South African Cricket Tour

Why is it that I am not confident concerning the chances of NZ in the South African cricket tour. We do not do well on tours of the subcontinent at the best of times. This time we are weak in the openers (again, what is new) and they are running well having just smashed Pakistan in Pakistan.

I don't rate our chances against Kallis, Pollock and the gang. They are a mature team with strength throughout except perhaps a quality spinner, not that seems to matter to them. They seem to crack against Australia, but we are not the Aussies. I think we are in trouble.

I can't see how we will combat Steyn and Ntini, who traditionally relish the NZ batting line up on the bouncy SA pitches. I just can't see Michael Papps and Craig Cumming putting up stern resistance, one can imagine Steyn and Ntini licking their lips with glee! Then they will face either Ross Taylor or Stephen Fleming at 3. I hope it is the latter; however, it will mean our best batsman is facing the new ball on a consistent basis. The Styris will come in and hopefully Taylor at five. Having said that, Taylor may enjoy the bouncy tracks.

We will have strength further down with Oram, McCullum, Vettori and Franklin. However, they cannot be expected to rescue us again and again and turn 5 for 100 into 450 which is what they will have to do.

They on the other hand are well equipped with a powerful batting line up on their home tracks battle hardened from Pakistan led by the absolutely world class Kallis to combat Bond, Franklin, Martin, Oram and Vettori. So I am bracing myself for a tough start to the cricket season. In light of what has gone down in the rugby season with the South Africans with the silverware, it will be hard to take! All we ask is that the boys fight and fight with all they have.