Third and decisive test: all to play for.

[Rachael]

So.. South Africa won the toss and put New Zealand in. So far so good for the home side though:

Pollock 5 1 9 0 (1nb)
Ntini 4 1 9 0
Kallis 0.3 0 0 0

This Richardson Papps contribution seems to be working well so far.

[Rachael]

12.3 Ntini to Papps, OUT: full, angled in, into the pad, appeal, Dar
gives him, maybe a bit of doubt as to the line, and Ntini gets
only his 10th lbw in his career

New Zealand 23/1, Partnership of 23
MHW Papps lbw b Ntini 7 (38b 1x4 0x6)
MH Richardson 14* (39b 2x4) M Ntini 5.3-2-12-1 (1nb)

[Rachael]

13.3 Kallis to Richardson, OUT: outside off, gets up on the toes,
slashes the cut, very fine edge to Boucher

New Zealand 23/2, Partnership of 0
MH Richardson c Boucher b Kallis 14 (42b 2x4 0x6)
SP Fleming 0* (2b) JH Kallis 2.3-1-2-1

[CJ D]

162 wickets and only 10 LBW's that is amazing - 42 bowled, 74 ct in the field, 36 ct behind. Only just over a third bowled or LBW shows that the coaches mantra of bowling straight ain't the only way to get wickets.

[Rachael]

Can Ntini consistently swing it both into and away from the batsmen? Which way does his stock ball go? I know it was only last summer he was here... I just can't remember.

Presumably a whole host of things can mean LBW shouts are rare. A quick list might start with:

{i} stock ball being short of a length / lifting sharply off a good length (over the stumps)

{ii) inability to swing the ball both ways (line too predictable)

{iii} absense of quality inswinging yorker / slower ball / reverse swing options (i.e. lack of variation).

I'm not sure if any of those help explain Ntini's record or not. They might be bling alleys and i don't pretend it's an authoritative / exhaustive list.. but sorting such factors out might be interesting...

[CJ D]

According to the PWC ratings Kallis is not as good as and never has been as good an all rounder as Botham was at his best. I find that really surprising. It should be noted however that Botham was at his best fairly early in his career and it went steadily downhill after his 50th Test, whereas Kallis is generally getting better all the time.

[Rachael]

Can you post this as a new thread under "England"... 'cos I think it's of general interest and should be worthwhile in the morning. I'm a moderator.. but not on the SA board! I'll post a reply as and when it's elsewhere!!!

[CJ D]

Interesting thread

Comparing 2 fast bowlers of completely different styles: -

Gough - 229 wickets Bowled - 49, ct outfield - 88, ct behind - 47, LBW - 45

Garner - 259 wickets Bowled - 69, ct outfield - 80, ct behind - 53, LBW - 57

Seems to take out the height / bounce thing. Yorkers are always good for LBW's but so are inswingers or ones that straghten - I would guess that Ntinis stock ball (I can't remember either) moves away from a right hander and most of his wickets come in the slips.

[Rachael]

Interesting stats... but my instinct would be to look at the figures for Donald (mostly short and fast and straight) and Pollock (mostly pitched up, seam and swing movement).

I'd also guess that Wasim got a high proportion of LBWs.. and that Akhtar / Sami do not...

[CJ D]

Originally Posted by Rachael

Interesting stats... but my instinct would be to look at the figures for Donald (mostly short and fast and straight) and Pollock (mostly pitched up, seam and swing movement).

I'd also guess that Wasim got a high proportion of LBWs.. and that Akhtar / Sami do not...

Dis bwd c fi c wk st lbw hit

Pollock 334 52 140 74 0 68 0
16% 42% 22% 0% 20% 0%

Donald 330 62 126 100 0 41 1
19% 38% 30% 0% 12% 0%