Aust tour squad v NZ announced - Sayers in.

[stampy]

smith gone exactly the same way 4/357

[bennymacca]

Must admit I'm thoroughly enjoying the NZ commentary, a nice change from the ch9 team.

Because they actually talk cricket!!

[Brodlach]

Stumps

7 behind with 6 wickets in hand

[locky801]

NZ reckon they produce green tops, must be on their bottles of drink.

We bat properly tomorrow as we did today we will bat all day.

GOAT to get a half century tomorrow

[bennymacca]

NZ reckon they produce green tops, must be on their bottles of drink.

We bat properly tomorrow as we did today we will bat all day.

GOAT to get a half century tomorrow

Was streaming the NZ radio today and they were pretty critical of the pitch.

Still better than most Australian pitches, because it moves around for a bit longer at least.

[LaughingKookaburra]

Since that disaster in England you can't fault Australia's strategies at Test level. Their transformation has been outstanding at Test level and now all of a sudden our batting line up is very strong. It will be interesting to see how we handle Sri Lanka.

On the other hand New Zealand rolled the dice during the First Test and lost, it's ****** up their entire series. What's impressive about Australia is that they are missing 2/3's of their best pace attack if all players were fit and firing. Whilst our top end talent is not any where close to being as good, our pace depth is as good as it was when we were clearly number 1 in the world for 15 years until 2010.

[stampy]

good post there kooka, agree with all of that, think the kiwis, in particular their coach overrate themselves just a bit, you ask for a pitch which is going to suit the quicks on the first day and you only have a 50/50 chance of utilising it, suck a big fat one heshan bag and co your underhand planning has backfired big time, maybe bolts and southeee arent as good as you thought

[LaughingKookaburra]

Boult and Southee would be very dangerous if they were faster in pace. They are no Shane Bond that's for sure...

[bennymacca]

Boult and Southee would be very dangerous if they were faster in pace. They are no Shane Bond that's for sure...

Boult in particular used to be much quicker a year or two ago. Even at the World Cup he was pretty quick.

[The Dark Knight]

Boult and Southee would be very dangerous if they were faster in pace. They are no Shane Bond that's for sure...

Boult in particular used to be much quicker a year or two ago. Even at the World Cup he was pretty quick.

There was talk on the cricinfo commentary about this. When Bond was the bowling coach the NZ quicks, in particular Boult were bowling much quicker than now with Mascarenhas being the bowling coach, so there has definitely been alot of discussion about this topic.

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uploadfromtaptalk1456049795888.jpg (71.85 KiB) Viewed 295 times

[LaughingKookaburra]

Bond was an out and out gun. Really wish his career wasn't destroyed by injury we missed out on a gem of a cricketer at his best for a long period of time.

[Grenville]

NZ reckon they produce green tops, must be on their bottles of drink.

We bat properly tomorrow as we did today we will bat all day.

GOAT to get a half century tomorrow

Was streaming the NZ radio today and they were pretty critical of the pitch.

Still better than most Australian pitches, because it moves around for a bit longer at least.

The commentary on the live stream is well worth a listen.

[LaughingKookaburra]

The Kiwi's as I said rolled the dice and lost. England did it and won. I think NZ underestimated Australia a little too (Not through arrogance, maybe a little naive with Australia's new players). South Africa at home adopted similar tactics over the last 20 years (through arrogance and absolute stupidity at times) and its backfired every time. Imo if you're going to do these tactics you need to mentally challenge Australia also otherwise it's a waste of time. The last 25 years shows nice guys finish last v Australia in matches that have any significance.

[BoundaryRider84]

Is there any better no.11 or night watchmen than Lyon

[stampy]

Is there any better no.11 or night watchmen than Lyon

no

[stan]

Is there any better no.11 or night watchmen than Lyon

Hes not bad technically in defense. When he goes after a ball to play a shot at times he starts to look like bowler. But when he plays defensively and lets the come to him and works ball he looks alright.

[PatowalongaPirate]

The straight drive that Lyon played off Boult last over appeared to flick the pile of sawdust behind the non strikers end.

[Dogwatcher]

Marsh missing a great chance to make some runs there.

[locky801]

Marsh missing a great chance to make some runs there.

His time surely must be up, not up to test standard as a batsman by a long shot

[stampy]

8/496 a lead of 126, nz contolling the damage somewhat, i was hoping for 600