**Official** New Zealand v Australia

[SJS]

I think he's referring to the misprint. Hamish MacDonald was a particularly hardworking and conscientious All Black lock of the 70s, a strong scrummager and effective front of the lineout jumper. He formed a strong partnership in the 2nd row with Peter Whiting.

 

[Fiery]

 

[howardj]

If Kasper is dropped for the first Test, that will be a disgrace. Lots of players are in form and don't get picked because the player who is there already is performing too.

That's an outstanding point. For some reason, some observers seem to think that Lee is an exception to that rule. Didn't see people demanding that Hayden, when he was plundering all those runs in the mid 1990's, be selected in front of a then outstanding Slater. And rightly so. The Lee/Kaspa selection is no different - Lee must bide his time and wait for someone to slip.

 

[marc71178]

The bitter, sore-losing New Zealander call is a bit unnecessary.

Stop whinging about a non-event then.

 

[marc71178]

marc, that's a pretty stupid post surely you can work out that indian's are culturally and geneticly completely differnt to nz/aus.

It was trying to dispell the population thing that people use as an excuse at times.

 

[marc71178]

It doesn't seem that long ago that they had some small chance of pinching top position in ODI's. Looks a ridiculous concept now.

To be fair, for that to happen didn't they have to win every game in sight whilst Australia lost every game to Pakistan and WI?

It was such a remote chance it was miniscule.

 

[marc71178]

Anybody still think Lee won't be picked?

Yes, barring injury I can see no reason for him to be picked.

 

[marc71178]

Iain O'Brien is said to be called up to the test team

I'm no expert on New Zealand domestic players, but who is he?!

 

[marc71178]

I think he's referring to the misprint. Hamish MacDonald was a particularly hardworking and conscientious All Black lock of the 70s, a strong scrummager and effective front of the lineout jumper. He formed a strong partnership in the 2nd row with Peter Whiting.

And owing to injury problems he's next in line for a call up to the Test side!

 

[marc71178]

Bollocks. NZ are a better side than Sri Lanka.

Current results don't suggest that.

 

[Somerset]

I'm no expert on New Zealand domestic players, but who is he?!

Wellington medium pace bowler who has a decent domestic record - I was as surprised as you were to hear he'd been named in the test side though.

 

[Somerset]

To be fair, for that to happen didn't they have to win every game in sight whilst Australia lost every game to Pakistan and WI?

It was such a remote chance it was miniscule.

Still a possibility, no matter how small. The tsunami disaster causing the Sri Lankans to return home certainly didn't help the Black Caps' causes of having a reasonable chance mind you.

 

[Somerset]

Current results don't suggest that.

And one series against the best side in the world changes that? If Oram and Styris return to the side, I believe we should be ranked number two in the world, it's just an unfortunate run of injuries, bad form and a brilliant Australia side changing the majority's views.

 

[Fiery]

Stop whinging about a non-event then.

You might think it's a non-event but you haven't even seen it so aren't really in a position to comment on my opinion on the matter. If it was such a non-event why are there so many articles and so much debate going on in the papers in both NZ and Australia a couple of days after the "non-event".

 

[marc71178]

And one series against the best side in the world changes that?

Didn't SL recently play against this same best side and do a lot better than being thrashed?

 

[Somerset]

Look at the conditions, and it's obvious Sri Lanka had a huge advantage. In Australia right now, they'd stand no chance - at least our lads could handle the pace and drew the series.

 

[age_master]

Hardly have the Aussies quaking in their thongs

Vettori is a solid bowler but apart from that there ain't much there

 

[bryce]

although i've yet to see him bowl, iain o'brien is said to have been picked because he has a big heart and that's what NZ need against australia - a bowler who can just keep going all day, i'm not saying it's likely to win them matches(nothing is) but it is certain to give them a bit more credibility, he has also been a consistent performer in domestic cricket over the past 3/4 seasons and has earnt selection through performance which means it is a deserved call-up and cannot really be disputed(coupled with the fact that he has the best domestic bowling record in NZ)

meanwhile the squad for the 5th ODI has been announced with tama canning returning to the international stage and daniel vettori making a return,

*Stephen Fleming
Chris Cairns
Tama Canning
Craig Cumming
Lance Hamilton
+Brendon McCullum
Craig McMillan
Hamish Marshall
James Marshall
Kyle Mills
Jeff Wilson
Daniel Vettori

 

[shaka]

So adams still struck down with illness?

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

I find this caption under a pic of Clarke's caught and bowled: "Michael Clarke takes a spectacular one-hander to remove New Zealand's Hamish McDonald in the fourth one-dayer at Wellington's Basin Reserve /AP" from foxsports australia

Similar to this amusing gem from howstat.com today:

"Malcolm Marshall became the 24th batsman from New Zealand to aggregate 1,000 runs or more in LOIs."