**Official** New Zealand in Australia 2015

[Sachin114]

With the pink ball at night in Adelaide, batting won't be nearly as easy as it is right now. So Siddle or even Pattinson will not have trouble lasting 5 days.

 

[howardj]

Despite what Newscorp scribe Ben Horne wrote in the newspaper today, MJ is not an all-time great

He averages 28

Surely the ATG bar (or even Australian ATG bar) isn't that low

 

[Tangles]

Does it matter if it's Siddle if it's typical Roadalaide? Unless it breaks up late in the game it doesn't really matter who gets 1/200.

 

[adub]

Despite what Newscorp scribe Ben Horne wrote in the newspaper today, MJ is not an all-time great

He averages 28

Surely the ATG bar (or even Australian ATG bar) isn't that low

Yeah, he's had a few amazing series, but far too many poor games to be top shelf. Couldn't seriously consider him in the same league as McGrath, Lillee, Davo, Lindy, or Spofforth. In fact I'd have him below the likes of Diz and Thommo and Harris.

Flashes of brilliance, but not a true great.

 

[adub]

Does it matter if it's Siddle if it's typical Roadalaide? Unless it breaks up late in the game it doesn't really matter who gets 1/200.

If it meant we finally moved on from Bananaman and he was left with 199 wickets I could live with it. But he's better off making a few meagre points for my Shield draft team.

 

[howardj]

Very similar to Brett Lee

 

[sidecast]

I'd say Bing was generally more consistent than Johnson. Not as dire when off, but not as destructive when on. Lee was very good when he took over from McGrath as the No.1 quick but that also generally coincided with us playing weaker opposition. Despite taking 300 test wickets most Australians would rate Lee as no where near our best.

One interesting thing about Johnson I wonder is just how much influence Ryan Harris being in the side with him had on his performance?

Bowling records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPN Cricinfo

His numbers with Ryano are ATG. Now that might just be because of those 8 matches they played together v Eng and SA coincided with Johnson hitting god mode. But I don't think it's a coincidence that when Johnson was brought back for the WACA game after missing Adelaide on the previous Ashes tour and destroyed England in the first innings Rhino was up the other end. Nor a coincidence that when Rhino went down in the next test in Melbourne Johnson reverted to crap. Harris' control and constant threat I think complemented Johnson and allowed him to be his best in a not insignificant part. Harris isn't the whole explanation for that 13/14 summer of destruction from MJ, but I reckon it played a big part.

And the other advantage of his partnership with Rhino was that MJ usually got to open the bowling, rather than being a change bowler behind such bowling superstars as Bird, Watson, Hilfy, Hastings & Starc to name but a few.

 

[Cabinet96]

Nah the real danger is Adam 'better than Taylor' Voges

Nice buddy.

 

[Compton]

If Johnson is packing it in and Haze needs a rest, Smith would be best just batting through tomorrow and giving his seamers the extra day rest.

Keep Starc fresh for the pink ball massacre.

 

[Tangles]

Does another double give us any sort of record?

 

[Cabinet96]

Johnson done then. Feels a bit soon to me. Oh well

Edit: Should probably make a thread.

 

[Burgey]

So it's bye bye Mitch. What a mercurial talent.

I'll have to update what is rightly regarded as the definitive piece on the Johnson Enigma and repost it on CW.

 

[adub]

So is Siddle a lock for Adelaide or does the fact he's barely taken a wicket mean he gets overlooked?

 

[ajdude]

Does another double give us any sort of record?

well I heard that this test is the fourth occurrence of two double tons in a match in Australia, so I'd say yeah.

on that note, I can think of this match, ponting + clarke vs India in 2011/12, ponting and dravid in 2003. what's the other one?

 

[Burgey]

Bradman and Sid Barnes vs India 46-47. Both got 234 or something iirc

 

[Midwinter]

Thought it was odd that Siddle, as captain, didn't bowl himself first up this morning, but he has bowled 6 overs by lunch.

He has been to Brisbane and to Perth with the team, it is either him or Patto

Or possibly Stanlake

 

[Cabinet96]

Could rest Haze and bring them both in.

 

[ajdude]

Bradman and Sid Barnes vs India 46-47. Both got 234 or something iirc

pretty cool stat that.

I reckon I'm most interested in the squad announcement for Adelaide than anything else today, I wanna see debuts galore cause I'm that kind of person. surely Haze still gets rested if they were that close to resting him for Perth?

 

[straw man]

well I heard that this test is the fourth occurrence of two double tons in a match in Australia, so I'd say yeah.

Only four times? It was however only the fifth time in test cricket two players have scored 250+ in a test.

 

[Bahnz]

So what sort of declaration is Smith likely to set? 350 off 60, or is he likely to be more conservative?