**Official** New Zealand in Australia

[masterblaster]

Despite Australia losing to India, I'm really not giving NZ a chance here to win this series. If NZ draw this series 0-0 or 1-1, then it'd be a fantastic result for them and a poor one for Australia. I'm really expecting the Aussies to be fired up and beat NZ quite comprehensively.

I myself love Australian and NZ cricket and with Stephen Fleming's retirement and the retirements of Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan and Chris Cairns, I sadly can't see NZ competing. Although the one great positive is that Daniel Vettori has converted himself into a fantastic lower order all rounder. But one or two people don't win you a series I'm afraid.

Hopefully NZ give the Aussies a good fight, but I suspect that all the talk and all the worries regarding the Australian team will be gone after the NZ series.

 

[pup11]

Not that I think NZ will beat Australia, but you simply arent giving enough credit at all to the BlackCaps. If we play well, we have the players to easily take a game away from the opposition (Taylor, Ryder, McCullum, Vettori). Even Mills has shown himself to be a match winner. If Australia play poorly, they could well be in for a surprise.

Yeah if we were talking about ODI' then i might not have completly written off New Zealand' chances of producing an upset or two, but in test match cricket and that too in Australia, i see them struggling pretty badly, and especially since Aussies would be really pissed from the Indian tour and would be very focused to do well, their bowling might have looked out of sorts in India, but that was more because of the conditions than anything else, expecting them to do much better in Aussie conditions.

 

[Polo23]

Hopefully NZ give the Aussies a good fight, but I suspect that all the talk and all the worries regarding the Australian team will be gone after the NZ series.

If that is the case I reckon it's pretty premature. Beating a rebuilding NZ side, which is depleted with injury shouldnt hide the fact Australia have a lot of issues, especially in the bowling department.

 

[Polo23]

Yeah if we were talking about ODI' then i might not have completly written off New Zealand' chances of producing an upset or two, but in test match cricket and that too in Australia, i see them struggling pretty badly, and especially since Aussies would be really pissed from the Indian tour and would be very focused to do well, their bowling might have looked out of sorts in India, but that was more because of the conditions than anything else, expecting them to do much better in Aussie conditions.

You "might not have completely writted us off" in OD cricket? Christ, in OD cricket i'd say it's pretty bloody even atm.

I just don't see how you can completely write off one side in a two horse race, especially after Australia's performance in India. Australia should, and likely will win, but to say "NZ are absolutely crap, and will not compete" is a bit rich.

 

[pup11]

Would go

Hayden
Jaques (if not fit, Katich)
Ponting
Hussey
Clarke (on notice)
Watson
Haddin (on notice)
Noffke
Lee
Krejza
Clark


Reckon Krejza deserves his chance really. If he doesn't make the spot his own, I'd have Bracken (fitness permitting) and Bollinger in the wings.

Cameron White would be playing 2nd XI Cricket in Victoria.

• I think Katich has done enough for now to hold onto the opening slot, irrespective of Jaques being fit or not.
  
• Clarke had a decent enough series in India and might have done better in the 4th test if he would have been fit, so Clarke would have to have a few shocking games in a row to be really handed the notice.
  
• Haddin is the best option Australia have atm as far as wicketkeeping options are concerend, he needs to bve given a fair run at home, but if he is woeful throughout the summer then bring on Ronchi...
  
• I like Noffers but if Johnson is dropped i would like to see Dougie Bollinger get a gig ahead of Noffers, Bolly being a left arm swing bowler adds a bit more variety to the attack imo, though i doubt Johnson would be dropped in the first place.

 

[pup11]

You "might not have completely writted us off" in OD cricket? Christ, in OD cricket i'd say it's pretty bloody even atm.

I just don't see how you can completely write off one side in a two horse race, especially after Australia's performance in India. Australia should, and likely will win, but to say "NZ are absolutely crap, and will not compete" is a bit rich.

Who said New Zealand won't compete, the would like they always do whenever they play against the Aussies, but still given the lack of experience i can see them losing badly to the Australian side, nothing rich about it, just being honest about what i feel.

 

[Polo23]

Who said New Zealand won't compete, the would like they always do whenever they play against the Aussies, but still given the lack of experience i can see them losing badly to the Australian side, nothing rich about it, just being honest about what i feel.

How is "losing badly" competing? You are contradicting yourself.

 

[pasag]

I think our ODI side is as good, or as close to good as ever. If the World Cup was played again tomorrow I doubt we'd have too much trouble.

 

[four_or_six]

If Symonds comes in for Watson, Clarke is the only player in the top six under the age of 33. I'd be interested to know if people think this is a problem or not?

 

[pasag]

If Symonds comes in for Watson, Clarke is the only player in the top six under the age of 33. I'd be interested to know if people think this is a problem or not?

Not too concerned with the batting reserves we have. Lee and Clark's age is more of a worry.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Jaques is out for the whole summer.

 

[NUFAN]

If Symonds comes in for Watson, Clarke is the only player in the top six under the age of 33. I'd be interested to know if people think this is a problem or not?

I'm concerned.

It's a bit of a worry when an Under 32 year old side would likely get beaten by an over 32 year old side..

 

[S.P. Fleming]

• I like Noffers but if Johnson is dropped i would like to see Dougie Bollinger get a gig ahead of Noffers, Bolly being a left arm swing bowler adds a bit more variety to the attack imo, though i doubt Johnson would be dropped in the first place.

haha whats with you aussies and nicknames?

 

[S.P. Fleming]

looks like most of us kiwi supporters are going to get our wishes.

Vettori has hinted a a four-pronged pace attack, including the Timeister. It looks as though he will bat himself at seven and with probably no room for Grant Elliott. I really like the look of this side because it is our best chance of taking 20 test wickets. Kyle Mills has proved himself to be a capable number eight so im not to concerned about the lower order, although I wouldnt expect to many more runs once we are eight down.

likely line-up for Brisbane, 20 November:

1. Jamie How
2. Aaron Redmond
3. Jesse Ryder
4. Ross Taylor
5. Brendon McCullam
6. Daniel Flynn
7. Daniel Vettori
8. Kyle Mills
9. Timothy Southee
10. Iain O'Brien
11. Christopher Martin (subject to fitness)

 

[Polo23]

Link?

I reckon Southee's batting has improved since the England series, he could hang around with one of the top order if required.

I really hope we go in with that side. If only to see what Southee can actually do against a very good batting lineup...also interested to see how O'Brien goes.

 

[S.P. Fleming]

Link?

I reckon Southee's batting has improved since the England series, he could hang around with one of the top order if required.

I really hope we go in with that side. If only to see what Southee can actually do against a very good batting lineup...also interested to see how O'Brien goes.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4757707a1823.html

yea it will be fascinating to see if Southee can step up and to see if O'Brien can avenge himself from that horror start to test cricket in Australia.

 

[Polo23]

Well, if Southee performs against NSW it looks like he'll get the gig.

Didn't O'Brien debut against Aussie in NZ? Either way, he needs to come good!

 

[Prince EWS]

looks like most of us kiwi supporters are going to get our wishes.

Vettori has hinted a a four-pronged pace attack, including the Timeister. It looks as though he will bat himself at seven and with probably no room for Grant Elliott. I really like the look of this side because it is our best chance of taking 20 test wickets. Kyle Mills has proved himself to be a capable number eight so im not to concerned about the lower order, although I wouldnt expect to many more runs once we are eight down.

likely line-up for Brisbane, 20 November:

1. Jamie How
2. Aaron Redmond
3. Jesse Ryder
4. Ross Taylor
5. Brendon McCullam
6. Daniel Flynn
7. Daniel Vettori
8. Kyle Mills
9. Timothy Southee
10. Iain O'Brien
11. Christopher Martin (subject to fitness)

I really think you're going to need the extra batting. In saying that, I don't think Elliott has much chance of making a big score in Australia anyway, so I guess it's not a terrible selection.

That eleven though only has 6,958 Test runs between them though, at an average of 24. Australia have two batsmen in the team with more Test runs to their names individually than that, and the eleven that played the fourth Test in India has a combined 28,262 runs @ 48 - that's double the average! I'll admit it's not the best measure as the likes of Martin batting so many times in comparison to say, Ryder, drags the NZ average down, but even if you just take the top 8s you get 6,748 @ 28 playing 26,662 @ 52.

As I've said, I don't mind the New Zealand attack at all - it's arguably as good as Australia's really, but the batting is terrible and as a result I give them basically no chance of even competing. This could well bite me in the arse later but if it's not 2-0 I'll be shocked (weather permitting). The irony of certain New Zealanders demanding respect after their posts at various times in the Bangladesh tour thread is somewhat ironic as well.

 

[Flem274*]

I really think you're going to need the extra batting. In saying that, I don't think Elliott has much chance of making a big score in Australia anyway, so I guess it's not a terrible selection.

That eleven though only has 6,958 Test runs between them though, at an average of 24. Australia have two batsmen in the team with more Test runs to their names individually than that, and the eleven that played the fourth Test in India has a combined 28,262 runs @ 48 - that's double the average! I'll admit it's not the best measure as the likes of Martin batting so many times in comparison to say, Ryder, drags the NZ average down, but even if you just take the top 8s you get 6,748 @ 28 playing 26,662 @ 52.

As I've said, I don't mind the New Zealand attack at all - it's arguably as good as Australia's really, but the batting is terrible and as a result I give them basically no chance of even competing. This could well bite me in the arse later but if it's not 2-0 I'll be shocked (weather permitting). The irony of certain New Zealanders demanding respect after their posts at various times in the Bangladesh tour thread is somewhat ironic as well.

Comparing an established line up to a new line up with averages is a bit pointless really. I can see your point though but its an interesting way of viewing it.

Yep, we were pretty ****y against the Bangers and a few Aussies here are setting themselves up as beautifully as we (including myself) did.

I'm quietly confident think the batting will improve. This lot suck on turners, but they do enjoy being flat track bullies, so despite the massiveness of the challenge, and the fact I see no point in negativity, I'm not going to write us off just yet.

But I shall sit quietly and wait and see what the series brings.

EDIT: Bet half the reason you're so critical of our battingi s because your two favourite kiwi batsmen aren't included add in Sinclair and Fulton and I'd be interested to see your opinion

 

[pasag]

Comparing an established line up to a new line up with averages is a bit pointless really. I can see your point though but its an interesting way of viewing it.

Yep, we were pretty ****y against the Bangers and a few Aussies here are setting themselves up as beautifully as we (including myself) did.

I'm quietly confident think the batting will improve. This lot suck on turners, but they do enjoy being flat track bullies, so despite the massiveness of the challenge, and the fact I see no point in negativity, I'm not going to write us off just yet.

But I shall sit quietly and wait and see what the series brings.

EDIT: Bet half the reason you're so critical of our battingi s because your two favourite kiwi batsmen aren't included add in Sinclair and Fulton and I'd be interested to see your opinion

Pfft, make outlandish predictions, get egg on your face, it's all part of the game. Better then being a fence sitter