**Official** New Zealand v Australia

[Somerset]

Yeah, as long as you stay off the grog, it's usually not too much of a problem.

I can't see (or hear) the match so far - how do people rate the pitch? Are the Kiwis just batting great, or have the bowlers been ordinary?

When you've sent the opposition in, you'd certainly hope for better results...

The pitch is definately favouring batting, it's one of the better ones we've got in New Zealand, if not the best, and it's living up to it's good name so far.

 

[dudeurfriend]

Newzealand had a goodday.... Hamish marshall playing a superb knock.... I hope Newzealand take honours eve tomorrow....

 

[meatspx]

The NZers showed today that with quality batting the Australians can be made to look one dimensional in their attack. We will have to go on tommorow, and a score in the low 400's won't do.

Cumming, Marshall & Astle looked good, whilst Vincent was very streaky - though I liked his approach, better to hit the ball hard than mess around at the crease.

Hopefully the NZers can keep scoring runs tommorow, and more importantly, grow on the confidence they are getting out of this display.

 

[Somerset]

The NZers showed today that with quality batting the Australians can be made to look one dimensional in their attack. We will have to go on tommorow, and a score in the low 400's won't do.

Cumming, Marshall & Astle looked good, whilst Vincent was very streaky - though I liked his approach, better to hit the ball hard than mess around at the crease.

Hopefully the NZers can keep scoring runs tommorow, and more importantly, grow on the confidence they are getting out of this display.

Vincent was streaky but as you say, he went for his shots and a few came off. With Marshall at the crease and a decent total on the board, I suppose it was a risk he could take.

 

[Blaze]

Lol at Ponting. Does interviews for Sky tv after a win in each ODI game and then after one day of test cricket that doesn't go as expected for his team doesn't do an interview.

I don't know if they asked him or not I am assuming they didn't.

 

[Jnr.]

Good days' cricket.

Hamish Marshall has played a quite outstanding knock. Hopefully the Kiwis don't waste this fantastic platform tomorrow.

 

[Retox]

Whoa I am suprised with Cummings... Good work.
Good signs from Vincent

Hamish Marshall has what it takes (from his ODI record and his two test matches) to be NZs best player.


The real test will be the bowlers.

 

[Scallywag]

Lol at Ponting. Does interviews for Sky tv after a win in each ODI game and then after one day of test cricket that doesn't go as expected for his team doesn't do an interview.

I don't know if they asked him or not I am assuming they didn't.

Maybe its part of Pontings gamesmanship, you know say nothing and let the paranoia eat away at Bracewell.

 

[shaka]

why did they give Vincent out.

 

[_Ed_]

Yeah it was a bit of a dodgy LBW but never mind. A good day for NZ, great position going in to day 2 only 3 down against the best team in the world, but we could easily throw it away if we bat poorly in the first hour tomorrow. If this partnership is broken, then we have McMillan and McCullum and then its down to Vettori (although he is very capable with the bat), so we have quite a long tail with Franklin at 9 and then O'Brien (no idea how well he bats, must at least be better than Martin although that's not saying much) and the great Chris Martin. If the next batsmen all have a bad day tomorrow then we could struggle to get much beyond 300...hoping for 350+ easily though.

 

[shaka]

Martin is currently tied for the worst batsman of all time, his average I think is 2, the same as Mbangwa for Zimbabwe I think.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

I didn't see Clarkes wicket but apparently it was dubious.

What happened?

Well, if you've seen Clarke's action (he got some help from Lehmann I think) he bowls from very wide on the crease when he goes around the wicket. It floated in and pitched about middle and straightened a little and hit Vincent in front of middle and leg, could well have been drifting down leg. I don't think it was as dodgy as Ian Smith made out, but personally I thought there was too much doubt there.

Not a blatant shocker, but probably not the right decision either.

 

[anzac]

too early IMO to be going into raptures about the NZL performance - we've only seen 5 batsmen at the crease so far..................

but I am prepared to say...
a BIIG thanl you to the AUS selectors for not selecting Lee;
and well done Cumming & Marshall for the good work thus far.

The NZL top 4 were potentially very vulnerable, but not having to face Lee they have had the time to be able to graft an innings thus far..........

I only got to see the 1st session but was impressed with Cumming's application, although I understand he eventually lost concentration & fell hooking.............
Marshall has continued to more than repay the gamble in his selection v his domestic stats, and continues to show a maturity beyond his experience at this level, to the extent that NZL may have found their version of Martyn to anchor the innings & build partnerships - if James is of the same type then the selectors must be tempted to persue his exposure as well.........
Vincent appears to have been somewhat unlucky in his dismissal so I'm hoping he has a better run in the 2nd innings...........

the run rate has not been anything to get excited about & we must look to post another 200+ to give the bowlers something to work with..........

it's early days yet but if these players are able to consolidate this showing it will cause a few welcome headaches for the selectors regarding a full strength team when the likes of Oram & Styris are fit again..............and add to that the potential of another specialist opener to partner Cumming & allow Flem to bat at #3...............

but I'm not getting too excited as we've seen plenty of reasonable starts get thrown away by regular batting collapses in almost every series in recent years..........

 

[marc71178]

If this partnership is broken, then we have McMillan and McCullum and then its down to Vettori (although he is very capable with the bat), so we have quite a long tail with Franklin at 9 and then O'Brien (no idea how well he bats, must at least be better than Martin although that's not saying much) and the great Chris Martin. If the next batsmen all have a bad day tomorrow then we could struggle to get much beyond 300...hoping for 350+ easily though.

I did actually just look at the rest of the batting to see what was in store - that must be one of the longest NZ tails in a long time - makes the first hour tomorrow crucial.

 

[age_master]

Well, if you've seen Clarke's action (he got some help from Lehmann I think) he bowls from very wide on the crease when he goes around the wicket. It floated in and pitched about middle and straightened a little and hit Vincent in front of middle and leg, could well have been drifting down leg. I don't think it was as dodgy as Ian Smith made out, but personally I thought there was too much doubt there.

Not a blatant shocker, but probably not the right decision either.

i only saw the replay but it looked fine to me

 

[age_master]

swings and roundabouts anyway

 

[_Ed_]

I did actually just look at the rest of the batting to see what was in store - that must be one of the longest NZ tails in a long time - makes the first hour tomorrow crucial.

Definitely. Unfortunately I'll be trapped in the confines of a lecture theatre throughout most of that time, will get back to the couch as soon as I possibly can though.

 

[Zinzan]

New Zealand need 500 minimum to put them in the box seat.

 

[Dydl]

I only saw the news headlines so I don't know how the match went on the first (?) day. Is Marshall out yet??

 

[_Ed_]

I only saw the news headlines so I don't know how the match went on the first (?) day. Is Marshall out yet??

No. Batsmen out are Fleming (18), Cumming (74) and Vincent (27). Not out batsmen are Marshall on 103 and Astle on 29.