Did we take the Kiwis too lightly?

[GoEagles]

I think we did. The 1st and 3rd test was touch and go for us. Yes we could of won both tests, but we were also put in situations where we could of lost them. We all made bold predictions that we would win this series convincingly, but instead walked away slightly disappointed.

I've got a strong feeling that we will really go in hard against the Proteas, but the question remains: how long can the team go without winning, before changes are made?

[Player]

They say that when 100% fit, this is the strongest New Zealand test team ever, even better than the Hadlee, Crowe, Wright, Coney, Smith, Bracewell, etc. team of the mid 80s. While that is debatable, certainly this team has a much deeper list, although obviously without the world class standouts to lift the potency of the team. Unfortunately they are not a young team of emerging talent with the world at their feet, but an experienced team of individuals knowledgeable of their own limitations and prepared to play within.

I think the problem for the Australians was that New Zealand had the discipline to follow simple, uncomplicated tactics that surprised everybody with their brutal effectiveness.

By not driving through the covers or slashing the ball through point the Australian quicks were forced to bowl at the Kiwi batsman, opening up the straight drive or the onside. It was not just the last test either, the Australians seemed unwilling or unable to make minor adjustments to challenge the Kiwis. There is little point having the best slip cordon in the world, with slips and gulleys everywhere, if only the freakish ball can take the outside edge. OK McMillian was bolwed leaving the ball, but the tactic prevented slip catching practice.

New Zealand batsman have been forced to improve their technique against Warne to the point were they are able to get on top of him. I would not say he is a spent force but it several seasons since he was the undisputed number one bowler in the world. Who is the up and coming spinner for Australia? Outside of McGill and Miller I have not heard of another spinner since May. Considering Warne reinvented spinning more than a decade ago where is the next generation of young spinners that this was supposed to develop?

The only bowler that impressed me was Lee, especially when he was bowling to Bond. His greatest asset is the ability to blast the tail out very cheaply, a valuable skill that few teams possess.

I thought Waugh was a lazy and unmotivated captain, in fact he was probably the only Australian embarrassed in the head-to-head when compared to his rival Fleming.

Does Ponting put any price on his wicket? He is a talented player but far to reckless to be a number three batsman. If he is determined to hit two boundries an over than he should be no.5 or no.6 were he should have greater licence.

Australia are (or were?) much better than this, but I do not think they will have to improve much to beat South Africa (or NZ in the one-dayers). SA's batting is stronger than New Zealand, but except for Pollock their bowling attack is overrated and they lack a decent spinner.

[kretchy]

I think we did certainly underestimate the kiwis. I don't think all the players were completly focused on the series but were thinking about the South Africans.

[The Hippie]

I've said that before, kretchy. Totally agree, they had half an eye to the SA series coming up.

Go Eagles, if it weren't for the rain ruining the first 2 Tests, Australia would have been up either 1 or 2 - nil, they were in a dominant position in both, the reason they nearly lost the first was because they had to declare to try to get the result and some very good NZ batting almost pinched it for them. If the rain doesn't come, we probably would have set them 400-450 to chase in the 2nd innings. And in Hobart, it would have been likely they would have had to follow on, so the Aussies would have been favourites to win that one as well.
But, these are only talking points now, the rain came and we were lucky to get out with the drawn series in the end.

Player, just on Ponting, I reckon his footwork is not up to No. 3, or is his technique at times. He has a big flourish with bat coming in from the slips when he brings it back down on the backswing and that isn't ideal against a ball thats moving around early. The way he got out late on the 4th day was ugly and probably showed that flaw to perfection. He should be an automatic selection in the Australian side IMHO, but as a 5 or 6.