Aus v NZ; First Test, Brisbane, Nov 5-9

[bigfluffylemon]

According to cricinfo, average runs per wicket at the Gabba since 2005 (and I don't think the current match has been included yet):

Australia: 56 Away teams: 26.8.

Only South Africa (with 44) has a remotely respectable average as a visitor.

No wonder it's Fortress Brisbane. It's so hard for touring teams starting here - they never ever go to the second test 1-0 up. Australia haven't lost at the Gabba since the 1980s. Wow.

[bigfluffylemon]

100 for Burns I think he'll be opening alongside Warner for the rest of the summer.

Here comes the rain. There are showers and thunderstorms forecast for Brisbane for the next couple of days. Australia might have to declare now to have enough time to bowl New Zealand out.

[Gingerfinch]

100 for Burns I think he'll be opening alongside Warner for the rest of the summer.

Here comes the rain. There are showers and thunderstorms forecast for Brisbane for the next couple of days. Australia might have to declare now to have enough time to bowl New Zealand out.

Why didn't they enforce the follow on, knowing the bad weather was on the way?

[bigfluffylemon]

100 for Burns I think he'll be opening alongside Warner for the rest of the summer.

Here comes the rain. There are showers and thunderstorms forecast for Brisbane for the next couple of days. Australia might have to declare now to have enough time to bowl New Zealand out.

Why didn't they enforce the follow on, knowing the bad weather was on the way?

Good question. The impression I have from the commentators is that they would have had they polished off New Zealand before lunch, but Williamson's extended resistance meant that they both wanted to give their bowlers a rest, and didn't feel as if they had enough of a buffer on what is still a fairly good batting wicket.

It doesn't look as if the next two days will be rained off altogether, but there will almost certainly not be two full days play.

[Gingerfinch]

Yeah I was thinking about bowlers being weary, though with rain coming they'll have time to rest then.

[mikesiva]

Well, Australia have their top three set for the rest of the year...Warner, Burns and Khawaja.

Good work by the Mitchells in wrapping up the Kiwi innings.

[dan08]

Guess they'll be a declaration over night.

[GarlicJam]

Why didn't they enforce the follow on, knowing the bad weather was on the way?

The ghosts of Kolkata still loom large on the Australian Cricketing scene. Even 15 or so years afterwards.

[yuppie]

Well batted Williamson Good fight and with the weather coming might well have saved to test match.

Good work to Burns for getting his first international 100. Sweetened by being at his home ground:clap

Warner happy to be back batting in Australia. Responsibility might be the making of him.

As for the Gabba pitch. This will always happen if teams dont have enough time to adjust to Australian conditions.

[Aidan11]

Just seen the score.

NZ (or Williamson) did well to get NZ to where they did. Warner having a good test.

[backfootpunch]

With the weather forecast I am tempted to put a few quid on a draw

William Hill have odds of 7/1

Says 75% chance of rain on some Aussie weather site

[dan08]

Still loads of time left though.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Memories of Cook and Trott?

500 lead feels like mental disintegration gone mad.

[backfootpunch]

Still loads of time left though.

What's tempting me is it is 75% all day tomorrow and the same all day for the fifth day

[GarlicJam]

http://www.weatherzone.com.au/qld/brisbane/brisbane

Going on this, I reckon (like usual) there is plenty of time left for 3 out of 4 possibly eventualities. 4 even, should the Kiwis manage to pull off a miracle.




Aus'll win. On Sunday.