New Zealand vs Australia | 1st Test | Wellington | Feb 12-16, 2016 | Match Thread

[Gilly]

What I wrote - and maintain - before it was trendy to say so was that the Top Six countries are roughly equal, with retirements meaning that Australia and South Africa were declining while NZ were improving.

Since losing the Ashes, Australia has replaced Rogers with Burns, Clarke with Khawaja, Starc with Siddle and Johnson with Bird.

I don't think that constitutes an upgrade, do you?

So how many test matches have NZ won against Australia so far. Do you even read what you write.

 

[Junaids]

Sure [MENTION=732]Gilly[/MENTION], but they drew away series to England and Pakistan within days of Australia being humiliated on identical tours there.

 

[Junaids]

And my comments were before the Brisbane Test.

 

[Gilly]

Sure [MENTION=732]Gilly[/MENTION], but they drew away series to England and Pakistan within days of Australia being humiliated on identical tours there.

Australia lost the ashes 3-2, far from humiliation Junaids. What do you call NZ's 0-2 against Australia a complete humiliating thrashing.

 

[Gilly]

And my comments were before the Brisbane Test.

And you were told rightly at the time they were wrong which has since been proved beyond doubt.

 

[Gilly]

Sure [MENTION=732]Gilly[/MENTION], but they drew away series to England and Pakistan within days of Australia being humiliated on identical tours there.

Don't dodge the question Junaids, how many test matches have NZ won against Australia lately, you can include the last 18 test matches if you want to.

 

[Junaids]

[MENTION=732]Gilly[/MENTION], you cited me for a quote I made about the relative strengths of the two teams BEFORE their first Test for five years.

I'm still not certain about the relative strength: you hammered them at the Gabba but the WACA and Adelaide Tests were evenly balanced.

And you were flattered in The Ashes by winning the dead rubber. But we all know that when you needed to avoid defeat in the Fourth Test to remain in The Ashes, you were all out for 60 before lunch on Day One.

Just look at your scores at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge.

This Australian team is like India and Pakistan. Powerful at home, comical on a different continent.

 

[Sachin136]

Voges will get ahead of Bradman if he scores 272 and gets out or scores 172 and stays not out.

 

[Junaids]

Hey [MENTION=732]Gilly[/MENTION], Stuart Broad's dad just walked past me. I seem to remember he used to do to you with the bat what his son does to you with the ball!

 

[Gilly]

[MENTION=732]Gilly[/MENTION], you cited me for a quote I made about the relative strengths of the two teams BEFORE their first Test for five years.

I'm still not certain about the relative strength: you hammered them at the Gabba but the WACA and Adelaide Tests were evenly balanced.

And you were flattered in The Ashes by winning the dead rubber. But we all know that when you needed to avoid defeat in the Fourth Test to remain in The Ashes, you were all out for 60 before lunch on Day One.

Just look at your scores at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge.

This Australian team is like India and Pakistan. Powerful at home, comical on a different continent.

We can all live in the past Junaids, Australia were caught out by England after beating them at home TWICE 5-0.

 

[Gilly]

Hey [MENTION=732]Gilly[/MENTION], Stuart Broad's dad just walked past me. I seem to remember he used to do to you with the bat what his son does to you with the ball!

Did he spit on you like he normally does.

 

[Junaids]

Chill, [MENTION=732]Gilly[/MENTION]!

By the way, between your two 5-0 home Ashes whitewashes, didn't you also manage to lose the 2010-11 home Ashes 3-1?

It's only a game. Australia has been fortunate to win a huge toss in this match, after which New Zealand batted like a team on amphetamines.

 

[Gilly]

Chill, [MENTION=732]Gilly[/MENTION]!

By the way, between your two 5-0 home Ashes whitewashes, didn't you also manage to lose the 2010-11 home Ashes 3-1?

It's only a game. Australia has been fortunate to win a huge toss in this match, after which New Zealand batted like a team on amphetamines.

There is always an excuse for losing to Australia, lost the toss, umpire cheated, pitch changed when we batted.

In fact I cannot remember the last time Australia won a match and the opposition didn't have an excuse for why they lost. At least Aussies will accept the best team won, that is one thing that Aussies supporters do, they accept defeat and give credit to the winner, some others just cant find it within themselves to accept defeat and try to diminish the feats of the winning team, they are also called sore losers.

 

[Convict]

Well done to Adam Voges.

Chanceless innings apart from the time he was distracted by the umpire calling a noball

 

[Junaids]

McCullum has pointed his Big Guns at both batsmen on 99.

That Mark Craig, he's frightening. Puts you through the Nervous Nineties.

Seriously, congratulations to Adam Voges. Unlike Guptill, Williamson and McCullum, he respects the game of Test cricket and bats accordingly.

 

[ChachaCricket]

NZ bowling attack is soft as they come. They've no skill apart from new ball swing.

 

[Junaids]

Day 2, and McCullum has an off-spinner bowling round the wicket to a right-hander.

What a shame that Sky TV no longer employs Chris Cairns. I'd love to know what he thinks of McCullum's unorthodox ploys.

 

[Lurker_Ind]

Very ordinary bowling.

Craig is a pathetic spinner. Boult, Bracewell and Southee are trundling. Barely hitting 132k's.

Its like watching Munaf Patel, Dinda and Balaji trio in a test match together.

 

[Aman]

NZ bowling attack is soft as they come. They've no skill apart from new ball swing.

Yep, see the new ball off and they can't do anything. Super over rated.

 

[Gilly]

Scores don't matter anymore, NZ can always point to that umpire error (not the one when Marsh was bowling and their batsman was let off) when Voges was let off and say Australia only won because of the umpire.

 

[tigersfan1990]

NZ are grossly overhyped here. They are a good ODI side and yet despite belittling ODI cricket [which you nearly all prefer to watch over Tests anyway] you folks use that as a basis for hyping their test side.

NZ got sparked out in Aus and are getting slain here.

 

[Aman]

To be this far behind in a game without 2 days even being completed is embarrassing.

 

[Aman]

NZ are grossly overhyped here. They are a good ODI side and yet despite belittling ODI cricket [which you nearly all prefer to watch over Tests anyway] you folks use that as a basis for hyping their test side.

NZ got sparked out in Aus and are getting slain here.

Yes we've played rubish, but you can't ignore the fact one side batted on a green top while the other batted once the wicket had eased up.

 

[Aman]

Point for all batsmen to prove next innings, they have plenty of time to bat and a belter to bat on.

Need to bat 7-8 sessions to save this lost Test.

 

[tigersfan1990]

Yes we've played rubish, but you can't ignore the fact one side batted on a green top while the other batted once the wicket had eased up.

That is the good fortune [or bad!] of the toss. They have shown more application and skill than NZ's line up.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Averaging 95 with the bat is Voges

 

[tigersfan1990]

Averaging 95 with the bat is Voges

2nd best ever. Sachin who?

 

[vandokkum]

Point for all batsmen to prove next innings, they have plenty of time to bat and a belter to bat on.

Need to bat 7-8 sessions to save this lost Test.

NZ batsmen should be flogged if they don't force Australia to bat again. There's only one batsman in that NZ lineup whose test credentials can't be questioned.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

2nd best ever. Sachin who?

60 more runs and he's be greater than even Bradman

 

[Gilly]

Yes we've played rubish, but you can't ignore the fact one side batted on a green top while the other batted once the wicket had eased up.

So what are you saying. NZ are crap on green tops, wasn't that the reason they were better than Australia. So when are NZ batsmen better than Aussie batsmen.

 

[Aman]

NZ batsmen should be flogged if they don't force Australia to bat again. There's only one batsman in that NZ lineup whose test credentials can't be questioned.

It's not like this is a new issue, we've messed up 2 of our last 3 matches here. Just never seem to learn, you'd think they would have learnt how to bat in these conditions. But nope, just useless.

 

[Aman]

So what are you saying. NZ are crap on green tops, wasn't that the reason they were better than Australia. So when are NZ batsmen better than Aussie batsmen.

I'd like to see Aus bat first on a green top, that's what I'm saying.

 

[tigersfan1990]

60 more runs and he's be greater than even Bradman

Recognize!

If this guy was an Indian or Pakistani the coronation would have begun already.

 

[tigersfan1990]

I'd like to see Aus bat first on a green top, that's what I'm saying.

Blood they have been merking you for ages now in Tests. Home and Away, just accept it!

 

[Gilly]

NZ batsmen should be flogged if they don't force Australia to bat again. There's only one batsman in that NZ lineup whose test credentials can't be questioned.

Actually they can be questioned, green top in Adelaide, he went missing, green top in Wellington and he went missing, did extremely well on the flat tracks though.

 

[Aman]

Blood they have been merking you for ages now in Tests. Home and Away, just accept it!

Yeah, they have, but we're not Bangladesh bad where we lose Tests and series to everyone.

 

[Aman]

Actually they can be questioned, green top in Adelaide, he went missing, green top in Wellington and he went missing, did extremely well on the flat tracks though.

To be fair, it was his very first time playing with a pink ball.

 

[Gilly]

I'd like to see Aus bat first on a green top, that's what I'm saying.

It could embarrassing with your bowlers, be careful what you ask for.

 

[tigersfan1990]

Yeah, they have, but we're not Bangladesh bad where we lose Tests and series to everyone.

But no one hypes us or uses us as a barometer of anything good. NZ get all the props for no reason.

They merk you so badly that ACB should buy NZ players consolation prize Mercedes.

 

[Gilly]

To be fair, it was his very first time playing with a pink ball.

Well to be fair he had a warm up match with the pink ball, something that even Smith didn't get.

 

[vandokkum]

It's not like this is a new issue, we've messed up 2 of our last 3 matches here. Just never seem to learn, you'd think they would have learnt how to bat in these conditions. But nope, just useless.

It's really strange seeing NZ struggle so much at home, considering the thrashing they gave Pakistan in the UAE... and the way they battered England at Headingley. Guptill is probably the most mediocre test batsman to have played over 50 tests.

 

[tigersfan1990]

It's really strange seeing NZ struggle so much at home, considering the thrashing they gave Pakistan in the UAE... and the way they battered England at Headingley. Guptill is probably the most mediocre test batsman to have played over 50 tests.

They had a few decent games but are routinely put in their place. Esp by Aus. I dont mind Australia winning, their fans are alright.

 

[vandokkum]

Actually they can be questioned, green top in Adelaide, he went missing, green top in Wellington and he went missing, did extremely well on the flat tracks though.

I don't see how you can question Williamson's credibility in tests.... but yes he has struggled on seaming pitches. I was talking about likes of Guptill, mccullum, anderson etc, they are really inconsistent, just shows you how good Williamson has been.

 

[vandokkum]

Recognize!

If this guy was an Indian or Pakistani the coronation would have begun already.

Rohit Sharma was the new Bradman after scoring two hundreds against world beater West indies at home.....

 

[tigersfan1990]

Rohit Sharma was the new Bradman after scoring two hundreds against world beater West indies at home.....

Whilst each team has some really decent fans but bulk of SC fans are "know-nothing know it all" types. Just read this forum. Everyone is an expert. Dude's cant wipe their nose properly and are giving critique of this or that player who is infinitely better than them.

Just watch the game as a fan. Yes we have favourites but to suggest you know better than pros is laughable. [Not you personally, the generic use of the word 'you'].

 

[Aman]

Well to be fair he had a warm up match with the pink ball, something that even Smith didn't get.

KW didn't bat in that game, I recall a few fans making a big deal out of it.

 

[Aman]

Maybe a good thing to have Aus continue to bat, it means less batting for us to save this Test.

 

[Aman]

FGS

 

[tigersfan1990]

Maybe a good thing to have Aus continue to bat, it means less batting for us to save this Test.

They are beating you like a ginger step-child.

 

[vandokkum]

Maybe a good thing to have Aus continue to bat, it means less batting for us to save this Test.

You hopeful of them batting 3 days to save this test? Serious question

 

[Aman]

You hopeful of them batting 3 days to save this test? Serious question

There is literally nothing in a Basin reserve wicket after day 1.

If they bat well, and with a bit of luck they can save this Test.

 

[Sachin136]

Australia has a weak tail in this match. Hopefully Voges doesn't run out of partners before getting ahead of Bradman.

 

[vandokkum]

There is literally nothing in a Basin reserve wicket after day 1.

If they bat well, and with a bit of luck they can save this Test.

Why is Guptill playing test cricket? He averages in the low 20s excluding zimbabwe and bangladesh..... his most significant contribution in test cricket is caught Guptill bowled Martin

 

[tigersfan1990]

Why is Guptill playing test cricket? He averages in the low 20s excluding zimbabwe and bangladesh..... his most significant contribution in test cricket is caught Guptill bowled Martin

He does it in the format folks watch.

 

[Junaids]

Why is Guptill playing test cricket? He averages in the low 20s excluding zimbabwe and bangladesh..... his most significant contribution in test cricket is caught Guptill bowled Martin

Even the strengths aren't looking so strong.

Ross Taylor commented on the radio today that Trent Boult is struggling with swing currently. And to be honest, even with the white ball he looked significantly inferior to Mohammad Amir the previous three weeks.

To be fair, in four Tests over the last 15 weeks the Aussies have exposed considerable weaknesses in the Kiwi team that I hadn't recognised.

 

[Gilly]

KW didn't bat in that game, I recall a few fans making a big deal out of it.

Kiwis had plenty of time to get used to the pink ball, much more than the Australians, why do you try and make out that they were hard done by, NZ had everything go their way so there are no excuses, why do you always find an excuse.

New Zealand in the midst of a three-day camp with the pink ball ahead of inaugural day-night Test

The Black Caps are continuing their familiarisation with Test cricket's new pink ball at a three-day training camp in Hamilton, which started on Wednesday.
Late-evening training sessions under lights are scheduled over three nights at Seddon Park as the Kiwis prepare for the historic third Commonwealth Bank Test in Adelaide from November 27, the first to be played under lights.
The Black Caps are testing the visibility of the ball in both daylight and at night, learning how to handle the swing and visibility of the new ball.
Paceman Tim Southee said the Kiwis were looking forward to the historic Test.
"It's going to be interesting - there's been a lot of talk about it," he said.
"The players are getting their heads around the ideal preparation leading into it."
http://www.cricket.com.au/news/new-...orms-test-one-day-series-australia/2015-10-07

Traditional Prime Minister's XI tour match to be played with a pink ball ahead of historic day-night Test
New Zealand will get a chance to prepare for their day-night Test match in Australia with a one-day match against a Mike Hussey-led Prime Minister’s XI that will be played with a pink ball in Canberra later this year.
http://www.cricket.com.au/news/new-...-ahead-of-test-series-in-australia/2015-08-20

NZ had an ideal preparation for the match, their batsmen had plenty of opportunities to get used to the pink ball and their bowlers had ample opportunities to bowl with the pink ball.

Why cant you accept the truth and make up excuses that are just not true.

 

[tigersfan1990]

Even the strengths aren't looking so strong.

Ross Taylor commented on the radio today that Trent Boult is struggling with swing currently. And to be honest, even with the white ball he looked significantly inferior to Mohammad Amir the previous three weeks.

To be fair, in four Tests over the last 15 weeks the Aussies have exposed considerable weaknesses in the Kiwi team that I hadn't recognised.

Arm chair experts are never as on point on those doing the job at hand. I am not even an arm chair expert - but too many folks here are. Watch the game as a fan, have opinions, but recognize that the fools doing it out there 9-5 for years [and the selectors etc] are better judges than us common folk sitting at home!

 

[vandokkum]

Even the strengths aren't looking so strong.

Ross Taylor commented on the radio today that Trent Boult is struggling with swing currently. And to be honest, even with the white ball he looked significantly inferior to Mohammad Amir the previous three weeks.

To be fair, in four Tests over the last 15 weeks the Aussies have exposed considerable weaknesses in the Kiwi team that I hadn't recognised.

How good is this NZ bowling when you discount Boult? Specially now that Boult hasn't been at his best

 

[street cricketer]

[MENTION=139843]IcedCoffee[/MENTION], now what's your opinion on the greentop mate?

 

[Junaids]

How good is this NZ bowling when you discount Boult? Specially now that Boult hasn't been at his best

It's not so much that it's bad as too similar: an army of 132K medium pacers.

It really shows why Pakistan needs Asif back: too many medium pacers or too many left-armers is a problem.

You need at least one outright fast bowler (Milne/Wahab), one left-arm swinger (Boult/Amir), one right-arm quickie and a good spinner.

Too much monotony is a bad thing.

 

[vandokkum]

It's not so much that it's bad as too similar: an army of 132K medium pacers.

It really shows why Pakistan needs Asif back: too many medium pacers or too many left-armers is a problem.

You need at least one outright fast bowler (Milne/Wahab), one left-arm swinger (Boult/Amir), one right-arm quickie and a good spinner.

Too much monotony is a bad thing.

That's probably Australia's best attack right there, Pattinson, Starc, Hazlewood, Lyon.. but Siddle will feel hard done by if he misses out when Starc comes back from injury.

 

[Aman]

Kiwis had plenty of time to get used to the pink ball, much more than the Australians, why do you try and make out that they were hard done by, NZ had everything go their way so there are no excuses, why do you always find an excuse.







NZ had an ideal preparation for the match, their batsmen had plenty of opportunities to get used to the pink ball and their bowlers had ample opportunities to bowl with the pink ball.

Why cant you accept the truth and make up excuses that are just not true.

The game you're referring to, is one where KW did not even bat.

Practicing with and playing against in a match are two different things.

This is about KW, not which team had better prep.

 

[Aman]

Why is Guptill playing test cricket? He averages in the low 20s excluding zimbabwe and bangladesh..... his most significant contribution in test cricket is caught Guptill bowled Martin

Because he cashed in against an ordinary SL bowling attack before this series.

Guptill, like Craig should be nowhere near the side.

Hopefully once KW takes over the reigns is able to make such clear cut decisions.

 

[Chrish]

Looks like Aus won't need to bat again

 

[Aman]

Expecting a declaration.

Our bowlers are struggling to remove tailenders with an older ball.

 

[Gilly]

The game you're referring to, is one where KW did not even bat.

Practicing with and playing against in a match are two different things.

This is about KW, not which team had better prep.

KW got plenty of preparation with the team and against NZ bowlers with the pink ball, just accept he failed and stop trying to find excuses.

 

[Aman]

KW got plenty of preparation with the team and against NZ bowlers with the pink ball, just accept he failed and stop trying to find excuses.

No need to try change topics to team prep, I said KW had never played against a pink ball before (obviously in a match situation).

That point is true, unless you can prove otherwise with a scorecard or article which says otherwise.

 

[Aman]

The Aussies deserve to be well in front, they've won every session convincingly and will probably win the match tomorrow or in the first session of the 4 day.

That no ball should be no excuse for being comprehensively outplayed by a better side.

Best NZ side ever sounding a bit like a joke now. Hadlee and Crowe are well ahead of anything we have at the moment.

 

[Gilly]

Jesus Christ...

KW did not play a single warm up game or domestic match with a pink ball.

Unfair to judge him on one failure, when that was his very first match (international, domestic or warm up) against a pink ball.

I have watched him play this summer and he failed in Adelaide and again today but he did well on the flat pitches, do you disagree with that.

 

[Aman]

I have watched him play this summer and he failed in Adelaide and again today but he did well on the flat pitches, do you disagree with that.

Missing the point once again.

It's unfair to discredit a player when he's in a situation like that.

I do agree that KW has yet to prove himself on tracks with life in them.

 

[Gilly]

Missing the point once again.

It's unfair to discredit a player when he's in a situation like that.

I do agree that KW has yet to prove himself on tracks with life in them.

Where did I discredit him?.

 

[Balthazar]

This NZ attack is too one dimensional, when either one of Boult or Southee is finding it tough, they've no idea how to get going. Its time they blood some young bowlers. To lose a test match to Aussies at home is just embarrassing.

 

[Aman]

Where did I discredit him?.

Well that's you're trying to do aren't you?

 

[Gilly]

Well that's you're trying to do aren't you?

That's a bit rich coming from you, you have spent all summer trying to discredit the Australian players and now complain about a bit of home truths.

What did you call M Marsh today, dud wasn't it, why because his bowling average is the same as Southee's. A little sensitive here Aman.

 

[Pantani]

Expecting a declaration.

Our bowlers are struggling to remove tailenders with an older ball.

No way, its only the end of day two! Australia should bat until all out or midway through the afternoon session on day 3. Score 600 or so, grind NZ into the dust like up at the 'Gabba.

 

[Gilly]

No way, its only the end of day two! Australia should bat until all out or midway through the afternoon session on day 3. Score 600 or so, grind NZ into the dust like up at the 'Gabba.

NZ will have to bowl Aus out, if Smith declares it must be at least 450 in front.

 

[Sadevdesai]

I hope that Umpire Ray Illingworth sleeps well tonight !!!

 

[trogger]

Expecting a declaration.

Our bowlers are struggling to remove tailenders with an older ball.

Based on the last 2 games at this venue we would be crazy to declare early.

Lead around 400 would be ideal, would give us well over two days and tons of runs to play with.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

What really happened?

Did the pitch ease out or something?

Aussies burying the Kiwis.

 

[trogger]

What really happened?

Did the pitch ease out or something?

Aussies burying the Kiwis.

Just the same as your match at the basin.

To be honest it probably wasn't as bowler friendly day 1 as it was for the indian match, we just bowled well and nz's top 7 were pretty poor and ill disciplined.