Why did SAF field first today?

[Shehezaada]

Didn't see the toss and Smith's explanation. The only reason I can EVER see for bowling first are: 1) cloud cover/first use of green pitch -> Awesome conditions to bowl first 2) Dew in the night time affecting bowler's grip on ball and neutralizing movement Generally it's much tougher to bat under lights.....ESPECIALLY in SAF. I remember us being reduced to 20/4 against Kenya before Yuvraj and Ganguly bailed us out in the 2003 WC under lights. This caused Ganguly to try and get the BCCI to change the semifinal to a day game, as he didn't want the kenyans to have even a slight chance of victory. From what I've managed to piece together...I didn't watch the game...there wasn't any cloud cover, and there was no dew. What was the reason to bowl first?

[cowboysfan]

i dont think dew is a problem in centurion.I am always vary of chasing in D/n games,no matter what the conditions.maybe they knew a storm was coming and had hoped the game would be truncated .

[Laaloo]

Because SL batted first today. :)

[Shehezaada]

i dont think dew is a problem in centurion.I am always vary of chasing in D/n games' date='no matter what the conditions.maybe they knew a storm was coming and had hoped the game would be truncated .[/quote'] If I know something's gonna be rain affected, I'd bat first. I don't want the equation getting out of hand based on x number of runs and y number of wickets.

[cowboysfan]

If I know something's gonna be rain affected' date=' I'd bat first. I don't want the equation getting out of hand based on x number of runs and y number of wickets.[/quote'] if it had rained earlier then the saffers had a distinct advantage of chasing a smaller target.they have some big hitters who could have hit 200 in 35 overs.

[Sachinism]

Maybe they thought external factors wouldn't come into play and conditions would be same for both innings. Also they may be more comfortable chasing scores rather than setting targets.

[Jabu]

not a good day for SA:giggle:

[Shane]

D/N Matches at Centurion Since Jan 2000 The Team Batting First has won every single time. Stat

[Sachinism]

D/N Matches at Centurion Since Jan 2000 The Team Batting First has won every single time. Stat

Why couldn't you have provided this stat yesterday, before I pissed away 10m :(( well in light of this new info, Smith = :fail:

[DomainK]

Why couldn't you have provided this stat yesterday, before I pissed away 10m :(( well in light of this new info, Smith = :fail:

Yup. Smith = Epic :fail:

[Shane]

Why couldn't you have provided this stat yesterday, before I pissed away 10m :(( well in light of this new info, Smith = :fail:

:giggle: Whats more the Guy at the Pitch Report got it spot on for a change, was really a suprizing decision by Smith.

[diegovegaz]

first match of a big tournament, in home conditions, smith should have batted first runs on the board, less pressure

[The Outsider]

The problem South Africa have created for themselves here is that if they lose the toss against NZ or England and do not bowl really well, they are pretty much out.

[Mr. Wicket]

Yup, that group's gotten really interesting now. As much as I knock England, they're still decent enough to pull off an upset or two, and a good toss and the ball moving for Anderson/Broad under lights could really scare RSA.

[yoda]

They wanted to choke earlier than usual and confuse the choke gods.