**Official** New Zealand in Australia

[four_or_six]

Well, the weird thing about the selection of seamers was that Hilditch said at Brisbane he was picking his four best seamers, so why Watson did wrong bowling-wise to be replaced by Siddle doesn't really make sense. You would logically expect Watson to be 12th man, replaced by the spinner.

Of course, the reality is it was a direct choice between Watson and Symonds that was (for whatever reason) not made in Brisbane and has been made now. And, as everyone acknowledged, Watson hasn't scored enough runs at no.6 to keep his place.

 

[Top_Cat]

Well...if Patel plays (which is being talked about) then it will likely be O'Brien or Southee to make way, and both had pretty good tests and because Southee is a swing bowler he would probably be the likely way to be dropped.

I thought Siddle looked pretty good in India, hits the pitch hard and bowls at a good clip. A very Australian type bowler.

Be a bit of a gamble to play Patel, I'd have thought. That said he bowls similarly to the last offie to do well in Adelaide, Peter Such. Quick through the air, etc. If I was him, I'd concentrate on giving the ball a rip, even if he gives away a few runs. Just bowling darts on Adelaide is a sure way to get punished.

Siddle reminds me a lot of Merv Hughes, actually. Quieter personality but bowls in a similar way and similar speed (before Merv's knees gave way).

 

[Polo23]

Be a bit of a gamble to play Patel, I'd have thought. That said he bowls similarly to the last offie to do well in Adelaide, Peter Such. Quick through the air, etc. If I was him, I'd concentrate on giving the ball a rip, even if he gives away a few runs. Just bowling darts on Adelaide is a sure way to get punished.

Siddle reminds me a lot of Merv Hughes, actually. Quieter personality but bowls in a similar way and similar speed (before Merv's knees gave way).

Patel generally tries to spin it as far as he can. He gives it a much bigger rip than Vettori.

Havn't seen a whole lot of Siddle, and I never saw Merv Hughes (too young), so I wouldnt know.

 

[Athlai]

Interesting little career comparison...
(after 11 matches)

NZers in Test cricket

Taylor
752 @ 37.60
2 100's 4 50's

Fleming
720 @ 34.28
5 50's

Crowe
365 @ 20.27
1 100

Wright
484 @ 24.20
3 50's

Astle
633 @ 31.65
3 100's 2 50's

McMillan
881 @ 48.94
2 100's 6 50's

ODI Cricket

Taylor (after 48M)
1317 @ 36.58
3 100's 6 50's

Fleming
1185 @ 29.62
9 50's

Crowe
1293 @ 34.94
1 100 9 50's

Wright
1350 @ 31.39
9 50's

Astle
1350 @ 31.60
4 100's 7 50's

McMillan
1031 @ 25.14
5 50's

 

[four_or_six]

I reckon NZ aren't so bad as people make out, they have some good bowlers and people like Taylor and Ryder coming through are pretty promising. NZ vs WI should actually be a really interesting series.

 

[Athlai]

Int. greats in their first 11 matches

Viv
517 @ 30.14
1 100 1 50

Sachin
588 @ 39.20
1 100 4 50's

Lara
830 @ 46.11
1 100 6 50's

Border
943 @ 49.63
2 100's 6 50's

S Waugh
350 @ 26.92
3 50's

Ponting
686 @ 40.35
1 100 4 50's

Dravid
830 @ 48.82
1 100 6 50's

Kallis
405 @ 23.82
1 100 1 50

Miandad
971 @ 64.73
2 100 6 50

Inzi
499 @ 31.18
1 100 2 50

Taylor standing up pretty well to these legends so far. If he turns out half as good as any of them NZ will be well benefited.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

That's all well and good except that half of these players started between 12-20 years ago. OD cricket has evolved hugely since then.

 

[Athlai]

Yep and how many of them were the most experienced genuine middle order batsman in their team after 11 matches?

 

[four_or_six]

Symonds heartfelt apology to teammates.

I reckon DHussey/Hodge/Watson/Bollinger/Noffke need to have an emotional crisis to improve their standings.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Yep and how many of them were the most experienced genuine middle order batsman in their team after 11 matches?

That doesn't cancel out the changes to cricket, especially the shorter form, in the last few decades.

 

[GGG]

Be shocked if Southee gets dropped!

Siddle is a decent bowler and, in fairness, has a great record against SA in Adelaide (bastard). But yeah, I'm in the 'pick your best bowlers' camp.

Southee has been very ineffective when the ball isn't doing anything.

 

[Flem274*]

Patel shoudn't play. He's played on spinner decks and has been largely unaffective. I'm a fan still in limited overs cricket, but he's no test spinner atm. Sorry Athers.

 

[NZTailender]

I reckon NZ aren't so bad as people make out, they have some good bowlers and people like Taylor and Ryder coming through are pretty promising. NZ vs WI should actually be a really interesting series.

Our bowling is really quite good, the main problem with the batting is that it's A) incredibly inexperienced and B) has some players batting out of position and C) an opener who will surely get dropped after the next Test, and another who is frustrating with his form.

 

[Mister Wright]

Hauritz

 

[Langeveldt]

Wish there was a test match today.. Actually gagging to hear Richie's voice atm..

 

[Polo23]

Southee has been very ineffective when the ball isn't doing anything.

He's played 3 tests

 

[completeNZer]

Wish there was a test match today.. Actually gagging to hear Richie's voice atm..

I worry when I hear that

 

[morgieb]

Haurie got picked, DTSTL. He can't even make the NSW side, FFS.

 

[GGG]

He's played 3 tests

What the joke? when the ball hasn't been swinging or seaming he hasn't done much in those 3 tests and a few first class games, so I would pick Martin and O'Brien over him on a lifeless track, thats what it boils down to. He will develop those skills in time. So I gather you will drop either O'Brien or Martin in the next test?... thats if they are going for 2 spinners.

 

[Athlai]

Patel shoudn't play. He's played on spinner decks and has been largely unaffective. I'm a fan still in limited overs cricket, but he's no test spinner atm. Sorry Athers.

Vettori and Patel in tandem works pretty well in Test cricket.