**Official** New Zealand v Australia

[Fiery]

So who is game to make a prediction for game two.

NZ 400/0. Astle 200*, Fleming 200*
Australia 20 Tuffey 5/10, Mills 5/10

 

[Scallywag]

I think Australias batsmen will come back to life and it will be Aus by 40-50 runs.

 

[Top_Cat]

Back to the game though - I just saw the replay of Gilchrist's stumping of McMillan off McGrath - incredible work! Haven't seen anyone comment on it up to this point.

Yeah exactly. People here are the first to bag Gilchrist for being not as good a 'keeper as Chris Read or whoever (rubbish in my view; as far as I'm concerned, there isn't a better 'keeping going in world cricket) but then he does something truly special like a stumping off a 130-odd km/h delivery and not a word is said.

 

[MoxPearl]

to the australians here

Do u think new zealand deserves to be the 2nd ranksed team in the world ?

 

[Scallywag]

to the australians here

Do u think new zealand deserves to be the 2nd ranksed team in the world ?

Overall yes, but they need to be more consistant in away games to really stamp themselves as true champions. I didnt watch the Pak series but it looks bad on paper.

 

[MoxPearl]

did u watch the natwest series ? :P

 

[Blaze]

Overall yes, but they need to be more consistant in away games to really stamp themselves as true champions. I didnt watch the Pak series but it looks bad on paper.

We played our c team because none of the top players wanted to travel..

 

[Tim]

It's fair to say Pakistan deserved to win that series 5-0. However if we had a full strength side, im sure that series would have been a lot closer.

 

[Zinzan]

First Blood to Australia!!....Psychologically game one was always going to be a big win. This will be a real test of how mentally strong NZ are. If they dwell on the loss overly and concentrate their attentions on how they lost it - they may as well not bother turning up for the rest of the series. However if they look at the facts that the last 3 games against Aust have been 2-1 (to Aust) and all 3 games could have gone either way and keep their attention on the "Next" game instead of the last.....we could be in with a shot.

Despite the fact as a NZ supporter I was as gutted as the next man after Sat's game. I must say what a great advertisement it is for the 50 over game when the two best sides in the World go head to head.

Hard for anyone whose watched the last 3 NZ v Aust games to disagree...Like Ian Smith said the othernite "Blow 20/20 ....I'll take the 50 over game anyday". I totally agree.

Have NZ got the mental strenght to fight back??

 

[Sir Redman]

Any changes to be made in each team for the next match?

I'd say Australia may drop Katich for Hussey and Kasper for Gillespie.

Christchurch pitch is meant to be the fastest in the country so I think Wilson will come in to the side...but for who? Tuffey opened up badly but bowled well at the death, Mills is a selectors favourite so won't be dropped and Sinclair apparently has the coaches backing, and I'd be very wary of weakening our batting given our horrific display in the first game (Marshall and to an extent McMillan excepted)

 

[MoxPearl]

id take out sinclair.. he just seems scared of australia :/ which is dumb.. cause hes the only one.

I would replace him with either wilson or adams...

But they wont drop him unless he screws up tommorow

 

[Ming]

Jeez McGrath was faster than any NZ bowlers on display.....he's faster than what the papers say....he topped 141/2 a few times.

 

[southern man]

Braces said on the radio that Wilson will play tomorrow.

Adams is playing for Auckland.

 

[Fiery]

Braces said on the radio that Wilson will play tomorrow.

Adams is playing for Auckland.

In for Sinclair?

 

[chaminda_00]

to the australians here

Do u think new zealand deserves to be the 2nd ranksed team in the world ?

I think The kiwis are easily at least equally second with Sri lanka. They are class above the rest of the teams, especially when Oram comes back. I think they are a little bit better away from home then Sri Lanka but Sri Lanka is better at home.

 

[MoxPearl]

really ? I actually think we are quite a bit above sri lanka...

 

[Tim]

Have Sri Lanka been undefeated at home for 4 years though like NZ? no. Because NZ beat Sri Lanka & Pakistan in 2003.

Regardless of that fact, I agree that NZ & Sri Lanka are fairly even.

 

[chaminda_00]

really ? I actually think we are quite a bit above sri lanka...

On what grounds are they quite a bit above Sri lanka

Have Sri Lanka been undefeated at home for 4 years though like NZ? no. Because NZ beat Sri Lanka & Pakistan in 2003.

Regardless of that fact, I agree that NZ & Sri Lanka are fairly even.

Well that true but NZ don't play many trianglar series at home so it is easier for them to win at home (they only have to beat one team not two), also they play less games at home. Since 1996 Sri Lanka have always been there or there about in ODI cricket just below Australia and South Africa for a while there. Whereas New Zealand have only preformed at this level in the last 2 years (if that). Even on current form Sri lanka are up there with New Zealand if not better.

 

[cricket player]

Have Sri Lanka been undefeated at home for 4 years though like NZ? no. Because NZ beat Sri Lanka & Pakistan in 2003.

Regardless of that fact, I agree that NZ & Sri Lanka are fairly even.

I think pakistan won the 2003 series againts nz you are mistaken

 

[Smudge]

I think pakistan won the 2003 series againts nz you are mistaken

I think he means in New Zealand - so you are mistaken