**Official** New Zealand in Australia 2015

[SteveNZ]

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.

I should be at pains to point out that I have nothing against Santner. He's a good cricketer who will play a lot for NZ as I said, more predominantly as a limited overs player and maybe as a Test middle order bat in the future. But he's nowhere near there yet, and it's the selectors fault for picking a guy who isn't ready to contribute to a Test side yet - especially v Australia in Australia. Luke Ronchi played a vital innings five months ago on debut v a very good side (and wasn't bad in the second dig either). Yet he's overlooked for a guy with inferior FC numbers, and some very shaky credentials to be an all-rounder when he averages 57 at FC level with the ball. Where's the logic? Potential? We need to win this Test. I understand they didn't want Bracewell to bat at 7, or Craig, and that's fine if they weren't going to go with the fourth seamer. But they went for a bits and pieces cricketer - at this stage of his career. And I know you'd be saying the same if he didn't play for your province. I get it.

So in summary, it's not his fault he was picked - I lay blame solely on the selectors for hedging their bets on a guy who isn't ready to play a series decider in Australia - and nor is it his fault that Baz bowled him last night which was completely silly by all opinions I've seen. Same way I feel about Mark Craig. He's doing all he's capable of doing, and if people think they're not good enough it's the selectors fault not theirs.

 

[SteveNZ]

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.

That was the least aggressive option! Some guy with an FC average of 57 trundled in and bowled nudes without any flight for 4 overs, when there was something in it. I know he's bowled some crap this series but Mark Craig is sitting at 2nd slip, with the ability to drift, bounce and spin a ball and we bowl the guy who can't turn the ball off its axis in any direction. Or bowl the seamers a little bit more, knowing it'll be a road tomorrow and Santner can do some donkey work then. An even worse decision in the light (bang) of the following day

 

[wellAlbidarned]

I'm not entirely sure what you were watching but Santa definitely turned a few and showed some threat. Shouldn't have done more than two overs though I agree.

 

[SteveNZ]

He turned the shorter ones on a slowish pitch, it wasn't life-threatening stuff. Slow turn doesn't perturb international batsmen on non bunsen burners, it requires flight - and it's not actually fair to expect a debutant to exhibit it with a few nerves and bowling to an accomplished player in Smith in particular.

 

[SteveNZ]

Anyway, the most disappointing thing for me yesterday was Tom Latham. He's played 15 Tests now, so has found his feet at this level. To make five starts and not go on with any of them in this series, on great decks, is really poor. I wouldn't want to see more than a 5 for his series rating. Done all the hard work and without exception got himself out.

 

[Hurricane]

That was the least aggressive option! Some guy with an FC average of 57 trundled in and bowled nudes without any flight for 4 overs, when there was something in it. I know he's bowled some crap this series but Mark Craig is sitting at 2nd slip, with the ability to drift, bounce and spin a ball and we bowl the guy who can't turn the ball off its axis in any direction. Or bowl the seamers a little bit more, knowing it'll be a road tomorrow and Santner can do some donkey work then. An even worse decision in the light (bang) of the following day

There are two types of captains: cerebral tacticians and then there are people with leadership qualities. Ideally your captain will have both attributes. Brendon is a great leader but he is a bit limited with his tactical aptitude. In his mind it was the most aggressive option to bowl Santner because he was a surprise package the Aussies hadn't seen before who had just taken 4 wickets in the tour match.

 

[_Ed_]

our twin spin threat

 

[wellAlbidarned]

There are two types of captains: cerebral tacticians and then there are people with leadership qualities. Ideally your captain will have both attributes. Brendon is a great leader but he is a bit limited with his tactical aptitude. In his mind it was the most aggressive option to bowl Santner because he was a surprise package the Aussies hadn't seen before who had just taken 4 wickets in the tour match.

I'm gonna assume there was something us armchair captains weren't aware of which stopped baz bringing back Bouthee earlier.

 

[GotSpin]

calling it early. Day night test cricket is here to stay and the game will be ever thankful.

starting to believe the theory that they invested everything into the Pink ball and let the quality of the red slide.

 

[Kippax]

I'm gonna assume there was something us armchair captains weren't aware of which stopped baz bringing back Bouthee earlier.

Steve O'Keefe is a self-described "pink ball specialist" though, right. I assume that's only partially a joke. I know there were issues with SS batsmen saying they weren't seeing the revs via the seam anywhere near as well, but McCullum may've been trading on outdated intel with that now.

 

[Kippax]

Spinner Nathan Lyon speaks about how the pink ball and its green seam will help his bowling in the first day-night Test against New Zealand | cricket.com.au

Asked about his numbers with the pink ball, O’Keefe said: “The hardest thing for batsmen is to pick up the seam (on the pink ball). When spinners bowl, it can be difficult at times to see the seam or the revolutions through the air, which certainly helps.

“All the spinners who have bowled with the pink ball in Adelaide have generally had success. Fingers crossed that’s the way the selectors see it and the skipper sees it.’’

 

[Cabinet96]

That was the least aggressive option! Some guy with an FC average of 57 trundled in and bowled nudes without any flight for 4 overs, when there was something in it. I know he's bowled some crap this series but Mark Craig is sitting at 2nd slip, with the ability to drift, bounce and spin a ball and we bowl the guy who can't turn the ball off its axis in any direction. Or bowl the seamers a little bit more, knowing it'll be a road tomorrow and Santner can do some donkey work then. An even worse decision in the light (bang) of the following day

Yeah, his bowling and the lights made it feel a bit like those passages in ODIs after the power play when some straight break finger spinner is brought on to get through a few quick overs for 4 an over.

 

[Tangles]

I take it the Voges pic was a dropped catch?

 

[Hurricane]

Yes

 

[hendrix]

Anyway, the most disappointing thing for me yesterday was Tom Latham. He's played 15 Tests now, so has found his feet at this level. To make five starts and not go on with any of them in this series, on great decks, is really poor. I wouldn't want to see more than a 5 for his series rating. Done all the hard work and without exception got himself out.

Well count me disappointed too, but Lyon was bowling exceptionally well

 

[Gnske]

I take it the Voges pic was a dropped catch?

The most beautiful thing to happen to cricket this year.

 

[Dan]

I was sitting at deep point for Latham vs Lyon, and the ball before the dismissal I tweeted that I thought he was trying to force the pace against him too much -- playing out in front of himself with hard hands, looking to hit balls that weren't quite there to be hit (and hence driving/cutting to fielders a lot). With the obvious bounce in the deck, I was thoroughly unsurprised when he nicked that one. Not sure how he looked to TV viewers, but that was my impression from square on.

With the way Lyon was bowling in that spell, I think he needed to play with much softer hands under his eyes.

 

[hendrix]

I was sitting at deep point for Latham vs Lyon, and the ball before the dismissal I tweeted that I thought he was trying to force the pace against him too much -- playing out in front of himself with hard hands, looking to hit balls that weren't quite there to be hit (and hence driving/cutting to fielders a lot). With the obvious bounce in the deck, I was thoroughly unsurprised when he nicked that one. Not sure how he looked to TV viewers, but that was my impression from square on.

With the way Lyon was bowling in that spell, I think he needed to play with much softer hands under his eyes.

He was really struggling man. He'd tried coming down the wicket, going back in his crease etc. He'd often gone back to balls that turned out to much fuller than they looked.

Needs some work obviously but tbh even Kane was struggling with the way Lyon was bowling.

 

[Furball]

With the way Lyon was bowling in that spell, I think he needed to play with much softer hands under his eyes.

I blame the pitch myself.

 

[SteveNZ]

Steve O'Keefe is a self-described "pink ball specialist" though, right. I assume that's only partially a joke. I know there were issues with SS batsmen saying they weren't seeing the revs via the seam anywhere near as well, but McCullum may've been trading on outdated intel with that now.

Haha, given Santa doesn't put a lot of revs on it at all and doesn't particularly possess an arm ball I've seen, pretty flawed to think that would cause any alarm. Play it as straight, and if not read it off the pitch.

Lyon bowled well to everyone, no question. But Latham keeps finding different ways to get out on 20-30-40 which suggests lack of concentration rather than one particular flaw. Gup's is a technical flaw, ie nicking out half back to Lyon in Perth and I think he found the cordon that way off Hazelwood in Brisbane too. Gup may not be a Test opener, Latham is and he needs to be better cashing in on starts. It's really frustrating, especially in Australia where the new ball and their quicks are a big threat - to get past that, it's hay-making season if Lyon isn't getting wicket T&B.