*Official* New Zealand in Australia 2019/20

[Moss]

Jeez. Reckless from Nicholls against these two. I get remaining positive but silly play from him from the last 15-20 balls.

When does the India series start? This lot look like they could use a break after Sydney.

Mid February I think, two tests.

 

[Flem274*]

Well, that felt a bit more like it. Promising partnership nipped in the bud.

Blundell's been impressive and has probably shown the importance of a clear mind (as opposed to Kane) though India's attack would probably fancy their chances against gim in NZ.

Yeah our senior batsmen look like they have the weight of the world on their shoulders. blundell in the first innings just looked clear minded and here to have fun

 

[Crazy Sam]

Gilchrist with the Richard Chee Quee mention

 

[straw man]

I would have picked Astle from the 1st test (or Sommerville if he was in the squad). CdG can be the batting all-rounder and 5th bowler. No need to pick two 5th bowlers if you are trying to take 20 wickets against a good batting lineup. But I suspect Astle was the coach's selection, not Kane's.

Fyi for Aussie posters, FC records below (but note that most of Astle's wickets are NZ domestic FC, half of Santner's are test wickets so you could expect a higher average for Santner).

Astle: 331 wickets @ 32 in 118 games, 13 x 5 wicket bags.

Santner: 75 wickets @ 45 in 49 games, BB 3-27.

I wouldn't have selected Tastle in the squad without a lot of cricket behind him, which he doesn't have - in fact between injury, random limited overs callups, A tours and carrying drinks he's barely bowled the last 2.5 seasons.

Todd Astle domestic FC since becoming a bowler:
10-11: 37 @ 29.08
11-12: 31 @ 38.35
12:13: 13 @ 56.00
13-14: 37 @ 30.48
14-15: 44 @ 23.68
15-16: 47 @ 24.85
16-17: 31 @ 26.87
17-18: 4 @ 10.75
18-19: 9 @ 24.66
19-20: 6 @ 53.66

In retrospect he should've been given a decent run for NZ 3-4 years ago, when they instead invested in Craig, Sodhi and Santner. At the same time, may well have worked out no better than those three.

 

[straw man]

Congrats Tom Blundell!

Might come back in three years as a fixture in the side and look a shadow of himself .

 

[_Ed_]

Each of NZ's openers scoring a 50 in the same test v Australia - doesn't feel like that's happened that often lately. Bloody good effort by the Toms.

 

[Moss]

Well played Blundell. Hope he uses the opportunity and gets as much time in the middle as possible this series.

 

[Meridio]

Stead/Larsen currently giving themselves a massive pat on the back for a piece of selection genius. For their next trick, Jeet Raval as number 8 and leg spinner next test.

 

[Spark]

This is quality batting.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

Great to see from Blundell after spending his peak cricketing years as a perpetually unused squad member.

Carrying this innings atm, which should be embarrassing for the other batsmen. Clearly lacking the mental demons they all have against Australia.

 

[Moss]

Anyone reminded of England's John Crawley, by Blundell's onside play?

 

[thundaboult]

This is fantastic intent from Blundy. Need more of this. Composed and confident. Makings of a reliable player. Need strokeplayers like this in the red ball side.

 

[Spark]

Great to see from Blundell after spending his peak cricketing years as a perpetually unused squad member.

Carrying this innings atm, which should be embarrassing for the other batsmen. Clearly lacking the mental demons they all have against Australia.

Yeah he's definitely showing up the lack of clarity in method of the other batsman. Such a simple gameplan; leave anything on a good line, milk singles off anything straight, murder the **** out of anything in your zone.

EDIT: O'Keeffe definitely has a point here about KW's backlift. It's something I've thought for a while too on quick pitches, really noticed it watching him live.

 

[_Ed_]

Stead/Larsen currently giving themselves a massive pat on the back for a piece of selection genius. For their next trick, Jeet Raval as number 8 and leg spinner next test.

It's great to see Blundell playing so well, but I am getting a bit of a Peter Fulton feeling - unexpected success in an unsuitable position, earning prolonged selection in the same role and a harrowing sequence of failures. I hope it doesn't turn out the same way.

 

[Meridio]

Hey look what can happen when you have discipline early on and stick to your batting plan

 

[thundaboult]

Someone on cricinfo commentary is saying Blundell reminds him of Nathan Astle. Yeah he sorta looks like him.

 

[morgieb]

Great innings this. I think there's elements of his technique that could see him come unstuck opening on more bowler-friendly decks (and his spin game is ???), but I'd be trying to find a place for him no matter what.

 

[Immenso]

Stead/Larsen currently giving themselves a massive pat on the back for a piece of selection genius. For their next trick, Jeet Raval as number 8 and leg spinner next test.

Anyone reminded of England's John Crawley, by Blundell's onside play?

No. How can anyone be reminded of John Crawley by anything?

 

[The Hutt Rec]

This is fantastic intent from Blundy. Need more of this. Composed and confident. Makings of a reliable player. Need strokeplayers like this in the red ball side.

Have to say it’s been the opposite that’s impressed me. Great patience waiting for the bad ball, then he’s pounced. Getting a few of them now he’s waited it out!

 

[straw man]

Now and in the earlier partnership with Nicholls literally the first time this series NZ batsmen have made Australia toil. They've just been on a roll constantly every other innings. And amazingly, Aus bowlers are human too and the pace and pressure has dropped a little.