Jamieson very crucial to NZ’s chances I thought. Robs NZ’s attack of a lot of class and a big miss for this series (why do big injuries always seem to strike before an Aus test series?).
For NZ I wouldn’t stack the batting to the extent
@Days of Grace suggested, but would definitely look at either Santner as spin option or D Bracewell/Smith as 4th seamer (though the selectors have given no indication they’re thinking that way). Cummins and co will just feast on that lower order otherwise.
Good post but I can't help thinking of Deck Chairs on the Titanic as I am reading it. KJ was probably going to take 3fer in each innings he bowled in and is a big loss.
Bracewell, Smith will likely go wicketless or maybe jam a wicket on an Aussie batsman once they become careless after getting to 150.
I think rather than worrying about Cummins and co feasting on the lower order we should be concerned about how to take 20 wickets otherwise the scoreboard pressure they mount us will be so staggering it won't matter if we bat down to 9, we will fold anyway.
I would try to have proper batting down to 7 including the keeper and then just go with the best 4 bowlers in the country from 8 to 11 even if it means a weak tail.
Given Phillips will be our number 7 I could even be talked into Santner at 7 instead and then 4 quicks at 8 to 11. If we are going to lose anyway then lets at least we take wickets and prevent totals like 550-8 declared etc.
All our runs are basically going to come from our top 5 anyway. I don't see our 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 whoever we put there making runs. The degree of skill to make runs against the Aussie attack is only possesed by our very very best batsman - notwithstanding Blundell's ton against Australia on debut.
Lastly I want to address the Aussie hoodoo over NZ and how we underperform and lose by way more than we should on paper.
There is no hoodoo. It is just their bowlers for the last 100 years except for a brief period in the 1980s have always been the best in the world. They also set a field better than the other test cricket teams do so it is hard to score runs against them. Australians have the best cricket IP in the world by some distance. Their knowledge of the game of cricket and approach to playing the game, apart from sledging, is simply more intelligent and far more advanced than every one else. They are the All Blacks of cricket.
The only batsman who will make runs against them will be our very best. Other batsman who are capable of getting 80 or on a good day 100 against India or England will fold for a score like 7 or 9. Or some single digit score. It is very hard to get a start in cricket when you are new to the crease against bowlers like McDermott, Reid, Alderman, McGrath, Lillee etc you have to be superb to make to 20 runs. A test against Australia is not a regular test match. It would be like playing the Rest of the World's best XI. It is test match cricket at another level. And our blokes get overwhelmed every time by the quality of the match expecting it to be like a regular test match.
I don't care for the brand of cricket Australia plays from a spirit of the game point of view but there is no denying they are the gold standard. I don't think it is possible to money ball select a team that can compete out of debutants or people that havn't played tests in 5 years.
Our only hope if there is any hope is that our very best and most experienced players stand up to be counted and lead from the front.