*Official* New Zealand in Australia 2019/20

[Burgey]

I think Williamson is a bit mentally shot on this tour, unfortunately. Seems to have the weight of the world on his shoulders, which is a shame because he’s one of the best players in the world to watch.

 

[Spark]

Australia were low-key extremely patient with the bat and were very disciplined about playing horizontal bat shots on a spongy wicket. Just can't believe Kane thought that shot was on.

So quite similar to Perth, the wicket shots themselves were aggressive.

Fatigue does funny things to the mind

I think Williamson is a bit mentally shot on this tour, unfortunately. Seems to have the weight of the world on his shoulders, which is a shame because he’s one of the best players in the world to watch.

Yep, agree with this. Doesn't seem to have the same level of focus on this tour that he had in 2015

 

[Spark]

I would say this is an outstanding spell by Cummins, but by his standards it's merely regulation. Just relentless.

 

[Burgey]

Yeah it’s quite something.

Oh **** me, now he decks one away. This is a brutal fast bowling examination

 

[Moss]

Think the Blundell innings illustrated why you need a specialist to do the opener's job. Good player who looks the part so far in internationals but wouldn't be surprised if Australia work him out quickly. For this series alone we'll take whatever he's able to manage since Raval can't make a run; but given he's of long term importance as a keeper you'd hope he comes out of this series without too much of a scarring.

 

[Meridio]

What's been very noticeable is just how many balls we've had to defend compared to the Aus batsmen. Other than a few from Starc, and strangely that wicket of Williamson, there's been nothing loose of off.

 

[thundaboult]

Our guys should just come back home. The excitement has worn off, reality has sank in. Just not good enough to compete on such surfaces against such attacks.

 

[Burgey]

That’s so out, absent an edge

 

[Spark]

The axe-murderer returns

 

[Starfighter]

A bit leg side if no inside edge?

 

[Spark]

Desperate review

EDIT: Oh wow

 

[jcas0167]

I think Williamson is a bit mentally shot on this tour, unfortunately. Seems to have the weight of the world on his shoulders, which is a shame because he’s one of the best players in the world to watch.

That was my concern with him becoming captain, but I think his average has actually continued to improve since taking over from McCullum. Does seem to be slightly off his game on this tour. He didn't have a lot of cricket leading up to the England series due to a hip issue (?) so maybe just hasn't had the preparation time he normally has on top of captaincy demands.

 

[_Ed_]

Yes!

 

[Starfighter]

Desperate review

Uh...

 

[morgieb]

Hmmmm surprised that was missing.

 

[social]

Wtf

 

[Burgey]

Fmd had that smashing middle and leg over. That’s vintage WACA bounce. He wasn’t far forward at all.

 

[Heboric]

Granted I havent followed this match in detail, but will this match feature on a list of worst toss decisions ever...

 

[Spark]

Granted I havent followed this match in detail, but will this match feature on a list of worst toss decisions ever...

MCG doesn't deteroriorate at all, basically, so it's not that bad. Paine's call at the Oval was much much worse (Lord's too).

You are putting yourself at the risk of, well, this though, and playing the ATG 12th and 13th men known as scoreboard pressure and fatigue.

 

[morgieb]

Fmd had that smashing middle and leg over. That’s vintage WACA bounce. He wasn’t far forward at all.

What's strange to me is that Paine's was hitting halfway down. DRS done goofed I suspect.