It's been raining for the past 5 overs... but aparently they are no longer worried about damp outfield? Go figure.

ETA
Dont get me wrong... I am pleased to see coomon sense and play continuing despite drizzle. My point is that they SHOULD have started play at 10:30.. a damp patch was no worse than the overall damp outfield now.

Commentators are so busy praising Williamson (and Raval) they are STILL missing the point.

A good first innings performance in the classic sense is NOT exactly what NZ needed to have at least a chance of winning this game. Time already lost and the prospect of more time lost required a bit more run scoring from NZ.. losing wickets less important.
Note also:
IF SA are struggling to get anybody out.. chances are that NZ will have the same problem, especially with their top bowling attack NOT available.

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

I've been watching Aus/Ind, hoping for four fast wickets so I can see Aus bat.

Have they said how long they will play today In Hamilton? If later than 6, I may go back to watching this one.

Play due to end 6:30 But I am guessing they will make that 7:00 PM (light permitting)

I want to see Raval get his century... I usually do like to see players get there.... but Raval has been FAR too slow scoring

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

The way I see it... SA can't win now.. so the LONGER NZ bat the better... That kinda makes my point

This game will end in a DRAW when they run out of time... so the more time NZ use up the better

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

WICKET - Raval



Missed out on a century
JA Raval c †de Kock b Morkel 88 (254b 10x4 0x6) SR: 34.64

What a plonker. A guy batting SLOW is doubly bad when he eventually goes out anyway (short of some milestone especially)

It exacerbates the "time wasted" not scoring. Raval did a "Richardson"



South Africa 314
New Zealand 273/2 (89.5 ov)

New Zealand trail by 41 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

WICKET - Broom




South Africa 314
New Zealand 293/3 (93.0 ov)

New Zealand trail by 21 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 - Nicholls (Golden (1st ball faced) Duck)

Fark!... fark!... fark!...



South Africa 314
New Zealand 293/4 (94.1 ov)

New Zealand trail by 21 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

NZ have erased the 1st Innings deficit

South Africa 314
New Zealand 314/4 (102.3 ov)

Scores level in the 1st inning

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

STUMPS - Day 3



South Africa 314
New Zealand 321/4 (104.0 ov)

New Zealand lead by 7 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

3rd Test - New Zealand v South Africa - Day 4


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

LOOKS like a nice sunny day in Hamilton, but no guarantee we will get two full days without rain?

Even if we do... scores are about even, but we have STILL not completed the 1st innings on day 4. a DRAW seems likely to me. Commentators are DREAMING that NZ will set a huge 1st innings lead and bowl SA below the target without needing to bat a second innings at all (or very brief appearance). Good luck with THAT plan

MY DREAM PLAN
SA take these 6 wickets quickly. NZ will have a lead (100+) but SA brilliant batting should knock that off quickly and they can go on to make a lead (250+) .. all by the end of today. That gives them all day tomorrow to bowl NZ out... on a wicket at its "worst". A win for SA. Commentators and NZ players lamenting the fact that they did NOT bat with more urgency and score runs rather than just occupy the crease.

ETA
Whatever "dream" is in play.... both sides need to GET ON WITH IT. As I have said many times, players need to "advance the game"... that means WICKETS or RUNS. When Commentators say we have had "a absorbing half hour".. I say... it's friggin boring with nobody getting on with things

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

WICKET - Williamson



South Africa 314
New Zealand 384/5 (135.0 ov)

New Zealand lead by 70 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 - Santner




South Africa 314
New Zealand 397/6 (138.2 ov)

New Zealand lead by 83 runs with 4 wickets remaining in the 1st innings


At Fall of Wicket - Lunch - Day4

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

So... NZ plan to bat on for another session (30 overs) at least, scoring an innings total of 500 or so (declared or all out), managing to bat 170+ overs.

Their cunning plan to WIN this game is to then bowl on SAME PITCH at SA (the best batting lineup in the world) and bowl them out in less than 120 overs, for less than 150 runs? It might work??


AND.... it might well RAIN in the middle of this cunning plan

My point (If I have one) is that from DAY 1 everybody knew playing time would be lost due to rain. We have actually been "lucky" to only lose 2 sessions so far. GIVEN that reality then both sides knew that "classical" Test play.. long innings built up over time... was NOT likely to result in a win.. there was simply not enough time to fit in 4 normal test innings. The onus was very much on NZ to move the game along. They need a win to just draw the series (save the series). Sure there are usually risks in trying for a win... you inevitable also give the opposition a chance of a win. But to "play safe" is what wimps do And NZ are DREAMING if they think their tactics will give them a win.

This is a good 1st innings by NZ.. one of their best? They dont often score 500 runs in an innings.. BUT.. it is NOT what was required to win THIS GAME, in fact it almost certainly assures that it will be impossible for either side to win... especially NZ.

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

Suddenly I am hungry. I am heading to the kitchen for FOOD!

_________________
The most fundamental and major decision that you have to make in your life is this: Do I live in a friendly or a hostile universe? Which is it?

With no runs being scored, and no wickets falling... this game is so boring that a heavy rain shower would be a welcome bit of excitement.. something happening at least.

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

Or a fire alarm going off. That was fun to watch and listen to the commentators (Rigor) bitching about moving people off the banks.

Your points make sense except, I don't know how they could have/can speed up the game.
Taking more chances when batting?
Or is it in the bowling, getting wickets.

Just now seeing "Your Dream" post above.

ETA
Never mind, you answered it.

Yes. Bat more aggressively.... likely scored about same number of runs, but in a lot less time.

Ideally SA would be batting a second innings by now.. setting NZ a target.... either side with a chance to win.

Much more exciting game.... whoever won.

remember we are STILL playing 1st innings!! Well into the 4th day.

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

WICKET - Watling



South Africa 314
New Zealand 443/7 (151.4 ov)

New Zealand lead by 129 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

Colin de Grandhomme Maiden Test 50

Colin de Grandhomme (rhb) 50/63 SR 79.36

NZ are getting on with things now. The game is more interesting to watch, and NZ are HELPING their chances of a win. SHAME they did not get off their collective asses from the outset (IMHO)

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