**Official** New Zealand v Australia

[Dydl]

We better get him out soon then, I don't want a maiden test century to become a maiden double century because on the headlines he was playing very well.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

New Zealand have a nice platform tomorrow morning. There's still two more quality bats after this partnership, and if Marshall can get going again he looks really difficult to remove and has for the whole tour. They will want to push up in excess of 400 to give themselves a realistic chance in the match.

I'm not sure if the New Zealand attack is capable of taking 20 wickets in the match, but at the very least they have shown up the Australian attack a little and will be able to put some pressure on with the ball.

 

[Gangster]

I think we might see Lee in the 2nd test. What I'm wondering is why Gillespie's place hasn't been in question. He hasn't taken wickets in a while. I think McGrath-Lee-Kasprowicz isn't too bad a trio.

 

[Dydl]

Well, I guess they have Gillespie's value as a bowler to think about. I think that if anyone had to be dropped for the 2nd test it would be Kasper. McGrath will not go out unless of injury, and I don't think that the selectors would be willing to drop Gillespie, it would be too much of a risk.


As stated above, I think, that if anyone should be dropped for the 2nd test, Kasprowicz should. Lee was terrifying the New Zealand batsmen (not quite) and I still don't understand why they let him carry the drinks AGAIN!!



Kasprowicz didn't do that well today anyway??

 

[Mister Wright]

Well, I guess they have Gillespie's value as a bowler to think about. I think that if anyone had to be dropped for the 2nd test it would be Kasper. McGrath will not go out unless of injury, and I don't think that the selectors would be willing to drop Gillespie, it would be too much of a risk.


As stated above, I think, that if anyone should be dropped for the 2nd test, Kasprowicz should. Lee was terrifying the New Zealand batsmen (not quite) and I still don't understand why they let him carry the drinks AGAIN!!



Kasprowicz didn't do that well today anyway??

It's fine for Lee to be manacing for short spells in a ODI. However, when the batsman are under no pressure to score at a rate, he isn't as potent, which is why his record isn't anywhere near as good in tests as it is in ODI. Kaspa spent far too long on the sidelines, it's about time something went his way, and he did bowl well today, he had chances drop short or go near on at least two situations. If Langer and Warne had of held on to their simple catches, it could be a very different story.

 

[Dydl]

and he did bowl well today, he had chances drop short or go near

I couldn't watch the day because I don't have fox, so I didn't know whether he bowled well or not, that is why I put the question marks there!

 

[Mister Wright]

I couldn't watch the day because I don't have fox, so I didn't know whether he bowled well or not, that is why I put the question marks there!

Yeah, I was answering your question for you.

 

[Somerset]

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.

McMillan and McCullum are more than capable batsmen at numbers six and seven, while Vettori has proven recently that his batting can be more than useful. Franklin can also be a difficult player to bowl to once he gets himself in so I don't think the depth is that bad to be honest.

 

[anzac]

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.

how so?????

So far as the bowlers are concerned we still have Vettori, and Franklin at #9 bats in the middle order as an 'allrounder' for his State side & has a 1st class ton. The other 2 bowlers being O'Brien & C Martin.

sure we are missing the like of Styris & Oram from the middle order, but we have replaced both with batsmen - a 6-4 instead of a 5-5 - so I'm bemused as to how this is a longer tail?????.

 

[mavric41]

It's fine for Lee to be manacing for short spells in a ODI. However, when the batsman are under no pressure to score at a rate, he isn't as potent, which is why his record isn't anywhere near as good in tests as it is in ODI. Kaspa spent far too long on the sidelines, it's about time something went his way, and he did bowl well today, he had chances drop short or go near on at least two situations. If Langer and Warne had of held on to their simple catches, it could be a very different story.

Wright by name, right by nature.

 

[Jono]

Well played New Zealand. Absolutely terrific to see Marshall get his maiden ton. Its just a damn shame I was at uni whilst this was occuring.

 

[shaka]

Yes, very well done so far NZ

 

[mavric41]

Well played New Zealand. Absolutely terrific to see Marshall get his maiden ton. Its just a damn shame I was at uni whilst this was occuring.

I'd like to echo these comments. They really needed a day like this to get some confidence if this test series is going to be competitive.

 

[twctopcat]

It seems a lot more competitive but i'm not holding my breath. I hope they can keep this up for the 5 days but they could still collapse 2nd innings which would be a big shame if the concentration goes, let's hope it doesn't happen.

 

[Mr Casson]

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

Yes, but can they afford to bat for four days?

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.

Dead right about his action from around the wicket. I actually quite like the way he does it, because he's accurate enough most of the time to keep it from going across the pads. Without a lot of spin, that kind of angle helps to open up a bit of a gate. When he spears the ball in it can be quite a problem.

 

[Top_Cat]

I think we might see Lee in the 2nd test. What I'm wondering is why Gillespie's place hasn't been in question.

Might have something to do with this; Gillespie's last 20 Tests:

http://statserver.cricket.org/guru?...edhigh=;csearch=;submit=1;.cgifields=viewtype

Nothing wrong with that. Gillespie's place isn't in question because it shouldn't be. His record speaks for itself.

It's fine for Lee to be manacing for short spells in a ODI. However, when the batsman are under no pressure to score at a rate, he isn't as potent, which is why his record isn't anywhere near as good in tests as it is in ODI. Kaspa spent far too long on the sidelines, it's about time something went his way, and he did bowl well today, he had chances drop short or go near on at least two situations. If Langer and Warne had of held on to their simple catches, it could be a very different story.

Exactly. Well said.

Even the ultimate Lee fans (and I'm almost one) must surely acknowledge that his worst work is done on flat decks. There's nothing to suggest that he would have done any better on this deck, good form or not, and plenty to suggest he might have been hammered. Kasper bowled really well and when things are tough, he at least bowls tightly.

 

[marc71178]

how so?????

So far as the bowlers are concerned we still have Vettori, and Franklin at #9 bats in the middle order as an 'allrounder' for his State side & has a 1st class ton. The other 2 bowlers being O'Brien & C Martin.

sure we are missing the like of Styris & Oram from the middle order, but we have replaced both with batsmen - a 6-4 instead of a 5-5 - so I'm bemused as to how this is a longer tail?????.

You've got 2 weak men at the bottom!

Compared to previous numbers 10 and 11 that is!

 

[anzac]

You've got 2 weak men at the bottom!

Compared to previous numbers 10 and 11 that is!

lol - and that makes it a longer tail!!!!!

 

[Mister Wright]

Glen McGrath has a slight injury.

 

[Legglancer]

Glen McGrath has a slight injury.

But he is Opening the bowling this morning ....... NZ should not lose wickets in the first hour ....