***Official*** New Zealand in Australia

[Flem274*]

I don't know, Gilchrist stands a long way back, I doubt the batsman would've heard him very clearly, especially over the din of the crowd. I'm more surprised that Gilchrist was willing to talk in the first place, given that you reckon he would've been wanting to focus on the bowler instead rather than chatting with a bunch of morons like the C9 commentary team.

He was asking Oram questions whilst he was preparing to face Symondss. Interesting to see half banter/half interviewing on TV during the game. Liked Oram's responses too, especially the ones that went for six.

 

[Top_Cat]

Gilly loves it. He's clearly hankering after a spot in the Channel 9 commentory box. Was totally biased but no surprise in that.

I can appreciate that he was out there keeping so wouldn't have much time to think about things but his nausiating platitudes, where he was talking about Lee and Tait like he was a columnist rather than a team-mate, became tiresome quickly (other than his "GOT HIM!" at taking a catch - that was a classic). There was no real insight into the game from what he said. I enjoyed what Symonds had to say far, far more. It's possible that Gilly was entirely extracting the urine with his style of 'commentary' too and if so, very very well played because it was a spot-on perfect rendition of exactly what makes Ian Healy and Mark Taylor so hard to listen to as commentators and their 'speak much but say little' styles.

As for the game, Lee was damn near unplayable. Hoo boy, if last night is what is to come for India, they'd better be scared because I barely remember a bouncer but I remember quite a few balls zipping past the bat on a length. Quick AND accurate, the Indian openers better be at the top of their game or they are in trouble. Symonds was immense and I firmly believe he'll have a great series against India if the top-order gives him a chance, looks to be in a great place with his batting. Tait was somewhat flat after a ripping first over and Johnson was quite steady bowling in good places for Tests, the ball to get Sinclair was a jaffa, good signs that he's settled into the international set well. Noffers was excellent I thought; if the selectors are still looking for 4 pacers for Boxing Day, he's probably just in front of Tait now. He's quicker than he looks and always looked dangerous. Plus, I hear he bats well......

NZ were just out-gunned. Oram was amazing; haven't seen such clean hitting of express bowling since Viv was in his pomp. Vettori bowled really well and I think if NZ ever get to play a Test again, he'll be an improved bowler I think. The rest, well, not great, particularly with the bat.

 

[Flem274*]

Nah Jeets was a gun Top Cat. Deserves a test.

That pitch looked to have a bit more movement under lights. Who won the toss? If Vettori did he should have batted first I reckon.

EDIT: And why are people on this side of the tasman jumping on the "Oh no, we're going to lose heavily in all the matces" bandwagon? We have some issues but that batting line up was a mess. Slow openers at three, top order batsmen at 7, a number three at 5 and so on. I'm not making excuses here but we need to realize that we can play better and we did not perform to the standard we could have done. That is the reason we struggle, we only click in two of the three elements (Batting, bowling and fielding). We can turn this around, we have the ability to do so.

 

[Athlai]

Bit too much Gilly bashing IMO, was refreshing I think. Really enjoyed it earlier in the year and I liked it now as well.

I don't think the commentators spoke much to the Kiwi's because the relationship with the players made them feel less comfortable talking to them, the Kiwi commentators should have probably spoke up.

As long as this kind of innovation is only a 'sometimes' thing and only in T20 I have absolutely no problem with it.

Kiwi Player Performances

Lou Vincent 4/10

Out for a golden duck, set the tone for the NZ innings you feel, was gun as always in the field and saved NZ a dozen runs easily, though he did miss a run out opportunity you'd expect he could have hit.

Brendon McCullum 5/10

That stumping was great, and he actually looked in decent touch with the bat, he was just outclassed by some bloody terrific quick bowling and the pressure of needing to score quick runs.

Jamie How 2/10

Today he made McCullums job that much harder by not being able to score runs, conditions were difficult but he buckled I feel.

Scott Styris 4/10

Was pretty decent with the bat which is good to see as he had a lackluster tour of SA, he bowled one over of tripe though.

Ross Taylor 4/10

Got out to some fantastic bowling, that in all honesty you'd hope a young talent like him could put up more of a fight against, a fantastic day in the field saves him. 3 catches and a catch that should've been with Symonds.


Matthew Sinclair 2/10

Wasn't his day at all, out to a great ball.

Jacob Oram 7/10

His bowling puts a small blemish on a fantastic innings, great to see his hitting against the Aussies has not diminished.

Daniel Vettori 6.5/10

How many bowlers out there are better at this form of the game? Great effort.

Kyle Mills 5/10

Glad to see him back in the team, was the third best Kiwi bowler for me, second best statistically.

Mark Gillespie 4/10

Got a few handy wickets but was not as effective as a NZ fan could hope for. Deserved the spot in the team more than any of the other seam options available though.

Jeeves 5.5/10

Looked good with the ball though had to bowl a bit closer to the death against a set Symonds than any spinner would want to. An absolute beauty took the wicket of Hussey and his fielding was excellent, a great effort in a hard game for the young man.

Overall NZ

5/10

A sub par performance by the Kiwi's showed moments of excellence and fielded beautifully but it just wasn't enough against the better team.

 

[Days of Grace]

If anyone thinks the TV commentators are a little biased, then you should listen to the radio commentary. I couldn't get pictures last night, so went to the radio sport website for a listen.

The South African radio commentators are really biased too, if anyone has ever listened to them.

 

[howardj]

Gilly loves it. He's clearly hankering after a spot in the Channel 9 commentory box. Was totally biased but no surprise in that.

I thought he was funny. He's a just a top bloke Adam Gilchrist - would be a success at most things he turned his hand to.

 

[Raghav]

Bit too much Gilly bashing IMO, was refreshing I think. Really enjoyed it earlier in the year and I liked it now as well.

I don't think the commentators spoke much to the Kiwi's because the relationship with the players made them feel less comfortable talking to them, the Kiwi commentators should have probably spoke up.

As long as this kind of innovation is only a 'sometimes' thing and only in T20 I have absolutely no problem with it.

Kiwi Player Performances

Lou Vincent 4/10

Out for a golden duck, set the tone for the NZ innings you feel, was gun as always in the field and saved NZ a dozen runs easily, though he did miss a run out opportunity you'd expect he could have hit.

Brendon McCullum 5/10

That stumping was great, and he actually looked in decent touch with the bat, he was just outclassed by some bloody terrific quick bowling and the pressure of needing to score quick runs.

Jamie How 2/10

Today he made McCullums job that much harder by not being able to score runs, conditions were difficult but he buckled I feel.

Scott Styris 4/10

Was pretty decent with the bat which is good to see as he had a lackluster tour of SA, he bowled one over of tripe though.

Ross Taylor 4/10

Got out to some fantastic bowling, that in all honesty you'd hope a young talent like him could put up more of a fight against, a fantastic day in the field saves him. 3 catches and a catch that should've been with Symonds.


Matthew Sinclair 2/10

Wasn't his day at all, out to a great ball.

Jacob Oram 7/10

His bowling puts a small blemish on a fantastic innings, great to see his hitting against the Aussies has not diminished.

Daniel Vettori 6.5/10

How many bowlers out there are better at this form of the game? Great effort.

Kyle Mills 5/10

Glad to see him back in the team, was the third best Kiwi bowler for me, second best statistically.

Mark Gillespie 4/10

Got a few handy wickets but was not as effective as a NZ fan could hope for. Deserved the spot in the team more than any of the other seam options available though.

Jeeves 5.5/10

Looked good with the ball though had to bowl a bit closer to the death against a set Symonds than any spinner would want to. An absolute beauty took the wicket of Hussey and his fielding was excellent, a great effort in a hard game for the young man.

Overall NZ

5/10

A sub par performance by the Kiwi's showed moments of excellence and fielded beautifully but it just wasn't enough against the better team.

Man, I would rate Gillespie more by a point

 

[Athlai]

Man, I would rate Gillespie more by a point

Thought I was a bit harsh on him but did you see what the Aussie quicks did! He loses points for not being Lee/Tait/Johnson/Bracken unforgivable IMO.

 

[Top_Cat]

Nah Jeets was a gun Top Cat. Deserves a test.

Actually I'm on the Jeetan Patel bandwagon myself. You're right, forgot about him. Have thought for a long time he's been unfairly overlooked.

 

[Raghav]

Thought I was a bit harsh on him but did you see what the Aussie quicks did! He loses points for not being Lee/Tait/Johnson/Bracken unforgivable IMO.

Then how could you rate Mills on 5 and Gillespie on 4?

 

[Natman20]

Gillespie is pure hitting material. Mills at least has some more skill in his bowling. Ok stats are in favour of Gillespie last night but yeah. If you keep bowling up ones that people think are going to be hit out of the ground you are bound to get 1 or two wickets but smashed out of the park at the same time.

 

[NZTailender]

Gillespie is pure hitting material. Mills at least has some more skill in his bowling. Ok stats are in favour of Gillespie last night but yeah. If you keep bowling up ones that people think are going to be hit out of the ground you are bound to get 1 or two wickets but smashed out of the park at the same time.

But you're going to get smashed in Twenty20. You may as well take wickets as you get hit, as GIllespie did. He's proven he can take wickets in Twenty20's in it's short history.

 

[Scotty]

yeah, i'd swap mills and gillespie around. gillespie had the much better game in my opinion. took a key wicket in gilchrist (albeit with a bit of luck) and also played his part in a run out. although i was stumbled as to why he kept the same length, it got him a couple of wickets, so it obviously worked.

 

[Nate]

Hope Mills plays in all three of the one-dayers. So gun.

 

[Raghav]

Gillespie is pure hitting material. Mills at least has some more skill in his bowling. Ok stats are in favour of Gillespie last night but yeah. If you keep bowling up ones that people think are going to be hit out of the ground you are bound to get 1 or two wickets but smashed out of the park at the same time.

He is not so pure in that TBH

 

[JBMAC]

You Kiwis are tough on your players...They were beaten by a better outfit on the day...get over it and move on...your players did NOT let you down...besides it's only backyard cricket anyway.

 

[Athlai]

But you're going to get smashed in Twenty20. You may as well take wickets as you get hit, as GIllespie did. He's proven he can take wickets in Twenty20's in it's short history.

More through bad hitting and excellent fielding than any great feat on Gillespies part. Not saying he's total tripe just saying Mills bowled better.

 

[Laurrz]

Gilly loves it. He's clearly hankering after a spot in the Channel 9 commentory box. Was totally biased but no surprise in that.

i thoguht it was fkn hilarious when he talked about his ears

 

[Laurrz]

Funny what happened with Pomerbach, I wasnt awfully impressed with him tbh, first time I've actually seen him interviewed and he didnt seem very proffesional. I have no doubt he has a huge amount of talent, however he dosent strike me as someone who has the drive and work-ethic to really refine his game. Like I reckon during the week he dosent give cricket alot of though, just hangs out with his mates, gets on the piss and chases girls around, whereas someone like Voges you can just tell he has that competitive edge and proffesionalism and will do anything possible to get ahead of the que. Would love PB to prove me wrong but thats just my early impressions.

what was wrong with his interview? haha he did seem really really nervous though, as he said he was shaking.. was prolly the first time he been on national tv tho

agreed on Voges though, what a gun..cool as a cucumber..big fan of him although he isn't young anymore
i keep replaying that cut shot he played..it was moer of a guided shot off gillespie i think...great shot

 

[Flem274*]

Gillespie shouldn't play ODI's. Just 20/20 and tests. The reason he should play 20/20 is because of that ripper of a yorker that he can bowl. Mills probably shouldn't play 20/20 because he really isn't a good death bowler.

I'd like to see that bloke Bradley Scott get a game, he's been hanging around the team for a while now and would be far far better than Martin in ODI's. He's a bit like Jimmy Franklin but with more variation and better control but not the same amount of swing and has around Kyle Mills' pace and batting ability. That seems to be the general consensus from commentators and CWers anyway. In good form ATM too.