**Official** New Zealand v Australia

[FaaipDeOiad]

One of the big reasons Australia is so strong IMO is that you can get them 5 down and Gilchrist comes in.

If he's at 6 with 5 bowlers after him that is nowhere near the depth.

Would you really expect New Zealand to get Australia 5 down for a small total to begin with, and if so do you think they would run through the tail? Frankly, 6 batsmen or 7 I find it hard to see New Zealand doing anything at all with the ball this series, even if they get a few early wickets because there's some movement around the middle order and tail will comfortably get Australia to a 300+ score, which should be enough. The Ashes might well be a different story, but I don't think Australia will suffer too much for having five bowlers in this series, like in the West Indies.

Mind you, I think the most likely scenario is that Kasprowicz will be dropped, but I wouldn't rule out 5 bowlers either.

 

[age_master]

Lee and Warne aren't exactly terrible with the bat either, particularly against New Zealand. Warne has 505 runs at 33.67 with four 50s against them.

haha McGrath would like his chances asa well against that bowling attack

 

[LongHopCassidy]

One of the big reasons Australia is so strong IMO is that you can get them 5 down and Gilchrist comes in.

If he's at 6 with 5 bowlers after him that is nowhere near the depth.

Every time I've seen Gilchrist bat at 6 he seems to make a big score and inspire his partner.

He thrives on responsibility.

And can an extra bowler bat any worse than Lehmann, on current form?

 

[Natman20]

I think the New Zealand management is trying to become like Australia. They are using all these players now not just to see if they can compete internationally but to have a strong back up to the normal team just like Australia do

 

[Scaly piscine]

I think the New Zealand management is trying to become like Australia. They are using all these players now not just to see if they can compete internationally but to have a strong back up to the normal team just like Australia do

They chose the wrong fixtures to build up their potential World Cup backup players. 100 up for Oz in the 15th over.

 

[Jnr.]

Gilly out in the 19th over, for 91 off 61 balls. (9x4 4x6)

Australia 129/2.

 

[MoxPearl]

ive turned the tv off already

Aussie are looking at a score of 400.......

 

[Mister Wright]

Katich opening? I guess he deserves his spot, but I still think Hussey should be the first in line for the opening places after Langer and Hayden, he's been the best opener in domestic cricket along with Elliot for several years, and Elliot had several opportunities.

It appears now Hussey will stay on as cover if Hayden doesn't recover in time.

 

[Scallywag]

35.6 McMillan to Ponting, SIX, a full on leg stump and an amazing flick
to long leg and nearly took an ice cream truck with it

 

[Scallywag]

44.3 Canning to Ponting, one run, worked to third man and for a fine
century in 110 balls

 

[sportychic33]

canning is soo overrated. . well actually all of new zealand's bowlers except daniel vettori are bowling short and wide balls which the australians just whack away for 4.

 

[MoxPearl]

its a mental thing

vs aussie they just cant get the balls in the right places..

Vettori is the only one with mental toughness

 

[Ming]

I can't believe how Vettori can go for 30-odd from 10, and the team still concedes over 340.

 

[SirBloody Idiot]

So the Aussies end up with 347.

Punter hitting 12 off the last 2 balls.

Hussey still hasn't got an average.

 

[mavric41]

Australia 5/347 off 50 overs. Ponting 141no with 2 big sixes off the last 2 balls. Awesome display by the Aussies. And this is over the No.2 side in the world.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Great batting by Ponting and Gilchrist, absolutely brutal. And how about Michael Clarke? He keeps improving every series.

For New Zealand... well Vettori bowled well. Not much to talk about aside from that.

 

[BlackCap_Fan]

So yeah, that's the end of the match....

 

[Ming]

its a mental thing

vs aussie they just cant get the balls in the right places..

Vettori is the only one with mental toughness

No, it's more like our bowlers just don't have the skill needed to play against Australia.

 

[mavric41]

No, it's more like our bowlers just don't have the skill needed to play against Australia.

And NZ is the second best OD side in the world. I think this series shows how far ahead the Aussies are from the rest of the world.

 

[Mister Wright]

I can't believe how Vettori can go for 30-odd from 10, and the team still concedes over 340.

Because the rest of the bowlers go for 310 off 40 overs.