What's new

Australia [454 & 217/2d] beat New Zealand [256 & 136] by 279 runs in the third Test, win series 3-0

Interesting

Average speed at the SCG

Highest ever Kumble 89 mph

Second Astle 88 !!

Slowest average speed by a leggie at the SCG Warnie 77

Kuldeep bowled at 78 avge. picked up a fifer.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
Interesting

Average speed at the SCG

Highest ever Kumble 89 mph

Second Astle 88 !!

Slowest average speed by a leggie at the SCG Warnie 77

Kuldeep bowled at 78 avge. picked up a fifer.
Click to expand...

Kimble doing 89 miles per hour / 142 kph Thunderbolts?? Damn :p
 
This is almost nostalgic seeing a NZ bowling attack with 1 good bowler toiling away with a bunch of battlers at the other end.
 
Australia is pretty much the worst place to be as a fielding side if you can't get it together and make inroads or put pressure. Big boundaries, dry pitches, hot weather and a kookaburra ball which won't swing or seam after the first few overs means it's a nightmare when you're not batting. The toss becomes even more important. Every match this series has followed a similar script because New Zealand have bowled first and don't have the attack for these conditions read express pace and bounce.
 
AUS 254/3 (83.2) CRR: 3.05
Day 1: 3rd Session - Australia opt to bat
 
rollingstoned said:
Australia is pretty much the worst place to be as a fielding side if you can't get it together and make inroads or put pressure. Big boundaries, dry pitches, hot weather and a kookaburra ball which won't swing or seam after the first few overs means it's a nightmare when you're not batting. The toss becomes even more important. Every match this series has followed a similar script because New Zealand have bowled first and don't have the attack for these conditions read express pace and bounce.
Click to expand...

nz batted first in test 2? no?
 
Days like this is why Test cricket is dying.

So boring, who is going to go out of their way to watch Aus slowly crawl themselves into ascendancy while NZ don't look like taking a wicket.
 
Last edited:
Aman said:
Days like this is why Test cricket is dying.

So boring, who is going to go out of their way to watch Aus slowly crawl themselves into ascendancy while NZ don't look like taking a wicket.
Click to expand...

Your team was not alone in this summer. At least you managed to knock over Warner.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
Your team was not alone in this summer. At least you managed to knock over Warner.
Click to expand...
Dude, I'd rather see us bat and we're terrible. It's the only time I'm watching these matches because it's the only time something is happening. Runs are more of a struggle (quality Aus attack) and a wicket can come at any time.

When Aus bat, it doesn't feel like a wicket is coming and Aus slowly score runs against a pretty ordinary attack which is asking them no questions or is threatening them.
 
Last edited:
This isn't me being a sore loser - Aus are far far better than us and I expected as much before the series (0-3), it's just that this series along with the Pak series have been super boring. Only times it has been interesting is when Pakistan and NZ have batted.
 
rollingstoned said:
no they won the toss and bowled first! something you should never do in australia unless you are playing in hobart maybe.
Click to expand...

oh my god. you are right. idiots. I don't think Aussies have been tested. Although india will punish them if they win the toss imo.

Pakistan did win a toss and still got spanked. I guess Aussies would do the same to n.z ?
 
New Zealand have been really really ugly to watch this summer. However, I fully expect them to win few games once they fly back to their country. Painful to watch... what an eyesore of a contest!
 
Aman said:
Days like this is why Test cricket is dying.

So boring, who is going to go out of their way to watch Aus slowly crawl themselves into ascendancy while NZ don't look like taking a wicket.
Click to expand...

This series and Pakistan series have degraded test cricket in general. Two toothless teams wasted 5 test matches. Pakistan - well, you can expect from us but New Zealand? After so much hype, they revealed their true colors.
 
NZ deserves to be humiliated like this after opting to field at MCG. Still they could have lost the game, but after a good fight - batting 2nd at MCG, absolutely no chance to compete. I don’t know what was in Williamson’s mind; but when he put Aussies in, must have thought of going to lunch with Aussies at 72-6!!!!

This is quite an entertaining day of Test cricket - 283/3 in a 90 overs’ day is a solid buildup - Kiwis are not competing much because the gap is too wide, not because Test cricket is boring. I think if we compare that when 20 overs often produces 200 runs, in that scale even a day of 483 runs will be boring for some.
 
Aman said:
This isn't me being a sore loser - Aus are far far better than us and I expected as much before the series (0-3), it's just that this series along with the Pak series have been super boring. Only times it has been interesting is when Pakistan and NZ have batted.
Click to expand...

More like an interesting day, watching Smith and Wagner duke it out plus the continuation of Labu's form. Hope to see Wade or Head score a hundred tomorrow.

Aussie bowlers will get their chance to see whats in the pitch.
 
Labuschagne is really taking advantage of the home games he's playing.

I'll be surprised if he doesn't get a double century
 
1ManArmy said:
Labuschagne is really taking advantage of the home games he's playing.

I'll be surprised if he doesn't get a double century
Click to expand...

Maximizing his form just like Smith does just like Hussey did early on in his career. Ponting also maximized his form big time with string of good scores. Hayden did. It is the Australian thing. Started from Bradman era.
 
This is where the 2000 Aussies were dangerous. If the score is 354/5 and Gilchrist is at the crease you would see a different approach. They are going at 3 an over at this point.
 
Aus 200 short here I reckon.

Raval can score this on his own :don
 
Astle all of a sudden bowling his googly after barely using it all day yesterday.
 
Aussie tail going fast here but probably a good thing for them will rain likely at some point.
 
Todd Astle didn't bowl all that badly. But i am surprised why he hardly used wrong un until the previous delivery to Labu's dismissal delivery. He has potential albeit with limited variations. His faster ones are just sitting up.
 
Apparently Jeet Raval has caught the same illness as the others who couldnt play this test.
 
Of course the pitch goes just as we're about to bat..

Wagner's short balls nearly hitting the stumps.
 
Against this attack, with variable bounce even a 50 would be a gold dust. Let us see who shows the resolve. If they wear them out for 30 overs they can score runs.
 
Is it me or is there a bit of Sehwag in Blundell? [MENTION=140806]jnaveen1980[/MENTION]
 
Aman said:
Is it me or is there a bit of Sehwag in Blundell? [MENTION=140806]jnaveen1980[/MENTION]
Click to expand...

You don't see Sehwag on nought this long. Either he would have gone back to pavilion or 15 or 20. Sehwag has amazingly fast hands with precise control. He would have sliced one or two through off side by now. Blundell is prepared to bide his time.
 
Despite the variable bounce, NZ should focus on not losing wickets to Pacers. Survivable against seamers with concentration. Spin will be harder to survive against.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
You don't see Sehwag on nought this long. Either he would have gone back to pavilion or 15 or 20. Sehwag has amazingly fast hands with precise control. He would have sliced one or two through off side by now. Blundell is prepared to bide his time.
Click to expand...
Nah, I meant more of his stance. Some shots (mostly defensive) he finishes like Sehwag. Reminds me of him. Maybe because of the lack of footwork lol
 
AUS - 454
NZ - 18/0 (10.1 Ovs)

CRR: 1.77
 
Lyon suprisingly has a poor record at the SCG. He wont get a better pitch than this to fix that. Plenty of big turn and variable bounce on day 2.
 
Space Cat said:
Lyon suprisingly has a poor record at the SCG. He wont get a better pitch than this to fix that. Plenty of big turn and variable bounce on day 2.
Click to expand...

Only problem is pitch is slow. If you camp on the backfoot you will have time.
 
Kiwis might get away with a draw here. Wicket is too slow, scoring isn’t easy but survival is possible - they need to bat till 4th morning to save this Test.
 
Whether Marnus is better than Smith with bat or not in current form he is definitely a better leggie. It is like Australia having two Smiths !!!
 
Space Cat said:
Easily the best day of the tour for NZ. Good to see some fight finally
Click to expand...

If there is something NZ should have picked up from Pak tour, it is how Australia was not exactly stellar with older ball. Once the ball gets old they become less and less effective.
 
AUS 454
NZ 63/0 (29.0) CRR: 2.17
Day 2: Stumps - New Zealand trail by 391 runs
 
jnaveen1980 said:
If there is something NZ should have picked up from Pak tour, it is how Australia was not exactly stellar with older ball. Once the ball gets old they become less and less effective.
Click to expand...

Our batsman are also much more comfortable on a slower wicket even with the variable bounce. Still its very much a make shift middle order.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
If there is something NZ should have picked up from Pak tour, it is how Australia was not exactly stellar with older ball. Once the ball gets old they become less and less effective.
Click to expand...
Pitch has definitely helped.

Not fast or as bouncy as the first two Tests.
 
I do feel that current NZ side is good on a relatively slower pitch, which is why they also managed to win a test series in UAE and drew in Sri Lanka. This team is good at home and for Asian conditions.
 
One good thing happened to NZ in this series is that now they have found a replacement for Jeet Raval in Tom Blundell and that means the top 4 slot is fixed to certain players for certain time now.

Latham
Blundell
Williamson
Taylor
Nicholls(?)
Watling
Colin
Santee(?)
Southee
Wagner
Boult

So, there are question mark for two spots, rest all looks resolved for now. Of course, Blundell still has to go a long way.
 
Marnus Labuschange extended his golden run this Australian summer, posting his maiden double century, breaking a few records on the way and powering Australia to 454 on the second day of the third and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

At stumps on Saturday, 4 January, the home side were ahead by 391 runs, with New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Tom Blundell surviving to 63/0 in 29 overs.

Resuming at 130 Labuschagne looked flawless for the most part, except in the very late stages of his 215. He signalled his intent early in the day by advancing down the track to William Somerville and lofting him to deep mid-wicket for a four.

Somerville bowled Matthew Wade in that same over as the left-hander failed to connect the sweep shot to fall without adding to his overnight 22. Travis Head fell for a scratchy 10 when he tried to cut one from too close to the body, giving Matt Henry his only wicket of the innings. But Labuschagne continued to score freely at the other end, untroubled by the variable bounce or the slight turn in the pitch.

When he swept Somerville to deep square leg in the 99th over, he became the first player to make four 140-plus scores in an Australian season, a record that highlights how consistently excellent he has been across the matches against Pakistan and New Zealand. Having failed to convert any of those previous efforts into a double hundred, he held his nerve to get to the milestone, even if the manner in which he got there was edgy. He nicked a defensive shot off a straightener from Colin de Grandhomme to reach the mark.

He was dismissed soon after, for 215, when he got a leading edge back to leg-spinner Todd Astle when trying to flick him over mid-wicket. Even after his dismissal, his average was 63.63, thus putting him second on the all-time list for best averages behind only Don Bradman for anyone who has played at least 20 innings, marginally ahead of teammate Steve Smith's 62.84.

While Marnus was the star of the show, the day wasn't all bad for New Zealand, the bowlers taking the last five Australian wickets for 44 runs. Neil Wagner was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 3/66 from 33.1 overs, but de Grandhomme wasn't too far behind, taking 3/78, including the key wickets of Smith on the first day and captain Tim Paine on Saturday.

The openers built on that fine closing act, batting out the entire final session, keeping the home team's hungry bowlers from making an early breakthrough as they have done all series until this point. The Australian quicks and off-spinner Nathan Lyon were characteristically accurate and kept asking questions of Latham and Blundell, but the duo seemed to have the answers.

There were a few nervy moments, especially for Blundell as the bowlers beat the edge. On one occasion, Australia thought they had him as he drove at a wide one outside off from Pat Cummins, but the review went in vain as replays showed no edge. Blundell got a thick outside edge on his drive the very next ball, but he put those behind him to start looking a lot more fluent.

He finished with 34*, while Latham had 26* to his name.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1561118
 
Raval needs to get a big one here , he usually gets starts but he needs to get a big one. After 24 Matches , averaging 30 is not acceptable.
 
:out

As I said above , Raval is vulnerable in his 30s , he fails in 30s probably 20th time in his career
 
Good to see Kiwis are fighting back. This is quite evident these days that touring teams are playing Test underprepared- almost every Test, touring sides are doing better by the 3rd/4th Test of series. This SCG wicket is probably tougher to shore than the MCG or Perth track, but Kiwis have negotiated better here after 5 sessions of fielding. It should be made mandatory to schedule at least 2, FC games for touring side before first Test. If required, they can expand the cycle (of home & away Test tours) from ~4 years to ~5 years, but Test matches should be played with proper preparation.

... talked too early 😩, still the point stands though - Test cricket should be played with proper preparation.
 
Last edited:
kiwis need one more good partnership to avoid follow on danger , and get some control to move towards at least draw here
 
New Zealand trail by 290 runs with 5 wickets remaining in the 1st innings


Drinks , Aussies in firm control.
 
Grandhome 18 from 20 balls , playing too many shots , kiwis need substantial partnership here.
 
Out on a no ball. Philips survives. Aussies are relentless. Don't think NZ has anyone who can go toe to toe with Aussies who are relentless. Temperament, technique, shot selection lot of things have to come together to survive this.
 
jnaveen1980 said:
Out on a no ball. Philips survives. Aussies are relentless. Don't think NZ has anyone who can go toe to toe with Aussies who are relentless. Temperament, technique, shot selection lot of things have to come together to survive this.
Click to expand...

india of 2007-2010 would have crushed this aussie side in terms of batting. However their bowling will let them down big time. Probably lot of draws.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
New Zealand (259 & 255) beat India (156 & 245) convincingly in the 2nd Test by 113 runs to seal a 3-Test series victory (2-0) with one match remaining
10 11 12
Replies
955
Views
10K
sweep_shot
sweep_shot
C
New Zealand (402 & 110/2) secure a comprehensive 8 wicket win against India (46 & 462) in the first Test to lead the 3-match series 1-0
17 18 19
Replies
2K
Views
42K
deltexas
D
C
India (150 & 487/6d) beat Australia (104 & 238) by 295 runs in the 1st Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
28 29 30
Replies
2K
Views
27K
FearlessRoar
FearlessRoar
BouncerGuy
Pakistan (134) fall short as Australia (147/9) win the second T20I by 13 runs taking unassailable 2-0 lead with 1 game remaining
16 17 18
Replies
1K
Views
13K
lucky_fish
L
FearlessRoar
Zimbabwe (205) beat Pakistan (60/6) by 80 runs (DLS method) in the 1st ODI to take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match ODI series
5 6 7
Replies
534
Views
7K
The Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle
Back
Top