**Official** New Zealand in Australia Thread

[bryce]

latest news also says that fleming is now only rated 50/50 to play in the first test.

 

[Tim]

I heard that Fleming was doing really well & that he was very likely to play....go figure.

 

[bryce]

when did you hear that ? i heard he was rated 50/50 on the 6:00 news tonight, i hope your right, if not i wonder who would captain the side; Vettori, Styris or Oram ?

 

[Tim]

Vettori...I don't rate Styris at all. Oram definately does not want to captain anymore.

 

[bryce]

i agree with you but imagine how much pressure will come on vettori, he will be bowling a heck of alot of overs and captaining in his first test and not to mention against the worlds best side.

 

[Tim]

Lets not discuss it then! lol.

 

[bryce]

yeah good idea, it's already daunting enough.

 

[Scaly piscine]

Yeah, being able to play defensively for a time without getting frustrated was a big help this year, with two big series in the subcontinent. If Vettori bowls very well he might be able to tie down one end, since Australia certainly have a weakness against great spin bowlers (although who doesn't, aside from India?), but I can't see the rest of the New Zealand lineup tying down the Australians too successfully.

Yea but Australia have had problems with Vettori, Turbanator, Kumble and Kartik.

They aren't great spin bowlers.

 

[Andre]

Yea but Australia have had problems with Vettori, Turbanator, Kumble and Kartik.

They aren't great spin bowlers.

Kumble is handy I dare say. Bhajji isn't a mug either.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Yea but Australia have had problems with Vettori, Turbanator, Kumble and Kartik.

They aren't great spin bowlers.

Perhaps I should have said "great spin bowling" instead. Vettori has bowled very well against Australia in the past, as have Harbhajan and Kumble. Kartik struggled in his first few matches against Australia, but bowled well in the third and fourth tests in India, where he was in fact the best of the Indian spinners.

And for what it's worth, I do at least consider Kumble a great spin bowler, he has a magnificent record particularly at home. Harbhajan struggles quite a lot on tour, but he's not bad at all.

 

[lord_of_darkness]

Oh man this is going to be a good series..Although we dont look strong enough to beat australia..

 

[Isolator]

Beat, eh? NZ will have to scrap like dogs, use up a year's supply of good fortune, and get at least a day of rain to escape with even one draw. I will be shocked if the scoreline is anything less than 2-0 to Australia, and will be satisfied if NZ can make it to the fifth day in even one test. In short, they're gonna get hammered.

 

[anzac]

I wish someone could tell us how Butler was bowling...............3/47 off 14;
Martin wicketless but 0/40 off 20;
and Franklin 3/70 off 22....................

atm I'd have to say that this is my preferred seam attack...........although I'd reall like to see a 6th batsman...........

 

[twctopcat]

Beat, eh? NZ will have to scrap like dogs, use up a year's supply of good fortune, and get at least a day of rain to escape with even one draw. I will be shocked if the scoreline is anything less than 2-0 to Australia, and will be satisfied if NZ can make it to the fifth day in even one test. In short, they're gonna get hammered.

Harsh but fair. The nz's couldnt apply themselves against England with the exception of Richardson so i don't know how they think they're gonna cope with Mcgrath and Gillespie.

 

[meatspx]

This might sound cheesey, but cricket is cricket.

Anything can happen. Richardson, Fleming can post tons, with some help from other batsman we can reach 350+.

Then a couple of early wickets, then anything is possible.

 

[LongHopCassidy]

Anything can happen. Richardson, Fleming can post tons, with some help from other batsman we can reach 350+.

Yes. Against Bangladesh.

 

[meatspx]

Not sure about Fleming's health atm, but he's a good batsman now. His average has increased from 35 to just under 40 in no time.

On a flat wicket he could concievable demolish the likes of McGrath and Gillespie. Depends on how well he plays Warne.

Hope he gives you ****y Aussies a kick up the backside!

 

[howardj]

Ive bought a five day pass for this Test Match at the Gabba, so I hope it goes the distance. My instincts tell me though, that the match will be lucky to extend into Sunday afternoon. The only thing Australia will have to guard against, is being overly aggressive with the bat.

 

[Craig]

Boof wont do that, not after the recent injury anyway, im sure Hayden or Lee would be more than happy to take on anyone though

Which is excatly why he rates himself as a pretty good chance.

Surprisingly enough that Danish Kaneria is the slowest member in the Pakistani team, and not Inzy.

He wasn't too impressed when the South Africans deicided to use Neil McKenzie (which he won easily), and ran Ashley Giles close in England.

 

[Craig]

Yea but Australia have had problems with Vettori, Turbanator, Kumble and Kartik.

They aren't great spin bowlers.

So what Anil Kumble goes in the "very good" category instead?

I wouldn't mind having 400+ Test wickets and not be considered a great bowler.