**Official** New Zealand in Australia 2015

[91Jmay]

Glad the D/N test (I am patenting that new abbreviation of it btw) was a success so far, long term will be the decider but if it shifts global cricket attendances up 10% for test matches and more importantly gets advertisers more interested (big reason, ads in the day are worthless compared to evening TV ads) could be a real boon.

 

[Dan]

Yeah it was great to attend live. Pink ball was very easy to pick up -- out of the hand was a challenge (as always), but I very rarely lost it in the outfield -- irrespective of natural or artificial light. The third session being more bowler friendly was nice to see too, as a method of cancelling out the general trend towards flat-ness of decks.

I'm calling it a huge success.

 

[Gob]

Don't need Starc for WI but will hugely be missed for this game specially if Aus doesn't get a big lead.

 

[Top_Cat]

Yeah but they do. When you consider recent history, not having to face Starc could be the impetus the WI need to unite and pull a surprise on what is still a fairly inconsistent Aussie batting and bowling one-up. It's the **** thing about 3-Test series, a couple of good days and bam, the series is over. The worst thing the Aussies could do is be in the mindset they don't need Starc and only need to rock up to dominate.

Warner's been the rock but asking him to keep scoring all summer is a big ask. You've got Khawaja injured, Nickers McVoges and a couple of Marshes running around in the top-5. Has all the ingredients of of an upset.

 

[Cabinet96]

Australia don't really ever stop playing cricket though. Maybe he plays through the pain against West Indies and misses the tour to NZ, where you really could end up losing the series as a result.

 

[Top_Cat]

I'm not at all saying he should play against the WI. Foot stress fractures are fiendish to get right again and the only prescription is, well, to not use them. Was just responding to the idea that the Aussies don't need him.

 

[Gob]

Its WI and they are poop seriously

 

[Howe_zat]

Yeah but they do. When you consider recent history, not having to face Starc could be the impetus the WI need to unite and pull a surprise on what is still a fairly inconsistent Aussie batting and bowling one-up. It's the **** thing about 3-Test series, a couple of good days and bam, the series is over. The worst thing the Aussies could do is be in the mindset they don't need Starc and only need to rock up to dominate.

Warner's been the rock but asking him to keep scoring all summer is a big ask. You've got Khawaja injured, Nickers McVoges and a couple of Marshes running around in the top-5. Has all the ingredients of of an upset.

No chance. If it's not 2-0 or 3-0 I'll eat a shoe.

 

[Top_Cat]

Yeah now I think about it, I'm quite disconnected from how bad the WI are shaping up so am likely over-egging their chances. That and I just can't stand the Marshes.

 

[Howsie]

One of the more ******** selections in recent memory. Picking a guy about 10th in the pecking order to bat at 6, and about 5th or 6th to bowl spin. With two other spinners in the side. To replace a seamer.

You're just being silly now, but please, name these 10 players that should be ahead of Santner in the test team.

I remember the same things were said about Anderson when he was first selected. He didn't have the record or runs in FC cricket, that his technique wouldn't stand up in the long run. Admittedly he hasn't been a rip roaring success with the willow in test cricket but I don't think you'll find too many NZ's complaining about the fact he's at six these days. You can put Neesham in that same boat too.

It probably won't happen because he'll be too busy playing ODI's all summer, but he needs to move up the order for ND. Something I've stressed for over a year now. He needs to bat at three or four and rack up some big 100's. He's a better bat than the likes of Carter, Mitchell and Popli and he's a top order bat by trade anyway.

 

[SteveNZ]

You're just being silly now, but please, name these 10 players that should be ahead of Santner in the test team.

I remember the same things were said about Anderson when he was first selected. He didn't have the record or runs in FC cricket, that his technique wouldn't stand up in the long run. Admittedly he hasn't been a rip roaring success with the willow in test cricket but I don't think you'll find too many NZ's complaining about the fact he's at six these days. You can put Neesham in that same boat too.

It probably won't happen because he'll be too busy playing ODI's all summer, but he needs to move up the order for ND. Something I've stressed for over a year now. He needs to bat at three or four and rack up some big 100's. He's a better bat than the likes of Carter, Mitchell and Popli and he's a top order bat by trade anyway.

No I'm not being silly at all. Look, there's not 10 but in terms of the pool you'd select from if not injured, Ronchi is a better Test 6 than Santner as of right now, Brownlie, Will Young I believe is a better player, then Anderson, Neesham. There's five, without mentioning that the likes of Munro etc are probably going to offer as much right now but I'm happy to go with the fact Santner may offer more over time. I'm talking about picking to win this Test match solely, however.

And Anderson is a perfect example and a poor example at the same time. He was picked too early yeah, but that was for a pointless T20 international series. This is a deciding Test match. Not a time to pick a guy who's not ready.

Yesterday was exactly what he was ever going to offer. Scratchy but determined 30 and some trundling, passably tight overs with no threat at all. Baz's fault for bowling him at completely the wrong time, mind you.

Not what was needed to square a series. Poor selection.

 

[hendrix]

Actually that Santner innings was very Ronchi-esque, right down to the dismissal.

 

[Athlai]

God damn it. Stupid game.

 

[Hurricane]

No I'm not being silly at all. Look, there's not 10 but in terms of the pool you'd select from if not injured, Ronchi is a better Test 6 than Santner as of right now, Brownlie, Will Young I believe is a better player, then Anderson, Neesham. There's five, without mentioning that the likes of Munro etc are probably going to offer as much right now but I'm happy to go with the fact Santner may offer more over time. I'm talking about picking to win this Test match solely, however.
.

Clarkson 1 year away from the conversation.

 

[Hurricane]

Haha, my god Hussey is boring. He shouldn't be allowed to commentate in the final session of day night (with a pink ball under lights) Test cricket when it's almost midnight my time and I'm struggling to ward off crashing on the couch.

Hussey is awful.

 

[Hurricane]

Is Voges the best No. 4 in Test cricket right now?

I actually heard/read something unseemly about Voges. I will try to find the link.

 

[Howsie]

No I'm not being silly at all. Look, there's not 10 but in terms of the pool you'd select from if not injured, Ronchi is a better Test 6 than Santner as of right now, Brownlie, Will Young I believe is a better player, then Anderson, Neesham. There's five, without mentioning that the likes of Munro etc are probably going to offer as much right now but I'm happy to go with the fact Santner may offer more over time. I'm talking about picking to win this Test match solely, however.

And Anderson is a perfect example and a poor example at the same time. He was picked too early yeah, but that was for a pointless T20 international series. This is a deciding Test match. Not a time to pick a guy who's not ready.

Yesterday was exactly what he was ever going to offer. Scratchy but determined 30 and some trundling, passably tight overs with no threat at all. Baz's fault for bowling him at completely the wrong time, mind you.

Not what was needed to square a series. Poor selection.

Yes, obviously if Anderson and Neesham weren't injured they'd be there, but they are so I didn't count them. Brownlie isn't coming back unless it is to replace Guptill. Will Young has as many FC 100's as Santner does, which would suggest to me he probably isn't likely to come in and make a big contribution with the bat. And Ronchi will Ronchi, might come off, might not. Aside from a couple of names there is nobody else, I'll take Santner and his upside over the likes of Ronchi and Munro everyday of the week.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

if you were gonna play munro one place in the world it would have to be Aus

 

[Hurricane]

I noticed the black seam of the ball much more under lights.

 

[Hurricane]

OK this is making me angry now. The ball is swinging and nipping and you're bowling a part time spinner on debut ahead of your best seamers. Most of tomorrow will be in the sun on a flat pitch where Southee and Boult will probably look pedestrian and there'll be plenty of need to get overs from the spinners.

Let me consult the Baz captaincy manual:

Rule #2) Take the most aggressive option at all times - which in this case means trying out our twin spin threat at the first opportunity. Rather than waiting for shine to come off the ball.