**Official** New Zealand v Australia

[aussie]

aussie

well all u blokes watchin did u just see how vincent was bowled, he had a clue the ball before that he should be ware not to leave deliveries outside off, but stupid lou , lots his wicket

 

[aussie]

aussie

wellll, the kiwis are looking quite iffy at the moment Pigeon and Dizzy have put the breakes on them, just when it seemed rosy for the kiwis when Marshall and fleming were batting well, a collapse , typical austalia

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Great day of test cricket. Fleming and Hamish Marshall did really well, as did McGrath and Warne, and Gillespie had his moments as well. Quite a rare occurance these days to see a team go through a full 90 over day and score under 200 runs, mostly thanks to McGrath conceding just 20 in 24 overs with 17 maidens.

On another note, I really like watching Fleming bat in test matches. He's got a really upright stance that makes for attractive drives in particular, like Gary Sobers.

Australia won the last session and probably the first as well, so they take the day. New Zealand will want to rally for a 300+ score tomorrow, and then hope Vettori can do his thing.

 

[Sir Redman]

I think weve been far too negative today - it looked like we were playing for stumps about an hour out from the end. Although the Aussie bowlers bowled extremely tightly we should have taken a few more risks - there's no point in playing for a draw.

 

[aussie]

aussie

300 is too much, i would say the kiwis would be bundled out for around 250

 

[Mr Casson]

300 is too much, i would say the kiwis would be bundled out for around 250

Not so soon, sunshine - McCullum and Astle still there, with Vettori, Franklin and Wiseman to come.

 

[aussie]

aussie

Not so soon, sunshine - McCullum and Astle still there, with Vettori, Franklin and Wiseman to come.

yeah well maybe

 

[Mr Casson]

yeah well maybe

Solid contribution there, Aussie.

 

[aussie]

aussie

Solid contribution there, Aussie.

ha ha ha

 

[cameeel]

5 for 199 at stumps, Astle 7* McCullum 1*

 

[cameeel]

if New Zealand keep going at this rate, we'll end up with another draw, although i suppose that still means Australia win the series

 

[howardj]

At least NZ have unearthed - or re-unearthed - two very decent batsmen in this series, in the Marshall brothers. Put simply, these guys have 'time' - they do not look hurried in their strokes. Furthermore, their techniques look very compact.

Im just speculating, but I think part of the reason why their Domestic records are poor is that they look like guys who like to have a good time, and have perhaps never taken lower level cricket too seriously.

But, now they are at the highest level they will - as they did today - take cricket seriously and totally apply themselves, and thrive against the very best. They are definitely two chaps who the Kiwis can build their line-up around in years to come.

 

[chaminda_00]

At least NZ have unearthed - or re-unearthed - two very decent batsmen in this series, in the Marshall brothers. Put simply, these guys have 'time' - they do not look hurried in their strokes. Furthermore, their techniques look very compact.

Im just speculating, but I think part of the reason why their Domestic records are poor is that they look like guys who like to have a good time, and have perhaps never taken lower level cricket too seriously.

But, now they are at the highest level they will - as they did today - take cricket seriously and totally apply themselves, and thrive against the very best. They are definitely two chaps who the Kiwis can build their line-up around in years to come.

Hmm maybe Hamish still undecided on James, just wondering has he any success opening in dometic cricket, cus from what i've heard he is a middle order batsmen who has be forced to open. There have been other middle order batsmen who did when opening the batting but guys like Jayasuriya, Atapattu, Shewag and Langer all opened the batting in domestic cricket or OD cricket before they opened in Tests.

 

[marc71178]

5 for 199 at stumps, Astle 7* McCullum 1*

So it looks like it#'ll be Lords for number 500 then...

 

[Isolator]

I think Hamish is good enough to cement his spot in the team, ie. average in the high twenties and score a century every 50 matches...

 

[anzac]

At least NZ have unearthed - or re-unearthed - two very decent batsmen in this series, in the Marshall brothers. Put simply, these guys have 'time' - they do not look hurried in their strokes. Furthermore, their techniques look very compact.

Im just speculating, but I think part of the reason why their Domestic records are poor is that they look like guys who like to have a good time, and have perhaps never taken lower level cricket too seriously.

But, now they are at the highest level they will - as they did today - take cricket seriously and totally apply themselves, and thrive against the very best. They are definitely two chaps who the Kiwis can build their line-up around in years to come.

a big call there - I'd rather wait to see them hit double figures in number of Tests played & on a variety of overseas pitches as opposed to Home series.........

you may be right about them liking a good time - but I think it has more to do with the poor quality of domestic pitches as opposed to those prepared for international fixtures........

 

[anzac]

sub 200 is a bit disappointing - although from what I did manage to see it looked as if the outfield was lush & slow so perhaps that may have had an effect over the full day...............certainly plenty of 3s run in the 1st session - as many as you'd expect to see in a full day's play at Eden Park..........

but yet again NZL contrived to loose a brace of wickets in even time and put themselves on the back foot again - either Flem or Hamish should have been there at stumps to anchor the innings into the 2nd Day, whereas they have undone all their efforts today..........now the team have to rebuild from scratch..............

 

[Duncan]

Man, New Zealand was cruising along with Marshall and Fleming but as usual they self destruct. What a disappointing performance in the end. They'll be lucky to reach 250 now.

 

[age_master]

they might but it will take them a week to get there

 

[age_master]

Katich just pulled off a brilliant save followed by a shy at the stumps missing by centimetres, would have had him out if he had hit, brilliant stuff.