NZ tour of Oz, Dec 12 - Jan 7

[Arthur Crabtree]

Glad I didn't query during this Test why Australia mysteriously rate Pattinson so highly. 3-5, so far.

[bigfluffylemon]

The difference in what Cummins and Pattinson can be xtract from this surface compared to the Kiwi bowlers is remarkable.

NZ were number 2 rated side in the world, and they've looked pretty dismal against what is admittedly a very good Australian attack. But why can't Wagner and Boult get the same kind of movement? Why has a batting line-up with six batsmen who average over 40, and one of the best batsmen in the world, incapable of posting 200, let alone the 400+ scores you need to compete on these wickets that don't do much for the first three days?

[Arthur Crabtree]

Stopped the collapse at least.

Most sides are doing well at home. NZ not doing so well on the road. But then they haven't been in England for a while.

You'd think a swinging pink ball at dusk might have helped NZ. But it didn't work out that way.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Stopped the collapse at least.

Cue another wicket.

[mikesiva]

Blundell gets his half century!

[Arthur Crabtree]

Nearing his ton now. Well done to him, hopefully partner Latham for a while.

BJ out, decent stand though. At least NZ are not giving it away.

[mikesiva]

Blundell gets his century!

[yuppie]

Warne calling for Lyon to be rested......

Bring in Swepson is the call.

Maybe in tandem because it would be crazy to rest Lyon considering the next time he plays will be in June. He has also had a good summer taking 17 wickets.

[GarlicJam]

Warne is pissing me off more and more lately.

The more sh!t he talks, the more he thinks it is of value.

As Lyon responded to Warne: "did YOU ever 'rest' so MacGill could get a game?"

[Arthur Crabtree]

Cricinfo has an unchanged Aussie team, so no Swepson (Mitch4). NZ have doubts over Cool Hand Kane and Henry V (Nicholls bats at five), but Cricinfo just has Somerville in for NZ-Mitch.

[yuppie]

Soon there will be enough Mitch's to form their own team.

So far a little bowler heavy, need to find some batters.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Disaster. Henry V and KW out. Boult seems to have been dropped.

[mikesiva]

New Zealand have really wielded the axe for this Test...Santner and Southee also out.

Raval back, Phillips, Astle and Somerville in.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Burns fails again. Nightmare series for him. In an series when the Aussies have scored heavily.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Southee might be injured. He's done ok in this series. It's the NZ batters who have failed.