South Africa in New Zealand (2012)

As a South Africa supporter, it's about time we get a big moment to cheer after years of WC heart-break. It will be a big achievement if RSA can go to number 1 by beating England in England. We'll see what happens though. I sense ENG may just be a bit too strong but it will be an awesome series whatever the outcome.

Back on-topic to the match against NZL at Wellington, plenty of dodgy weather around lately at the Basin. I expect quite a few overs will be lost to rain over the course of the match so RSA will have to repeat their Hamilton performance if they are to get a result here. With NZL strengthening their batting at the expense of a quick, they might be slightly harder to bowl out and the wind may also prove to be a challenge for the South African pace attack. The draw is probably the most likely result.

A wasted morning session by the NZ bowlers. Not very impressed with Taylors field settings either tbh. As my Sth African mate would say.... CRAZY MATE

Woeful shot from Smith but honestly, these 3rd umpire decisions are so frustrating. I'm not saying it as a RSA fan, it's just shocking decision-making that hurts the game. How can anyone give that out is beyond me. I don't blame Dar because there was a sound but these sorts of random sounds occur frequently. The 3rd umpire saw a Hot Spot which showed nothing and saw the clear visual evidence that there was a gap between bat and ball and yet gives it out. He's just given it out because Dar said it's out, even though the evidence points to it being not out. That's plain silliness, if it looks like it's not out then it is not out.

Still a good day for RSA all said but I can't see this ending in anything but a draw. More rain forecast for Day 2 so by the time RSA likely finish their first innings, we'll be well into Day 3. Then it's just a case of NZL not completely capitulating and holding on for a draw.

Sledge - Yeah, Smith's shot was pretty bad but you'll get that from time to time with him. The fact is he averages 50 over nearly 100 Test matches as an opener, batting mostly on testing wickets when the ball is new, swinging and seaming. Taking that into consideration, that's a quite exemplary record. When he goes out and scores ugly 100s like in Dunedin, no one complains. Along with Cook, he is the best opener in the world, regardless of how bad his technique can look at times.

Never in my 20 years of cricket watching have I seen someone perform as good as Philander and with such consistency... may be only Shane Bond will come some what close, Philander is a super hero.

Dont worry about him Raj after the India tour he might became a all-rounder 

Not the most successful series for South Africa, they probably would have liked at least two wins, but that just shows both the resilience of the Kiwis and the poor weather conditions at time in NZ. Lots of positive performance with the bat, while Philander and Morkel are proving to be more and more menacing every tour. Still can't believe how well Philander has performed, really mind boggling.

Great innings by Williamson. Aside from his tendency to defend balls well outside off-stump, this guy is a real star prospect for NZL. Should have been out numerous times throughout the day though, a reprieve given by the 3rd umpire for a catch that was taken imo and plenty of dropped catches (including some from AB!).

A bit disappointing not to win 2-0 or 3-0 but to be fair, the weather did greatly affect things. Had weather not interrupted, RSA would most probably have won at Dunedin and would undoubtedly have won in Wellington so the 1-0 doesn't accurately reflect the relative performances. RSA showed their class in all departments and everything is falling into place nicely. Won both Test and ODI series against SL and now won T20s, ODIs and Tests against NZL in NZL. A good run going and would be nice to cap it all off with a win against IND in the meaningless T20 match played in a few days time. Then it's time to focus on ENG and taking that no. 1 spot.

Yes , the next real cricket for the South Africans come in July - that's some way off!  In the meantime they can inflate their bank accounts with the circus that is IPL. I'm still miffed that the upcoming test series is only 3 tests - a 5 test series between the two best sides playing the longer format would have been truly mouth watering.

Nice job on 4000 posts sam.

Yeah, Tony Greig was saying how RSA go to number 1 if ENG lose here but I hope it doesn't happen like that. It would just be pointless because ENG will reclaim it in the series against WI. I want to see RSA beat ENG in ENG and take the number 1 position by beating the former number 1 side and keep it for a meaningful amount of time. It wouldn't be worthwhile if RSA get it just because ENG are rubbish in the sub-continent.

Originally posted by Sledger SA are a more rounded side than England. The two attacks have match winners and are potent on any surface but where the South Africans are out front is in the batting department in Asia.  They have three proven batsmen who have no hangups against top quality spin in Kallis , Amla and de Villiers . Their record on the subcontinent leaves England for dead and if they beat England in England they'll deserve the number 1 ranking.

Sledge , Even if England win the second test against SL, then ENG and S Africa will be level on 116 points. Anything less than a outright victory in second test will strip England of No. 1 status.

Very interesting Raj. Why the hell does this defeat for ENG cost them 4 points but an additional defeat against SL just costs them an extra point? Looks like they will be in trouble if they don't get a win at Colombo. It seems beating low-ranked sides makes very little difference in terms of points but losing to them can cost you big.  

Originally posted by BackwardPoint Very interesting Raj. Why the hell does this defeat for ENG cost them 4 points but an additional defeat against SL just costs them an extra point? Looks like they will be in trouble if they don't get a win at Colombo. It seems beating low-ranked sides makes very little difference in terms of points but losing to them can cost you big.

Unfortunately it does not take into account the closeness of the match or rain/bad light. Lose by 1 run or lose by an innings it does not matter for the ranking sysem, this esp for a top ranked team.I wish there was a system which could actually give a closeness factor.

Edited by MalhotraRaj84 - 30 March 2012 at 4:17am

Quite some analysis that Raj!!! Anyways, I too agree that the Ranking system is mostly fair and gives an accurate picture of the standings.

Raj, just be happy this is a pointless one-off T20 match and not a crucial ICC WC group stage match. Would have been interesting to see what would have happened had rain not interrupted, I still fancied RSA because 148 off 12 would have taken some going, even on that flat track.

A good performance from a primarily South African B team. A nice knock from Ingram and some excellent bowling from Lopsy were the real highlights. Even a jet-lagged Kallis managed to boost his T20 average by feasting on the Indian bowlers. What's Dhoni doing bowling Raina for the last over? That just shows what an atrocious attack India have. Can't even rely upon the main seamers to get the job done so had to turn to part-timers.

Effectively a full-strength IND T20I side travels 4000 miles to get thrashed around the park by a South African B side before ultimately losing, thanks to D-L no less. What a dismal end to a horrific run of away matches!