ICC Champions Trophy semi-final, Johannesburg:
LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY (all times BST)
e-mail [email protected] (with ‘For Mark Mitchener’ in the subject), text 81111 (with “CRICKET” as first word) or use606(Not all comments can be used)
**By Mark Mitchener **
4th over - Pkn 9-0
Bond keeps Nazir tied down with his inswing, the Kiwi paceman is right on the money here. An expansive square drive goes straight to a fielder as Bond completes a maiden over, and a surprising stat from the Brettmeister General is that these sides have not met in an ODI since the last Champions Trophy, nearly three years ago - and haven’t met in a Test since 2003.3rd over - Pkn 9-0
Plenty of flag-waving Pakistan fans are watching this game at the Wanderers, Mills beats Akmal with a beauty. New Zealand’s fielders are on their toes, trying to frustrate Pakistan’s batsmen who both like to get on with it early on. Akmal heaves across the line but it brings him two through mid-wicket, Mills strays with another wide.From Navead Yousaf, TMS inbox: “Pakistan deserve to reach the final. Bowling needs to be better today”
2nd over - Pkn 6-0
Shane Bond is New Zealand’s fastest bowler, but apparently always likes to take the second over, rather than the first. Kamran Akmal nudges a single to third man, but Bond is getting some inswing here in the early stages. Nazir tries to hit him down the ground, it’s in the air towards mid-off… but it reaches him on the second bounce. Tight over.From Tony Jackson, a wet but happy Australian in Glasgow, TMS inbox: "I didn’t get to see the game yesterday, was England as bad as the score card suggests, or were Punter and Watson just in unstoppable form I remember in his younger days Punter used to roll the arm over a bit, should Australia just play Ponting and Watson in the final and save the rest of the team for the next tour"1st over - Pkn 5-0
Nazir has a look at Mills for a couple of deliveries, then lifts him over cover for four to get his side going. Umpire Taufel spreads his arms to signal a legside wide.
1329: Imran Nazir and Kamran Akmal opening up, Kyle Mills takes the first over.1326: Two very jolly anthems are played. The lady singing New Zealand’s anthem seems to have microphone problems, and only really joins in for the second half. Shane Bond and Ross Taylor are quite lusty singers, though.
From rugger-tyke on 606:](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A57887446)"I think Pakistan should execute the same plan as against India, but the openers should be a little more solid today."1325: We’re standing by for the anthems. By the way, there’s no TMS commentary today I’m afraid, but Simon Mann, Alison Mitchell and the team will be back in action for Monday’s final.From Maj, TMS inbox: "I feel a Pakistan-Australia final coming along. Pakistan have a good record of beating NZ in cup semi-finals"1315: Here are the teams. Pakistan have reverted to the same team that beat India, with opener Imran Nazir recalled.New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (wk), Aaron Redmond, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Neil Broom, Daniel Vettori (capt), James Franklin, Kyle Mills, Ian Butler, Shane Bond.Pakistan: Kamran Akmal (wk), Imran Nazir, Younus Khan (capt), Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, Mohammad Aamer, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal.Umpires are England’s Ian Gould and Australia’s Simon Taufel - the other umps are both Aussies, Daryl Harper on TV replays and Steve Davis wielding the briefcase of replacement balls. Match referee is Javagal Srinath of India, Oliver Brett’s alongside me once more on match-report duties while we’re being overseen today by our “gaffer” Dan Warren, who’s making a guest appearance from his usual duties overseeing live football.1312: If you want to get in touch today, make sure you have “CRICKET” as the first word if you’re texting on 81111 (as we share the text number with football, F1, Radio 1 and others). Alternatively, e-mail us at [email protected] (with “For Mark Mitchener” in the subject line - and I’ll look upon you very kindly if you spell it right), or get involved with the debate on606.](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A57887446)1305: Toss news - Pakistan have won the toss and will bat first. We haven’t got the full teams yet - New Zealand have struggled with injuries but bring in batsman Aaron Redmond (one of three injury replacements called up so far) for reserve keeper Gareth Hopkins, while teenage left-arm seamer Mohammad Aamer returns for Pakistan, who must decide on the make-up of their seam attack as they have several options.
From ZG1 on 606:](http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A57887446)"I think once NZ has their nose in front, they cannot be dislodged. Dan Vettori is a thinking cricketer, and he can plan and play out well"1300: Afternoon, everyone. With England crashing out yesterday, today we focus on New Zealand v Pakistan for the right to join Australia in the finalThis article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.