**Official** New Zealand v Australia

[Tim]

NZ are doing 2 blatantly obvious things wrong at the moment.

1) they're getting the opposition to around 250/5 & then not finishing the job
2) they're only averaging 190 runs in their 2nd innings

If they got on top of those 2 problems that would go a long way to improving their overall test cricket.
It's easier said then done though when they're always having injury problems though.

 

[Smudge]

The pitch hasn't done anything all day. It's been the swing.

Are you even watching the game?

I suppose John Morrison was wrong as well, Ming?

In his summing-up, he said "the pitch did a lot more than anyone expected" and referred to the ball that seamed and beat everyone...

http://www.radiosport.co.nz/ThisWeek/71730.wma (won't be up there until about 6.05pm - 20 minute delay).

 

[Mr Casson]

NZ are doing 2 blatantly obvious things wrong at the moment.

1) they're getting the opposition to around 250/5 & then not finishing the job
2) they're only averaging 190 runs in their 2nd innings

If they got on top of those 2 problems that would go a long way to improving their overall test cricket.
It's easier said then done though when they're always having injury problems though.

Almost had a Kiwi get through a post without using the word 'injury'.

*Sigh*

 

[Nate]

some awesome points in this thread.

must agree with Tims Gilchrist one, and the predictions of Martyns 100 and Gillys 50 (well he got close )

good days cricket, methinks.

 

[Nate]

Almost had a Kiwi get through a post without using the word 'injury'.

*Sigh*

haha it is a valid point though. New Zealand REALLY need their full strength side. No Oram or Styris.

 

[Mr Casson]

haha it is a valid point though. New Zealand REALLY need their full strength side. No Oram or Styris.

Yeah it is a valid point. It's just that it's a valid point that has already bored its way through my skull.

 

[Sir Redman]

Yeah, if we removed all the posts about Brett Lee, umpiring and injuries this thread would struggle to have 100 replies

 

[Sir Redman]

As a whole it was a bit of a disappointing day today. Martin bowled very well for most of the day and was very unlucky not to get any wickets, while Franklin should have used the conditions much better than he did.
I think the Aussie batsmen were very lucky with edges today - edged went short, wide and over the top of fielders at slip, while inside edges hit boots or went wide of the stumps.
How ironic then that Langer got out to one he may not have hit

 

[anzac]

I honestly think Gilchrist is the difference between Australia making an average score & a big score.

How many times do you see Australia 250/5, Gilchrist comes out & blazes a quick-fire 60 odd and manages to push Australia up to at least 400.
You cannot tell me that a Brad Haddin or the like would be able to do that as consistently as Gilchrist does.

yeah helluva bonus when your #7 has an average like Gilchrist - let alone his bloody strike rate - a lethal combo!!!!

and another arguement for having batsmen for him to partner etc.............

 

[anzac]

just another crap day at the office for NZL - edges & bad luck aside they just looked beaten b4 lunch - Vettori apart.......

me thinks the NZl seam bowlers must be schizo or something - Martin was crap & Franklin ok in the 1st Test - now it's the other way around = no bloody consistency in the attack!!!!!!!

what a bloody crime to waist the conditions - yet it's not the 1st time they've done it in recent times...............can you imagine the sh*t hitting the fan if the AUS seam attack did anything similar????

I see both Mills & Adams picked up 7 wickets today - any chance for a late pick into the 3rd Test?????

 

[shaka]

Bond made 52* off 67 deliveries

 

[Nate]

Bond made 52* off 67 deliveries

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In FC cricket?

 

[anzac]

and just to acknowledge the good batting from AUS.............

Langer & Hayden worked hard to see off the new ball thru' to lunch - not their usual demolition job but just as effective at damaging to the NZL morale IMO.............

the middle order was a bit hit & miss - but Martyn was able to ride it out long enough to survive / adjust to the conditions & counter attack in the best AUS batting traditions after Tea.........

and again Gilchrist features in an AUS batting recovery.......

and again IMO the obvious benefit to be had by having specialist batsmen as low as #6, followed by such a punishing batsman as Gilchrist, yet still able to put together partnerships...........

so far this series the best AUS partnerships have come from the lower middle order..........and both have involved a 'hitter' in Gilchrist batting with 2 more moderate style batsmen in Katich & Martyn - a different mix to the usual suspects in the NZL middle order = Styris, Astle & Macca...............

 

[shaka]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In FC cricket?

Yeh and Gary Stead is on 110*, batting alongside Bond.

 

[Nate]

Yeh and Gary Stead is on 110*, batting alongside Bond.

geez! not bad at all!

let me know how he gos bowling, please

 

[_Ed_]

Bond is a massive hitter as he showed in a game against India at Eden Park where he got 30* off about 10 balls. Great knock that was. So I'm not that surprised to hear that.

Good to see Stead in the runs too, any chance of a recall for him? He hardly disgraced himself in tests, good tour of India if I remember right. Would be getting on a bit now though.

 

[mavric41]

Pick Bond to open both the batting and the bowling.

 

[Isolator]

Bond is a massive hitter as he showed in a game against India at Eden Park where he got 30* off about 10 balls. Great knock that was. So I'm not that surprised to hear that.

Ha, yes, that straight six off Ganguly was one of the most memorable shots I've seen.

 

[Tim]

Sorry but its true..NZ will not compete against Australia without a full-strength side. And then there's no guarantees they'll do any better.

 

[Tim]

Bond bats at #3 for his club in Christchurch, he definately knows how to hold a bat.