The venom of the South African pace attack has proven too much for the Black caps as they were once again destroyed in their first inning. Was it not for a gutsy display by New Zealand wicket keeper, Watling, who scored 60 odd runs, they may have well have been dismissed for under a hundred runs!
The sublime Steyn recorded his 19th “fiver” in test cricket! Just for the record – he might not have been the fastest to 300 wickets in terms of number of tests (61) – but by the sheer number of balls bowled, he wins that race by as much as a 1000 balls quicker than anyone else in the history of the game!
Robin Peterson has done himself proud and bowled beautifully in this test – his role, from “holding” up an end in the first innings, changed to attacking spinner in the 2nd innings. He now proved that he can be a more than worthy addition to this already strong bowling attack.
Special mention must be made of Dean Elgar’s ton – in the context of his career and after the disappointment of suffering a “pair” in his first test against the Aussies, he rose to the occasion and made it count for him in this test! Much can be said about the quality of the bowling attack New Zealand has brought to the battle, but in my experience, any hundred is a good hundred – and remember there are no pictures in the scorebook! The biggest demon he was fighting was himself, and whether he could perform at this level.
The silent warrior, Hashim Amla, once again proved his worth in an overpowering display of skill in his hundred. South Africa’s own Mr Cricket – Faf du Plessis – continued his good form by scoring his second test ton and along with Elgar moved the game well without of reach for the Black caps.
There are still 6 wickets required (at the time of writing), but I suspect a fair call would be to say the game will be over well before tea today. My pick would be Peterson and Morkel to cash in on the wickets with Steyn and Kleynveldt applying the pressure from the other end.
Bok Plesier
As jy ‘n ware Springbok ondersteuner is, sal jy hierdie webtuiste baie geniet. My kollega, Deon du Toit, het dit onlangs vir my gestuur. Kies die jaar, en jy kry nie net die Bokke se uitslae van daardie jaar nie, jy kry boonop dikwels die amptelike spanfoto.
As jy al vergeet het hoe Rampie Stander gelyk het, en of Thys Lourens ‘n snor had of nie, kan jy dit hier gaan naspeur.
Die paar jare wat ek besoek het, wou al aandui dat ons toe meer gewen het as nou, maar dan moet mens ook in ag neem hoe min daar toe gespeel is, teenoor deesdae se klomp toetse.
http://www.genslin.us/bokke/sarugby.html
Wat die krieket betref, klink my bydrae seker soos kla met ‘n witbrood onder arm. Ons het net twee kolfbeurte ter voorbereiding vir die Pakistanis gehad, in plaas van vier. Ten minste het almal darem genoeg tyd voor die penne deurgebring.
Laat hy val waar hy wil, solank dit net nie op die grond is nie.
Lekker week, ou Grote. Moenie te vinnig afskop nie – netnou beseer jy jouself nog voor die jaar begin het.
