New Zealand's Martin Guptill congratulates New Zealand's Ish Sodhi on getting the wicket of South Africa's David Wiese, during the second T20 International cricket match. Photo / AP.
New Zealand's Martin Guptill congratulates New Zealand's Ish Sodhi on getting the wicket of South Africa's David Wiese, during the second T20 International cricket match. Photo / AP.
An embarrassing South African bungle has apparently handed the Black Caps their opponents' bowling plan on the eve of the one day cricket series, which begins in Gauteng tonight.
Radio Sport will have live commentary of the three ODI's starting at 10:30 tonight.
A hotel guest has posted South Africa'sbowling strategy on Facebook, after finding it slipped under her door. And the Black Caps have quickly responded, with Jimmy Neesham offering the woman, Cassandra Teasdale, free tickets to the match.
Cassandra Teasdale's Facebook post
The typed memo - addressed in handwriting to feared opening bowler Dale Steyn - gives bowling directions and details weaknesses for the New Zealand batsmen.
Teasdale joked that: "Something tells me I wasn't supposed to get the South African cricket teams plan/strategy for the New Zealand team batsmen and bowlers...I wonder if this means Dale thinks he's sleeping in my room tonight?"
The memo, which has the air of authenticity, gives a glimpse into the short, sharp messages teams operate from.
For instance, it says that star New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson will attack bouncers but doesn't pull well, while veteran Martin Guptill is a "wicket option for bouncers angling in." Wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi is described as a "compulsive puller".
There is so much analysis of players in international sport that much of it is unlikely to surprise the Kiwi batsmen. But Williamson, Guptill and co. will still be interested in how opponents evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. It might even make for some good banter on the field and the New Zealanders will have a better idea of how to stifle the home side's strategies.
