**Official** New Zealand in Australia 2015

[SteveNZ]

Well to be fair NZ do in most area's I guess except opening. You probably didn't expect both your all-rounders to be injured at same time and probably not being able to use Milne in test cricket ATM as a back-up quick option before having to consider McClenegan.

Depth, but not particularly viable depth if you get me. Milne doesn't really count because he can't stay fit. Batting wise, you've got Rutherford who no one would back to come in and do a job, then Ronchi who to be fair isn't awful WK/bat depth. Spinning wise, there's no quality depth - there is two guys who have played Test cricket, but aren't playing now. Seamers, you have Henry/Wagner who aren't bad to be fair. And Mitch is next cab, and I'll let others discuss the merit of him.

When I think of depth, I think of Australia having Cummins and Pattinson. Both injury prone I know, but both could come in and be a Test spearhead. I think of Australia having a guy like Klinger who would average 40 at Test level. And Ed Cowan, who still churns out big Sheffield Shield runs and wasn't that bad as a Test bat. That's depth, all of those guys would come in and contribute. Our guys probably wouldn't.

 

[adub]

You can get a bit over excited about the WACA. It's not the absolute screaming quick wicket it once was. But saying that unless you've got a top shelf spinner you need four quicks. Pews had it right. Pick your best 4 fit quicks, your best 5 bats and BJ and then pick the guy who is likely to make the most runs @ 7 with a bit of bonus consideration if they can bowl. Craig is probably your best bet on that score and you will definitely want him at Adelaide (unless you are going to drop him altogether) so continuity works in his favour too.

 

[aussie]

Yea spin also no real depth, Craig just doing the servicable Paul Wiseman role option for now. What's going on with weird action Hamish Bennett?

 

[adub]

Depth, but not particularly viable depth if you get me. Milne doesn't really count because he can't stay fit. Batting wise, you've got Rutherford who no one would back to come in and do a job, then Ronchi who to be fair isn't awful WK/bat depth. Spinning wise, there's no quality depth - there is two guys who have played Test cricket, but aren't playing now. Seamers, you have Henry/Wagner who aren't bad to be fair. And Mitch is next cab, and I'll let others discuss the merit of him.

When I think of depth, I think of Australia having Cummins and Pattinson. Both injury prone I know, but both could come in and be a Test spearhead. I think of Australia having a guy like Klinger who would average 40 at Test level. And Ed Cowan, who still churns out big Sheffield Shield runs and wasn't that bad as a Test bat. That's depth, all of those guys would come in and contribute. Our guys probably wouldn't.

Population. You're never going to be blessed with options. You can just hope to get a world class player every now and again, enough solid enough guys to make a competitive team, and a skipper who can get the most out of them. You seem to have that atm but injuries are always gonna hurt you real bad.

 

[Hurricane]

Depth, but not particularly viable depth if you get me. Milne doesn't really count because he can't stay fit. Batting wise, you've got Rutherford who no one would back to come in and do a job, then Ronchi who to be fair isn't awful WK/bat depth. Spinning wise, there's no quality depth - there is two guys who have played Test cricket, but aren't playing now. Seamers, you have Henry/Wagner who aren't bad to be fair. And Mitch is next cab, and I'll let others discuss the merit of him.

When I think of depth, I think of Australia having Cummins and Pattinson. Both injury prone I know, but both could come in and be a Test spearhead. I think of Australia having a guy like Klinger who would average 40 at Test level. And Ed Cowan, who still churns out big Sheffield Shield runs and wasn't that bad as a Test bat. That's depth, all of those guys would come in and contribute. Our guys probably wouldn't.

I hope Wagner plays. He will spray it, but I could see him getting some reward for effort balls.

 

[jcas0167]

Somehow Brownlie's name always comes up in my head when I think about who should be in the team. I have no idea how he's doing in fc or anything... Just all based on that tour of SA where he was the only one who put up a good fight. What happened to him after that? Thought he'd cement his place in the side for sure after how well he batted there.

Corey Anderson took his place in the middle order when they went to Bangladesh in 2013. He's since moved provinces and is trying to become an opening batsman. He's had some success too, with a triple century on the batting friendly Pukekura Park. Very strong on the back foot and has excelled on the bouncier Australian and South African wickets (he was NZ's best on the 2011 tour to Australia).

 

[Hurricane]

One Network NEWS says a decision will be made on his royal highness prince Tim tomorrow.

I might have left the decision to the last minute, but I guess they want to be firm with their planning.

 

[aussie]

You can get a bit over excited about the WACA. It's not the absolute screaming quick wicket it once was. But saying that unless you've got a top shelf spinner you need four quicks. Pews had it right. Pick your best 4 fit quicks, your best 5 bats and BJ and then pick the guy who is likely to make the most runs @ 7 with a bit of bonus consideration if they can bowl. Craig is probably your best bet on that score and you will definitely want him at Adelaide (unless you are going to drop him altogether) so continuity works in his favour too.

But Craig is not a # 7 for tests, batting him so high weakens the batting & he is not likely to give them more runs than Ronchi. Once they pick 4 quicks, they will just have to accept for Perth they won't have an actual proper 5th bowler & back the 4 quicks to take the 20 wickets.

 

[jcas0167]

One Network NEWS says a decision will be made on his royal highness prince Tim tomorrow.

I might have left the decision to the last minute, but I guess they want to be firm with their planning.

So if Southee is out does that mean Henry is in? The DomPost seemed to suggest that was the case. I would probably go with Wagner.

 

[adub]

yeah well that's the question isn't it. I don't think Ronchi is really a test no.7 either (he never would have left WA if he was).

I think I'd err on the side of caution and pick the 5th bowler over Ronchi because Southee has question marks over his back. If that flares up again and you're relying on Kane to bowl a lot of overs you're in big trouble. There isn't a good answer for the Kiwis. Just a least worst one.

 

[SteveNZ]

So if Southee is out does that mean Henry is in? The DomPost seemed to suggest that was the case. I would probably go with Wagner.

I'd play Henry. If he bowls his natural length and gets shape, he might be dangerous. Wagner would be the better option for Adelaide.

And I'd be playing Ronchi, with him for Neesham (I know Hesson has already indicated he wants 5 bowlers). But the way our 3rd, 4th and 5th bowlers bowled in Brisbane, the best option for mine would be to bat first and use scoreboard pressure as an extra bowler. Back yourself to score 500+ and see how hard the other side wants to go. 5 bowlers, when basically all of them aren't Test standard, is of no use. They won't defend 300.

 

[Flem274*]

Guptill won't be gone any time soon hendrix. Of the three toughest tests for openers he's faced two. Scored good runs in England and batted 100+ balls in oz which shows he can at least keep in. When we leave the equal toughest country to tour with UAE and india he's going to feast on sri lanka at home and probably do well enough on our own decks against a dubious away Australian outfit

Population. You're never going to be blessed with options. You can just hope to get a world class player every now and again, enough solid enough guys to make a competitive team, and a skipper who can get the most out of them. You seem to have that atm but injuries are always gonna hurt you real bad.

Hahahahaha oh my god. A few bad days and southee/boult/taylor/watling are "solid enough" with kane the only world class player. Boult is a top five bowler still and with no AB in the mix watling is the best keeper bat

 

[adub]

Keep telling yourself that Flem. I'm Australian, I've seen plenty of real world class players come and go. Taylor, Boult, Southee, ain't. BJ might be in time, he's definite quality. If your lads were playing Shield very few of them would get get a look in.

 

[Flem274*]

Anyway I want five bowlers. Don't even care if it meams twin spin. Four bowlers is begging for southee and boult out for six months.

Wheeler injured, milne injured, boult short of a gallop, southee nearly injured, henry is injury prone...ed nuttall the mini-boult book your ticket

On an unrelated note, how gun is lyon? Nailed one of the best batsmen in the world who loves offies.

 

[Flem274*]

Keep telling yourself that Flem. I'm Australian, I've seen plenty of real world class players come and go. Taylor, Boult, Southee, ain't. BJ might be in time, he's definite quality. If your lads were playing Shield very few of them would get get a look in.

You keep telling yourself that buddy. If Australia was overflowing with such superior cricketers you'd have an away record worth mentioning. This isn't even fan natural bias here, you're in cloud ****oo land.

Or a successful troll. Well played.

 

[Athlai]

Keep telling yourself that Flem. I'm Australian, I've seen plenty of real world class players come and go. Taylor, Boult, Southee, ain't. BJ might be in time, he's definite quality. If your lads were playing Shield very few of them would get get a look in.

 

[SteveNZ]

Anyway I want five bowlers. Don't even care if it meams twin spin. Four bowlers is begging for southee and boult out for six months.

Wheeler injured, milne injured, boult short of a gallop, southee nearly injured, henry is injury prone...ed nuttall the mini-boult book your ticket

On an unrelated note, how gun is lyon? Nailed one of the best batsmen in the world who loves offies.

Kane? Lyon is gun no doubt, but I doubt he was bowling to trap him lbw pulling. Kane dealt with him absolutely superbly until then. And that dismissal still sticks in my craw. No computer in the world will tell me that should be out. I know it's irrational but I won't be shaken.

Saying Boult is not world class is silly business. Ross, I can buy - he has his moments. Southee, I can probably buy that too. Tim would dominate Shield cricket, Ross would at stages. Only thing that ****s me to tears about Tim is he scored runs in our U19 side, made 70 odd not on debut and has shown no signs of wanting to be a decent batsman, or exhibit a heart, since. It's infuriating and we can do nothing about it.

 

[Daemon]

god i can't wait for australia to tour again. so much smugness.

 

[Flem274*]

That's genius work from adub. Take up fishing, you're a natural. Take notes furball you spud.

 

[SteveNZ]

god i can't wait for australia to tour again. so much smugness.

Isn't it amazing. Lose the Ashes, and about an hour into the first Test they're beating their chests again.

I would go so far as to say this is the most despisable sporting side put together since the 1987 Detroit Pistons. I really can't think of another (unless you consider the 2014 Australian cricket side to be a different entity)