**Official** New Zealand in Australia 2015

[hendrix]

Craig retained. Think that's wise.

 

[SteveNZ]

Few Kiwi fans that aren't half as disappointed as I am about how we batted in particular. I would've thought getting in would've been the biggest assignment in the first Test with a bit of rust. Once you were in, I saw nothing to suggest it wasn't a great pitch to bat on. In the second dig, everyone bar Jimmy did and we still didn't score 300. And there were almost as many in the first dig. Really annoying. Some of it was mental (Ross' dead-**** pull when he knew he wasn't in good nick and needed to graft harder) and some technique (Gup caught on the crease twice - 2nd dig was the worst one). No excuses for either.

Heat probably needs to go on our bowling coach too, if for nothing else than Jimmy's remodelled action lasted 20 overs. And without exception we looked rusty and gun shy.

Not an ideal situation, going to Perth to face a confident Aussie side 1-0 up.

 

[aussie]

Meh. New Zealand has made a habit of getting smashed in the first test of a series before turning it around, you're two English mates can attest to that. As long as Southee is fit and ready to go for the second test I'm backing us to turn it around at some point.

Ye. Only concern for me is Neesham going down. As i mentioned in my "Fleming''s lost NZ thread" - him & Anderson bodies showing similar brittle signs for tests like Cairns/Oram did back in their which is a bit concerning going forward

So what is the likely balance of team for second test in the eyes of NZ fans or what you reckon McCullum/Hesson might go for?

I'm thinking since its Perth - 6 batsman (Watling at 6 with Ronchi keeping @ 7 - or maybe Watling still keeps) & 4 quicks. Presuming Southee is fit, Henry should play - so i guess Wagner or McClenegan playing for 1 spot.

 

[Gob]

Nah NZ are screwed as far as winning is concerned. If the 2nd test was at Adeilade with the pink nut,yeah a good chance but the WACA nope. Warner will smash a ton and Starc/Johnson will run through them imo

 

[Frost]

Nah NZ are screwed as far as winning is concerned. If the 2nd test was at Adeilade with the pink nut,yeah a good chance but the WACA nope. Warner will smash a ton and Starc/Johnson will run through them imo

Previous nz sides I'd agree but I'm sure the England fans were thinking the same thing last season.
This nz side has shown(and against better teams at home) that they can come back into the series.
Oz record at the gabba is extremely good and I wasn't surprised we lost the first one,and after the lack of decent prep

 

[Furball]

Their record at the WACA is even better. It's the one ground in world cricket where I wouldn't want to be going 1-0 down in a 3 Test series.

 

[Bahnz]

Ye. Only concern for me is Neesham going down. As i mentioned in my "Fleming''s lost NZ thread" - him & Anderson bodies showing similar brittle signs for tests like Cairns/Oram did back in their which is a bit concerning going forward

So what is the likely balance of team for second test in the eyes of NZ fans or what you reckon McCullum/Hesson might go for?

I'm thinking since its Perth - 6 batsman (Watling at 6 with Ronchi keeping @ 7 - or maybe Watling still keeps) & 4 quicks. Presuming Southee is fit, Henry should play - so i guess Wagner or McClenegan playing for 1 spot.

Given McCullum's comments yesterday night, it seems unlikely that there'll be any changes to the structure of the side. New Zealand will still go in with 3 quicks and a spinner, and that spinner will be Craig. The only changes will be injury forced. Henry a straight swap for Southee if required. And from the sounds of it McCullum wasn't yet quite decided on whether to pick Santner or Ronchi. McCullum says the decision will depend on how fit Southee is - though in my mind if Southee is in any discomfort he simply shouldn't play.

 

[Athlai]

Their record at the WACA is even better. It's the one ground in world cricket where I wouldn't want to be going 1-0 down in a 3 Test series.

Weirdly NZ has only lost two of six matches at the WACA, won one and drawn three.
While England has lost nine of 12 matches, won one and drawn two.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Their record at the WACA is even better. It's the one ground in world cricket where I wouldn't want to be going 1-0 down in a 3 Test series.

yeah but where exactly would you want to be going into a game 1 - 0 down in a three test series

 

[Bahnz]

yeah but where exactly would you want to be going into a game 1 - 0 down in a three test series

Well, if history is any guide, then Hobart wouldn't be a bad bet.

 

[Prince EWS]

yeah but where exactly would you want to be going into a game 1 - 0 down in a three test series

Bulawayo

 

[Flem274*]

If ronchi comes in don't give him the gloves. Randomly drops catches.

 

[_Ed_]

If ronchi comes in don't give him the gloves. Randomly drops catches.

Indeed. Would back him to be handy with the bat, though - good test debut in England, FC runs this season and previous experience in Perth.

 

[hendrix]

Would much prefer Santner over Ronchi. I doubt Ronchi would add much with the bat.

 

[adub]

Ronchi averages 32 in Shield at the WACA which isn't too ugly. Does nothing to increase your chances of taking 20 wickets though which is the big problem.

 

[Days of Grace]

It will come down to how fit Southee is. If we need the extra overs, then Santner will probably play.

Would rather Ronchi, though. Experienced and knows the WACA well. Don't forget his innings in the second test vs. England. Tailor-made batsman for 0-1 down with nothing to lose.

 

[Bahnz]

Ronchi did rediscover some form when he pumped Southee and Boult for a classy hundred in the Plunket Shield opener. Though given what happened on day 1 at the Gabba that's now seeming a lot less impressive. Still, reckon he's a lot more likely to handle the bounce than Santner.

 

[weldone]

I think if Southee is fit, they may pick Santner and drop Craig for a seamer (Henry) - which maynot be a bad idea

 

[hendrix]

Meh. New Zealand has made a habit of getting smashed in the first test of a series before turning it around, you're two English mates can attest to that. As long as Southee is fit and ready to go for the second test I'm backing us to turn it around at some point.

We weren't smashed at lords, we were on top for most of that test.

In the UAE we weren't smashed anywhere near as bad as this.

 

[Bahnz]

I think if Southee is fit, they may pick Santner and drop Craig for a seamer (Henry) - which maynot be a bad idea

Nah, McCullum's already said that he's backing Craig to the hilt. Craig will play.