**Official** New Zealand v Australia

[telsor]

I don't remember having heard about it before, but I like it. If it means a rain shortened game is more likely to get a result, then surely it's a good thing.

 

[Swervy]

how long has the rule been in where the follow on changes if a day's play has been washed out??? I had never heard of it until this test??


personally, i don't like it.

I think its always been the rule (well I think it has ever since I have followed the game)...the rules I think have always stated that for a 4 day game (which this effectively is) 150 is the follow-on...and I think for a 3 day game, its 100 runs

 

[marc71178]

98 overs are scheduled & no more because FICA won't allow it.

Why won't they?

Anybody know?

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Why won't they?

Anybody know?

Not sure, but the new ICC policy only allows for 30 minutes of extra play on any given day, so 98 is probably the limit that can be the required minimum in that regard.

 

[marc71178]

how long has the rule been in where the follow on changes if a day's play has been washed out??? I had never heard of it until this test??


personally, i don't like it.

It's been around a fairly long time.

It only comes into play if its the 1st day that is washed out though.

 

[marc71178]

Not sure, but the new ICC policy only allows for 30 minutes of extra play on any given day, so 98 is probably the limit that can be the required minimum in that regard.

I thought it was up to an hour on a series by series basis?

 

[Isolator]

Okay, get this - in his last 10 tests, Vettori has averaged 23-odd runs with the bat. McMillan has averaged around 18. So, WHAT THE **** IS HE STILL DOING IN THE TEAM????????

 

[anzac]

as much as I'm a fan of seeing an express bowler strut their stuff & was calling for Lee's selection at the begining of this series - I'd not do so at the expence of Kasper..........I still go along with Cairns' observation that Gillespie is the bowler most under threat.........Kasper has changed his bowling style / stock delivery in that it now angles in to wards the stumps but as more of a 'slider' & tails away as opposed to a more traditional 'leg cutter' - this variation is what sets him apart from both McGrath & Gillespie, and why he has been so successful at achieving the break thru's with subtle changes - the ball he got Franklin with 'tailed away', yet the delivery that got Vincent straightened.....

so far as Lee having any gripes about non selection - the guy in my book who gets a big thumbs up for his patience would probably be MacGill..................as far as I know he has yet to let AUS down when called up (even gets MOTM and is still dropped next Test!!!!).........Lee can learn a lot from MacGill's example..............

 

[anzac]

I was interested to hear M Crowe's comments re Macca's quote referred to earlier in the thread - seems he's a bit miffed at Macca's attitude as well, as it appears Macca's quite resolute that he knows best and everyone else is wrong.............also that Crowe was tired of hearing the selectors run out Macca's career average as the standard response as to why Macca is in the team..........

well Macca yet again today proved how wrong everyone is with another apparent brain implosion & getting out to another premeditated hoik..............

 

[anzac]

Okay, get this - in his last 10 tests, Vettori has averaged 23-odd runs with the bat. McMillan has averaged around 18. So, WHAT THE **** IS HE STILL DOING IN THE TEAM????????

have a look at how he's done this decade and explain to me how he's managed to keep Sinclair & Fulton at bay for so long!!!!!

and Astle hasn't been a helluva lot better since his return from injury...........

 

[anzac]

If NZ somehow draw this test, who reckons NZ might recall Shane Bond for the 3rd test?..Im against it, i'd rather let him rest for a possible return against Sri Lanka.

I thought Bond had ruled himself out for even the SRL series...............

 

[Isolator]

Astle...well, if he fails a bit more his place in the team ought to be questioned. I think (and hope) he'll manage to do okay, though.

 

[anzac]

Not too sure where you're coming from in regards to O'Brien's supposed lack of pace. This test may not be a good example, as I believe he was given the "into the wind" duties. But at Christchurch he got some into the mid-high 130s, which isn't too bad.

Don't know if he should necessarily be perservered with.

As for McMillan, the clock is ticking furiously.

O'Brien in his opening spell at Jade was getting up around 141 kph...........but like Franklin he gets slower as the day wears on...............

as for Macca - who is he kidding if he thinks he's going to retain his place when the likes of Styris & Oram are fit again - especially if they revert to a 5-5 split with Oram at #6!!!!!

 

[anzac]

ok time for some speculation.............we're at the half way stage of the series & lets have a quick report card on the NZL batsmen thus far...........seeing as how they've gone with a 6-4 split in the series todate, rather than their usual 5-5...............

Cumming - good determination and making reasonable starts thus far - needs to temper his passion for the pull shot & use it more circumspectly...........worth continuing with on form, let alone the fact that there are few viable specialist openers as alternatives...........

Fleming - badly out of sorts and unlikely to improve in this series while still required to open the innings..............

Marshall - the NZL version of Martyn in this lineup - IMO he is the best performed of the NZL batsmen, not only in his scores but as equally important in his ability to put together partnerships...........

Vincent - had been 'unlucky' in his 2nd innings dismissal at Jade, but bounced back well to register 50+ in this Test to date.............also showed good determination and application that has been lacking from the more senior & 'fancied' batsmen in the team........on the basis of today's effort worth continuing with him for the remainder of this series & probably v SRL..........

Astle - a good 1st innings 50+ at Jade followed by 2 disappointments..............I'm still not convinced that he is out of the woods yet so far as justifying his place in the team - his bowling gives him an edge atm but will it continue to do so once the likes of Styris is available????

Macca - dead man walking...............team clown.............

McCullum - disappointing thus far - needs to apply himself to building partnerships & be more aware of who he is batting with.............

Vettori - doing it well with bat & ball - his batting todate is showing up the likes of Astle, Macca & McCullum with both his application & skill.............

Franklin - always been well enough regarded as a batsman but has failed to deliver to date........but did manage to apply himself at the crease & post his career best score today..........

O'Brien & Martin = tailenders...............

 

[anzac]

Astle...well, if he fails a bit more his place in the team ought to be questioned. I think (and hope) he'll manage to do okay, though.

in reality he's safe as houses while Macca's still there & even until they have a full compliment to choose from.............

 

[anzac]

so IMO the 3 'newbies' to the starting team (Cumming, Marshall & Vincent) have all earned a pass mark to one degree or another and should all be continued with atm........

Vincent at this stage is probably the more precariously placed of the trio, but again IMO is safe as houses while Macca's still there to make anyone else look good - he managed to make the NZL nigh****chman, (who was sent in to 'protect' him), not only look good but to out stay him at the crease & score more runs than him - next time we send Macca in to protect Franklin IMO................

 

[anzac]

I admit to being really curious as to how the selectors are going to approach the squad for the 3rd Test - not only from a squad point of view but also the split.............thus far the 6-4 hasn't worked out any better than 5-5, yet at the same time the bowling hasn't been any worse (so far as the results go), than when they had Oram at #6...............& considering the current injury list & lack of experience in the seam attack................with the bowling I'm also interested if they will persist in the selection of swing across the board, or if they will look for a different option from somewhere................not neccessarily meaning a 2nd spin option.....but could they consider Wiseman as an option specifically to bowl to Gilcrist, as opposed to the leftie bringing the ball into him?????

for my money 6-4 is a 'given' and should be persisted with unless faced with a 'feather bed' or alternatively with one that is going to present plenty of turn...........

I'm also interested if they will persist with Fleming as opener - not only for who his replacement may be, but how that will also affect the lineup in the middle order.........

 

[anzac]

so far as this Test is concerned - if AUS have anything close to a full day's play tomorrow then they'll be tough to stop.................the NZl batsmen will have to apply themselves & exhibit the ability to do something seen only from a few thus far - the ability to put together successive 50+ partnerships.............

 

[age_master]

raining again some sort of a delay at least

 

[age_master]

Fleming out almost straight away after the restart, 1/3