**Official** New Zealand in Australia Thread

[anzac]

I am intrested in your views of Sinclair.

for my money Sinclair is currently a better contribution to the team than Macca..............

I do not agree with him being used as an opener in Tests - I'd rather see Fleming do so & Sinclair at #3................

Sinclair is one of only a few batsmen in this side who have shown the application to post a big innings score..............

and so far as having plenty of chances goes - IMO those chances have been far too inconsistant over the past few seasons, and have possibly been under unfavorable conditions for him - much as this series is shaping up.........I have a sneaking suspicion that he is seen as expendable by the selectors & will become the sacrificial batting bunny to allow Macca back into the lineup - particularly with a 5-5 split..............

but to date since coming in for Macca in the 3rd Test v RSA asfaic Sinclair has not put a foot wrong in either form of the game.............to the extent that I think he could have done well in ENG on those pitches given the chance.........

 

[anzac]

Yeah, man. Blooding Vincent against Australia - we sure regret that, right?

EDIT: And I believe Marshall is likely to get his debut century in an international so long as he gets played enough. The excuse of him not having an FC 100 is a bit much for me - he's arguably currently our best OD batsman and he hasn't been a let-down in tests so far, he's just not had many chances to really show us what he's got. He averages higher in ODI's than List-A OD's as it is.

so far as your 1st comment is concerned - in all honesty I'd rather see Vincent in the team on pitches where the ball comes on to the bat than Macca, and visa versa on slow & low pitches...........

as for Marshall IMO he'd have to be picked on true batting tracks v a predominantly seam attack - AUS, RSA & WIN.............the main question mark will be his fallability v spin - it would appear to have already cost him a start v AUS so perhaps he won't get too many more opportunities & the selectors will start to look at the likes of Fulton..............

 

[Loony BoB]

My blooding Vincent comment was more regarding Bracewell's ingenious "Don't blood 'A' teamers against Aussie" philosophy. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if blooding relatively new players would prove beneficial to NZ when playing against Aussie - Australia already knows the other players, and that means they know how to get them out. They can't research the new players as much as they can the old, right?

 

[anzac]

well bugger me - a 6-4 split!!!!!!!

IMO the only reason that's come about is because of Franklin's injury - if he'd been fit we'd have seen 5 bowlers with Franklin & Butler in the side because of Franklin's batting in FC games..........but Mills isn't in the same class to Butler misses out for Macca to strengthen the batting, and Mills comes in to ensure Braces has a bowler to swing the ball..........just as I predicted earlier........

no prizes for guessing what NZL will do if they win the toss then is there???????

I'm still hoping to see NZL get absolutely smashed in 3 days in both tests so as to force the selectors to get their **** together, but I can already see the potential excuses.........

*4 bowlers unable to do the job - need 5 in the side = back to 5-5.......
*it's not the batsmen's fault because the bowlers weren't able to restrict AUS & the target to avoid the follow on was too big.....
*it's Sinclair's fault because he failed opening the batting..........
*we were right to bring Macca back into the team because he scored more runs at #6 than Sinclair did...........
etc etc etc ******** ******** ********.................

 

[garage flower]

I'm in two minds as to whether to stay up and watch the cricket tonight (starts Midnight-ish UK time).

I've become re-addicted (is that a word?!) to Championship Manager recently causing many sleepless nights and I'm intending to pay for the India-S Africa test starting at 4am-ish UK time on Saturday.

That being the case, I only want to watch this test if NZ are likely to put up a decent fight. I'm not so sure myself and wondered what the rest of you think.

 

[anzac]

oh they'll try..............and fail miserably........

watch the highlights / lowlights & stick to the IND v RSA series as a contest...........

 

[garage flower]

oh they'll try..............and fail miserably........

watch the highlights / lowlights & stick to the IND v RSA series as a contest...........

Looks like a very mediocre NZ bowling attack. I can't see them making much of an impact, but I might give it an hour if they bat first.

 

[anzac]

honestly I'd not waste my money if you had to get up early & pay for it - unless you were a die hard fan of the game or a supporter of one of the protagonists...........

IMO this is not only a weakened NZL bowling attack, but one of the weakest sides in terms of experience they have put out for some time.........

furthermore the decision to go with a 6-4 split (despite my calls for such), require a different level of application & strategy to their batting that they have not had to apply for some time...........likewise the option of only 4 frontline bowlers...........

this combined with the lack of specialists for various roles all adds up to a recipie for disaster IMO..........and I'll be surprised / disappointed if it is anything else...........

 

[meatspx]

I am definately annoyed at the inclusion of Mills & McMillan, We get thrashed 3 - 0 by England and we have a similar line-up to what we had, with players who have failed before.

Anyways, regarding the 6 - 4 split, I think it's neccessary. We're going to struggle to win this match - we need runs. And if we take tickets it won't be because of our attacking and troubliing bowling, it will be because we get a few early wickets and then the Australians throw their wickets away.

 

[Loony BoB]

While I agree with the Mills/McMillan thing, I think it would be really funny if they both starred for New Zealand in the series. We'd all look like right fools. I really, really hope we all look like fools at the end of this. Somehow, unfortunately, I can't see it happening. NZ just aren't in the league they were around this time last year. =/

 

[Kent]

While I agree with the Mills/McMillan thing, I think it would be really funny if they both starred for New Zealand in the series. We'd all look like right fools.

At least we'll be in good company...

 

[Mister Wright]

Well, it is nice and sunny this morning. There are a few clouds around but nothing threatening. I was watching the Weather Channel for a bit last night, apparently we were supposed to get a storm last night, so might get one today - let's hope not! The clouds don't look too threatening atm, but there is another 4 and a bit hours until the test.

If the conditions are fine, I really hope the Kiwi's bat first, I'm sure Fleming is smart enough not to do a 'Nassar'.

 

[Elvi]

I'm in the UK at present and would really like to follow the test match - well the first hour or so anyway (starts at midnight here). Is Cricinfo the best site for live commentary?

Thanks
Humble Kiwi Supporter

 

[odyssey]

Aussies by an innings i reckon

 

[Slow Love™]

Well, it is nice and sunny this morning. There are a few clouds around but nothing threatening. I was watching the Weather Channel for a bit last night, apparently we were supposed to get a storm last night, so might get one today - let's hope not! The clouds don't look too threatening atm, but there is another 4 and a bit hours until the test.

If the conditions are fine, I really hope the Kiwi's bat first, I'm sure Fleming is smart enough not to do a 'Nassar'.

Yep, they did. Pitch looks good for batting, but with some very good carry for the bowlers.

 

[Slow Love™]

I'm in the UK at present and would really like to follow the test match - well the first hour or so anyway (starts at midnight here). Is Cricinfo the best site for live commentary?

Thanks
Humble Kiwi Supporter

As far as I know, yes.

If the servers get overloaded (which occasionally happens), and you can't get through, you can get a live scoreboard (but no text commentary, sadly) here

cricbuzz.com is a good site that also offers live text commentary, but unfortunately I think they only cover matches featuring subcontinent teams.

 

[Tim]

As I expected, NZ look as though they want to see out the new ball & then have a go later on in the day.

I recall Craig McMillan did well with the ball last time we played at the Gabba. I honestly feel our attack will be more difficult than a good one because the Australian's will be under more pressure to put this attack to the sword.

 

[Tim]

just as i say that, Richardson gets out.

 

[Slow Love™]

Fleming out, to Kasper. 2/26.

 

[Joao_Quinto]

Gone, p___ off your out, Michael Kasprowicz.

Quack goes the Fleming!