**Official** New Zealand in Australia

[NZTailender]

How has this been an awesome test match?

A genuine testing of batsmans skill on a pitch that isn't a road and there being some good bowling on display?

 

[Woodster]

It's becoming a very intriguing Test, just when you think Australia are going to assume total control in the Test, NZ hit back. Never thought they'd struggle like they have in the 2nd innings, credit to NZ's attack, although they had helping hands (or Rudi Koertzen's finger) on the way.

Thought Daniel Flynn batted well. still think he needs to bat higher, possible just exchange places with McCullum, this is not a knee jerk reaction to one decent innings, but think he shows good defensive technique and is patient. His game is not really suited to batting with the lower order, and I do think he has to work the gaps a little better to keep the strike rotating. He seems to try and resist going at anything wide and just play at balls close to him, solid enough strategy to get himself in. Once or twice he did succumb to a widish drive, but his front foot does not seem to get across at all.

Will be interesting should NZ wrap up the Aussie innings pretty quickly, still the hosts have the edg, thanks to a so far excellent knock from Katich whose mixed solidity and watchfulness with some positive and decisive strokeplay. Some of his drives were thunderous.

 

[Craig]

A genuine testing of batsmans skill on a pitch that isn't a road and there being some good bowling on display?

Yeah how many Tests have you seen lately when 16 wickets fall on one day?

 

[Zinzan]

It's becoming a very intriguing Test, just when you think Australia are going to assume total control in the Test, NZ hit back. Never thought they'd struggle like they have in the 2nd innings, credit to NZ's attack, although they had helping hands (or Rudi Koertzen's finger) on the way.

Thought Daniel Flynn batted well. still think he needs to bat higher, possible just exchange places with McCullum, this is not a knee jerk reaction to one decent innings, but think he shows good defensive technique and is patient. His game is not really suited to batting with the lower order, and I do think he has to work the gaps a little better to keep the strike rotating. He seems to try and resist going at anything wide and just play at balls close to him, solid enough strategy to get himself in. Once or twice he did succumb to a widish drive, but his front foot does not seem to get across at all.

Will be interesting should NZ wrap up the Aussie innings pretty quickly, still the hosts have the edg, thanks to a so far excellent knock from Katich whose mixed solidity and watchfulness with some positive and decisive strokeplay. Some of his drives were thunderous.

Totally agree with McCullum and Flynn swapping positions. At the moment we have stokeplayers at no's 3,4 & 5 with McCullum there. Surely it would create a better balance by having strokeplayers at no's 3,4 & 6 with the steadying influence of Flynn at 5.

 

[Woodster]

Totally agree with McCullum and Flynn swapping positions. At the moment we have stokeplayers at no's 3,4 & 5 with McCullum there. Surely it would create a better balance by having strokeplayers at no's 3,4 & 6 with the steadying influence of Flynn at 5.

Yes I think if he broke up Taylor and McCullum it would give the line-up a bit better balance. Plus when such an attacking player like McCullum is forced to bat with the tail, it gives them the freedom to really go for it and a quick 40 runs on this pitch may be vital.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

After seeing the Watto LBW, there's no way I'd have given that live. Was probably out but I'd have thought outside the line straight away.

 

[Rant0r]

Something doesn't feel right about mentioning Ross Taylor then following it with all THOSE batsmen.

he will be a champion, provided he keeps the adrenalin in check after he's hit a couple of coundaries, nz have a couple at the moment

 

[Rant0r]

After seeing the Watto LBW, there's no way I'd have given that live. Was probably out but I'd have thought outside the line straight away.

which was probably what he was trying to achieve by playing outside the line and exaggerating the movement, he wouldn't be the first and won't be the last

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

I can see the lead getting to 350+ here.

 

[Rant0r]

Yeah, I think I've already said my piece regarding the Gabba pitch a few times before. One of the geniunely good - in terms of it being bowler friendly - pitches around the world.

it's actually normally a road, only the rain helped (or hindered) it's preparation, despite being almost always a little green, massive scores are normally knocked up on day one of a test match, although i guess that could have more to do with quality of opposition and quality of the aussies as well

 

[Rant0r]

kinda but he is not as gun

give him time, and your using prince and gun very loosely there, remembering the guy was only originally selected due to that policy, i guess he's done well though. very stout, had no idea against warne though but he's fat and retired now. as opposed to fat and playing.

 

[Son Of Coco]

I guess this goes to show that maybe the QLD batsmen haven't been that bad the last two seasons, if the Aussie batting lineup can't muster up a massive score on it. But then I guess they haven't been bowled out for 62!

Really looking forward to seeing Ross Taylor bat today, although whenever I go to the 'Gabba to watch an international batsmen they inevitably fail. There's a long list - Lara, Tendulkar, Vaughan, Fleming. The only exception is Peitersen who scored 96.

And it hasn't been like this the whole time either I'd suspect, with weather hampering preparations a little.

 

[andruid]

give him time, and your using prince and gun very loosely there, remembering the guy was only originally selected due to that policy, i guess he's done well though. very stout, had no idea against warne though but he's fat and retired now. as opposed to fat and playing.

You underestimate the power of the Prince.

 

[Rant0r]

You underestimate the power of the Prince.

watching prince and kallis bat together nearly drove me to lawn bowls. now that's power

 

[Son Of Coco]

it's actually normally a road, only the rain helped (or hindered) it's preparation, despite being almost always a little green, massive scores are normally knocked up on day one of a test match, although i guess that could have more to do with quality of opposition and quality of the aussies as well

Exactly, there's normally a little in it for the bowlers if they bowl well early, and while I wouldn't call it 'a road' in comparison to places like Adelaide it's not normally like this. It's interestingto see people talk about it like it's the norm though. 'Wow, good batsmen getting out cheaply to great bowling on a normal Gabba wicket'...

 

[Rant0r]

Exactly, there's normally a little in it for the bowlers if they bowl well early, and while I wouldn't call it 'a road' in comparison to places like Adelaide it's not normally like this. It's interestingto see people talk about it like it's the norm though. 'Wow, good batsmen getting out cheaply to great bowling on a normal Gabba wicket'...

yeah exactly, i get headaches hearing people talk about how wonderful adelaide is, when it probably has the highest incidents of drawn matches in australia, considering they have some of the best weather, bellerive is the same, no wonder australian batsmen struggle against quality bowling (which hs been seriously absent) and/or indifferent pitches.

it also begs the serious need for good spinners, warne and macgill could take wickets anywhere, hence australias dominance

 

[Athlai]

Surely a wicket will tumble soon.

 

[Nate]

Haha Heals. Gun call.

Thought the commentary has been quite good so far.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Dantastic!!!!

 

[Jono]

Dan the man! Such a top ball.