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6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3202558 2-Mar-2024 21:43

If Rachin keeps his head, he could put NZ into a strong position. Its unlikely but another one hundred runs between him and Mitchell, should have NZ in range of a win. Hes going at 4rpo, so his century will occur within time before the new ball. But Mitchell needs to get a stride in on defense, at the moment his foot work is non existent and hes stuck in the crease. If he gets it together, being in the top 5 batsmen in the world currently, he should be able to up his run rate. If they just get to 3.5rpo, that will leave them within about 80 runs of victory. Unlikely, but Im not giving up on us while Mitchell is out there and GP to come, hopefully Rachin goes on to 150 etc, or Blundell gets his rubbish batting together. GP can knock the rest off fast with one or two partners, not forgetting Kugs can bat and Henrys avg of 25 and a very aggressive clean striker.

I dont see the rain tomorrow. More likely Monday, but they game will be over before then, unless the wind changes the rain overnight and knocks off 1.5 days ;-p. Unlikely.

Mccullum would go for the win, we have the batsmen, we just need a dose of luck and someone standing up with a bigis ton, ie Rachin.

NZ would nearly have won by now without the dropped catches and the extras. Insane to think of some of those simple catches, Nicholls was utter rubbish, Kugs had it but popped it out, none the less NZ can win this.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3202620 3-Mar-2024 11:21

Positive start, Mitchell using his feet in defense today and he looks much better for it. If he nicks one, it happens. Oddly strong defense can rattle pace bowlers.

Rachin not taking the bait from Lyon to drive. Waiting for "his" ball and hes making Lyon pay for dragging it short.

I think the aussies may have forgotten Mitchell was number 3 in the world up until last month, slipping to #4. So hes know mug clearly with an avg ~55 from memory.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3202626 3-Mar-2024 11:42

Seriosuly Rachin? They stacked, STaCKED the offside to tempt Rachin to try and hit over and he did, except it wasnt over it was directly one of the fielders. What a waste after such a good start yesterday. Put the offside cut shot away, it really wasnt that much to think about.

Im not convinced. Has the skills but not the brain (Yet) required to be successful overseas or to even be consistent in NZ vs top 5 teams, at this stage of good players they start showing the smarts to go with the talent. He looks great when Williamson is with him, but who doesn't? Give him the same amount they did for Guptill and others and if he cant deliver then we gotta find a number 4 with Mitchell, or stick with Young at 4 late in his career, who to be fair hasnt delivered either with more than enough chances.

Game over.

Oh flap Blundell, repeats the same dismissal as the first innings. Its time Cam Fletcher takes over. Im all for giving people a go, but when it fails you have to rely on your FC performers. In fact we have a youngster with only fifteen matches, but looks solid, avg 40ish (more than Blundell started with). Much like Nicholls, his avg is on a fast trajectory downward of 40.

Lyon around the wicket to the right hander GP like I mentioned yesterday and this is why, LBW looks gone GP.

NZ take those basic catches and limit the extras to normal levels and NZ would be 20 runs from victory.

Edit: Geeze that graph of the bounce from Lyon at the other end is extreme, which was the Cherry for Rachins eyes.

Edit: Henry in Tests looks like a top level t20 all rounder, but his t20i doesnt match it. Quite strange, such is cricket.

vexxxboy

4245 posts

Uber Geek

#3202724 3-Mar-2024 13:53

vexxxboy:

if NZ make it past 200 i will be amazed

almost

Common sense is not as common as you think.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3202732 3-Mar-2024 14:12

vexxxboy:

almost

hehe yep, given the fall of Kane so early, Rachin showed some class, all be it a dumb obvious trap to exit from, and Mitchell was significantly better today. a shame for GP, but he got out to this delivery I keep mentioning to the rights and if anything I hope he learns its value for his own bowling which just needs it and a slider.

Henry has me thinking with his ability with the willow, we dont need the borderline bowling of the all rounder (Kugs) and we are better off giving Sears or possibly Matt Fisher an early crack at this level. We lacked the pace of KJ and the Bounce that Green got for aussie at 6ft7. Sears is another tall lad with a real slingshot action (ie cummins) vs swing (ie Southee). He was added to the ODI team to cover KJ in fact. We need weapons, genuine break through pace. Lockie should not be ruled out either, if he bowls like he does in white ball that would be terrifying for all but Smith to face. But Sears is the long term prospect with a more tall and lean frame.

Most of all, we simply DROPPED the win, literally. The runs from dropped basic catches plus extras was the difference. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. But clearly NZ are not that far off if they can improve the fielding and bowling extras.

GV27

5897 posts

Uber Geek

#3202894 3-Mar-2024 20:33

Some mention of Wagner returning as a possibility.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3202919 3-Mar-2024 22:46

GV27:

Some mention of Wagner returning as a possibility.

Yep, definitely thought about it when Orourke pulled up, was there more news on Orourke? But he was out batting. So I assume in this case it would be to replace Kugs, who in FC cricket would be prob our only genuine bat/pace all rounder with avgs of ~30bat and 30ball, but he missed out with the bat but bit rough to judge on one test however. If it were another team Id be ok with Wags, but I can see aussies not falling for the obvious ploy (like Rachin today but on off side), especially now hes bowling low 120ks. If Orourke is out Id personally want another weapon aside from Henry's corridor class, aus have 3 pace bowlers avg 25 and under, we have none without KJ (avg 19) who is irreplaceable but Sears is rapid and good FC so far. Id prefer Lockie as well, but highly unlikely. Matt Fisher is rapid but no BCs exp despite as good a FC record as the other two young bowlers.

Im looking at NZ avgs the last year and its horrid outside Kane and DM, plus Southees bowling. although Henry's last 4 years is elite class, no wonder that avg dropped from high 40s to low 30s.

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thermonuclear

607 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3203088 4-Mar-2024 14:46

Had a great time at the Basin Reserve, really enjoyed seeing some of the world's best cricketers live. Highlights for me were watching Phillips perform with the ball for his first five wicket haul, a feat which Mr. Santner has not been able to do with all his opportunities at test and first class level.

Probably the biggest highlight though was the reception Wagner got from the crowd every time he came onto the field. Wonderful to see and be a part of that, a NZ legend, can't help where he was born. He found his way here eventually and has been a big part of the NZ team success in recent years. He should have played at the Basin, yet another selection error taking Kuggeleign into the test over him.

Shocked to see Williamson fail twice after watching him at Bay Oval. Southee had another mediocre test by the standards he set for himself earlier in his career, as did Blundell. Really wonder about the NZC decisions around the reappointments of Stead and Ronchi in particular. Not sure they are objective enough any longer.

That said, Australia are the best cricketing nation in the world. They hold all the major ICC titles in their trophy cabinet with the exception of the T20 one, and you wouldn't bet against them winning that too and completing the set shortly. I can't see NZ getting much closer at Hagley, too many of the side are either out of form or inexperienced. Still, you would hope they will give a better account of themselves in the 2nd Test.

vexxxboy

4245 posts

Uber Geek

#3203111 4-Mar-2024 16:08

Conway is having surgery and expects to be out about 8 weeks, so it looks like he will miss the IPL as well

Common sense is not as common as you think.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3203409 5-Mar-2024 15:43

thermonuclear:

I can't see NZ getting much closer at Hagley, too many of the side are either out of form or inexperienced.

Loved your words thermo, really wish I could have come down to the Basin and join you. Incredible to see sold out crowds, but such is the draw of aussie finally playing in NZ test series.

agree with most of what you said except this. NZ lost this game, aus really didnt do a lot other than making us pay for very very basic dropped catches which totaled ~200runs and our 41 extras. That alone would have won the match easily.

My point being, NZ for such a long time were one of, if not the best fielding team in the world. To see experienced players shelling catches anybody who has played cricket would expect to catch, was just embarrassing.

They can win at Hagley, but clearly not if they gonna repeat that performance.

I agree re Stead's one dimensional thinking, which is why we have a new Selector, which should be titled "Suggestor" as he has no power over the actual selections.

We also need weapons in the pace department. Henry is one, with his bowl avg in the last four years all in the low 20s, but they have 3 bowlers who avg 25 and below. Clearly KJ's avg of 19 is irreplaceable outside somebody who can bowl as fast or faster, with similar line of sight due to height. So for me Sears is an auto pick. So thats two weapons. Southee hovering around avg 30, outside a real green top and high humidity at mid 120kph will be pretty much benign, as will Wagner. aussies are not going to do a Rachin and have an on side stacked with 5 catchers to Wagnr bowling low 120kph bumpers. He does however posess a good inswinger which around the wicket brings every mode of dismissal into play to the right handers and is a point of difference, but that is only if it swings. Id personally take a risk and select both Sears and Lockie. GP at current avg of 16 and Rachin improving now at ~33, will dramatically lighten the work load for two genuine quicks. If we want to win, you have to play to win and to do so we have to take the risk and reward approach.

But it is Stead.

I wish Macca was still our batting coach, listening to is commentary, he really knows what he is talking about.

Rachin really needs to stop gifting is wicket away, having talent is pointless if you canot recognise a stacked off side is going to mean the bowler is going to gift you deliveries to hit the ball directly to one of them. He needs to be a lot more switched on without Kane having to be out their explaining to him what the opposition is going to try. Taylor is just irreplaceable at this point, but Rachin does play a very similar offensive gam plan, just put the cut shot away when there are 5 catchers out there.

Blundell is a real liability now. But he has never had consistency. One year he avgs 12, the next year 56, so far this year 13. GP needs to bat at 6 for the benefit of our future but also so he can have some reliable partners and doesnt have to hit SR100+. His natural game will see us score fluentily through the middle, especially with Mitchell. Blundell looks such a better player when hes not just pushing the bat at the ball

Sad news about Conway. Hopefully Young can improve his woeful avg if he has one more chance. He is one of our best ODI batsmen, if he can just play similar with the red ball, all percieved unbeatable bowling will be put in its place with an offensive nature.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3204496 8-Mar-2024 13:34

Much of the same ole failure from our top 4 outside Kane. Rachin has to deliver with thought the second innings. Getting out just before lunch after the openers had seen the new ball of is unforgiveable in a match. If that continues over 30 innings, you have to start considering the players position in the team. But he is not alone.

Latham good to see "some runs" as an opener. Young, saw off essentially 10 overs, which his first job, but would be nice to have a 50+ with it.

Yet again we are relying on Williamson and Mitchell to score 200+ partnership. Then poor GP likely will be under the pump. again he "should" be at #6.

Blundell has to perform this test or I think Stead will be forced to consider the names being given to him.

Hopefully Kugs can deliver on his FC potential, both Bat then Ball.

So glad to see Stead finally concede to Sears. The good news is, despite Sears injury last year, he is still fairly young, he has a fantastic sling action which in theory should minimise back issues (vs Muscling the pace like KJ), he is a lightweight frame, so if fit, he should be able to contribute equal overs, lastly having a rapid bowler in the team cannot be under rated.

Edit: Gorgeous bowling from Hazlewood. Mitchell played that as best you can, its a game of mm's.

If Young and Ravindra delivered, NZ could live with Mitchell but they are not, which now leaves it all up to Williamson and GP, with Blundell on a pair, unlikely to contribute. Then some t20 batting from the tail. NZ will be lucky to make 200. although Williamson is doing what Rachin simply can't. wait, wait, wait for the easy ball to hit.

If NZ can post 200+ they have the bowlers and a pitch to take aus for less, especially given we had them all out ~150 the last test which we should have won if we didnt drop 5 easy catches. So that will be key too.

maoriboy

1007 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#3204558 8-Mar-2024 14:45

Can anyone spell capitulation?? The Black Caps folding yet again. Australia will be in to bat this afternoon at the rate the BC's are giving away their wickets.

As Principal Skinner says....

Cameron Tabatabaie on X: "https://t.co/0jpdQnlXjy" / X

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3204560 8-Mar-2024 14:53

maoriboy:

the rate the BC's are giving away their wickets.

Which is pretty spot on, they dumped their wickets the first Test too. Outside Mitchell its becoming absurd these guys get paid insane amounts, its just not good enough to play so crazy.

We have lost 8 for 60, including two of the top 5 batsmen in the world and the # one at that in Kane.

Matt Henry does not need to slog with an avg of 36 on his home ground. Put blundell down to 8 and Henry to 7, GP to 6.

Dochart

804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3204562 8-Mar-2024 14:59

Theres no doubt Australia are a really good side. It goes to show that domestic players batting or bowling wise are not up to par with the Aussie players. If they can get us out for under 150-200 where the average batting score is around 300-400 for each innings we have a big problem.

Out of the Fab 4 of Smith, Kohli and Root; Williamson averages the lowest around 38 against Aus, Eng and India.

What can we do to improve the batting in the side so we can face bowlers like Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins without any issues. Even Williamson is having trouble with the Aussie bowlers and he is our best player in the test side.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3204570 8-Mar-2024 15:10

Dochart:
What can we do to improve the batting in the side so we can face bowlers like Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins without any issues. Even Williamson is having trouble with the Aussie bowlers and he is our best player in the test side.

I think the key is to pick the shots based on the field, leave it to less than a handful, then just sit on the bowling until you get the deliveries in your wheelhouse. Rachin loves to cut, but he doesnt care if their are 5 catchers and he doesnt care if the ball is not in the wheel house to gt over the top.

Southee and Henry showing how its done. Well over 150 will be something.

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