***Official*** Australia in New Zealand 2016

[FaaipDeOiad]

If we can accept that for run out the play evolves too quickly for the human eye get it 100% right in close cases, even if the field umpire thinks it's out they defer to the replay, why not apply the same reasoning to a close no ball call? Sure the umpire can go based on feel when the heel is mm behind the line but it's often too inaccurate.

Certainly, but then it comes back again to how often you'd need to refer the decision to the third umpire. Yesterday had 7 no balls the umpire was certain enough to call (and at least one was incorrect). How many other deliveries were close? I just don't think any plan which might have 15-20 referrals a day going to the third umpire is viable. And I don't think only referring in the case of wickets is a good solution, since other no balls do matter, and the ICC reasoning that a batsman shouldn't be dismissed on referral after the umpire has called no ball between the delivery and the playing of the ball makes a certain sort of sense.

I think the best option (short of automation) would just be telling the umpires not to call no balls unless they are 100% certain and to refer to double check if they don't call one but it's close.

 

[Kippax]

dear nzc,

do you get the message now that preparing pitches that are green for a couple of hours is a really stupid idea?

probably not

Yeah it's definitely McCullum and probably Hesson who have to move on for this to potentially change, rather than the Basin groundsman (who actually has moved on).

"[The Basin] is a result pitch now, mainly because the new coaching regime is actually wanting the ball doing a bit on day one.

"Whereas there used to be that fear that 'oh s***, if we lose the toss we'll be screwed if it does a bit' and they wouldn't back themselves to do it.

"Since McCullum and Hesson came into vogue they've said they want it doing something and we'll back our bowlers to outbowl them."

Some of his Basin pitches in recent years have looked more like the middle of a rugby field than a cricket pitch there was so much grass, but Sipthorpe said looks can be deceiving.

"To be honest they're not doing a hell of a lot, it's the visual, people see green and think 'oh no'."

A few travelling teams have questioned his sanity.

"The Indians were OK, it was the West Indies who s*** themselves," he said.

"[West Indies coach] Ottis Gibson walked out and looked at it in shock, he called some other guys over and they all looked at it with wide eyes, it was crazy."

 

[jonbrooks]

Jon Brooks prediction time

1) Oz to score 500+
2) Khawaja 150
3) Voges 110
4) NZ second innings all out for 300
5) Williamson 80
6) McCullum pair
7) Hazelwood Michelle
8) Bird picks up three

 

[Compton]

Since his recall Khawaja has been outrageous.

 

[Spark]

cricketweb is on Mixlr. Mixlr is a simple way to share live audio ...

 

[straw man]

Khawaja just has so much time.

Not that NZ are bowling remotely quick of course.

 

[ImpatientLime]

Jon Brooks prediction time

1) Oz to score 500+
2) Khawaja 150
3) Voges 110
4) NZ second innings all out for 300
5) Williamson 80
6) McCullum pair
7) Hazelwood Michelle
8) Bird picks up three

9) jonbrooks to never say anything positive about new zealand yet still revel in the wins

 

[Bahnz]

Prediction: jonbrooks to gutlessly slink out of the forums the next time one of his stupid predictions proves wrong before reappearing a week later and pretending that nothing ever happened.

 

[straw man]

So a week ago we all predicted NZ's most threatening looking bowler this match would be... Mark Craig. Right?

 

[Starfighter]

Had to be someone

 

[straw man]

In fact if there's one result worse than NZ losing this match, it's probably NZ losing this match with the Anderson+Craig combo doing enough to retain their places over the Santner+Wagner/Henry combo.

Edit: Actually that's too harsh, Craig is currently NZ's best performing player this match and if that continues then deserves a spot. So Santner for Anderson and Henry/Wagner for Bracewell.

 

[Flem274*]

well played uzi

 

[Starfighter]

Yes!
Well done Khawaja.
Now for the thousand runs.

 

[Bahnz]

Well dine Uz, highly sceptical of you going into this series but you've made a believer of me

 

[straw man]

Yep, good century. While Smith always looked suspect early, Khawaja looked comfortable from the start of his innings and it's been a serene path to the century.

 

[ImpatientLime]

wristy but not buying the graceful tag.

played though. big moment scoring his first ton away from home.

 

[vandem]

So a week ago we all predicted NZ's most threatening looking bowler this match would be... Mark Craig. Right?

Is bowling a lot better than in Aust. Not giving up an easy boundary with a short ball every over.

 

[Spark]

cricketweb is on Mixlr. Mixlr is a simple way to share live audio ... listen in

 

[Kippax]

So a week ago we all predicted NZ's most threatening looking bowler this match would be... Mark Craig. Right?

Not completely out of the blue for domestic threaders, but we attributed it more to Wellington being dire.

 

[Prince EWS]

Not completely out of the blue for domestic threaders, but we attributed it more to Wellington being dire.

Wellington are dire though. it's important to remember that, otherwise the Australian selectors might have consider McAndrew in for Bird for the second Test if Pattinson isn't fit.