First Test - Australia v New Zealand - 12 Dec 2019 - Perth

[lemmon]

Re: First Test - Australia v New Zealand - 12 Dec 2019 - Perth

Really happy to see Labuschagne going on with it

The selectors were initially criticized for his selection but they clearly saw something in him and he has repaid that faith

Absolutely. They nailed it with Marnus.

I didn't even have him in my Ashes squad, let alone side and certainly not at number 3. He's proving a lot of people wrong.

[GVGjr]

Re: First Test - Australia v New Zealand - 12 Dec 2019 - Perth

Absolutely. They nailed it with Marnus.

I didn't even have him in my Ashes squad, let alone side and certainly not at number 3. He's proving a lot of people wrong.

When he was first selected I thought it was mainly because he could bowl a bit, another attempt to find an all-rounder, so it's good that he has now established himself as a batsman and his handy bowling is a bit of a bonus.
I think I wanted him to bat at number 5 this summer and go in with 3 openers

To think that it was because of the concussion to Smith that he got his 2nd chance is hard to believe how well he has performed since. There is an expression that a crisis can create opportunities, Labuschagne is a perfect example of that

His innings yesterday was another huge step forward for him

[lemmon]

Re: First Test - Australia v New Zealand - 12 Dec 2019 - Perth

When he was first selected I thought it was mainly because he could bowl a bit, another attempt to find an all-rounder, so it's good that he has now established himself as a batsman and his handy bowling is a bit of a bonus.
I think I wanted him to bat at number 5 this summer and go in with 3 openers

To think that it was because of the concussion to Smith that he got his 2nd chance is hard to believe how well he has performed since. There is an expression that a crisis can create opportunities, Labuschagne is a perfect example of that

His innings yesterday was another huge step forward for him

Absolutely, and he's a very well-rounded player - the Mike Hussey comparisons I've seen are good ones. We saw that he can do it in England, and I think he'll have no issue on the subcontinent.

[Mofra]

Re: First Test - Australia v New Zealand - 12 Dec 2019 - Perth

When he was first selected I thought it was mainly because he could bowl a bit, another attempt to find an all-rounder, so it's good that he has now established himself as a batsman and his handy bowling is a bit of a bonus.
I think I wanted him to bat at number 5 this summer and go in with 3 openers

To think that it was because of the concussion to Smith that he got his 2nd chance is hard to believe how well he has performed since. There is an expression that a crisis can create opportunities, Labuschagne is a perfect example of that

His innings yesterday was another huge step forward for him

Some players just naturally step up to any level they play at. Marcus basically gluing himself to Smith for months seems to have learned a lot too.

[Axe Man]

Re: First Test - Australia v New Zealand - 12 Dec 2019 - Perth

Crash Craddock was saying after the play last night how he has never seen a player improve so much and so quickly as Marnus.

He was an average shield player that twice lost his Queensland contract and somehow he is now one of the best batsmen in the world.

South Africa could probably do with Marnus and Neil Wagner about now.

[GVGjr]

Re: First Test - Australia v New Zealand - 12 Dec 2019 - Perth

NZ lose a couple of wickets early but Hazlewood has an injury

[GVGjr]

Re: First Test - Australia v New Zealand - 12 Dec 2019 - Perth

NZ 5 for 109 at stumps. Starc in form with 4 wickets but Australia with a key bowler down

Smith snared an excellent catch to help remove Williamson. Taylor batted well

[GVGjr]

Re: First Test - Australia v New Zealand - 12 Dec 2019 - Perth

Just read that Hazlewood is likely out for the rest of the series. Pattinson or Neser will be in contention for Boxing Day with Pattinson almost odds on for the return.

We have a bit of depth with our fast bowling options

[Remi Moses]

Re: First Test - Australia v New Zealand - 12 Dec 2019 - Perth

Watched the last 30 min and gotta say that was absorbing test cricket
Both teams lose a bowler and some injuries attributed to the new stadium , do we have an issue with the surface ?

[KT31]

Re: First Test - Australia v New Zealand - 12 Dec 2019 - Perth

NZ may have picked up a couple of wickets with short deliveries, but they are playing such negative test cricket by consistently bowling short and fielding five on the leg side.
Pressses Love Child, any other Test nation would have numerous negative articles written about them.

[GVGjr]

Re: First Test - Australia v New Zealand - 12 Dec 2019 - Perth

Do you think Australia will bat for 30 minutes or so just to enure the bowlers don't have to deal with a full session?
We should have enough run but perhaps another 30 minutes just helps manage the bowlers

[Bornadog]

Re: First Test - Australia v New Zealand - 12 Dec 2019 - Perth

Do you think Australia will bat for 30 minutes or so just to enure the bowlers don't have to deal with a full session?
We should have enough run but perhaps another 30 minutes just helps manage the bowlers

They may even try and bat longer as there are two days to go, however, they may not last too long. Another 38 degree day coming up.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: First Test - Australia v New Zealand - 12 Dec 2019 - Perth

Do you think Australia will bat for 30 minutes or so just to enure the bowlers don't have to deal with a full session?
We should have enough run but perhaps another 30 minutes just helps manage the bowlers

I hope not. We have enough runs. Declaring now gives them a new ball to start, and another new ball with 10 overs in the night session tonight. Batting for 10 overs at the beginning, give or take, deprives us that 10 overs tonight with Starc & Cummins with a new ball. To me that's worth more than a few more runs or bowling Wade or Marnus to give Starc & Cummins a spell.

[GVGjr]

Re: First Test - Australia v New Zealand - 12 Dec 2019 - Perth

I hope not. We have enough runs. Declaring now gives them a new ball to start, and another new ball with 10 overs in the night session tonight. Batting for 10 overs at the beginning, give or take, deprives us that 10 overs tonight with Starc & Cummins with a new ball. To me that's worth more than a few more runs or bowling Wade or Marnus to give Starc & Cummins a spell.

Good suggestion. They've batted on though and I wonder if they are more concerned about the workload for Starc and Cummins

[bulldogtragic]

Re: First Test - Australia v New Zealand - 12 Dec 2019 - Perth

Good suggestion. They've batted on though and I wonder if they are more concerned about the workload for Starc and Cummins

Probably right. Although I think it was Ricky Ponting who pointed out the bowlers will be out there batting now, running and risking injury on an uneven pitch. So it's not much of a rest. Hopefully we declare or get out before we lose the new ball tonight.