***Official*** New Zealand in Australia 2011

[Flem274*]

My Brisbane-based spies are telling me that NZ think they're in with a red hot chance in this Test series.

I concur.

Are these spies better or worse than your weather predictions?

 

[straw man]

Not only is ****y Brisbane threatening to rain, I just remembered it does not have daylight savings and that's a whole extra hour to wait before this match starts :headexplode:

 

[Flem274*]

Yuss, I only miss two hours through work.

 

[Prince EWS]

Not only is ****y Brisbane threatening to rain, I just remembered it does not have daylight savings and that's a whole extra hour to wait before this match starts :headexplode:

at least you aren't playing a Perth Test.

 

[Top_Cat]

Personally think Cutting's going to be 12th for this game if they don't go for 4-pacers. Reckon they'll be looking for swing/variation from Starc, aggression/seam from Siddle and Pattinson with Lyon and part-timers to keep it tight in case the NZ batters get away. It being his home ground will work in his favour but you have the problem of a bloke who, when not bowling well, gives you a bit to work with if you're strong square of the wicket against a team full of blokes who love having a dash. Recipe for 350+ by the end of day 1.

Which I absolutely reckon they will. Going to be a fast-scoring Test even if the ball's doing a bit, this one.

 

[GotSpin]

Hahah the kiwis think they have a chance? How embarrassing

 

[Spikey]

yeah. we have peter siddle. you've got frickin chris martin

 

[uvelocity]

Cutting's

Maybe his pinch hitting will put him over the line?

 

[Top_Cat]

Certainly possible. Really not sure, probably dependent on stuff we don't get to see.

 

[straw man]

Chris Martin will prove the doubters, NZ and Aus alike, wrong with a stunning 5-for*... watch this space. He's just choosing his lucky headband now.

*160

 

[Burgey]

haha

NZ are up for this, they sense an opening

They had the better of the draw in the first match tbf. Let's see if Australia A can bounce back at the Gabba.

 

[Flem274*]

Hahah the kiwis think they have a chance? How embarrassing

Heh, funny you say this because imo if we lose this series, I seriously give up hoping to ever beat a top four side and will descend down the optimism scale to Bahnz.

You have Siddle and a bunch of pick and hopes. No doubt the Australian system will make them good players long term but they're ripe for the picking atm.

The only thing holding me back from expecting to win convincingly is we have two workhorses and two very inexperienced strike bowlers in our four man attack (if we go with the four bowlers). The draw is the favourite in this series unless we get a bowling friendly pitch. Martin might have his rare day of brilliance, but usually you get 3/90 from him and Vettori. Need Southee and Dougeh to come good tomorrow.

 

[uvelocity]

Australia A

Dropped their best performers tbh

 

[Nate]

I can barely fathom one of Cutting or Starc making their Test Debut for Australia, let alone both of them. In the same Test.

I want to dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

 

[GotSpin]

Heh, funny you say this because imo if we lose this series, I seriously give up hoping to ever beat a top four side and will descend down the optimism scale to Bahnz.

You have Siddle and a bunch of pick and hopes. No doubt the Australian system will make them good players long term but they're ripe for the picking atm.

The only thing holding me back from expecting to win convincingly is we have two workhorses and two very inexperienced strike bowlers in our four man attack (if we go with the four bowlers). The draw is the favourite in this series unless we get a bowling friendly pitch. Martin might have his rare day of brilliance, but usually you get 3/90 from him and Vettori. Need Southee and Dougeh to come good tomorrow.

2-0 Australia

 

[Athlai]

2-0 Australia

New Zealand > 2 - 0 < Australia

 

[Flem274*]

Australia v New Zealand, 1st Test, Brisbane: New-look Australia remain favourites | Cricket News | Australia v New Zealand | ESPN Cricinfo

First things first: Australia are still favourites in this Test and should win the series. But New Zealand have a sniff. They haven't won a Test in Australia in 26 years, back when Richard Hadlee was at his peak and Allan Border's Australians were struggling at the start of their rebuilding phase. New Zealand are far from their peak right now - they nearly lost to Zimbabwe a month ago and sit eighth on the Test rankings - but Australia are not far from their mid 1980s position. They are coming off a fine victory in Johannesburg less than a fortnight ago, but at least three of the men who played in that win are out of this Test, including the Man of the Match Pat Cummins.

This article forgets Cummins practically won Australia the match and they've selected some very raw players. I still reckon the draw is the big favourite by a mile. Our batting > Aus bowling and Aus batting > our bowling.

 

[Athlai]

But the draw wouldn't be a favorite if the deck is as going to be as spicy as people are predicting.

 

[Prince EWS]

But the draw wouldn't be a favorite if the deck is as going to be as spicy as people are predicting.

They predict a spicy deck at the Gabba every year and it's pretty rare. Last one was the last time NZ toured I think.

 

[Athlai]

They predict a spicy deck at the Gabba every year and it's pretty rare. Last one was the last time NZ toured I think.

Southee to be licking his lips?