Cricket 🏏: Black Caps vs Proteas

[Gumboot]

Boult is not back into the side so the BCs will have the same squad as the 1st test.

So we're stuck with Henry for at least one more test?

[Rinkals]

They had 10 days managed isolation which offers an ideal environment to manage the jetlag transition even if the idea of being limited in your movements is onerous...

they could still get out and train in small groups. They weren't confined indoors. I think we can all appreciate that travel is more demanding than it was before Covid, especially with regard to entering NZ and Australia, but there's a point where that becomes an excuse.

Credit to NZ Cricket for embarking on a systematic change to ground prep and training over the last few years that has resulted in the development of players able to cope with conditions away from our traditional slower wickets while improving our discipline and teamwork across the park. The Black Caps are a seriously good Test team, something that has many of us a little perplexed after years of mediocrity. We still see inconsistencies... they were cleaned up by Bangladesh just a few weeks back for instance...

you were beaten by a good team. How they go in the second test will be fascinating to see.

The purpose of my post was not to disparage the achievement of a very good side (albeit one that was beaten by Bangladesh a few weeks ago), but to counter the comments by some South African 'fans' who called them "mediocre" or proposed a clear out of current players.

Niel Manthorpe is a highly respected commentator, whose work I regard as thoughtful and considered, but he is also well travelled and he certainly seems to feel that the effects of jet-lag have a lot more impact than you claim.

It took two and half days to travel from South Africa to Christchurch and the squad immediately entered a ‘hard’ MIQ (Managed Isolation and Quarantine) establishment. For the first three days it was solitary confinement in their rooms before a couple of ‘blue sky’ breaks for the next three days and then limited training in small groups, which is of very limited value, especially before a Test match.

If jet-lag is to be tackled head-on, the first three days are vital. You need to force yourself to stay awake during the day and avoid the temptation to speak to family and friends at 2:00am. I know how hard that can be. The SA players were trapped in their rooms by themselves. They would have slept when they were tired and Facebooked when they were awake. I know how easy that can be.

Practically, preparation for the first Test consisted of three days of nets. Physically and mentally it was worse than that. On four previous tours to New Zealand I struggled more than most with jet-lag and the time difference. Even after a fortnight there was an issue with reflexes and clarity of thought – which most travellers can brush off and get away with, especially when your only participation in elite sport is to describe it on the radio. But when you’re in the thick of it, you have no chance. We hear all the time about elite sports contests being decided by the ‘one-percenters.’

So hardly ten days of on field preparation.

Moreover, Manthorpe makes the point (quoted in my previous post) that expecting a rugby team to train or play for 90 minutes after jet lag is one thing, but cricketers are expected to apply maximum concentration for ninety overs a day.

Look, I understand how it looks as though we are looking for excuses, but let's face it, this is a decent team who have just beaten India (albeit on home soil), who have failed to get a hundred in the first innings and then barely scraped over that in the second innings, in the meanwhile conceding over 450 runs in double quick time. Ireland would have given you more of a game.

Let's wait until after the second test, and, if you win as easily as you did here, then I will concede that we are as crap as Sards and Oom claim.

[Guy Smiley]

You could have just said something like...


'yeah, NZ are a very good team and losing to them is no end of the world disaster, especially after the rigors of travel'...

but nope. It's still all about SA being bad.

[Gumboot]

Look, I understand how it looks as though we are looking for excuses, but let's face it, this is a decent team who have just beaten India (albeit on home soil), who have failed to get a hundred in the first innings and then barely scraped over that in the second innings, in the meanwhile conceding over 450 runs in double quick time. Ireland would have given you more of a game.

Let's wait until after the second test, and, if you win as easily as you did here, then I will concede that we are as crap as Sards and Oom claim.

Strange wee civil war you guys are waging, but at least we can all agree that for now the Proteas are crapper than the Craps.

[Rinkals]

You could have just said something like...


'yeah, NZ are a very good team and losing to them is no end of the world disaster, especially after the rigors of travel'...

but nope. It's still all about SA being bad.

Did you not read my post?

I said my OP was not aimed at you, but it was aimed at South African 'fans' who claim that the Proteas are shit.

If I'd posted what you've written it would have meant that I agree with them. Which I don't.

Besides, Manthorpe makes a reasonably compelling point, which I think deserves to be considered,.

[Rinkals]

Look, I understand how it looks as though we are looking for excuses, but let's face it, this is a decent team who have just beaten India (albeit on home soil), who have failed to get a hundred in the first innings and then barely scraped over that in the second innings, in the meanwhile conceding over 450 runs in double quick time. Ireland would have given you more of a game.

Let's wait until after the second test, and, if you win as easily as you did here, then I will concede that we are as crap as Sards and Oom claim.

Strange wee civil war you guys are waging, but at least we can all agree that for now the Proteas are crapper than the Craps.

I think that's the point.

I don't believe that the Black Caps are a crap side, and I certainly don't believe that Proteas are, either.

[handyman]

We got of to a horrible start, so imo it's quite sad that there's only 2 tests. 3 or 4 would have been better.

[Enzedder]

Look, I understand how it looks as though we are looking for excuses, but let's face it, this is a decent team who have just beaten India (albeit on home soil), who have failed to get a hundred in the first innings and then barely scraped over that in the second innings, in the meanwhile conceding over 450 runs in double quick time. Ireland would have given you more of a game.

Let's wait until after the second test, and, if you win as easily as you did here, then I will concede that we are as crap as Sards and Oom claim.

Strange wee civil war you guys are waging, but at least we can all agree that for now the Proteas are crapper than the Craps.

I expect to see them bounce back - a bit like we did against the Bangladeshis. We were also underdone at home for that first test.

[Gumboot]

Look, I understand how it looks as though we are looking for excuses, but let's face it, this is a decent team who have just beaten India (albeit on home soil), who have failed to get a hundred in the first innings and then barely scraped over that in the second innings, in the meanwhile conceding over 450 runs in double quick time. Ireland would have given you more of a game.

Let's wait until after the second test, and, if you win as easily as you did here, then I will concede that we are as crap as Sards and Oom claim.

Strange wee civil war you guys are waging, but at least we can all agree that for now the Proteas are crapper than the Craps.

I expect to see them bounce back - a bit like we did against the Bangladeshis. We were also underdone at home for that first test.

For now...until Friday.

[OomStruisbaai]

Let's wait until after the second test, and, if you win as easily as you did here, then I will concede that we are as crap as Sards and Oom claim.

If you don't think we were crap in the first Test, you are an idiot.

Doesn't mean we will be crap again.

[OomStruisbaai]

And credit to the Black Caps. They were awesome and dominate like test champions.

[Jb1981]

Boult is out for the second test as well so Matt Henry is a lock in for game two (as he should have been after his efforts, but you never know).

[OomStruisbaai]

2nd Test starting tomorrow. Look like Markram will lose his place. Not sure if I that will be good to bring on newbie Rickelton. Surely Maharaj must be back.

[handyman]

2nd Test starting tomorrow. Look like Markram will lose his place. Not sure if I that will be good to bring on newbie Rickelton. Surely Maharaj must be back.

I like Markram, but he cannot say that he wasn't given enough chances.

[Thor Sedan]

SA win the toss and bat first.

Markram given another chance.

Don't think it will be like the first game....but I don't think NZ will be disappointed with bowling first.

Huuuuge first 10 overs!

[Jb1981]

50-0.

Great start by South Africa.

[Gumboot]

Yep, excellent first session for the Saffers.

[Kiwias]

I think we all expected a bounce back like this. The next session will be fascinating

[Kiwias]

My friend's links have all gone AWOL. Can anyone help?

[Gumboot]

http://cricfree.live/live/bt-sport-3

[Kiwias]

http://cricfree.live/live/bt-sport-3

You are a star.

[Jb1981]

Very early days but this is a start that has me getting twitchy already about the Blackcaps chances of holding on for 1-0, let alone thinking beyond that.

[Kiwias]

A very impressive ton by Erwee.

[Enzedder]

Forgot to turn this on - been watching CNN

Bugger.

[Enzedder]

I started watching this 5 minutes ago at 195 for 1

Nek minnit 199-3

[Kiwias]

I started watching this 5 minutes ago at 195 for 1

Nek minnit 199-3

Hang around for a bit longer now you're here

[Jb1981]

Very nice start with the new ball from Southee and Henry. We need wickets here though.

[OomStruisbaai]

Much better effort from the Proteas.

[OomStruisbaai]

That was an easy drop

[Jb1981]

Matt Henry has found his new Taylor with Will Young dropping a good chance.

[Rinkals]

If you'd offered me 238 for 3 at stumps I'd have bitten your hand off.

[Gumboot]

Very much SA's day. They can't lose the test from here.

[OomStruisbaai]

If we get 400, Black Caps will make 800. Draw on a river bed.

[FalseBayFC]

Much better from the Proteas. Super knock from Pietermaritzburg boy Sarel Erwee. First St Charles College boy to play Proteas I think. His dad was also called Sarel and a Natal rugby player in the 1980s.

[OomStruisbaai]

Watched his interview. Seems a very humble person.

[Guy Smiley]

Very much SA's day. They can't lose the test from here.

Very much this.

[OomStruisbaai]

The T20 sermi finals will keep me busy today.

[handyman]

It was a struggle for Rassie, but credit to him for still being there. Tomorrow is a new day, hopefully he can come up with a new gameplan.

[Enzedder]

I started watching this 5 minutes ago at 195 for 1

Nek minnit 199-3

Hang around for a bit longer now you're here

I couldn't feeling crap so went in search of a test.

[Jb1981]

I started watching this 5 minutes ago at 195 for 1

Nek minnit 199-3

Hang around for a bit longer now you're here

I couldn't feeling crap so went in search of a test.

Was it everything you expected? Fingers crossed it’s negative.