NZ v Australia Test #2
-
I've advocated for Guppy to move to 5 once Baz retires and play his aggresive natural hame against an older ball. It was pointed out to me he would struggle against spin, but there aren't many world class spinners going around at the moment and it's not like he would just face 100% spin bowling.
-
<p>Wagner has shown the value of knuckling down and being able to bowl to a plan. The others, not so much.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We took in the underdone Jackson Bird and the back-from-injury Pattinson and both delivered, when Hazlewood was having trouble finding the same performance he had in the First Test. Neither of your established opening bowlers really stamped their authority on things, even throwing away talk of statistics.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Throw in Lyon to pin down an end and you're doing alright from an Australian point of view.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And check this out:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:tahoma, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">Southee to Smith, </span><span style="font-family:tahoma, arial;font-weight:bold;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:13px;">FOUR</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:tahoma, arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">, that's rubbish against Smith. Short and wide, Smith shuffles across, and cuts this past point for four. Is he trying to get us close enough at lunch to be asking for that extra half hour?</span></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="560460" data-time="1456271292">
<div>
<p>This is a bloody farce - 17 runs to go and they're coming in for lunch? </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>You're gonna win. Stop fucken whining. Smithy's probably starving.....</p> -
<p>he needs his cheerios and juice box</p>
-
And the game will finish just in time for Sophia the Princess and nap time
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="560460" data-time="1456271292">
<div>
<p>This is a bloody farce - 17 runs to go and they're coming in for lunch? </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Suzie is serving up large helpings of her famous smoked chicken salad</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="560464" data-time="1456271547">
<div>
<p>Ha. Ha ha.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So both of you are clearly eating dick for lunch? Again?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Poached eggs on toast today from the good old home office. I'd take a photo but that is soooooooooooooooooooooooo 2015.....</p> -
<p>Well, that's that. #1 Test ranking again, and finally some consistent form across the team this summer. Warming up on the WIndies' reserve side definitely helped, but it was a thoroughly disciplined performance in that first session in Welly to put the brakes on any BC momentum.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Now we need to start winning overseas more.</p> -
<p>Ya make me wanna cryyyyyyyyy</p>
<p> </p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p> </p>
<p>"I will try to sum up 14 years in two minutes," says <b>Brendon McCullum</b>. "And at the same time not take gloss of the performance of Australia. You guys played excellent cricket. It was played in good spirit too. You have a good leader in Steven Smith.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>"Like to thank the fans who have supported us over the year. We try to represent our country with passion and try to do so with smiles on our face. The way you have turned up over the last 12 months, it has been special</p>
<p>"To NZC. To everyone who has supported this New Zealand team over the years.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>"To my team. We have had some fun over the last few years. We have achieved some pretty cool things. Hey we have lost a few games, but we have got our souls back. I will remember for the rest of my life some of the time I have spent playing for New Zealand. Thanks for buying in, and accepting we have to play the game differently.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>"Lastly, to my family. It is a tough place as a cricketer, spending the time away that you do, it is not possible without a supporting family. I said I will pay you back, and I do mean that. I came in as a youngster, and leave as a 34-year-old with three beautiful kids and an amazing wife. I said I will pay you back, and I love you.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>"Thank you again. You can believe in this team. They are a great bunch of men. And good luck Australia."</p>
</blockquote> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p> </p>
<p>"Lastly, to my family. It is a tough place as a cricketer, spending the time away that you do, it is not possible without a supporting family. <strong>I said I will pay you back, and I do mean that.</strong></p>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I assume he means cashing all of those T20 cheques? :)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyway, well done BMac for a career that provided plenty of highlights, if not results when it really mattered. Personally, it's hard to get too emotional about this because he isn't retiring, just not playing for NZ again.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="560484" data-time="1456274825">
<div>
<p>Well, that's that. #1 Test ranking again, and finally some consistent form across the team this summer. Warming up on the WIndies' reserve side definitely helped, but it was a thoroughly disciplined performance in that first session in Welly to put the brakes on any BC momentum.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Now we need to start winning overseas more.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Not sure why you're bothering going on about it. No one on here really cares about cricket. Anything that might have been mistaken for enthusiasm was actually boredom while waiting for Super Rugby to start again.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="560505" data-time="1456277935">
<div>
<p>And so, the sun came up on rugby season, and the vampire that is New Zealand cricket fandom returned to its torpor.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Must say though: been a helluva 12-13 months for NZ Cricket in general.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I thought a 1-0 victory to the BCs was not out of reach at the start of the series. Didn't dare think 2-0 was possible. Good to nail the ODI series but feel a bit meh about the test series. Can't help but be a bit gutted we didn't do a hell of a lot better.</p>
