**Official** New Zealand in Australia

[Burgey]

Mental?

Symonds sorting through issues with counsellors qualifies as a mental/ emotional "injury" imo.

Raining non-stop here though we're a fair way from the SCG. Really can'[t see this game getting underway at all today.

 

[inbox24]

Might be a Five5 game tonight.

 

[_Ed_]

Abandoned after three overs of the second innings?

 

[James]

It's absolutely pouring down with rain in Western Sydney right now. If it's like this in town, no chance of play at all I would imagine.

It rained all day yesterday too, and all last night.

 

[stephen]

It's absolutely pouring down with rain in Western Sydney right now. If it's like this in town, no chance of play at all I would imagine.

It rained all day yesterday too, and all last night.

I just checked the radar. You southerners really need to learn what heavy rain is

 

[James]

I just checked the radar. You southerners really need to learn what heavy rain is

Haha, well raining hard by Sydney standards

 

[Athlai]

CH XI

Haddin (+)
Guptill
Clarke
Taylor
M. Hussey
Elliott
Hopes
Mills
Johnson
Vettori
O'Brien

 

[_Ed_]

Yeah, I'd go along with that. Vettori had a poor series, but he's still a clear standout in terms of a specialist spinner.

 

[Athlai]

Yeah, I'd go along with that. Vettori had a poor series, but he's still a clear standout in terms of a specialist spinner.

And didn't go for anything.

Guptill didn't have a great series but of the top 3 it was really just the Haddin and Clarke show.

O'Brien could be swapped for Bracken, both were fairly equal.

 

[Jakester1288]

CH XI

Haddin (+)
Guptill
Clarke
Taylor
M. Hussey
Elliott
Hopes
Mills
Johnson
Vettori
O'Brien

I'd agree with most of that, but Guptill didn't impress me all tournament, except in the last game where his huge hitting was worthless. Scores of 13, 8 and 6 in the first 3 games were dire, his 45 in game 4 was a very slow start for New Zealand, but he sped up, then his 64 very nearly won the game if it wasn't for rain.

Immense bowling attack though. Johnson and Mills opening, O'Brien first change, then Vettori and Hopes conceding no runs and getting the odd wicket, with Clarke providing some overs if a frontline bowler is getting carted.

 

[MendisNuffSaid]

Haha, well raining hard by Sydney standards

It's bright sunshine here in Melbourne

 

[James]

I'd go:

Haddin
Clarke
Taylor
Hussey
Ferguson
Elliott
Hopes
Mills
Bracken
Johnson
O'Brien

 

[Athlai]

I'd go:

Haddin
Clarke
Taylor
Hussey
Ferguson
Elliott
Hopes
Mills
Bracken
Johnson
O'Brien

lol

No Mills? Hey no editing!

 

[Athlai]

Prefer Taylor at 4, where he is in a position to launch TBH.

 

[James]

lol

No Mills? Hey no editing!

You were just too fast

 

[Athlai]

You were just too fast

And I'd definitely have kept Vettori in there. Guy went for nothing pretty much the whole series. Bracken and O'Brien were wicket takers but both leaked runs.

 

[James]

And I'd definitely have kept Vettori in there. Guy went for nothing pretty much the whole series. Bracken and O'Brien were wicket takers but both leaked runs.

IMO it's all about taking wickets, not cutting down the run-rate.

I'd prefer 150-6 off 25 overs, rather than 100-2 off 25 overs.

 

[Athlai]

IMO it's all about taking wickets, not cutting down the run-rate.

I'd prefer 150-6 off 25 overs, rather than 100-2 off 25 overs.

With Mills, Johnson and O'Brien/Bracken being the strike bowlers I think 4 attacking bowlers is overkill. If the opposition find themselves in a position where they are 4 down early on, Vettori is the last bowler you want against you when you are trying to rebuild.

 

[James]

With Mills, Johnson and O'Brien/Bracken being the strike bowlers I think 4 attacking bowlers is overkill. If the opposition find themselves in a position where they are 4 down early on, Vettori is the last bowler you want against you when you are trying to rebuild.

Fair point, can see your point of view.

Even though Mills and Bracken are attacking bowling yes, they're both in general pretty handy at keeping the scoring rate down.

From Australia's point of view, they've found a real talent in Ferguson. Must be the find of the summer for the Aussies.

 

[Athlai]

Fair point, can see your point of view.

Even though Mills and Bracken are attacking bowling yes, they're both in general pretty handy at keeping the scoring rate down.

Must be said this was probably the least economical I've seen Bracken in a good while.

From Australia's point of view, they've found a real talent in Ferguson. Must be the find of the summer for the Aussies.

Siddle IMO.