New Zealand in Australia Nov-Dec 2008 Feb 2009

[Chewie]

What I don't understand is why they gave the gloves to Ryder. He's the most unsuited to the job!!!!! How's he going to take catches if they come to his sides??? He won't be able to move fast enough! Shouldn't someone like Taylor take the gloves because he's a very good fielder?

 

[irottev]

What I don't understand is why they gave the gloves to Ryder. He's the most unsuited to the job!!!!! How's he going to take catches if they come to his sides??? He won't be able to move fast enough! Shouldn't someone like Taylor take the gloves because he's a very good fielder?

Redmond has the gloves now, I dunno why Ryder had them but Ryder is a surprisingly fast guy. He's not THAT fat anymore. He can move pretty quick.

Taylor's a good fielder but a terrible catcher. Maybe the gloves would help him.

 

[angryangy]

Don't underrate a fat bloke's ability to dive. Rod Marsh's frame drew comparisons to a billiard table rather than a gymnast. Darren Lehmann was an expert short leg fielder and we've all seen Leverock's screamer in the World Cup. Redmond had the gloves yesterday, and it's fairly certain that Hopkins would keep in a new match. I figure Ryder, who can't be 100%, has simply offered to take the role on field that requires the least running.

I have to say, this tour is looking almost comically unfortunate for NZ. With McCullum not only suffering back problems, but also a foot injury, the rest of the squad must be warned. Stay away from thunderstorms and falling pianos.

 

[karnog]

What I don't understand is why they gave the gloves to Ryder. He's the most unsuited to the job!!!!! How's he going to take catches if they come to his sides??? He won't be able to move fast enough! Shouldn't someone like Taylor take the gloves because he's a very good fielder?

I feel sorry for the ground. Rest in Peace.
But seriously Mccullum is injured. Shane Bond should have plastic surgery and pretend to be Chris Martin. Wouldn't that be a shock for the Aussies.

 

[irottev]

Chris Martin was fantastic in this game by the looks. He's been our most dependable.

The only reason Bond can't play is because we're playing India in a few months and India won't come if Bond is allowed to play. (BCCI throwing their toys out of the cot)

 

[aussie1st]

Found some highlights of the tour match http://www.nswblues.com.au/news/video_highlights/

Hazlewood action is quite different from McGrath, looks to be a lot more loose kinda of like Tait's run up. Still looked good and Henriques pitched the ball in the right areas. Couldn't see the ball move with the camera angle which is a shame. Steven Smith certainly has the action to get turn and I saw him turn a few. He bowled a few long hops ala MacGill.

 

[sifter132]

There is talk today about the weather and how it will affect the make up on both sides. It's been raining quite a bit, leading to the assumption that the pitch will seam and swing a lot.

NZ really have to play 4 quicks + Vettori if they want to dent the Aussie batting lineup, and the weather is making that more likely. As far as I see, Southee makes their tail longer, but Mark Gillespie is a better bowling option. But the Aussies have seen Gillespie before. Maybe go with Southee, see how the Aussies play him. You never know, he might tie them in knots...

On the Aussie side, media is saying Krejza may be the unlucky man if the rain keeps up. It makes sense in theory, but the memory seems a little hazy. Didn't Australia just potentially throw away their final opportunity to level the India series with poor over rates?? And then the very next Test they might play 4 quicks??? Maybe 5 quicks if it's Symonds and Krejza not in the 11. That smacks of stupidity. See the Perth test last summer... Symonds and Clarke bowling in tandem to get us out of an over rate hole. Luckily it's 'only' New Zealand so it may not cost us the match, but it hardly fits the 'spirit of cricket' principle Ponting used to excuse himself. Selectors - please play Krejza, we need to at least see if the last test was a fluke and we need to bowl our overs a bit more quickly. Plus you know, he might even get some Kiwis out...

 

[aussie1st]

There has been talk that Watson was going to make way for Symonds. Someone heard on ABC radio that could be the most likely case. Obviously weather will play a part in the call but if we are going to replace Krejza it better be with a bowler and not some part timer. If we want to improve over rates just do what we do in 20/20. None of this meeting every ball to set fields which should have been decided way before that point.

But Watson really needs to be given a go at 6 to see if he can make more runs. At present with our batting there will be big pressure on him to perform with the bat.

 

[Therbs]

The bowling line-up should be Lee, Clark, Johnson, Krezja and Watson as the all-rounder. I imagine they'll go with Roy instead. Five specialist batsmen with Watson and Haddin as the all-rounders. Haddin's batting will come up to scratch, no problems there. Anyone replacing Gilchrist was always going to be under pressure to bang out a lot of runs. Common sense will prevail.

 

[sifter132]

The bowling line-up should be Lee, Clark, Johnson, Krezja and Watson as the all-rounder. I imagine they'll go with Roy instead. Five specialist batsmen with Watson and Haddin as the all-rounders. Haddin's batting will come up to scratch, no problems there. Anyone replacing Gilchrist was always going to be under pressure to bang out a lot of runs. Common sense will prevail.

I agree with you - that is a good bowling team.

As for Haddin's batting, yeah he should be fine. Fans will need to realise that Haddin is completely different. He seems to make more starts than Gilly did, especially late in the Gilchrist career. When Australia had Symonds/Gilchrist/Warne at 6,7,8 it was a volatile group. All 3 tend to make really low or really high scores (well relatively high in Warney's case).

 

[aussie1st]

Looks like Symonds will more than likely be in our 11 tomorrow as Hilditch has called him the senior all rounder.

"We have put a lot of time into Shane Watson over the years, through good times and difficult ones, and as far as the future is concerned we see him having a big impact on Australian cricket. 'Watto's' bowling was extremely good in India, but he needs to cement that No. 6 spot. Whether they play in the same side or not isn't clear yet, but for us the simple formula is to pick our best six batters and our best four bowlers."

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/11/18/1226770453323.html

Found that quote interesting, especially the last bit. If we see Watson in over a bowler then hes clearly lost the plot as no way Watson is one our best 4 bowlers.

 

[irottev]

I think it's good for New Zealand that Watson's dropped. One less pace bowler to worry about.

Symonds is a better batter then Watson but how much more? Enough to lose that extra bowling? Lee and Johnson had average India tours, Clark got dropped and Krejza is new. If our top order can put on some partnerships and keep their confidence down we'll stand a chance. Watson however was the best bowler in India. I woulda kept him.

 

[Left_Hander]

What I can't get over is that Watson is willing to give up his spot for Symonds. He has had countless amounts of injuries and he is willing to hand over his spot!

 

[sifter132]

I'd say it's because Watson knows that he is basically guaranteed a spot should anything happen to Symonds - or even to one of the other batsmen. One night on the drink for Symonds or a bad run of form or just old age catching up and Watson is a lock for the #6 spot. In the past he wasn't first in line. He has a good future ahead of him.

Watson saying he is comfortable with being dropped is also a reflection of how his public standing has also increased. People talk about him now as a good player, rather than 3 years ago when he was an overrated selectors darling (much like a raw Symonds used to be). But since then he played a valuable role in the 2007 World Cup, was the player of the tournament in the IPL and bowled respectably in India, with a couple of decent knocks too. People support his cause now, and he's just feeling the love..

It might be the best thing for his game - the selectors telling him to make some runs for Queensland.

That's why I really liked the quote from Hilditch about picking the best 6 batsmen and best 4 bowlers - not trying to force an all-rounder in because they should.

 

[aussie1st]

Symonds has been confirmed to make his return to the side. Looking at the weather in Brisbane I would say Watson could be played as a bowler similar to the White mould. The problem with that is he isn't one of our top 4 bowlers. He was good in India and probably the best there but I still don't rate him above a Hilfy, Siddle, Bollinger especially on the Gabba. If Hilditch is going to stick with what he said Watson will be 12th man.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24675003-23212,00.html