Id have it the other way purely because of how good some of the openers were back then. Gilchrist Sehwag and I think Afridi was opening back then as well (or my memory could be failing me)

When you look back its crazy the lack of world class players NZ has had. Tommy is right, its embarrassing lol

Shane Bond was world class but we didnt see enough of him

Paddles Hadlee is obviously the giant and Martin Crowe the best batter and not much else

The only way our team has been competitive at times is by having periods of a few above average players working together awesomely

There was a period there where Flemo wouldve made the World XI on his captaincy alone

Im pretty sure this article got me thinking of the 4 as our current day greats to be

How spot on was Marty there! Most of his articles were.

Isn't it exactly what you would expect from a small country that doesn't have cricket as its first sport

Twose for best NZ import

Root is a show pony - can't convert - the other three are clearly better

Looking forward to the S.African tour of NZ, which, I expect to be competitve, but, S.Africa will win most of it.

The T20 tomorrow in Auckland, is about 60% unlikley to happen, as its rained a good deal of today, and its not really gonna clear till game time.

Sunday, in Hamilton, looks similar, but, there will be no hiding place, for the Kiwis, in Christchurch (next wed).

Will be watching all of it .. live .. (cant believe how expensive NZ has got).

Currently dry in Auckland, and hopeful we will see at least a 10 over game.

S.Africa strong favs, at 1.70 (-170) .. which is much more accurate, than the 1.98 or so, they were initially marked up, about a week ago.

ABd is still recovering from inury, and has only played 2-3 games, since returning .. be interesting to see how he shapes.

//

The Aus v Sl game is on afterwards .. Aus have quite a weak side, but Sl were woeful in S.Africa (sure, they won 2-1, but, S.Africa played a C team, and still almost beat them).

1.3 Aus looks right .. but, too short now, to get involved.

I pretty much agree with this assessment

I still think if a few of our key players get some real form we can take out the ODI series however

These are 2 heavyweights of limited overs cricket of late going at it! Its going to be an amazing series!

Welcome to NZ dundalk, I hope you have an awesome time!

Christchurch has been ****ty lately, poor people down there dealing with a big blaze

One off T20s seem a bit silly, I wont take much from it, it seems to be being treated as a bit of hit around.

Will be great to watch some cricket though have been starting to hang out for a Black Caps fix

At least we know Eden Parks drainage is a wee bit better than Napiers Mclean Park... will need to be

Result pretty much as expected .. prob flattered SA a bit, but most players
On their team, look better than counterparts.

Not sure ABd is in good nick. Mis-timed a lot - would be looking to
Oppose his run lines.

In Hamilton for the 1st ODI. The players had to train in-doors today, and the square is presently covered, but, its not raining.

Rain is expected, before the game, and during play .. so, a completed match, may well depend on how much actually fell, in the last 3 days, and how good the drainage is.

Am hopeful .. but, have backed No game, at +450, as a hedge.(I want to see play, as S.Africa will win again) - and have backed them to do so.

At a game here 5 yrs ago .. S.Africa were on the ropes, and Steyn .. destroyed NZ, in literally 3 overs. If Rabada plays, on a swinging pitch, it may be the same again .. thou, Boult has the same prospects.

SL somehow beat Aus needing 84/46

Aus matched for 450k @ 1.01!

Lol Australia mainly. Not sure why Finch bowled Henriques for the 19th

Also in the PSL a few players - Sharjeel Khan included - have been charged with corruption. Real shame as Khan's on form at the peak of his career.

Oh and NZ should have won the ODI late on.

Its about time we lost a close game like that, it doesnt feel good

Amazing that play got underway after all that rain

Im thinking losing the series 4-1 after that is likely

ABD just oozes class, its hard to see a way to get him out and while he was at the crease you felt the game was his for the taking even at 12 an over

The new guy Phelukwayo looks like a great odi player too

Still gonna love this series and it will be hard fought cricket all the way, I still think we could snatch the series 3-2 if things go our way but will be tough

If we do lose both series, Im at least hoping the microscope goes on Hesson to step down who is nothing but a liability without BMac there

Ouch!

Some decent comment above.

SA almost lost a game, they shud have cantered, after winning a v good toss, and NZ crippling themselves early on. If not for the last 2 overs, it would have been a pathetic score.

I love radiosport nz, (Which u can stream from overseas), and since friday, all the phone-ins, were whinging abut why Ross Taylor wasnt in the T20 squad. Cue, more pressure, and he was out, after 3 balls.

NZ ground security v diligent, and generally helpful. My collapsable picnic chair, was too big .. by about 2 inchies, but, they let me in. Country is as lovely as ever, but, prices for a pitcher of beer .. $26, is a tad high.

The lions rugby tour comes here in June, and people are listing on Airbnb for big money .. will be a great series.

Phulekwayo, performed well under pressure, for the second (big time). He did it, in an Aus ODI .. and this is where watching so much of this stuff, pays off .. was willing to back SA, at -110 or so, with 2 overs to go .. and, felt this was wrong.

Its the sort of game, in the past, SA might have lost, but, am not reading too much into it, as it was an odd pitch, and the advantage of bowling first, was pretty decent.

(thou the NZ spinners, got more help, as the pitch died, late on).

Anyway .. on to Christchurch .. its a shame Ngidi missed the tour (injury), think he and Rabada, would have been a rare fast-bowling spectacle.

((Using Airbnb for rooms, and generally paying $60 a night .. people v v friendly/helpful .. NZ is one of my fav countries to visit .. its just so far away !! ))

14.5 Crores = 2.16M USD and he won't be even available for all the matches. Just wow these franchise owners

Rashid Khan from Afghanistan got sold for 4 crores

Imran Tahir, Ish Sodhi, Nathan Lyon, Alex Hales, Jonny Bairstow, Ishant Sharma lol unsold.

Btw Tymal Mills looked very impressive in the recent Ind-England T20 series but still spending 12 crores on him is just too much lol

Don't they scale the amounts for players who don't do the full term? Still, that's a lot of donuts for Stokes. I can see him doing well though.

I've seen Tymal Mills a fair bit and that is crazy money imo. Him and Mark Wood looked like the fastest England bowlers at the end of last season, when Wood started playing again, and I like both - but sheesh, crazy money there.

I'm a bit surprised nobody needed a keeper batsman enough to take Bairstow.

Fleming's reaction to Stokes' bid tells all : https://gfycat.com/AlertLividGoldenretriever

Both him and Mills went for $1m too much imo. Mills went for 3x Rabada which seems insane.

If one of them half justifies the price, I'm 95% going with Stokes though. At least he's an X-factor player who brings a lot to the team (though, tbh, he's a bit of a tool). The Mills price is off the scale daft.

I've never heard of this Mills guys.

He's quick, but has so many injury probs, he can't play
Other formats.

I though Rabada had a contract with Kent ? .. not sure how many IPL
Games he will play.

Dont think hes quitting IPL midway to play for Kent

That said Eng and SA have a test series in the summer I think, so English and South african players are expected to leave after 10/14 games.

Fairly hot day in Christchurch, and Miller apparently fit to play, if he gets in the team. Quota issues etc, may mean he still sits out.

SA drifted overnight, from 1.61 on Bf, to 1.68. This looks far too big to me .. side has won 12 in a row .. and Hagley Oval normally a high scoring pitch. Have had to play.

289 more than enough on this slowing up pitch if Sodhi, Santner, Kano and Southee bowl well.

Ross Taylor now stands alone as the having the most ODI tons, great knock!

I think this game being held on the anniversary of the Christchurch earthquake is a big factor

AB factor tho...

And thats why u pay a guy a million

He should have the ability to dismiss the VERY best

Boult removes ABD with some thoughtful short pitched bowling

AB didnt look like getting out before that

Lets see if their allrounders have any ability under pressure