It is the end of the coverage from us. Thanks for all your feedback and comments. Devashish Fuloria signing off. Ciao ciao. ODIs starting this Saturday.
Presentation
Graeme Smith: "We had to work hard to get into that position to notch these wins up. We have been very professional. Barring couple of dropped catches, our cricket has been of a high standard. We have new players who come in and chip in straightaway. for someone like Dean, it is great to come in and contribute, exciting times for the team. I have never thought of coming close to 100 Tests as a captain, but I am really looking forward to it. AB will have to take the role for the ODIs and hopefully he will continue well."
Brendon McCullum: "Very tough Test matches, we were well short of the mark against the no. 1 side. We were really exposed. It is hard to point finger at anything at the moment, but we were outplayed in all departments by SA. We wanted to come here and compete, we showed glimpses at time. We had high hopes, maybe to win a sneak a win or two. Unfortunately we were exposed. The guys in the team fronted up well against SA, can't fault their attitude. ODI cricket is to a little to our liking as per our cricketing abilities. Hopefully we will be able to play well."
Man-of-the-Match: Dale Steyn beats three of his team-mates to win the Man-of the Match Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla and Faf.
Steyn: "We got the bowl to swing in both these Tests. Rory stepped up, Robin played well too. Morne bowled well but didn't get the wickets he deserved. I try to bowl quick all the time, it goes up after a couple of wickets. I try to do that all the time. I am level with Hashim Amla in terms of wicketswith 19 five-fors"
And would you believe it, SA's ODI bowlers are already out practicing with Kirsten and Domingo. Kirsten didn't even go the changing room.
Craig: "These mismatches should not be allowed by the ICC, all test playing nations must be forced to pick their best available squad or cancel the tour."
Anay: "Its too early to say yet, but this South African side for the first time in their history are showing signs of ruthlessness and an ability to overcome pressure, which is the sign of great teams"
Meanwhile, Andrew McGlashan's match report is already up. Amjad: "So at least, Andrew McGlashan has secured his dinner."
Nishant: "Kudos to Gary Kirsten ! what he could not achieve while he played, he is able to make his teams deliver it. First India, now South Africa."
Mayur: "I am relieved (and so will be many Indian Test Cric Fans).. Relativity is the best dose in desparate times ;)"
Eight wickets for Steyn and the band at the ground is playing "bye bye black caps." In the end, New Zealand's challenge lasted as long as the old ball did. The new ball was too hot to handle for the kiwis. Omnishambles.
Handshakes all around, Smith looked chuffed. It is SA's first series whitewash after they cleaned out Bangladesh in 2008.
chris: "Do you guys get paid by the test match, the day or the over? If the last two, how are you supllmenting your income during this series to manage to feed your families?" The only thing I know Chris is that I won't be able to afford dinner tonight. Poor Alan Gardener, he was supposed to handle the next two sessions, it is going to be hard week for him.
Mark: "I know people go on about Chris Martins lack of batting ability but, aside from the general capitulation of the top order, one of the disappointments of the series has been the way nobody in the lower order has taken the opportunity to show some grit and ability with the bat. At least Martin tries. The rest of the tail just seem to step away and swing wildly and hope."
Sriram: "Take a bow Gary Kirsten!! You beauty"
Dera: "I've been a keen follower of New Zealand Cricket since 1991 (was a seven year old back then); and I've not seen them play this bad ever, not even during the reign of Ken Rutherford; pathetic."
Feliciano: "How does this effect the test rankings?" Haha. Good joke.
N Wagner c †de Villiers b Steyn 4 (20m 13b 1x4 0x6) SR: 30.76
Dan the Man: "Patel trying to answer the age-old question...can one gangnam style with full batting gear on, bat in hand..."
END OF OVER:86 | (wicket maiden) | NZ: 207/9
- Jeetan Patel0 (3b)
- Neil Wagner0 (9b)
- Morne Morkel16-6-36-2
- Dale Steyn15-2-44-2
Jee-Tan walks in. I love the way he dances about on the crease.
TA Boult c Peterson b Morkel 3 (5m 5b 0x4 0x6) SR: 60
Nico: "Second follow on finally avoided"
MrGarreth: "Limited Technique?? Michael Vaughan, Michael Clarke and SRT have been out to that delivery sir!" .. .and the point being? Haha. Sorry point taken
END OF OVER:85 | 3 Runs 1 Wkt | NZ: 207/8
- Neil Wagner0 (9b)
- Trent Boult3 (2b)
- Dale Steyn15-2-44-2
- Morne Morkel15-5-36-1
Manik: "And also lets discuss who climbed Mount Everest first...who owns the Hobbits, who wears the Ring!!!!"
DAJ Bracewell c Petersen b Steyn 0 (15m 4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0
dominic: "Let's not stop at Cricket and Rugby. How about NZ vs SA in football, netball, tiddlywinks, Nobel Prize, Booker Prize, Fields Medal, GDP per capita and best university rankings?" Lovely..
END OF OVER:84 | 1 Run | NZ: 204/7
- Neil Wagner0 (7b)
- Doug Bracewell0 (2b)
- Morne Morkel15-5-36-1
- Dale Steyn14-2-41-1
Muzammil: "Stop this rugby nonsense right now!!!...Its a cricket match!" For his sake, please
Round the wicket
