP... star.... batsman. NZ uses Taylor instead

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

HAHA, you know that made me LMAO!



Too hilarious when you can make fun of a player not even playing and it's funny.

STUMPS - Day 2

(A couple of overs short of schedule.. bad light)




South Africa 314
New Zealand 67/0 (25.3 ov)

New Zealand trail by 247 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

3rd Test - New Zealand v South Africa - Day 3


Sat Mar 25 - Wed Mar 29 11:00 local (22:00 GMT -1d) Early start 10:30 AM
Seddon Park, Hamilton LIVE

Livescorecard
http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand ... 20045.html



South Africa lead the 3-game series 1 - 0 (1 draw, 1 game remains)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

NZ need to WIN this game just to draw the series. This game A DRAW wont do!!

So... they may well "feel good" to have lost no wickets... but they actually need to get on with the game.. either LOSE WICKETS or declare.

They still need to finish their 1st innings and then take 10 SA wickets, as well as better the SA run total.

We have lost 2 sessions already, I would be surprised if we dont lose more overs. NZ has about 2 days to score 400+ runs AND take 10 wickets. They need to "pull finger"

Of course in the process of NZ actually trying for a win.. I hope SA win... but that is a big ask.. they need to take 20 wickets from here.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

The ground looks great, sun is shining but...... these pussies are not going to start at 10:30

Umpires due to "inspect" at 10:30

They say a damp patch in the outfield, where edges of Covers drain... I say "So fucking what"... get out there and play... if somebody slips on a small damp patch... TOUGH!!

Notes:
1. If it is a damp patch at 10:30... it will STILL be a damp patch when play does start... they are just pissing about.
2. After they start it will likely rain again... the "damp patch" will again be just as damp as it is now. The delayed start is ridiculous
3. Blowing away surface moisture WILL NOT effect the "water table"... the overall wetness just below the surface.

Another friggin "inspection" at 11:15

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

I looked at a million weather forecasts and they are all different. Thursday looks like a clear day.

I'm reading the comments at espncric. One guy says it has to be frustrating to go to the park to watch, there are blue skies but no cricket being played.

Okay, Rumpole. I will wait for your update when (if) it starts.

I also read the comments at espn

"Good test openers have been rare for NZ over the years, and Latham is NZs best since Richardson."

Richardson was just as annoying (and hopeless) as a player as he is as a commentator. IF Latham is "the second coming" of Rigor Richardson... then he should be dropped... NOW!

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

The "Good news" is that play will start 12:00 miday..

ANOTHER 40 minutes delay

THAT is ridiculous!!!

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

LOL, I saw that comment about Latham and wondered if it was you. But realized you would have used "Rumpole" and you wouldn't ever say something like that.

I have noticed Richardson is VERY opinionated and argumentative. This is the only way I can tell it is him talking.

ETA
Just thinking. It's sad my husband gets fed when a cricket team has lunch. And now weather so far away affects dinner time tonight.

It's time for cricket!

Play about to start. 12:00

Scheduled 1st session hour and a half... lunch 1:30 PM

Then 2x 2 hour sessions.

Total of 83 overs today.

I guess that uses up the half hour "overtime".. stumps due at 6:30 PM?

I guess they can still use another half hour "overtime" (if light permits) and play to 7:00 PM
That would at least give a chance at 90 overs today.

It would be nice if bowling side TRIED HARDER to fit in extra overs at least after so many lost.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

WICKET - Latham




South Africa 314
New Zealand 83/1 (31.5 ov)

New Zealand trail by 231 runs with 9 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Oh noes....

I find myself in agreement with Richardson..... NZ KNOW that time (weather) is a factor... so NZ need to get on with it!!

Doull and Styris are quite happy for NZ to bat all day slow but "safe"

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Lunch Break - Day 3




South Africa 314
New Zealand 132/1 (47.0 ov)

New Zealand trail by 182 runs with 9 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

FWIW... Weather update (from Auckland)

It's raining

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

NZ brings up 150 for loss of only one wicket

THAT would be an Ok 1st innings performance IF this game had not already lost more than 2 sessions play (with more losses likely).

Occupying the crease and slowly working off the deficit and then gaining a good lead would be GREAT... if we were in day 2 rather than day 3.

The commentators are NUTS!

NZ is playing as if a DRAW is a good result, and they have all the time in the world to maybe get a win.

IF NZ are not all out TODAY (or declare)... this game will end in a draw even without any more lost time, and my GUESS is that there will be more lost time.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Tea Break Day 3




South Africa 314
New Zealand 209/1 (73.0 ov)

New Zealand trail by 105 runs with 9 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

New Ball Taken




South Africa 314
New Zealand 241/1 (80.0 ov)

New Zealand trail by 73 runs with 9 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light