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Cricket Summer 2019-2020

waiopehu oldboy

Stirling Mortlock (74)
Lockie Ferguson heading home & will be replaced but no-one named yet: Boult is apparently good to go for Boxing Day so whoever it is will be spare parts.

Raval & Santner were the poorest batsman & bowler, respectively, so must be in jeopardy of being dropped. The only spare batsman is Tom Blundell who doesn't open, you'd think they wouldn't expect Watling to open & keep wickets so Henry Nicholls probably gets the short straw. Bowling-wise I can't see the point in having four medium-pacers plus dG so Todd Astle (leggie & no relation to Nathan) gets the nod for mine.
 

Froggy

John Solomon (38)
There's talk of Siddle replacing Hazelwood, which imo is a mistake. I would have though Pattinson an absolute no-brainer, particularly on his home track, but then even Neser in front of Siddle, who hasn't done anything spectacular in Shield this season to demand selection in front of those two.

Hopefully it doesn't happen, but if it does it would confirm that the selectors just seem to favour some players despite a lck of runs/wickets. I guess they just see potential in them that we mere mortals don't. Mitchell Marsh has to be at the apex of that tree, Shane Watson when he stopped bowling was another, and a couple of current players who are getting that look about them are Cameron Bancroft and Siddle.
 

Lindommer

Steve Williams (59)
Staff member
There's talk of Siddle replacing Hazelwood, which imo is a mistake. I would have though Pattinson an absolute no-brainer, particularly on his home track, but then even Neser in front of Siddle, who hasn't done anything spectacular in Shield this season to demand selection in front of those two.

Siddle in for Hazlewood seems like a beat up if the reports are examined forensically; there are a coupla spare quicks in the 14 man squad, probably for net practices and cover in case some clown steps on a cricket ball. Pattinson and Neser are the current cover, Langer suggested Siddle may be brought in to bring the squad back up to a full complement. Correct me if I'm wrong but no one in authority suggested Siddle replace Hazlewood in the 12.
 

Brumby Runner

David Wilson (68)
Siddle in for Hazlewood seems like a beat up if the reports are examined forensically; there are a coupla spare quicks in the 14 man squad, probably for net practices and cover in case some clown steps on a cricket ball. Pattinson and Neser are the current cover, Langer suggested Siddle may be brought in to bring the squad back up to a full complement. Correct me if I'm wrong but no one in authority suggested Siddle replace Hazlewood in the 12.

Lindo, I saw Langer talk up both Siddle and Mitch Marsh as possible replacements for Josh. It definitely wasn't just a media beat up. I do think, though, that it was just Langer being politically correct - don't commit in front of cameras, try to keep everyone happy, etc.

Pattinson has been rested from a couple of early BBL games, so I'm next to certain he will be the replacement.
 

Braveheart81

Will Genia (78)
Staff member
The mention of Siddle only makes any sense if it is to replace Hazlewood in the squad.

Neser and Pattinson must be ahead of him in the pecking order to play given they are already in the squad (and clearly both better options).
 

Brumby Runner

David Wilson (68)
The mention of Siddle only makes any sense if it is to replace Hazlewood in the squad.

Neser and Pattinson must be ahead of him in the pecking order to play given they are already in the squad (and clearly both better options).

Look, I agree wholeheartedly BH, but Langer did talk in terms of Siddle bowling at his home ground. I am sure it's all a furphy, and Patto will be there, but it is never a certain thing.
 

Up the Guts

Steve Williams (59)
Wouldn’t mind seeing Neser given a trundle at some stage but Pattinson is probably the better option (still a bit off him after Headingley, maybe unfairly so).
 

waiopehu oldboy

Stirling Mortlock (74)
NZ were scheduled to play a Vic XI of some sort over two days: bowl Friday, bat Sunday. Friday got canned on account of the heat, haven't heard whether tomorrow's happening but even if it does it seems a bit pointless. At least the MCG pitch has been given the thumbs up by RA's pitch guru.
 

Brumby Runner

David Wilson (68)
Boxing Day test done and dusted. Series win to Aus over second ranked Kiwi side, but Championship points still up for grabs in the Sydney test.

Peter Siddle announced his retirement from representative cricket.

Travis Head MOTM, but I still have reservations about his ability to thrive long term at test level. Overall, the majority of his shots find the field. He looks ok, but hardly penetrates the field except square of the wicket. Think he needs to work on the placement of his shots to succeed.

Patto very impressive. Shame someone will miss out when Hazelwood is fit again. Arguably the best new ball attack now in world cricket (imo has been for some time).
 

waiopehu oldboy

Stirling Mortlock (74)
^ 40 wickets at 18.12 tells you all you need to know about this Series so far.

Very, very disappointing esp given NZ had two years to prep for it but seemingly expected to just rock up with a NZ-conditions XI & be competitive. Was never gonna happen.
 

Brumby Runner

David Wilson (68)
WOB, The NZ side had four batsmen currently ranked inside the top 20 in the world. Williamson (3), Taylor (10), Nichols (13) and Latham (16). To get those rankings, they must have experienced good form and success in places other than NZ. Suggesting they were a NZ-conditions XI batting side is probably underestimating the quality of the Aussie pace attack.

Then, you had more than a fair share of bad luck with your bowlers. Boult unavailable for the Perth test and then a broken hand at Melbourne. The loss of your only real pace bowler during the Perth test. Do you have any more Wagners going round in the domestic competition?

Congrats to Blundell on making the first ton by a NZer in a test at the MCG.
 

Froggy

John Solomon (38)
Pretty disappointing series, particularly the NZ batting. Facing bowlers sending them down at 145k+ on fast, hard pitches I guess is something you don't get many places in the world. Williamson and Taylor particularly disappointing. Love Wagner's heart, to me he was the black cap's best.
BR, while I agree Head doesn't have me completely convinced yet, to me the worry is Wade. Every innings he just looked like he was on the point of being dismissed anytime, very unconvincing. And while I'm a bit of a Joe Burns fan, you couldn't say he's nailed down that spot. Having said that, there is no-one else really putting up their hand (please not Bancroft)
 

Pfitzy

George Gregan (70)
The gap between Australia's bowling and NZ's batting was a raging river chasm.

The gap between NZ's bowling and Australia's batting was a gentle bubbling brook.
 
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