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

[straw man]

Yusssssssss. No fantasy Tasmanian farewell for Ponting. All but game over though.

 

[Spikey]

well that was a waste. obv the umps want ponting to score a ton too

 

[Flem274*]

Southee hasn't blown the world away like we all hoped he would but I definitely think he should be retained on what he offers ahead of Bracewell.

Less wickets? (face)

Southee always looks good, but he rarely does anything.

 

[Dan]

On the topic of NZ openers, what does everyone think about Jeet Raval? Is he ever likely to be good enough?

Dire shot by Ponting.

 

[Zinzan]

Lol, what lame Umpiring, proof he wasn't really even watching the no ball to start with.

 

[Spark]

seriously, what the hell was that?

 

[Spikey]

Yusssssssss. No fantasy Tasmanian farewell for Ponting. All but game over though.

the trend for aus openers over the past two=three years has been to get out between 50-99, usually not long after number 4 gets out. soooooo....

 

[morgieb]

Ouch!

I think I jinxed him earlier

 

[Ruckus]

Ponting haaasss to be dropped. Even with our pretty dire batting depth at the moment, I still think he shouldn't be there.

 

[Pup Clarke]

WTF was Ponting trying to do? One of the most bizarre shots that, even for Ponting.

 

[howardj]

look, never write off a champion

 

[straw man]

Even in this series Southee has looked more threatening than Bracewell throughout. Bracewell bowled one dangerous looking spell and looks village at other times. Southee hasn't blown the world away like we all hoped he would but I definitely think he should be retained on what he offers ahead of Bracewell.

I don't know about your assessment of Bracewell - his regulation outswingers mixed up with straight ones have been surprisingly effective - you don't need to bowl magic balls to get wickets. Yeah he bowled some village spells in Brisbane but seemingly listened to Taylor and improved.

 

[hazsa19]

Sad to see such a player fall so far. Should announce his retirement after the India series. Maybe there will be a fairytale ending, but he's kidding himself if hes planning to be a part of the Australian setup for a few years to come.

 

[Spikey]

 

[Flem274*]

On the topic of NZ openers, what does everyone think about Jeet Raval? Is he ever likely to be good enough?

Hometown hero, and his home is pretty flat. I'm a fan, but not yet.

Murdoch and Ingram would be the best stats wise off the top of my head.

 

[Athlai]

Less wickets? (face)

Southee always looks good, but he rarely does anything.

Picking and dropping players based on the wickets they take in limited outings is silly IMO. Bowlers can bowl brilliant spells and go unrewarded, they can serve up pies and get gifted wickets.

 

[Jacknife]

Watching Ponting this last year or so, he seems to play his pads more than the ball.

 

[Zinzan]

Murdoch and Ingram would be the best stats wise off the top of my head.

Ingram should never ever ever play a Test match again.

 

[Flem274*]

I don't know about your assessment of Bracewell - his regulation outswingers mixed up with straight ones have been surprisingly effective - you don't need to bowl magic balls to get wickets. Yeah he bowled some village spells in Brisbane but seemingly listened to Taylor and improved.

Doug Bracewell is always going to be underrated because he's a short, stocky bowler who bowls outswing at 138kph, rarely gets injured, and can bat.

He is Tim Bresnan.

 

[straw man]

Ryder, anyone?

He's be pretty close to it for me. Has been so so disappointing lately.