**Official** New Zealand in Australia

[Johnners]

25/26 overs a session has been pretty standard for Australia lately. Expecting to see Clarke/Symonds bowling offies at some stage later on in the post lunch session if there hasn't been 2/3 more wickets fall.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

***y ***y Rudi.

 

[Athlai]

50/50 at the moment, with perhaps Australia holding the advantage going into lunch with New Zealand's long tail (bar Vettori). I can't see us getting much more than 50-60 runs out of the next 5 batsmen to come really. Hoping Taylor can go on with it and Flynn can just stick around in support.

If we had Mills Oram or Franklin in the team I think we'd still be on top though without 50/50 is the correct call. Australia's second innings will almost certainly be better and we really really need to post a lead. Come on Rossco.

 

[Athlai]

Rudi... simply the best?

 

[Polo23]

50/50 at the moment, with perhaps Australia holding the advantage going into lunch with New Zealand's long tail (bar Vettori). I can't see us getting much more than 50-60 runs out of the next 5 batsmen to come really. Hoping Taylor can go on with it and Flynn can just stick around in support.

Southee can bat, he's shown before he can smack a quick half century. Not that he will, i'm just saying he isnt a bunny.

 

[social]

Oz have definitely picked the wrong attack

Johnson's action looks worse than ever and he's hardly moved a ball whilst Krezja had to play and could really have come into his own later in the match with the bounce in this pitch

Taylor is the key obviously - he's a fine player that scores quickly

 

[Athlai]

Taylor with 9 runs straight down the ground, great effort considering the conditions. Clarke hit 18 and no one else got more than 4. Only 11 runs on the onside really show how hard he's been working on adjusting his game.

 

[Athlai]

Oz have definitely picked the wrong attack

Johnson's action looks worse than ever and he's hardly moved a ball whilst Krezja had to play and could really have come into his own later in the match with the bounce in this pitch

Taylor is the key obviously - he's a fine player that scores quickly

Reckon if Ryder didn't get too ****y he'd have continued to dominate Watson and Johnson TBH.

 

[IndGunner]

Reckon if Ryder didn't get too ****y he'd have continued to dominate Watson and Johnson TBH.

Yeh That was such a stupid shot. tsk tsk.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Nah IMO it never looked like it took bat. Didn't deviate until it was well past the bat, I originally thought it bowled him because of how late it deviated.

You're right.

I just expect those decisions to be given against us.

 

[social]

25/26 overs a session has been pretty standard for Australia lately. Expecting to see Clarke/Symonds bowling offies at some stage later on in the post lunch session if there hasn't been 2/3 more wickets fall.

Ponting still hasnt learnt - he held up play for a couple of minutes talking to Johnson then changed the field after he got back to his position

 

[Athlai]

Taylor is loving Johnson (thought he might) from 20 balls he's hit 25.
9 balls from Watto have gone for 8.
6 off Symo has gone for 4.

Lee and Clark the way to go if you want Taylor IMO.

 

[Athlai]

Ponting still hasnt learnt - he held up play for a couple of minutes talking to Johnson then changed the field after he got back to his position

Still think 4 wickets can fairly take up 2 overs of time. 27 overs in the first session is acceptable I reckon especially in these conditions. Has to quicken up a bit in sessions to come.

 

[Polo23]

I reckon Symonds is the go to get Taylor. Probably Clark second. He seems to like the extra pace and the tendency for Lee and Johnson to bowl full. I reckon Ponting should bowl Watson through the whole session

 

[social]

Taylor is loving Johnson (thought he might) from 20 balls he's hit 25.
9 balls from Watto have gone for 8.
6 off Symo has gone for 4.

Lee and Clark the way to go if you want Taylor IMO.

Symonds will be dangerous in these conditions IMO

 

[James]

Southee can bat, he's shown before he can smack a quick half century. Not that he will, i'm just saying he isnt a bunny.

Yeah, true, but on this sort of pitch, it's unlikely that he'll score much at all. Remember when he got his half century in Napier, it was on a dead flat batting paradise.

If we had Mills Oram or Franklin in the team I think we'd still be on top though without 50/50 is the correct call. Australia's second innings will almost certainly be better and we really really need to post a lead. Come on Rossco.

Definately, I'm sure we'd all agree that if Oram and Franklin were playing we'd be far more confident about what's to come.

 

[Athlai]

Taylor should be able to negate him I think but in all likelihood will sky him.

 

[Langeveldt]

Yeh That was such a stupid shot. tsk tsk.

Mind you, he's scored a bucketload with that thrash outside off stump.. Had he not played it, perhaps he's have been out for say 12 off 45 balls.. Hindsight...

Interesting that Mr Koertzen seems to have climbed to Hero status with one (very good) decision.. I seem to remember him getting slated on here majorly on repeated occasions.. I guess thats just how things go with umpiring

 

[Polo23]

Yeah, true, but on this sort of pitch, it's unlikely that he'll score much at all. Remember when he got his half century in Napier, it was on a dead flat batting paradise.

Of course it's unlikely he will do that sort of damage, but from what i've seen he's worked on his technique and is now getting into line. You saw what Stuart Clark did yesterday when he applied himself, there is no reason a better batsman like Southee couldnt do the same thing. Hopefully we won't be relying on Southee though, Taylor, Flynn, Elliott and Vettori SHOULD be able to get the job done.

 

[Athlai]

Yeah, true, but on this sort of pitch, it's unlikely that he'll score much at all. Remember when he got his half century in Napier, it was on a dead flat batting paradise.

In all fairness I think that he showed he has some excellent hand eye, I mean there is hitting on a flat track. Then there is scoring 70 runs with Martin as your partner. Could get some runs but certainly not of THAT calibre.

Definately, I'm sure we'd all agree that if Oram and Franklin were playing we'd be far more confident about what's to come.

Reckon Oram if he wasn't attacking would be troubled by the swing and caught early on. Franklin could definitely bat for a while even in these conditions. Can't wait till he's back in the team, I did have high hopes he'd make this tour but I guess I should be thankful he's finally back in FC cricket.