NZ in SA, 2016.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Feels like an unusually early start to a South African series.

Two Tests, the first starts today in Durban, with a second to follow at Centurion on the 27th.

NZ bring in Bracewell for Sodhi after their Zimbabwe tour.

SA haven't played a Test since England toured in January, and they won a dead rubber in Centurion. Steyn and Philander return for Morkel and Abbott. Du Plessis replaces de Villiers, and assumes the captaincy too.

South Africa won the toss and are batting after a short delay.

[hopeforthebest]

SA's Cook talked out by commentators praise and Usain Boult.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hopefully Boult getting back in form. Not going for many runs, and the wicket of Cook.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Now one for Bracewell. Come on Kiwis.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Honours even I suppose, looking at the scorecard. Hamish scoring at a run a ball.

[Making_Splinters]

South Africa are really struggling to deal with the loss of Kallis and Smith, then again I suppose any side would find it tough to replace the greatest all rounder of the modern game and one of the best opening bats. Kallis is the bigger issue as they've been battling with their team balance ever since he left, what ever happened to the production line of South African all rounders? AB being injured makes matters worse.

I've never understood why Kuhn hasn't had a go in the Test side.

[Aidan11]

250 will probably be a good total from here.

[Aidan11]

Not sure what QdC was doing there.

Terrible shot.

[Aidan11]

Another wicket swiftly follows.

[Aidan11]

Hang on...the review might have saved him.

[Aidan11]

No, looked like he might have gloved it but not to be.


Decision stands.

[backfootpunch]

No, looked like he might have gloved it but not to be.


Decision stands.

I think that spike on hotspot was the bat hitting the ground

Looked to be a gap between ball and glove

[The Professor]

South Africa are really struggling to deal with the loss of Kallis and Smith, then again I suppose any side would find it tough to replace the greatest all rounder of the modern game and one of the best opening bats. Kallis is the bigger issue as they've been battling with their team balance ever since he left, what ever happened to the production line of South African all rounders? AB being injured makes matters worse.

I've never understood why Kuhn hasn't had a go in the Test side.

They have a couple of young lads in the pipe line. One kid is Leus de Ploy who has done well in an Emerging Cricketers Squad series of late. Another nailed on youngsters who will make his debut within the next 18 months is a guy called Jason Smith. He is a real danger in all forms of the game.

I know this is an odd thing to say on the first day of the first Test v South Africa, but I am really looking forward to the series against India.

New Zealand's bowlers do well against right handed batsmen and that is all India have at the moment but to counteract that Ashwin does very well against lefties and Nicholls (over rated), Latham (stil untested) and Santner (not established batsman) are all southpaws.

[Aidan11]

Start of day 2 delayed by rain.

[Aidan11]

Ah back on now.

Glad to see there is cricket being played somewhere in the world.