2nd Test - Australia v New Zealand - 26th Dec 2019 - MCG Boxing Day

[GVGjr]

Australia looks like replacing Hazlewood with Pattinson and NZ looks like adding Boult for Ferguson and Blundell to open and replace Raval.

Obviously this is a must win game for NZ and I suspect they will put in a far better performance than they did in Perth

[Missing Dog]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia v New Zealand - 26th Dec 2019 - MCG Boxing Day

This is going to be a cracking game I can't wait !!!!

[Bornadog]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia v New Zealand - 26th Dec 2019 - MCG Boxing Day

I will be there on Boxing day

[Go_Dogs]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia v New Zealand - 26th Dec 2019 - MCG Boxing Day

Looking forward to being there on Thursday.

Hope the pitch has something in it - the last few I’ve been to have not been good viewing...

[GVGjr]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia v New Zealand - 26th Dec 2019 - MCG Boxing Day

There is some speculation that we might go into the test with 5 bowling options and dropping Travis Head

The theory is that if the pitch is lifeless again then we don't want to overload the bowlers

[Go_Dogs]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia v New Zealand - 26th Dec 2019 - MCG Boxing Day

Doesn’t sound great to me... shouldn’t need 5 bowlers at an MCG Boxing Day test.... although the last few years probably indicate that’s the way we will go.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia v New Zealand - 26th Dec 2019 - MCG Boxing Day

Doesn’t sound great to me... shouldn’t need 5 bowlers at an MCG Boxing Day test.... although the last few years probably indicate that’s the way we will go.

The other theory is that because all the fast bowlers named (Starc, Cummins, Pattinson, Neser and Siddle) are all handy batsman

The selectors must have really wanted to have Mitch Marsh in the squad

There would be an unhealthy expectation that Paine will perform with the bat and that Smith returns to form

If the selectors go down the road of the extra bowler, and I don't think they will, the choice is down to Neser with his superior batting and Siddle on his home pitch

One advantage of this type of selection is to ensure the bowlers are fresh for the Sydney test

[lemmon]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia v New Zealand - 26th Dec 2019 - MCG Boxing Day

Ordinarily would hate the idea of Paine at 6, but if we go with Neser, Pattinson, Cummins, Starc and Lyon, it's just about the strongest tail you'd have seen in test cricket.

Heading into the ground now and it's a pretty good bowling day. Think whoever loses the toss will have some good swinging conditions.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia v New Zealand - 26th Dec 2019 - MCG Boxing Day

Ordinarily would hate the idea of Paine at 6, but if we go with Neser, Pattinson, Cummins, Starc and Lyon, it's just about the strongest tail you'd have seen in test cricket.

Heading into the ground now and it's a pretty good bowling day. Think whoever loses the toss will have some good swinging conditions.

Given the depth it would almost balance being a batsman down

[GVGjr]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia v New Zealand - 26th Dec 2019 - MCG Boxing Day

NZ won the toss an elected to bowl

Australia has selected Pattinson to replace Hazlewood and resisted the option to play 5 bowlers

[Mofra]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia v New Zealand - 26th Dec 2019 - MCG Boxing Day

Early wicket, and I just pulled my calf while running. Not the best start.

[Twodogs]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia v New Zealand - 26th Dec 2019 - MCG Boxing Day

Ordinarily would hate the idea of Paine at 6, but if we go with Neser, Pattinson, Cummins, Starc and Lyon, it's just about the strongest tail you'd have seen in test cricket.

Heading into the ground now and it's a pretty good bowling day. Think whoever loses the toss will have some good swinging conditions.

Given the depth it would almost balance being a batsman down

I don't like the idea at all. Our tail is too long whether or not they are talented tailenders with the bat. It's one thing to be able to bash the ball around when the bowlers are tired and the fielders are arguing with each other but test match batting is all about building an innings and absorbing time and I can't see any of the tailenders (except maybe Neser who I haven't seen bat) doing that.

[Twodogs]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia v New Zealand - 26th Dec 2019 - MCG Boxing Day

Anyone else reckon that slips catch that got Warner looked a bit dodgy? It was a Steve Waugh catch I reckon.

[Bornadog]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia v New Zealand - 26th Dec 2019 - MCG Boxing Day

Great battle between bat and ball in the first session . NZ Got the ball to move around a lot with cloud cover and a pretty green wicket. Should be interesting after lunch

[Twodogs]

Re: 2nd Test - Australia v New Zealand - 26th Dec 2019 - MCG Boxing Day

God I love test cricket. The best form of the greatest game in the world.


And we've got another four and a half days to go.