**Official** New Zealand in Australia

[Bahnz]

Really? I would have thought he would be at first slip...if he is at gully i'm worried about our slip cordon.

I'm really concerned about the coaching at the moment. Whoever the next coach is, I think he needs to take the same sort of attitude as Steve Rixon did in the late 90's and really work on improving catching, running between the wickets and general attitude. They've been just shocking over the last 12 months.

 

[pup11]

Great to see Hughes score runs, all in all a very good performance by the Baby Blues against an international side.

 

[NZTailender]

Ryder knocked down with a mystery illness. Hopefully this means Fulton will jet over this week, rather than playing Elliott or even worse, Hopkins

 

[Flem274*]

Ryder knocked down with a mystery illness. Hopefully this means Fulton will jet over this week, rather than playing Elliott or even worse, Hopkins

Food poisoning from his Big Mac?

Damn it, he's probably a guy I'd back to score runs in Aussie too. Ah well, finally a chance for Fulton to kick Daniel Flynn out of the side. But then again with the random need to always have at least one token "not very good yet and/or ever" player I bet Flynn would survive this tour, even if he averages diddly squat.

Though tbf he still deserves a bit more of a run in tests, but kick him out of the ODIs please.

 

[James]

What a shocking day by the sounds of it....

Replying to the Black Caps' score of 266, NSW were 6-309 at stumps on day two.

New Zealand dropped five catches and were without batsman Jesse Ryder for the full day after he was put on a intravenous drip due to a mystery bug.

 

[Polo23]

I'm actually taking positives out of the dropped catches. Atleast it shows we are creating chances on a flat track, which has to be a good thing. All we can do is hope our catching comes right for the 1st test. I saw on sports tonight someone (didnt catch a long enough look, but I guess it was Taylor at first slip) drop one off Southee.

Hopefully we get some good batting practice in tomorrow and Sunday. Redmond, Taylor, McCullum and Flynn all need some runs...you could add to that list Ryder, but it doesnt look as though he will bat

 

[S.P. Fleming]

I managed to get out to the afternoon session today. Got first hand info from braces in the pavillion and Mills at fine leg that Ryder was back in hospital he was "feeling a little bit crook" and that "He has a sore back(mccullum), Aaron Redmond is keeping". Also met most of the guys at the end. Dan Vettori was pretty relaxed. I did notice from Martin at fine leg and after the game that he seemed very focused on the job ahead, maybe good signs for next week?

 

[Polo23]

Who dropped the catches, and who were the bowlers? No wonder Ryder didn't do too well with the bat, he was vomitting before and after batting apparently..can't have felt that great. Apparently there is a bout of diarrhea going around the team also.

 

[chaminda_00]

Ryder just got a massive hangover and they are covering his arse. I sure I saw him out last night in the city.

 

[social]

NZshouldnt win the first test but the Oz selectors have given them a massive leg up by selecting a group of tired, out of form players

I'm predicting a close tussle and further damage to reputations

 

[howardj]

NZshouldnt win the first test but the Oz selectors have given them a massive leg up by selecting a group of tired, out of form players

I'm predicting a close tussle and further damage to reputations

What would have been your XI mate?

For mine, the glaring ommission is Hilfenhaus.

Far better value, in my view, than Siddle.

Anyway, have never been so unexcited about a Gabba Test.

Not really worth taking a day off work for.

 

[Polo23]

What would have been your XI mate?

For mine, the glaring ommission is Hilfenhaus.

Far better value, in my view, than Siddle.

Anyway, have never been so unexcited about a Gabba Test.

Not really worth taking a day off work for.

Fair weather supporter much?

 

[howardj]

Fair weather supporter much?

Mate, I don't really support anyone as such.

If it was World War III, I would support Australia.

But, for mine, given that's it's a game of cricket, a good contest is the most important thing.

Having said that, if it's a good contest, I hope Australia then come out on top.

 

[NZTailender]

Vettori finishes the match off with 4, O'Brien next with 3, Martin 2 and Southee 1.

Though it would've obviously been nice to skittle NSW cheaply, the fact that just about all of the bowlers got in 20 overs each means they've at least gotten some time to get used to the conditions, which is a good thing IMO.

 

[howardj]

Vettori finishes the match off with 4, O'Brien next with 3, Martin 2 and Southee 1.

Though it would've obviously been nice to skittle NSW cheaply, the fact that just about all of the bowlers got in 20 overs each means they've at least gotten some time to get used to the conditions, which is a good thing IMO.

For sure man.

I have the upmost respect for the Kiwis, given that they only have the population of Sydney to choose from. On balance, given their population disadvantages, they've more than held their own in international cricket since their inception. It's just a tragedy that they've been so depleted of late.

 

[Polo23]

For sure man.

I have the upmost respect for the Kiwis, given that they only have the population of Sydney to choose from. On balance, given their population disadvantages, they've more than held their own in international cricket since their inception. It's just a tragedy that they've been so depleted of late.

We'll blame Bracewell and the management for that.

Agree it's good for our bowlers to get the overs in, infact, it's probably better than if we had knocked them over cheaply (which would probably should of done, if we could catch). Now our top order have to bat for the rest of the day, then the rest of the day tomorrow...a huge worry about Ryder and McCullum though, they arent on the field today either.

 

[Flem274*]

I'm just glad population doesn't really count. Its particapants and the training thats important (One of the main reasons Aussie is so good is because they're so well trained by coaches). If it was just population then well, we'd see some interesting contests between India and everyone else.

 

[NZTailender]

For sure man.

I have the upmost respect for the Kiwis, given that they only have the population of Sydney to choose from. On balance, given their population disadvantages, they've more than held their own in international cricket since their inception. It's just a tragedy that they've been so depleted of late.

Yeah, it hasn't been the greatest few years lately, and we're definitely in a down trough, but like Australia is experiencing what goes up must come down, but will go up again, as teams generally have cycles of good and bad. We'll be a formidable force in a few years time when the younger players have had some more games under their belt. Southee, Ryder and Taylor are very talented and when you throw in other young blokes like Anderson and Williamson the future looks bright for us.

 

[Flem274*]

We'll blame Bracewell and the management for that.

Agree it's good for our bowlers to get the overs in, infact, it's probably better than if we had knocked them over cheaply (which would probably should of done, if we could catch). Now our top order have to bat for the rest of the day, then the rest of the day tomorrow...a huge worry about Ryder and McCullum though, they arent on the field today either.

I'm glad O'Brien is still carrying on so well.

 

[Polo23]

I'm just glad population doesn't really count. Its particapants and the training thats important (One of the main reasons Aussie is so good is because they're so well trained by coaches). If it was just population then well, we'd see some interesting contests between India and everyone else.

The bigger the population, the more participants and the more chance of someone special coming through the ranks. Population always plays a part.

We need to start hiring good coaches at school grade cricket, that is where it all starts. If i'm not wrong, I believe Australian schools hire specific coaches to coach their teams.