Thank goodness for Nicholls or this NZ 1st Innings would have been a disaster.

What a shame he is out, I was hoping he'd hit 150.

New Zealand 217/6 (69.3 ov)

with an hour to go to make up 20 more ov.

Yeah Nicholls did good.. gave the NZ innings some respectability

WICKET - de Grandhomme



New Zealand 221/7 (71.1 ov)


As far as slow over rate goes... I assume they will play overtime? They certainly should because WEATHER could cost some time in the days ahead

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

WICKET - Watling



New Zealand 222/8 (73.2 ov)


The good news is.... getting a few wickets done and dusted on day 1 augers well for the test not ending in a draw.

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

WICKET - Southee



New Zealand 267/9 (78.3 ov)

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

WICKET - Wagner




NZ ALL OUT

New Zealand 268/10 (79.3 ov)


INNINGS BREAK

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

WICKET - Cook







New Zealand 268
South Africa 12/1 (4.4 ov)

South Africa trail by 256 runs with 9 wickets remaining in the 1st innings


Rabada in as "night watchman"

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

WICKET - Elgar





New Zealand 268
South Africa 12/2 (5.3 ov)

South Africa trail by 256 runs with 8 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

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

STUMPS - Day 1





New Zealand 268
South Africa 24/2 (7.0 ov)

South Africa trail by 248 runs with 8 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

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

2nd Test - New Zealand v South Africa - Day 2


Thu Mar 16 - Mon Mar 20 11:00 local (22:00 GMT -1d) (Texas Time 5:00 PM)
2nd Test - New Zealand v South Africa Basin Reserve, Wellington LIVE


Livescorecard
http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand ... 20043.html



3-game series 0 - 0 (2 games remain)

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

Looks like another fine day in Wellington. There is some wind apparent. Wellington is NOTORIOUS for windy conditions. They even have lead filled bails available for when the wind keeps blowing the bails off
No sign of that much wind yet... but it could be a feature as the match goes on.

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

WICKET - Rabada (night watchman)


New Zealand 268
South Africa 26/3 (8.5 ov)

South Africa trail by 242 runs with 7 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

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

WICKET - Duminy

New Zealand 268
South Africa 59/4 (17.1 ov)

South Africa trail by 209 runs with 6 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

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

WICKET - Amla

New Zealand 268
South Africa 79/5 (24.4 ov)

South Africa trail by 189 runs with 5 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

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

WICKET - du Plessis

New Zealand 268
South Africa 94/6 (30.3 ov)

South Africa trail by 174 runs with 4 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

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

The impression I have from recent Test matches in a variety of Countries is that batsmen generally, across all nations have lost the plot somewhat. There are obviously individual batsmen who are exceptions, I am talking about team batting performances.

The pitches in India are gerrymandered to favor bowlers, but the same applies to what look like proper pitches in other countries.

Bowlers are dominating in most innings. IMO the bowlers generally are OK, but NOT great. The demise of batsmen makes bowlers look better than they are. Cricket is said to be a contest between bat and ball, but lately the ball dominates. It's as if batsmen as a group have lost confidence. They are dibbing and dabbing and allowing average bowling to go largely unchallenged. More aggressive batting would not only make bowlers less confident, but would force field changes set by the fielding Captain

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

LUNCH - Day 2

New Zealand 268
South Africa 104/6 (33.0 ov)

South Africa trail by 164 runs with 4 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

There were only 26 overs in this session... that is crap.

ALL SA can do is try and hang in and wipe off most of the deficit.. to remove the advantage that NZ have at the moment.

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

I took a break.... I see SA have been doing what Rumpole suggested... smart move

At lunch NZ definitely had the upper hand. During 1st hour after lunch SA have evened things up a bit... I would say they are in best position.... a psychological thing ahead of actually wiping off the deficit

Good old de Kock 46 (52) SR 88.46
He is batting properly... see my tirade above


New Zealand 268
South Africa 176/6 (47.0 ov)

South Africa trail by 92 runs with 4 wickets remaining in the 1st innings

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

LOL, adjustments during lunch.

de Kock made his half-Century off 55 balls. That IS aggressive batting.

You need to be a consultant, Rumpole. You really would be a good one (and get me free tickets).

I don't think my views are unique... It's the spirit I USED to see with Australia (and others), but I could be brought in as a sports psychologist/consultant... just to give teams a reality check

"Fred Dagg Method"

"certain people need to jack-up their ideas.. starting with several people right round here"

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

The way I see it now..... SA should wipe off the deficit... no worries... AND any lead is a bonus.

THEN... buck-up their ideas .... bowl NZ out.... Whatever the target NZ set them, they should have up to 2 days to reach it. Take a leaf out of de Kock's book......Bat like "warrior poets"

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