South Africa v New Zealand - Official second Test match thread

[Vrock]

The second test between these two sides takes place at the Newlands Ground in Cape Town, after a first test win South Africa will again be favourites to win this one.

Certainly both sides batting looked fragile in the first test, but we did see glimpses of top quality stroke play for short periods of the game, when the new ball had lost it's effect.

Early wickets will be crucial for the side bowling first, but the wicket should help the bowlers in the the first couple of sessions with some moisture present.

With the loss of Herschelle Gibbs in the side Boeta Dippenaar looks set to open the innings with captain Graeme Smith, Shane Bond is definitely out of series with a knee injury so an unchanged pace attack would seem the likely call.

Can South Africa seal the series win here? or will New Zealand come back and level the scores in this three match series?

[John]

Delayed start. Apparently Pollock has been dropped about time.

[Vrock]

Probably taking a rest, or an enforced one at least.

If Pollock is getting dropped on conditions which could help him you worry if he will play again.

[batoutofhell]

At the moment NZ score is 25 for no loss
both michael paaps and peter fulton played and missed many deliveries but still sticking there
pitch seemes to be double paced
some balls are bouncing like tennis ball while otehrs not getting good carry for the keeper
and also due to the slihght early morning dew factor makes the ball get grip before it reaches the bat
tough ask for kiwis but i hope they will seee through this first hour without losing any wickets
there are changes in both team
hashim amla and nel is back in SA team whereas Paaps and Jin Patel is replacing Marshall and Mills for Kiwis
Pollock is missing due to some injury
Hope the pitch will be good for batting second

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by John

Apparently Pollock has been dropped

Ruled out with a back strain: a different matter entirely.

[Vrock]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Ruled out with a back strain: a different matter entirely.

Yes, thankfully IMO.

Makhaya Ntini has got his third wicket and taken out Brendon McCullum leaving only Dan Vetorri and the tail to follow after him. Partnering Vettori is Stephen Fleming who has cracked a very good century in difficult conditions.

Light has ended play just now, the sun is setting past the mountains and the field went from being totally sun-kissed to shadow drenched. A good decision IMO.

265-6, plenty of wickets but it was certainly Fleming who made all the difference.

[John]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Ruled out with a back strain: a different matter entirely.

Totally agree it is a different matter. Maybe it was wishful thinking on my part when I saw the headline. I am work so all I get time for is the odd headline or a quick look at the score. Tomorrow I am off so I will have more time to assess whats going on. Note I have made no comment on the play of which I have not seen.

[Django]

NZ would be pleased with their score at the end of first day. Vettori has shown that he can bat and with Fleming he is sure to help NZ put a big score in first innings. With two spinners in the side and the wicket expected to turn, NZ are in a very good position to push for victory in this test match.

[Vrock]

Originally Posted by Vrock

Makhaya Ntini has got his third wicket and taken out Brendon McCullum leaving only Dan Vetorri [...] Fleming who made all the difference.

Ntini has now picked up his fourth wicket of Dan Vettori, again he is giving South Africa everything he can, another great performance. This now leaves Stephen Fleming on his own with the tail, can he make even more a difference and bat for a whole session with the tail?

[sittingduck]

Kiwis are 349/7 approaching lunch.

Fleming past his 150, I must say I'm surprised he's still there.

NZ looking to post a good score, they're a side not known for going over 400 too often.