SCG Test. Australia v. New Zealand.

[Pies4shaw]

Australia did slightly better than on the first day of the Melbourne Test - 3/283, compared with 4/257. Also, they are probably significantly better-positioned, given that we now know that Bradsmith was out with only a small addition to his overnight score early on the second day in Melbourne. It looks like Marnus and Bradsmith have worn the NZ bowlers down, again and put this Test just about out of reach. The first session tomorrow is absolutely critical for NZ - victory might be beyond them by lunch if they can’t change things around dramatically.

[K]

This is like a repeat of the last Test or two. At least NZ, who are playing two spinners but not Santner, cannot blame themselves for sending the oppo in.


Another snail-pace innings from Smith (ended by a soft dismissal off CdG's bowling, denying Wagner the chance of getting him out every innings in the series). Luckily for him and Oz, his partner was scoring almost twice as quickly, so the run rate is fine. I wouldn't want T20 slogathon batting in a Test, but even in slow times past a SR of 50 while batting defensively was not hard. SRs of 30 are for nightwatchmen.


Marnus currently has a Test aveage of 62.61. His non-Test first-class average is 38.84. He must think Test batting is easy. Yes, it is. The pitches are too flat.

But if he gets out without adding to his total, his average will drop to "only" 59.77. On the other hand, if he remains not out, he should have the highest average in the side. That would be appropriate, because he is, after all, the best batsman in the team at the moment.


I still don't know why Wade is batting ahead of Head.


I must check out the AQI.

[K]

Wow...

NZ are totally stuffed by injuries and illness. ...

Latham is acting captain. Spinners Astle and Somerville both play.
...

"If it wasn't chaos, it was close to it.
...

It all meant that for the first time since December 2009, against Pakistan in Wellington, New Zealand went into a Test without either Williamson, Southee or Boult. Combined with Santner and Nicholls being absent, it equated to a loss of 262 Test caps, 11,108 runs and 594 wickets. The highest difference in Test experience for New Zealand between two consecutive XIs they fielded before today was 164 matches, in October 1990. In this Test, they lost a net experience worth 215 matches, as the count plummeted from 540 Test caps in Melbourne to 325 in Sydney."

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id ... 00-wickets

[K]

...
Another snail-pace innings from Smith (ended by a soft dismissal off CdG's bowling, denying Wagner the chance of getting him out every innings in the series). ...

Wagner this series:

Against Smith -- 4/27 (159), ave. 6.75.
Against Warner -- 4/26 (57), ave. 6.5.


"Smith's strike rate ... this season is the lowest at home by an Australian batsman since 2000."

(cricinfo)


[Who was the snail in 2000? Smith and Warner are lucky there's only one Wagner. A fit Boult would have helped NZ. (Boult has also dismissed Smith four times in Tests.) Then there might have been nowhere to hide.]

[23 YIPPEE!!!]

Wade out now 4/288 another couple of wickets game on I feel Aussies will be bowled out score 350 before lunch.The ball is moving around

[23 YIPPEE!!!]

Both wade and head are too hot and cold

[Donny]

I feel Aussies will be bowled out score 350 before lunch.The ball is moving around

350 ? They are already 387 and only 5 down.

More Marvelous Marny Magic.

Marnus Labuschagne took his score past the 180 mark, on Day 2 of the third Test against New Zealand, in Sydney.
Aust: 5/387. Labu 198*, Tim Paine 25*, Colin de Grandhomme 2/68.

https://www.facebook.com/AussieCricket- ... =bookmarks

[Donny]

Double ton for Labu.

[K]

...The ball is moving around

I didn't see any movement.

Both wade and head are too hot and cold

Wade is mainly cold. His average is lower than Paine's, which might be okay if he were keeping and Paine the specialist batsman...

[K]

Paine and Marnus have both been dismissed in quick succession.

Are their averages still above Wade's and Smith's, respectively??

.....

It doesn't look like Oz will reach the 550 Slater wanted now, though the tail can bat a bit.

[K]

Wagner bowls Pattinson.

This is a mini-collapse. 3/16 in 5.5 overs.

Oz 8/426.

[Donny]

9/435. Labu scored 215.

[K]

...
This is a mini-collapse. 3/16 in 5.5 overs.
...

Take out the "mini". Now 4/20 in 7 overs.

Oz getting a bit lazy?

[Donny]

...The ball is moving around

I agree. Especially from the face of Labu's Kookaburra.

[K]

Well, he did nick twice through vacant first slip for 4 getting to the 200.