NZ - Australia Tests

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Great start to the series by Australia...Hazlewood and Siddle skittling NZ for 183 : and that total owes much to a last wicket 46 stand between Craig and the big-hitting Boult.

However with Burns and Warner both out with just five runs on the board this match looks like struggling to go the distance ! If I were a spectator with tickets for Monday I'd be very concerned

The Loaded Dog wrote:

Olly wrote:Is Mitchell marsh the worst test number 6 in history?

He's giving Wayne Larkins a run for his money, isn't he?

And

Pringle
Ward
Crawley

I'll stop there!

Surely Larkins was an opener ?

Marsh strikes me as more a bowler who can bat - and I'm not sure he is good enough to command a spot (in the five day game) for long. At the moment Australia can carry him with the top order prospering ; and I guess he tempts the selectors as a means of playing two spinners in Asian conditions. Not sure that plan will survive , say , a tour of India...

You could carry him at 7, if you had a keeper good enough to bat 6 - unfortunately Nevill isn't good enough to bat 7 let alone 6....

A lot of Australian commentators would disagree with you there , Olly. In truth he has , so far , shown only potential - I certainly wouldn't be putting him up to six ; but I think he may yet grow into a perfectly adequate seven , though certainly no Gilchrist !

Sorry Alfie don't see it myself (although I have obviously not seen as much of him as the Aussies)

Looks to me like a good county type keeper who isn't quite good enough to make the step up

So now McCullum's career is over, where does his legacy have him stand amongst the games greats/very goods/goods?

Great skipper, entertainer, good batter?

Olly wrote:So now McCullum's career is over, where does his legacy have him stand amongst the games greats/very goods/goods?

What if tomorrow he bamboozles the Aussies with his previously unseen leg-breaks, taking 7-38 as NZ win by 5 runs?

Joking aside, certainly not consistent enough to be one of the greats, but a very good and dangerous batsman who did deliver some memorable innings across all formats, and added some very strong Test performances to his undoubted limited overs talents in the last 2-3 years

Captaincy wise I am a bit unsure he really changed things or just happened to have a decent crop of players at his disposal

Josh Hazlewood should be banned for three matches

Silly remarks from him and then carrying on with the opposition as they walked off for lunch. We don't need that sort of behaviour.

Anyway, this match should be wrapped up around lunchtime tomorrow and India's short reign at No.1 will come to an end and normal service will be resumed.

Yes you'd think Australia will get these without too many problems ... think NZ needed to take three , not one , wickets today to threaten an upset. Nevertheless they did battle it out well and at least Australia have been made to work for what will be a deserved victory.

And yes that will give them the Number One Ranking so they can do a bit of chest-beating. But I wouldn't be doing too much as the fact is any of the top five or six teams can win against any of the others , at least at home : right now , there is no outstanding team. Which is a good thing , in my book - we can all admire a dominant West Indies or Australia ; but after a while it gets boring. Competition is much more fun.

Didn't see the Umpire Abuse bit. But it doesn't sound good. I get that the Australians (probably already getting a bit frustrated) felt aggrieved - rightly or wrongly is immaterial - but there is no excuse for outright dissent at an umpire's ruling. Unfortunately we see this from time to time : one thing I had against the generally excellent Ricky Ponting was his tendency to conspicuously argue the point with umpires when he felt they had erred...but at least he (so far as I know) was always on the polite side of the line. Certainly Hazelwood seems to have been well over the line this time ; and it was surely Smith's responsibility to rein him in... you'd think the match referee will have something to say. He had better , or we will have irate Indian fans all over the internet complaining there is one law for some, etc , etc

Overall a rather good Test Match . If the Kiwi's have underperformed a little , Australia have played very well and emphatically made up for any disappointment they may have over the limited overs stuff. Still hope to see a lively first session tomorrow to see B Mc off ...

alfie wrote:Yes you'd think Australia will get these without too many problems ... think NZ needed to take three , not one , wickets today to threaten an upset.  Nevertheless they did battle it out well and at least Australia have been made to work for what will be a deserved victory.

And yes that will give them the Number One Ranking so they can do a bit of chest-beating.  But I wouldn't be doing too much as the fact is any of the top five or six teams can win against any of the others , at least at home : right now , there is no outstanding team.  Which is a good thing , in my book - we can all admire a dominant West Indies or Australia ; but after a while it gets boring.  Competition is much more fun.

Didn't see the Umpire Abuse bit.  But it doesn't sound good.  I get that the Australians (probably already getting a bit frustrated) felt aggrieved - rightly or wrongly is immaterial - but there is no excuse for outright dissent at an umpire's ruling.  Unfortunately we see this from time to time : one thing I had against the generally excellent Ricky Ponting was his tendency to conspicuously argue the point with umpires when he felt they had erred...but at least he (so far as I know) was always on the polite side of the line.  Certainly Hazelwood seems to have been well over the line this time ; and it was surely Smith's responsibility to rein him in... you'd think the match referee will have something to say.  He had better , or we will have irate Indian fans all over the internet complaining there is one law for some, etc , etc  

Overall a rather good Test Match .  If the Kiwi's have underperformed a little , Australia have played very well and emphatically made up for any disappointment they may have over the limited overs stuff.  Still hope to see a lively first session tomorrow to see B Mc off ...

We're no. 1 there too Alfie... not to mention WC holders yet again and now doing well in the women's, BBL, kiddies leagues, kanga cricket.  

Fair to say that there is not too much to be disappointed about.

As you do say though; too much of one thing gets boring.
Yet, from my perspective, I'd rather be in Australia's current position (in all formats) than in England's... or even SA's or India's.

I do realise that teams are always competitive against each other at the top level (No.1 or not) but obviously Australia will now be even more in the sights of the other teams ranked below them... if such a thing is at all possible!

I'll keep the Ashes thanks , LD

You can have the Kanga cricket.

The Loaded Dog wrote:

alfie wrote:Yes you'd think Australia will get these without too many problems ... think NZ needed to take three , not one , wickets today to threaten an upset.  Nevertheless they did battle it out well and at least Australia have been made to work for what will be a deserved victory.

And yes that will give them the Number One Ranking so they can do a bit of chest-beating.  But I wouldn't be doing too much as the fact is any of the top five or six teams can win against any of the others , at least at home : right now , there is no outstanding team.  Which is a good thing , in my book - we can all admire a dominant West Indies or Australia ; but after a while it gets boring.  Competition is much more fun.

Didn't see the Umpire Abuse bit.  But it doesn't sound good.  I get that the Australians (probably already getting a bit frustrated) felt aggrieved - rightly or wrongly is immaterial - but there is no excuse for outright dissent at an umpire's ruling.  Unfortunately we see this from time to time : one thing I had against the generally excellent Ricky Ponting was his tendency to conspicuously argue the point with umpires when he felt they had erred...but at least he (so far as I know) was always on the polite side of the line.  Certainly Hazelwood seems to have been well over the line this time ; and it was surely Smith's responsibility to rein him in... you'd think the match referee will have something to say.  He had better , or we will have irate Indian fans all over the internet complaining there is one law for some, etc , etc  

Overall a rather good Test Match .  If the Kiwi's have underperformed a little , Australia have played very well and emphatically made up for any disappointment they may have over the limited overs stuff. Still hope to see a lively first session tomorrow to see B Mc off ...

We're no. 1 there too Alfie... not to mention WC holders yet again and now doing well in the women's, BBL, kiddies leagues, kanga cricket.  

Fair to say that there is not too much to be disappointed about.

As you do say though; too much of one thing gets boring.
Yet, from my perspective, I'd rather be in Australia's current position (in all formats) than in England's... or even SA's or India's.

I do realise that teams are always competitive against each other at the top level (No.1 or not) but obviously Australia will now be even more in the sights of the other teams ranked below them... if such a thing is at all possible!

Referring , of course to the fact that the Kiwi's won the recent ODI series 2-1. As any good Australian will always be quick to say (after a win) "You're only as good as your last game"...

Its still possible for Voges to finish this test on a cheeky not out and be ahead (think it needs to be about 50) and be ahead of Bradman in the 20+ innings test average list.

alfie wrote:

The Loaded Dog wrote:

alfie wrote:Yes you'd think Australia will get these without too many problems ... think NZ needed to take three , not one , wickets today to threaten an upset.  Nevertheless they did battle it out well and at least Australia have been made to work for what will be a deserved victory.

And yes that will give them the Number One Ranking so they can do a bit of chest-beating.  But I wouldn't be doing too much as the fact is any of the top five or six teams can win against any of the others , at least at home : right now , there is no outstanding team.  Which is a good thing , in my book - we can all admire a dominant West Indies or Australia ; but after a while it gets boring.  Competition is much more fun.

Didn't see the Umpire Abuse bit.  But it doesn't sound good.  I get that the Australians (probably already getting a bit frustrated) felt aggrieved - rightly or wrongly is immaterial - but there is no excuse for outright dissent at an umpire's ruling.  Unfortunately we see this from time to time : one thing I had against the generally excellent Ricky Ponting was his tendency to conspicuously argue the point with umpires when he felt they had erred...but at least he (so far as I know) was always on the polite side of the line.  Certainly Hazelwood seems to have been well over the line this time ; and it was surely Smith's responsibility to rein him in... you'd think the match referee will have something to say.  He had better , or we will have irate Indian fans all over the internet complaining there is one law for some, etc , etc  

Overall a rather good Test Match .  If the Kiwi's have underperformed a little , Australia have played very well and emphatically made up for any disappointment they may have over the limited overs stuff. Still hope to see a lively first session tomorrow to see B Mc off ...

We're no. 1 there too Alfie... not to mention WC holders yet again and now doing well in the women's, BBL, kiddies leagues, kanga cricket.  

Fair to say that there is not too much to be disappointed about.

As you do say though; too much of one thing gets boring.
Yet, from my perspective, I'd rather be in Australia's current position (in all formats) than in England's... or even SA's or India's.

I do realise that teams are always competitive against each other at the top level (No.1 or not) but obviously Australia will now be even more in the sights of the other teams ranked below them... if such a thing is at all possible!

Referring , of course to the fact that the Kiwi's won the recent ODI series 2-1.  As any good Australian will always be quick to say (after a win) "You're only as good as your last game"...

Yes, everyone except me, alfie. I personally think that's a silly thing to say. It's more about how you play the next ball, the next game.

You do tend to wallow in negative light of seeing things; especially if they can be attributed to Australia, don't you alfie?  

England fan in not-liking-Australia-much shocker!

Blimey , Dog , what did I write that was negative ? I was praising Australia for a deserved win for heavens sake ! If I mentioned the ODI loss in NZ in passing it was only to emphasize how well they came back in "foreign" conditions - something even the home press were a little concerned about.

Did you forget to take your rabies shots yesterday ?

Anyway at 100/1 it doesn't seem they are going to have much trouble finishing the job this morning.

Khawaja finishing his Test season as he started it as he closes on another fifty...

OOPS

Sorry - didn't mean to jinx Khawaja , honest.

Still going to be an easy chase.

Australia opt to have 15 more minutes before lunch with more than 30 still needed. With the weather good, don't really understand that.

And almost straightaway, Burns having put in all the hard yards gets cleaned up going for a heave ho. Unnecessary in my book.

That's lunch at last and bed for me. 185/3. 16 left to win. Daft waste of Burns' wicket.

alfie wrote:Blimey , Dog , what did I write that was negative ?   I was praising Australia for a deserved win for heavens sake !   If I mentioned the ODI loss in NZ in passing it was only to emphasize how well they came back in "foreign" conditions - something even the home press were a little concerned about.

Did you forget to take your rabies shots yesterday ?    

Apologies if I've struck a sensitive nerve, alfie.

I simply think they are in a good place at the moment and are performing pretty well.  Even good teams drop a few matches along the way.

I'm not having a go at you... just more emphasising the positives as we Australians tend to do.

Gooseberry wrote:Its still possible for Voges to finish this test on a cheeky not out and be ahead (think it needs to be about 50) and be ahead of Bradman in the 20+ innings test average list.

Stranded on 10 n/o and an average of 95.5

2015/16 average is 161.5 which qualifies as "pretty good"

Gooseberry wrote:

Gooseberry wrote:Its still possible for Voges to finish this test on a cheeky not out and be ahead (think it needs to be about 50) and be ahead of Bradman in the 20+ innings test average list.

Stranded on 10 n/o and an average of 95.5

2015/16 average is 161.5  which qualifies as "pretty good"

Quite useful isn't it? And that must include a few not so great returns in The Ashes including his part in the 120 and 60ao debacles. Where do the Aussies find all these late blooming batsmen from? And could other teams learn a thing or two e.g. Carberry maybe should have been given more of a chance after doing better than most on a disaster of a tour

He racks up a lot not outs. He has as many not outs in 16 odd tests as Bradman did in 52. He's also the modern Bradman

I'm worried about Warner's lack of recent form now. He seems to have become impatient again getting out cheaply on this tour.

The Loaded Dog wrote:

alfie wrote:Blimey , Dog , what did I write that was negative ?   I was praising Australia for a deserved win for heavens sake !   If I mentioned the ODI loss in NZ in passing it was only to emphasize how well they came back in "foreign" conditions - something even the home press were a little concerned about.

Did you forget to take your rabies shots yesterday ?    

Apologies if I've struck a sensitive nerve, alfie.

I simply think they are in a good place at the moment and are performing pretty well.  Even good teams drop a few matches along the way.

I'm not having a go at you... just more emphasising the positives as we Australians tend to do.

Ha - no offence taken , LD (and none intended : as usual , many of my comments are slightly tongue-in-cheek)

Just can't let you get away with too much of the Aussie Aussie Aussie stuff ...God help us all if they win the T20 thing

alfie wrote:

The Loaded Dog wrote:

alfie wrote:Blimey , Dog , what did I write that was negative ?   I was praising Australia for a deserved win for heavens sake !   If I mentioned the ODI loss in NZ in passing it was only to emphasize how well they came back in "foreign" conditions - something even the home press were a little concerned about.

Did you forget to take your rabies shots yesterday ?    

Apologies if I've struck a sensitive nerve, alfie.

I simply think they are in a good place at the moment and are performing pretty well.  Even good teams drop a few matches along the way.

I'm not having a go at you... just more emphasising the positives as we Australians tend to do.

Ha - no offence taken , LD  (and none intended : as usual , many of my comments are slightly tongue-in-cheek)  

Just can't let you get away with too much of the Aussie Aussie Aussie stuff ...God help us all if they win the T20 thing  

Of course not. I'm the most anti "Aussie A.. A.." person imaginable. I cant even write it all out it grates me so much! Makes me cringe.
Don't think they will go too far in the T20WC. Not that we will see any of it anyway. What's happened?

Ever since there was some dispute; first with Ch10 not agreeing with terms on the IPL, then some spat with journalists over not being allowed to cover matches for an exorbitant fee demanded by BCCI (or whoever) and now this decision not to broadcast live matches free-to-air.

I thought our relations were improving with India (after several unsavory incidents a few years back) but it seems there is still a high degree of 'brinkmanship' or uncompromising 'negotiations' when it comes to buying rights for certain cricket events. Pity... both parties should come to some sort of "reasonable agreement" so we can just enjoy the tournament. However, I won't lose any sleep not being able to watch it this year.

Dave Warner claims the NZ players and fans went too far with abuse

So we now have the Aussies calling NZ too nice and too mean within a twelve month period (too nice at last years WC iirc)

Warner was talking about the fans. I do have some sympathy for the if their families were slagged off.

Stella wrote:Warner was talking about the fans. I do have some sympathy for the if their families were slagged off.

The story of Australian cricket over the past 30+ years has been exceptionally good cricket mixed with frequently unattractive behaviour on the field, individually and collectively. I have absolutely no sympathy whatsoever for this team, whose captain - yes, captain - and opening bowler get fined for abusing the umpire. At best, their cricket is brilliant to watch - Adam Gilchrist remains a shining example of doing it in deeds not words.

Warner's whining passive-aggressive moaning is just the latest example of how the Aussies love dishing it out in the name of 'banter' and 'aggressive cricket' but cry foul the minute they get any back. You're a great batsman, son, but learn to behave yourself before sounding off about others - and grow a pair while you're at it.

SimonofSurrey wrote:

Stella wrote:Warner was talking about the fans. I do have some sympathy for the if their families were slagged off.

The story of Australian cricket over the past 30+ years has been exceptionally good cricket mixed with frequently unattractive behaviour on the field, individually and collectively. I have absolutely no sympathy whatsoever for this team, whose captain - yes, captain - and opening bowler get fined for abusing the umpire. At best, their cricket is brilliant to watch - Adam Gilchrist remains a shining example of doing it in deeds not words.

Even Adam Gilchrist would spout verbal abuse on occasion - it's just that he was more discreet and was more aware when he was within earshot of the microphones.

David Warner has previously defended Hashim Amla's honour from Joe Root's racially insensitive slurs though, he's clearly not all bad.