Australia must decide whether to unleash all of their ‘fearsome foursome’ of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson in their Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand on Friday. Injuries have meant the quartet of fast bowlers have rarely all been fit at the same time and, even now, Australia may decide it’s … Read more
Faf du Plessis criticised South Africa’s performances against New Zealand as “not good enough” Friday, despite going into the final Test in Hamilton with an unbeatable 1-0 lead in the series. The South African captain said he was also expecting injured wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock to front up on Saturday for the start of the … Read more
Injuries rocked New Zealand and South Africa Thursday, two days out from the start of the third and final Test in Hamilton with Tim Southee ruled out and Quinton de Kock doubtful. New Zealand, under pressure to win if they are to level the series, were already sweating on their firepower and the availability of … Read more
New Zealand and South Africa were both hit by injuries Thursday, two days from the start of the third Test, with Tim Southee ruled out and Quinton de Kock in doubt. New Zealand bowling spearhead Southee has a torn hamstring while de Kock is nursing a ligament injury to the index finger on his right … Read more
New Zealand took charge of the second Test against South Africa as Colin de Grandhomme led a four-wicket raid on the second morning in Wellington on Friday. At lunch, South Africa were 104 for six, trailing New Zealand by 164 runs with four wickets remaining. The diminutive Temba Bavuma was not out 15 with Quinton … Read more
After four days of rain the covers were peeled off the Basin Reserve wicket on Tuesday and to South Africa’s delight it was green ahead of the second Test against New Zealand. The greener the better in Wellington has been New Zealand’s mantra in the past. But their tone has been softened for the second … Read more
Dean Elgar was again tasked with holding the South African innings together as they progressed to 100 for two on a disrupted fourth day of the first Test against New Zealand in Dunedin on Saturday. At lunch, South Africa were 67 runs in front with eight wickets in hand. Elgar, backing up from a first … Read more
Neil Wagner made an impressive return to the New Zealand line-up Wednesday as South Africa struggled for runs in the opening session of the first Test in Dunedin. Showing no sign of discomfort from the finger he broke on his bowling hand five weeks ago, the South African-born bowler took two for 23 as New … Read more
South Africa are backing their pace attack to snap New Zealand’s unbeaten run at Dunedin’s University Oval when the first Test starts on Wednesday. After surveying a typically green New Zealand wicket and learning the Black Caps have won three, drawn four and lost none of the seven Tests on the ground, opener Dean Elgar … Read more
Lusty late slogging by Colin de Grandhomme and Tim Southee gave New Zealand a much-needed boost in the rain-shortened opening one-day international against South Africa in Hamilton on Sunday. In a match reduced to 34 overs a side, the pair put on 51 off 23 deliveries as New Zealand posted 207 for seven. They were … Read more
Centurion (South Africa) (AFP) – South Africa remained in a strong position but failed to take full command in their first innings on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand on Saturday. South Africa were 358 for five at lunch, adding only 75 runs in 27 overs during the morning for the … Read more
Centurion (South Africa) (AFP) – South African captain Faf du Plessis kept his team on course for a big total on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand at SuperSport Park on Sunday. South Africa were 437 for six at tea, with Du Plessis on 95 not out. Apart from a burst … Read more
Centurion (South Africa) (AFP) – South African captain Faf du Plessis ground out a century and was rewarded for his patience when New Zealand lost three quick wickets before the close of play on the second day of the second Test at SuperSport Park on Sunday. New Zealand finished the day on 38 for three, … Read more
Centurion (South Africa) (AFP) – Patience paid off for South African captain Faf du Plessis as he was rewarded with three quick wickets after grinding out a century on day two of the second Test against New Zealand on Sunday. New Zealand finished the day at SuperSport Park on 38 for three, 443 runs behind … Read more
Centurion (South Africa) (AFP) – South Africa’s three-pronged pace attack put their team in a strong position with a first innings lead of 267 runs on the third day of the second Test against New Zealand on Monday. New Zealand were bowled out for 214 shortly before tea. South Africa decided not to enforce the … Read more
Centurion (South Africa) (AFP) – South Africa held on to a strong position despite a top-order batting collapse in their second innings on the third day of the second Test against New Zealand on Monday. South Africa were 105 for six at the close, an overall lead of 372 runs on a pitch at Centurion’s … Read more
Centurion (South Africa) (AFP) – Dale Steyn struck twice in his first over as New Zealand made a disastrous start after being set a near-impossible target on the fourth day of the second Test against South Africa on Tuesday. Two more wickets fell in the next three overs as New Zealand, set to make 400 … Read more
Centurion (South Africa) (AFP) – Off-spinner Dane Piedt ended a defiant partnership between Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling to nudge South Africa towards a series-clinching win in the second Test against New Zealand on Tuesday. New Zealand were 95 for five at tea on the fourth day after being set a near-impossible 400 to win. … Read more
Centurion (South Africa) (AFP) – Fast bowler Dale Steyn set up a series-clinching 204-run win for South Africa on the fourth day of the second and final Test against New Zealand at SuperSport Park on Tuesday. Steyn took three wickets with his first 11 balls of the innings and finished with five for 33 as … Read more