**Official** New Zealand v Australia

[Somerset]

whos your pick for man of the series?

Adam Gilchrist, no doubt about it.

 

[chaminda_00]

He bowls a very tight line. I actually think he's been a bit underused in this series. He and Vettori are the only bowlers who looked dangerous every time they had the ball.

For me Vettori hasn't bowled that when this series, outside the first test when he got a 5fer. Franklin for me has been the pick of their bowler, his improved every game.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Gilchrist all the way. MotM in the first two matches, and pretty good here too.

Ponting for MotM here probably, just ahead of McGrath.

 

[Somerset]

He bowls a very tight line. I actually think he's been a bit underused in this series. He and Vettori are the only bowlers who looked dangerous every time they had the ball.

To be fair, Franklin and Martin looked dangerous at times but lacked consistency - O'Brien and Wiseman were also difficult to get away in patches. Vettori and Astle were the most consistent and therefore most dangerous, and if I was Fleming I would've used Astle more too.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

To be fair, Franklin and Martin looked dangerous at times but lacked consistency - O'Brien and Wiseman were also difficult to get away in patches. Vettori and Astle were the most consistent and therefore most dangerous, and if I was Fleming I would've used Astle more too.

Yeah, all the bowlers looked dangerous at times, except perhaps O'Brien who was at best accurate but never menacing. However when Vettori and Astle were bowling I could always see a wicket falling, whereas Martin and Franklin were good sometimes and sometimes looked completely harmless.

 

[_Ed_]

Gilchrist all the way. MotM in the first two matches, and pretty good here too.

Ponting for MotM here probably, just ahead of McGrath.

Unless Vettori bowls us to victory........

 

[mavric41]

whos your pick for man of the series?

Franklin for his batting

Easy pick - Gilchrist!!!

 

[chaminda_00]

Yeah, all the bowlers looked dangerous at times, except perhaps O'Brien who was at best accurate but never menacing. However when Vettori and Astle were bowling I could always see a wicket falling, whereas Martin and Franklin were good sometimes and sometimes looked completely harmless.

Vettori hasn't been that dangerous, accurate maybe but not dangerous. He only taken 3 wickets in the series outside that 5-fer. If u take out the 5-106 then his average for the series is around 100, on par with O'Brien and Martin

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Vettori hasn't been that dangerous, acuurate maybe but not dangerous. He only taken 3 wickets in the series outside that 5-fer. If u take out the 5-106 then his average for the series is around 100, on par with O'Brien and Martin

I disagree. He's had a very poor third test, but in the second test he was very dangerous as well, and I think he was the best New Zealand bowler in that match as well, just ahead of Martin. He didn't get the wickets of course, but he bowled very well. In the third test Franklin and Wiseman have been the best New Zealanders with the ball.

 

[psxpro]

Vettori looks to tired.
Ive been impressed with franklin. I think hes gonna be a good bowler for us.
Martin's been disappointing, looks good early on, but never really takes wickets.

 

[chaminda_00]

I disagree. He's had a very poor third test, but in the second test he was very dangerous as well, and I think he was the best New Zealand bowler in that match as well, just ahead of Martin. He didn't get the wickets of course, but he bowled very well. In the third test Franklin and Wiseman have been the best New Zealanders with the ball.

But to be very dangerous u have to take wickets, this has been the story for most of his career. His always looks like taking a bag of wickets but never really does, i thought that 5-fer in the 1st Test was a turning point in his career, but it wasn't. Batsmen around the world always worried about Vettori cus he has the potential to ripe through a batting line but never does. Is it because he bowls to defence at times or cus he has no support. I'm not sure about the second argument cus i haven't done research to see if he bowled better with Bond in the side. But their have been many bowlers in world cricket that have next to no support but they are still successful, ie Steak and Hadlee come to mind. All in all if ur a spin bowler and can't consisently take wickets under 35, either ur too defence or ur not a world beater.

 

[psxpro]

Vettori's a better one day bowler.
I think hes a pretty good test bowler as well, for a spinner in test hes done very well, the thing is he has a back problem and struggles with the workload.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

It's almost night there now! I wonder if they can win by stumps even with Fleming's stalling tactics.

50 for Ponting.

 

[chaminda_00]

Vettori's a better one day bowler.
I think hes a pretty good test bowler as well, for a spinner in test hes done very well, the thing is he has a back problem and struggles with the workload.

Well all spin bowlers have simliar work load to him, and also one of the reason why he is a better one day bowler then Test is cus he seem to be too defence. Look how much better Giles is bowling since he started attacking more when bowling in Test Cricket.

 

[mavric41]

It's almost night there now! I wonder if they can win by stumps even with Fleming's stalling tactics.

50 for Ponting.

The way Ponting is starting to smash them they will do it easy. He is being brutal at the moment. Another 6 as I type/

 

[lord_of_darkness]

australia get this in the bag easy...

lets hope for a better Series against S.L..

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

That will do it. Comprehensive 9 wicket win to Australia.

 

[Duncan]

All over. Yet another victory for Australia.

I wonder who will be the MOTM and MOTS.

 

[telsor]

MOTM is sure to be Ponting.

MOTS...Surely it'd be Brett Lee, after all, according to his backers he would have have taken 60 wickets ( avg 0 ) if only the selectors weren't so blind.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

To follow up the other stats earlier, Australian batting and New Zealand bowling for the series.

Gilchrist - 343 @ 171.50
Ponting - 289 @ 96.33
Martyn - 235 @ 78.33
Langer - 206 @ 68.67
Katich - 188 @ 62.67
Hayden - 158 @ 31.60
Warne - 53 @ 26.50
Gillespie - 49 @ 16.33
Kasprowicz - 38 @ 38.00
Clarke - 38 @ 12.67
McGrath - 0 @ 0.00

5 batsman averaging over 50 in the series is pretty telling. Total of 5 centuries in the series for Australia to one, and someone stood up each and every innings and put in a big score. Clarke and Hayden the obvious disappointments, and Langer wasn't exactly dominant either, despite hitting a half-century in each fourth innings chase. Hayden had one good knock as well.

Martin - 2 @ 198.50
Franklin - 12 @ 34.58
Vettori - 8 @ 49.63
O'Brien - 2 @ 98.50
Wiseman - 1 @ 77.00
Astle - 3 @ 50.33

Nothing special here. Martin bowled better than his figures look, but Franklin and Vettori the obvious standouts at different points in the series. Vettori probably disappointing in the end after a good start to the series, and Franklin was the big surprise performer.

MOTS obviously Gilchrist, but mention must go to McGrath as well. Hamish Marshall easily the most impressive of the New Zealand players.