**Official** New Zealand in Australia Thread

[Mr Casson]

Watching him "do the lawnmower" after capturing the 5th wicket at 650 or so was probably Lee at his worst, but his figures in test cricket have been steadily declining since that first major injury, and it's hard to remember that many good days in that period. In terms of one-day cricket, I'd agree, but so long as Kasper's performing well at test level, I don't see the need for Lee (and I wouldn't displace a batsman to fit him in either - who would you ditch, Clarke???).

If you ditched a batsman, it would be Clarke at the moment. Obviously there's no one Lee can displace at the moment, but he shouldn't be filed away as a "has-been" just yet.

As I write, Langer is gone LBW to Vettori.

 

[Slow Love™]

I suppose you can call him what you like for that, then. However it's not team policy to walk, and it never has been. So there's no reason he should have walked today.

I never said he should. I was just laughing at how often he manages to be just SO out, and not walk - but a large part of the blame for this has to fall at the feet of the umpire, 'cause if they'd get these decisions right (and that was a fairly easy one, IMO), walking wouldn't be relevant.

The only person I referenced who said players should walk was Langer himself.

 

[Mr Casson]

I never said he should.

I know you didn't. I was agreeing with your comment about him being a bit two-faced, but saying he's justified in doing it, to an extent.

 

[Slow Love™]

If you ditched a batsman, it would be Clarke at the moment. Obviously there's no one Lee can displace at the moment, but he shouldn't be filed away as a "has-been" just yet.

Fair enough, I'm not really saying he'll never make his way back into the test side. I'm just saying I wouldn't risk him at this point, all things considered. If he managed to tear batting lineups apart in first class cricket for a couple of months, I'd probably reconsider, given there was an opening available for him.

 

[Mr Casson]

Fair enough, I'm not really saying he'll never make his way back into the test side. I'm just saying I wouldn't risk him at this point, all things considered. If he managed to tear batting lineups apart in first class cricket for a couple of months, I'd probably reconsider, given there was an opening available for him.

Well on that front, Shaun Tait has him covered at the moment.

 

[Slow Love™]

It seems like the selectors are thinking "maybe in a year or so" regarding Tait. I have no doubt that if Lee hit serious form (and Kasprowicz lost it - I can't see them making room by eliminating a batsman, personally), Ponting and the selectors would be keen to give Lee another go.

But enough about Lee - I have enough trouble understanding why Katich was left out, when Lehmann pretty much made it abundantly clear that he's a hair's breadth away from retirement, with his "I'll stand aside for Clarke" offer. No offence to Lehmann, but given that, I think the selectors could have taken the opportunity this series to say to Lehmann, "OK, remember that offer - we'd like to take you up on that now, if you don't mind." I can see how he was considered crucial in India, but I'm not sure his heart's in it any longer. I don't think he is either.

And Ponting's out - 3/109.

 

[Slow Love™]

What a shot from Martyn - over the slips for six!

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Another failure from Lehmann at a time Australia really didn't need him to fail. It's now 6 our of 7 innings since the start of the Indian tour he has failed in, and even though that's not a long period of poor form, with Clarke playing well and Katich having had a good tour of India he really needs to do something to justify his selection in the second test.

 

[Sanz]

Vettori to Lehmann, OUT: caught behind! tries to force from the
crease, slight top edge, taken by the keeper, Lehmann stands
around for umpire Bucknor's verdict, which insn't awarded in his
favour

Australia 128/4, Partnership of 19
DS Lehmann c McCullum b Vettori 8 (11b 0x4 0x6)

People blame Ganguly for how he dealt with Chopra and Opening Slot, Isn't CA and Ponting doing the same thing to Katich. Katich was clearly the in form batsman along with Clark and he should have been in this Aussie team in place of Lehman.

But this is the Aussie team, they will still win the test and series and no one will even Question this move.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

But this is the Aussie team, they will still win the test and series and no one will even Question this move.

While I agree with you about Katich, I don't think it's unreasonable to question teams more when they fail than when they don't.

 

[LongHopCassidy]

While I agree with you about Katich, I don't think it's unreasonable to question teams more when they fail than when they don't.

I think that's his point.

If Australia win they won't blame anyone, so Lehmann's spot will remain relatively safe.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

I think that's his point.

If Australia win they won't blame anyone, so Lehmann's spot will remain relatively safe.

Ahh okay, my apologies then. I read it more as "Australia never get criticised for anything and everyone picks on India/Ganguly". Well, it does seem a bit harsh to drop Lehmann, but the fact is that Katich has performed recently while he hasn't, and Clarke really can't be dropped after his start, especially since he seems to be going on with it against New Zealand now.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Deficit 156 at stumps with 6 wickets left. Match is pretty evenly balanced, but with Gilchrist still to come and Martyn and Clarke in form I'd put Australia in front. I'd also have more faith in the ability of the Australian bowlers to knock over New Zealand cheaply the second time around.

 

[Dydl]

Clarke will score a half-century at this rate. He is using a wide array of strokes, demonstrated by a front-foot cut which went for four.

Unfortunately for me I have got a match at 8:00-meaning I won't be able to watch the match until after lunch, lucky it is a one dayer.

 

[James90]

The New Zealand pace attack is ****ing me off!!! They're good length area is halfway up the pitch. I came in with Clarke on 0 facing Martin. He bowled 5 bounces in the over, I kept watching and it didn't get much better

 

[marc71178]

Whoever said NZ isn't the second best test side in the world has rocks in their head.

Erm why?

England did beat them 3-0 not that long ago.

You need to perform against all teams, not just one.

 

[marc71178]

On the other hand, Ponting's captaincy has been absolute crap.

I didn't think that was possible if you believe some of our members...

 

[marc71178]

If you ditched a batsman, it would be Clarke at the moment. Obviously there's no one Lee can displace at the moment, but he shouldn't be filed away as a "has-been" just yet.

McGrath won't go on for ever!

 

[meatspx]

The NZ attack realyl lost it there at the end of the day - Australia scoring 70 odd runs off the last 12-13 overs. Lucky it was the end of the day!

The tactics of bowling short outside off-stump don't seem to be working to these players when they play their shots.

Also Styris is bowling like a moron. Hopefully Fleming realises Styris is no good on fast wickets.

All in all, great days cricket by NZ - they have shown they can fight. Australia is still on top though, NZ need at least 2 wickets in the morning session tommorow.

 

[bryce]

mills will not play the second test, he is only effective with the new ball which is precisely why he is a one-day specialist IMO.
while new zealand have been boxing above their weight so far i'm not too convinced about their batting on a 3rd/4th day pitch.
matin has been bowling decently enough, despite his figures and martyn has been batting surperbly and from memory hasn't put a foot wrong so far in his innings.
the morning session tomorrow will be pivotal towards the outcome of the match, if aussie bat through it losing 0/1 wickets then i wouldn't rate new zealands chances of even a draw in this one, still not writing them off though