Australian Tour of New Zealand 2024

[Sedat]

Re: Australian Tour of New Zealand 2024

I get a lot of people view a win as a win no matter what but our batsman outside of Green weren't impressive again.
At some point we will come up against a stronger side and it could get ugly.

I think NZ get far too much credit in world cricket circles for supposedly "fighting above their weight division". They have won 1 test against Australia in 30 years, and none at home in that time - that is a truly disgusting record that they should be ashamed of, especially considering they are a well funded team with much stronger internal support programs than the other "minnow" cricketing nations. They are utterly insipid and repeatedly cower in fear against Australia, who as you rightly point out are just going at the minute and have a number of non-contributors in their team.

Williamson is the embodiment of this embarrassing record against Australia - it's pretty easy to beat up on a Sth African 2nd 11 team, but once again he goes missing against Australia. His run-out in the 1st innings was completely self-inflicted and talks directly to his spooked mindset against Australia, and his dismissal down leg slip in the 2nd was incredibly poor for a supposedly elite batsman. Pretty sick of hearing how he is one of the greats of the modern game - may as well call Voges one as well with his average over 60.

[Bornadog]

Re: Australian Tour of New Zealand 2024

2nd Test, NZ batting

[Axe Man]

Re: Australian Tour of New Zealand 2024

Solid start from NZ but a good fightback from the Aussies with 3 wickets late in the session. Williamson the big danger.

I see the moral world champs had a tough day 1 in the final test in India. How do the better team keep losing?

[Sedat]

Re: Australian Tour of New Zealand 2024

Solid start from NZ but a good fightback from the Aussies with 3 wickets late in the session. Williamson the big danger.

No, he's not.

Just another insipid, shameful performance by NZ against Australia to go with almost every test they've played against us in the last 30 years.

[Axe Man]

Re: Australian Tour of New Zealand 2024

No, he's not.

Just another insipid, shameful performance by NZ against Australia to go with almost every test they've played against us in the last 30 years.

They do seem to have some sort of mental hurdle against Australia that they just can't overcome. Williamson looked to have got himself in but it wasn't to be. Will be interesting to see if our fragile bating lineup also struggles on this pitch.

[Sedat]

Re: Australian Tour of New Zealand 2024

They do seem to have some sort of mental hurdle against Australia that they just can't overcome. Williamson looked to have got himself in but it wasn't to be. Will be interesting to see if our fragile bating lineup also struggles on this pitch.

That's the thing, Australia is currently an average batting line-up at best and yet they are toying with NZ on their home soil yet again. Pakistan landed some punches away from home this summer and so did the Windies, with probably the worst batting line-up of any touring team to ever visit Australia. NZ have much more talent than these two but they are once again completely spineless against their nemesis. Even the god awful English teams of the 90's (who were truly pathetic) eventually got their act together against Australia by 2005 - it took them 15 years not 30, and it was by far a much stronger Australian side back then compared to today's team.

No wonder Australia can barely be bothered playing NZ in tests. What's the point?

[Bornadog]

Re: Australian Tour of New Zealand 2024

Smith opening is a fail

[Axe Man]

Re: Australian Tour of New Zealand 2024

Smith opening is a fail

That dismissal had nothing to do with his batting position, it was just bizarre. Left a full ball that was hitting the stumps (just), total brain fade.

[Bornadog]

Re: Australian Tour of New Zealand 2024

That dismissal had nothing to do with his batting position, it was just bizarre. Left a full ball that was hitting the stumps (just), total brain fade.

agree, however, he has not fulfilled the role as he should be.

[Axe Man]

Re: Australian Tour of New Zealand 2024

agree, however, he has not fulfilled the role as he should be.

But overall it's a success simply because it has allowed Cam Green to flourish. If a specialist opener had been picked Green isn't playing. Now to move Smith down the order you would have to drop Labuschagne.

[Bornadog]

Re: Australian Tour of New Zealand 2024

But overall it's a success simply because it has allowed Cam Green to flourish. If a specialist opener had been picked Green isn't playing. Now to move Smith down the order you would have to drop Labuschagne.

drop Labuschange

[lemmon]

Re: Australian Tour of New Zealand 2024

That dismissal had nothing to do with his batting position, it was just bizarre. Left a full ball that was hitting the stumps (just), total brain fade.

Absolutely this - none of them really have since he's moved up the order.

He made a terrific 91* not long ago, so he can clearly still bat, but this crabbing across the crease is a mess. He completely loses his off-stump and makes bizarre decisions based on it.

He's not snicking off to outswingers, he's become fixated with scoring through mid-wicket and square leg and it's ruining his batting.

[Axe Man]

Re: Australian Tour of New Zealand 2024

drop Labuschange

I think he deserves more time. He still averages near 50 and there is no player demanding a spot (Marnus is still a better batsman than Bancroft).

I don't think we play another test until India next summer so the batting lineup will remain the same to start the series you would expect. If Labuschagne continues to have a lean run he will come under pressure.

[GVGjr]

Re: Australian Tour of New Zealand 2024

agree, however, he has not fulfilled the role as he should be.

It's not like the selectors will even consider that it's a problem. I just feel that the team didn't want Bancroft in and this was the best solution to achieve that.

[Axe Man]

Re: Australian Tour of New Zealand 2024

It's not like the selectors will even consider that it's a problem. I just feel that the team didn't want Bancroft in and this was the best solution to achieve that.

You would prefer Bancroft to Green?

They wanted Green in the team and this was the best solution to achieve that.