The Tongue Is Back!

Vettori's tongue should be up to it, but who knows how long the rest of his body might last? For however long it might be, I for one will enjoy watching him bowl.

The Growl Of The Tiger

T20 or Test Match, don't mess with Dale Steyn when he is in the (or should it be a?) mood.

Run James Run

James Franklin was having one of his "put in" days. The kind that get the contracts renewed.

Just a shame about his abysmal last ball.

Kane Williamson Counts

This bat, this helmet, this hundred!

Dean Elgar, Centurion

And who could blame him. Dale Steyn will certainly accept the addition to his bowling stats, even if he didn't need them any where as much as Dean Elgar needed those runs.

A Student Of The Game

It isn't the glasses that make Amla a cricket geek, it is his ability to practice and prepare no matter who the opposition might be. That's how you get a PhD in batting.

Yeah, Right.

This applies equally as well for both innings of a match.

Less Talk - More action

You got to think that Brendan McCullum has probably not looked forward to a plane flight with as much enthusiasm for a long time. Bye bye media scrum, hello best bowling attack in the world.

There is one way to sort things out real quickly, and improve his public perception - in the famous words of NFL owner Al Davis "just win, baby".

The Little Leaver

Kruger van Wyk shoulders arms for the cause. He ain't big but he does look to have the right attitude for the big time.

A Tiger For Punishment

Nothing like a wet and windy day at the Basin reserve to make you think just a little about retirement as you trudge to Fine Leg.

If Looks Could Kill...

... they still wouldn't be as threatening as a well directed bouncer. Kane Williamson is keeping his eye on the ball, only it has already gone.

Brutal

Not so much the barrage of bouncers but the wimpy way the Black Caps lost 5 wickets for no/zero/naught/bugger all runs.

The First Time

Who knows how many tests Kruger van Wyk will play. Probably not that many, but you can bet that his first test bat will stay clear in his mind, even as the pictures fade and discolour.

The Sun Came Out...

... Chris Martin ran in hard, and the whole game changed. Strange things can happen that close to the Ross Ice Shelf.

Living In The Past

Forgive me, but while the Black Caps are being outplayed and I have to listen to Barry Richards choking on his own smugness, I shall choose to dwell in the past.

Brandy before the second innings any one?

So Juicy He Can Taste It

Rob Nicol is not sure whether to eat it, catch it or do an impromptu haka.

JP Duminy's body language just says "get it over with".

The Big Choke

Jesse, you plonker!

Just what the South Africans really need, momentum.

Contrary To Which Spirit?

There is more than a touch of irony in Mills and Vettori being fined for actions "contrary to the spirit of the game". If they and their team hadn't fired up and got so bloody minded about things they would have been stepped on and over by the Saffers. It might not be a good look for the ICC but I want to see the fire in Ross Taylor's eyes just a little more often.

South Africa Implodes

We have said it many times before - "that's why they play the game". All Black supporters can tell you in great detail how a tournament is essentially a series of one off opportunities - get it wrong and your gone.

Great result for the Black Caps, but what really cheered me up was the fact that they showed some spine and aggression.

For Purna

As I suspected the Saffers where,

• too big (note the feet)
• too focused (the eyes)
• too fast (the action)
• too strong (the fist)

But it is not all over yet and I comfort myself with the knowedge that it is only T20.