***Official*** Australia vs New Zealand ODIs 2016/17

[Zinzan]

Wade injured and out of the game! A short-lived reign as ODI captain.

Lol, you couldn't script it. Might as well throw the captaincy to a debutant then

 

[Crazy Sam]

It's the perfect encapsulation of Australia's care and preparation for this series, isn't it.

 

[Burgey]

Is this being streamed on the CA site?

 

[Meridio]

It's a strange bit of selection picking Blundell for the squad, saying he's the first choice keeper and then not playing him because you're worried about exposing him to the might of Australia. I mean, if you don't rate someone's psyche, surely you wouldn't pick them in the squad to start with? Don't think it sends a good message; seems a poor bit of man-management if you ask me.

 

[stephen]

Even money on whether Handscomb does better than Wade would have with the gloves.

 

[Spark]

This series really is just nuisance value for us, isn't it? If NZ have anything about them they should roll through, given that I'm guessing half the squad and backroom setup has their minds very much elsewhere already.

 

[Spark]

Is this being streamed on the CA site?

Nah.

 

[_Ed_]

If NZ have anything about them they should roll through

You'd think so. So it's going to set us back a fair bit if we don't, especially with South Africa looming on the horizon. Nervous times.

 

[Nate]

Nah.

FOX SPORTS baby.

 

[straw man]

Interesting looking Australia side today - the bowling as strong as ever though.

Have come around to the bowling-light side we've put up as I agree that Broom and Munro's both offer more as batsmen than CDG as allrounder. Somehow put together ten overs from Neesham, Williamson, Guptill and Munro.

 

[stephen]

Will Maxwell finally get to bat above the keeper now that Wade isn't playing?

 

[Zinzan]

This series really is just nuisance value for us, isn't it? If NZ have anything about them they should roll through, given that I'm guessing half the squad and backroom setup has their minds very much elsewhere already.

Know what you mean, we felt that way when we played you in December prior to Bangladesh touring.

 

[Spark]

Know what you mean, we felt that way when we played you in December prior to Bangladesh touring.

I imagine both sides did tbf. God the scheduling of these series has been dumb.

 

[Spark]

Will Maxwell finally get to bat above the keeper now that Wade isn't playing?

Handscomb will bat 4, no? Or maybe even 3.

 

[Howsie]

This series really is just nuisance value for us, isn't it? If NZ have anything about them they should roll through, given that I'm guessing half the squad and backroom setup has their minds very much elsewhere already.

Making excuses already? Bloody hell.

 

[Zinzan]

I had a feeling this might be one of the rare times Australia won the toss and bowled.

 

[_Ed_]

Can't tell if Cricinfo comment is serious.

"Pat Cummins is the real deal and is probably one of the most talented quick bowlers around. His action reminds of a young and rapid Richard Petrie.

 

[Bahnz]

I imagine both sides did tbf. God the scheduling of these series has been dumb.

Yeah, the desire to turn the CH into the Bledisloe Cup of cricket has always been misguided. a) ODI cricket isn't that big of a draw anymore; and b) there's just too much cricket in the schedule already.

 

[Zinzan]

I imagine both sides did tbf. God the scheduling of these series has been dumb.

Yeah, I was kidding. Like we'd be looking forward to Bangladesh while playing in Aust. Playing Australia is always a reasonably big thing for NZ, even if the feeling isn't reciprocated. Although having lost this series last year, & with memories of the famous Eden Park WC game between the two sides, I don't think Australian players will be lacking motivation just quietly.

All said, the undoubted highlight for NZ this summer is the South African Test series.

 

[Meridio]

There's some real pace and bounce in this pitch. Surprised there hasn't been any swing though; it usually does a bit through the air in Auckland.