South Africa vs New Zealand 3rd Test Match

[John]

Woke up looking forward to SA putting on a big lead. They lost 3 wickets for 6 runs. NZ back in the hunt.
Four wickets now.

[Django]

NZ have hit back very hard and are in position to win from here. South African batsmen will find it difficult to score anything over 150 in the second innings. Quite simply NZ has bowlers who can exploit the conditions much better than South African bowlers. I see NZ comfortably winning the match from here on. Well played the Black caps.

[Django]

NZ well and truly on top and Fleming is in full control of the NZ second innings. The relative ineffectiveness of the South African bowlers is pretty much evident. On a pitch where the NZ bowlers ripped through the SA batsmen, Ntini, Steyn and Pollock are proving to be ineffective. In my opinion NZ will score in the region of 215-225 by the end of day's play to take the match away from South Africa.

[Vrock]

New Zealand are 120-3. It's Kallis who is looking dangerous at the moment, they currently lead by 50 odd runs, I think they could get another 120-150 and I think that will set up an exciting final innings.

[John]

Originally Posted by Vrock

New Zealand are 120-3. It's Kallis who is looking dangerous at the moment, they currently lead by 50 odd runs, I think they could get another 120-150 and I think that will set up an exciting final innings.

Its all up for grabs. Hopefully Devillers, Kallis and Boucher can contribute in the 2nd innings.

[Vrock]

The breakthrough has been made, Nathan Astle who was getting away with a lot of edges and riding his luck has gone from some very good bowling from Dale Steyn.

Ntini is looking a bit flat this innings, he's struggling I feel to find his line, although he's had a couple of wicket chances.

[Django]

In my opinion the result of the match is now a foregone conclusion. Franklin, Mills and Martin are much better bowlers in these conditions than their South African counterparts. Oram and vettori have added 25 runs so far and the remianing batsmen can bat for NZ. The match should be over late on third day.

[crabs]

Originally Posted by Django

In my opinion the result of the match is now a foregone conclusion.

I wouldn't jump the gun there Django, it just takes 2 South African batsmen to stand up and take the game away. The game can still go either way.

[Vrock]

Originally Posted by crabs

The game can still go either way.

Yes, and so can the ball. If Makhaya Ntini finds his line and length tomorrow morning I would expect the last four wickets to fall for very few runs.

[Django]

Even if Ntini fires on the third day, I believe it is too late. As I have mentioned before NZ bowlers will exploit the pitch conditions far better than S African bowlers. Chasing 150 for South Africa in the final innings is not going to be easy at all.