2nd Test Australia v NZ - WACA start November 13th 2015

[lemmon]

Re: 2nd Test Australia v NZ - WACA start November 13th 2015

The story I've heard Thommo tell was that he was up in one of the corporate boxes still recovering from shoulder surgery when he thought he'd head down and have a bowl. No doubt there's some mayo on that but I don't think anyone has gotten close to where Thommo was prior to his shoulder.

Fastest I've ever seen was Tait to De Villiers in a T20 at the MCG, I remember he smashed his hip and AB waved his bat back onto the pegs and was out hit wicket

[Twodogs]

Re: 2nd Test Australia v NZ - WACA start November 13th 2015

I think Thommo was only timed after his shoulder injury. Apparently he was appreciably quicker beforehand - would've been scary. I've seen footage of him bowling in Perth in the mid 70s, with Marsh standing closer to the fence than the wicket as keeper with raw steak in his glove for extra padding. I remember hearing of him bowling bouncers in Perth that went for 6 byes.

Old timers reckon the 2 fastest ever were Thommo and Frank Tyson.

Frank Tyson played cricket for Footscray after his test career finished. Apart from him we have had quite a few fast bowlers from Footscray, Merv Hughes, Tony Dodemaide, Alan Hurst, Ron Gaunt, John Hastings even Colin Miller was a tearaway quick in his early days.

I think Shoaib hit the high 150's but he always got over-excited when he came to Australia and invariably bowled too short.

When it comes to quality fast bowling at the WACA, nothing will ever surpass Curtly Ambrose getting 7/1 in 28 balls there in 1993.

That was a devastating spell to watch. Lillee at the MCG late on day one in 1983/84 when we had them 4/10 and DK bowled sir Viv with the last all of the day might not have been the fastest bowling I have ever seen but it's the best fast bowling I have seen in person. Some of Rodney Hogg's fast bowling in his debut series v England in 78/79(?) was as good as I have seen sustained over a few matches. He was getting the poms out for fun and had the spinning eyes and steam coming out of his ears. Hoggy had waited a long time to play test cricket and when he got in he made the most of it.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 2nd Test Australia v NZ - WACA start November 13th 2015

Just googled it. 5 fastest balls ever recorded:

1. Shoaib Akhtar - 161.3
2. Brett Lee - 161.1
3. Shaun Tait - 161.1
4. Jeff Thompson - 160.5
5. Mitchell Starc - 160.4

Akhtar followed by 4 Aussies.

Does anyone remember a spell Akhtar bowled to decimate the Aussies at their absolute peak on an absolute road in Sharjah? Best spell I've ever seen. With a bit more discipline, would've been an all time great.

[Sedat]

Re: 2nd Test Australia v NZ - WACA start November 13th 2015

Kiwis just dismissed for 624, a lead of 65. Taylor last out for 290 - biggest ever innings in Australia by a non-Australian.

Interesting 5 sessions coming up - still think the draw is the likelier outcome but if NZ get Warner out cheaply and get a look at the tail it could change. Conversely, if Warner gets going and blasts out another rapid 100, Australia could have 2 sessions to bowl at the Kiwis with a lead of 300-odd.

[Sedat]

Re: 2nd Test Australia v NZ - WACA start November 13th 2015

Does anyone remember a spell Akhtar bowled to decimate the Aussies at their absolute peak on an absolute road in Sharjah? Best spell I've ever seen. With a bit more discipline, would've been an all time great.

When you miss a match because you have genital warts, discipline is not your best strength

I don't think you'll ever see that 'injury' listed ever again as a reason for someone to miss a match!

[LostDoggy]

Re: 2nd Test Australia v NZ - WACA start November 13th 2015

Kiwis just dismissed for 624, a lead of 65. Taylor last out for 290 - biggest ever innings in Australia by a non-Australian.

Interesting 5 sessions coming up - still think the draw is the likelier outcome but if NZ get Warner out cheaply and get a look at the tail it could change. Conversely, if Warner gets going and blasts out another rapid 100, Australia could have 2 sessions to bowl at the Kiwis with a lead of 300-odd.

Presuming Khawaja can't bat we are effectively 1 for minus 65, so definitely advantage NZ. On the other hand, pitch is starting to play tricks so any chase over 200 will be tough. I'd love to see NZ set 200-220 off around 70 overs. That would be a good contest.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 2nd Test Australia v NZ - WACA start November 13th 2015

When you miss a match because you have genital warts, discipline is not your best strength

I don't think you'll ever see that 'injury' listed ever again as a reason for someone to miss a match!

Soft.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: 2nd Test Australia v NZ - WACA start November 13th 2015

Presuming Khawaja can't bat we are effectively 1 for minus 65, so definitely advantage NZ. On the other hand, pitch is starting to play tricks so any chase over 200 will be tough. I'd love to see NZ set 200-220 off around 70 overs. That would be a good contest.

Can't see that being set unless we are bowled out. Would think we wouldn't declare without setting them something above 4 runs (and probably as much as 5) an over as the target.

[Twodogs]

Re: 2nd Test Australia v NZ - WACA start November 13th 2015

Kiwis just dismissed for 624, a lead of 65. Taylor last out for 290 - biggest ever innings in Australia by a non-Australian.

Interesting 5 sessions coming up - still think the draw is the likelier outcome but if NZ get Warner out cheaply and get a look at the tail it could change. Conversely, if Warner gets going and blasts out another rapid 100, Australia could have 2 sessions to bowl at the Kiwis with a lead of 300-odd.

Test cricket is the king of all sports exactly because it opens up all sorts of outcomes like this and we get 45 minutes to talk about what will happen.

When you miss a match because you have genital warts, discipline is not your best strength

I don't think you'll ever see that 'injury' listed ever again as a reason for someone to miss a match!

What a guy.

Soft.

They can be quite hard sometimes.

Can't see that being set unless we are bowled out. Would think we wouldn't declare without setting them something above 4 runs (and probably as much as 5) an over as the target.

Yep. Smith's inclination will be to bat NZ out of the game. Not by setting them 300 in the last session but try and score enough runs to ensure they are batting out time while giving the bowlers enough time to get ten wickets. That will be the plan anyway. Big test of his captaincy coming up because I doubt it will pan out that way.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 2nd Test Australia v NZ - WACA start November 13th 2015

They can be quite hard sometimes.

The bitter voice of experience?

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2nd Test Australia v NZ - WACA start November 13th 2015

I say play for the draw. Keep playing shots as normal but don't give them any chance of winning. The pitch and their line up could chase anything down in 1.5 sessions potentially. Perhaps make it 300 with 1.5 sessions if we can muster it.

[lemmon]

Re: 2nd Test Australia v NZ - WACA start November 13th 2015

We could be under real pressure here, they're going to test what looks a soft middle order

[Sedat]

Re: 2nd Test Australia v NZ - WACA start November 13th 2015

We could be under real pressure here, they're going to test what looks a soft middle order

Pretty dumb from Warner, although perhaps he was lulled into a false sense of security because the bowling has been largely rubbish since lunch. Having said that, they've taken 2 wickets in 7 overs.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 2nd Test Australia v NZ - WACA start November 13th 2015

Pretty dumb from Warner, although perhaps he was lulled into a false sense of security because the bowling has been largely rubbish since lunch. Having said that, they've taken 2 wickets in 7 overs.

Yup. Hard to be to critical of Warner as his attacking instincts pay off so often, but under these circumstances to slap a poor ball straight to the field was lazy and a touch arrogant. Could be a good test for a Marsh or a Nevill to prove something here this arvo.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2nd Test Australia v NZ - WACA start November 13th 2015

Smith needs to make a century and I think Voges needs to make a big score as well. Just a bit uneasy with our current position.