NZ tour of Oz, Dec 12 - Jan 7

[yuppie]

Kane, why would you bat first?

We were all asking this question at 12.30 yesterday, seemed daft then and it seems daft now.

Didn't want to face the Aussie quicks first up

[yuppie]

Great to see Head finally get his 1st 100 as well. Maybe he can kick on from here. Paine getting some useful runs as well in what might be his final series?

Wagner has had an ok series considering that he is rarely played away from his adoptive home.

[GarlicJam]

second hundred, Yuppie. He got a 150-odd against Sri Lanka.

If Paine is to go, who do you reckon will take over as captain?

[yuppie]

second hundred, Yuppie. He got a 150-odd against Sri Lanka.

If Paine is to go, who do you reckon will take over as captain?

I forgot about that 100 from Head. A test series that was easily forgotten.....

Tough call on who the captain should be. I think they might well go back to Smith, especially if Paine quits this summer, which would then mean Smith captaining away from home for the first time. Less scrutiny.

Other than that I'm not sure anyone is sticking their hand up for the job. Perhaps Paine will continue for another year allowing others to put their hand up.

Perhaps Cummins or Head will be given the chance? But it feels like Australia is just waiting for Smith to become available again and then Carney will enter the test arena when Paine goes.

For what its worth, i think Paine has done a tremendous job considering the situation he found himself in. Likable, calming and a good sense of humor. If only he could use the referral system better then he would also have been an ashes winning captain.

[andy]

Never understand why paines position as captain is alwahs in jeopardy....superb gloveman...best in the country has been for a long tine...does score useful runs from number 7 and has been a good captain and done a good job hope he goes out on his own terms..when he ebentually does ...as for a successor its so obvious will be smith lol.

[yuppie]

I think most supporters are happy for Paine to continue. It was more his comments before the Pakistan series where he talked about retirement and that this might be his last summer captaining the team.

I don't think he would be pushed out by the ACB, maybe more retiring on his terms. We shall see over the coming months.

[GarlicJam]

I think that a heck of a lot of the media are subtly pushing for Paine to be moved on, and with media pronouncements, come the everyman.

Paine is a little unlucky, having to be compared with the likes of Haddin and Gilchrist. I am biased, of course, but I think if he he wants to continue, Paine should be in the role for another couple of seasons. He IS the best gloveman in the country, a good captain and a fine leader - one that has lead Australia through a very difficult period.

If he were to go within the next 6-odd months, I can only see Cummins getting the job. I know Head is also a vice captain, but his place in the team is not secure yet, and he would need to focus on that.

I think Cricket Australia will do themselves a huge favour by putting a line through Smith's name when it comes to considerations about captaincy. I also think that there is enough - both within CA's ranks and the media - that hold this view to make it so.

[mikesiva]

Cummins and Pattinson wreaking havoc.

Is it fair to suggest that New Zealand pacers lack that extra yard of pace so essential to succeed in Australia?

[Arthur Crabtree]

This is over.

NZ doing as badly as Pakistan.

[Alviro Patterson]

Cummins and Pattinson wreaking havoc.

Is it fair to suggest that New Zealand pacers lack that extra yard of pace so essential to succeed in Australia?

In all fairness I think every other test nation would lack an extra yard of pace, Australia's bowlers are the complete package.

[mikesiva]

True, though India now have a potent and fast pace attack, which is probably why they won in Australia.

West indies have a fast pace attack now, but our batsmen can't handle genuine pace.

Latham gets his half century! 50 and out to Cummins.

New Zealand 148 all out

Cummins 5-28
Starc 2-30
Pattinson 3-34

Josh who?

[Arthur Crabtree]

NZ have quick bowlers, and Ferguson played without success in the last game. But otherwise they haven't picked them.

England won there in 2010 with reverse swing rather than pace. They had the bounce of Tremlett, but NZ have Wagner for that and he's done well.

[yuppie]

Australia are also very lucky at present that they can rotate and cover for injured bowlers.

Hazlewood has not been missed thanks to Pattinsons performance.

[mikesiva]

Australia 168-5 declared.

30s for Warner, Burns and Wade.

Target 488.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Wicket for the remarkable Wagner.

Come on NZ.