Develop rivalry with NZ

[The Fonz]

As we celebrate stomping England into a pulp, a larger question looms. Whom can we play a compelling interesting series with?
I think it's time for Cricket Australia to abandon it's indifference to New Zealand and look to build more of a rivalry with them.
This is a breakdown of everyone we've ever played in Test Cricket.

Just 60 matches against NZ in 75 years. NZ made such a poor impression in 1946 that we didn't play them again for 30 years and it's been like that ever since.
They punch above their weight when they're playing anyone but us and then crumple into a heap when they're taking on the Trans-Tasman big brother. Although the win % is only 57 and not 75% which is what I would have thought it would be.

They've been times when they've shown glimpses against us - most famously 85/86. There was also 89/90 when they were only denied victory due to some generous home-town umpiring. In 2011, when they fought back to win in Hobart and level the series 1-1 there was no third match.

2 years ago, they played a 3 match series against us and were given the Boxing Day/New Years treatment and were crushed. Each game a loss of 200+ runs. NZ would then go on to win the World Test Championship - go figure.

Point is, it's in our interests to nurture a Test cricket rivalry otherwise there won't be anyone to play apart from India, and it's logical to start with NZ.

 

[Hamingja]

I can't even remember the last time we played them over there in tests. Waste of time them coming over here though.

 

[Santana]

Just 60 matches against NZ in 75 years. NZ made such a poor impression in 1946 that we didn't play them again for 30 years and it's been like that ever since.

Since that 1973/1974 series, only England by a few matches has played New Zealand more than Australia in Test Cricket. Across the board, no one has played New Zealand more since the early 70's than Australia.

At the end of the day, no one but New Zealanders are responsible for how much they care about Cricket, specifically Test Cricket. There is a reason 14 of their last 15 home test series have been 2 match series. They just don't care enough. Not even India or England play longer then 2 test series over there anymore.

 

[Marshland]

I can't even remember the last time we played them over there in tests. Waste of time them coming over here though.

It was in 2015-16 for a measly 2 tests. Also Macca's retirement series.

I would say Aus were lucky to win that series 2-0. It was closer than the scoreline states, and we would have stomped them if they chose to tour anytime since.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

 

[frankrizzo]

It was in 2015-16 for a measly 2 tests. Also Macca's retirement series.

I would say Aus were lucky to win that series 2-0. It was closer than the scoreline states, and we would have stomped them if they chose to tour anytime since.

Outside of McCullums rapid ton kiwis were very ordinary in that series, we made 500+ our first innings both tests as well so it was a comprehensive away win.

p.s. it was at one point a three test series and your board cancelled the third test, nz cant make money playing tests at home yet we keep seeing this tired argument that its others denying them matches when its nz who dont want to play more tests.

 

[ioppolo]

The Chappell Hadlee series that were over there in the mid 2000s were awesome, kind of a case of little brother showing up big brother.

 

[Plugger35]

Australia are definitely overdue to play a test series in NZ with it being over 5 years since they last played there.

Our last test series here was disappointing but we weren't helped by injuries and having no preparation in Australia, I'd back us to do better next time around and we should at least be more competitive than England has been so far in this Ashes series.

 

[damochandler]

Australia goes there and only plays 2 tests, Which is all they play at home at the moment. They need to change that

 

[frankrizzo]

Australia are definitely overdue to play a test series in NZ with it being over 5 years since they last played there.

Our last test series here was disappointing but we weren't helped by injuries and having no preparation in Australia, I'd back us to do better next time around and we should at least be more competitive than England has been so far in this Ashes series.

But you guys do understand its your board that would much rather we tour for odi and 20/20 over tests right? Your board loses money playing us in tests but makes money the other way round.

The real concern is nz have a box office test side right now, their best ever side and yet they lose money hosting test matches so how do they change that?

 

[Plugger35]

But you guys do understand its your board that would much rather we tour for odi and 20/20 over tests right? Your board loses money playing us in tests but makes money the other way round.

The real concern is nz have a box office test side right now, their best ever side and yet they lose money hosting test matches so how do they change that?

Well if Australia played tests in NZ over the summer holiday period like they do here with the Melbourne and Sydney tests they would attract much bigger crowds but whenever Australia plays tests in NZ it is in February or March when most people are back at work and the rugby season has started.

The only test series in NZ that attracts good crowds is when England tour as the Barmy Army still turns up in droves even in February and March.

 

[frankrizzo]

Well if Australia played tests in NZ over the summer holiday period like they do here with the Melbourne and Sydney tests they would attract much bigger crowds but whenever Australia plays tests in NZ it is in February or March when most people are back at work and the rugby season has started.

The only test series in NZ that attracts good crowds is when England tour as the Barmy Army still turns up in droves even in February and March.

You guys had england over not long ago leading into Christmas and still went with only two tests and 5 20/20, tests are a loser for you guys no matter who comes over your board wants more limited overs series vs big 3 not more tests.

 

[Plugger35]

You guys had england over not long ago leading into Christmas and still went with only two tests and 5 20/20, tests are a loser for you guys no matter who comes over your board wants more limited overs series vs big 3 not more tests.

Mo doubt ODis and T20s are the money makers for us but that isn't much different to anywhere else in the world, India's the same and even CA are relying on the BBL and limited overs internationals as the main money spinner when they aren't playing tests against the likes of India and England.

 

[Voice of the G]

Mo doubt ODis and T20s are the money makers for us but that isn't much different to anywhere else in the world, India's the same and even CA are relying on the BBL and limited overs internationals as the main money spinner when they aren't playing tests against the likes of India and England.

Are our cricketers being payed to much especially for test cricket.

 

[BStaff17]

Outside of McCullums rapid ton kiwis were very ordinary in that series, we made 500+ our first innings both tests as well so it was a comprehensive away win.

I do recall Adam Voges being bowled for 10 in the 1st test which was called a no ball from the umpire.

Replays showed it was a legal delivery.

He ended up scoring 239.

Big turning point

 

[BStaff17]

2001/02 series in Australia they almost beat us in perth. Test warnie got 99.

Australia had to chase 440.

And were 7 down

Series was nil-all draw.

Hobart was a washout.

And Brisbane they fell 10 runs short chasing 284 after Steve Waugh and Fleming manufactured declarations on the final day to make it a contest after 3 days of rain.

And the one dayers that summer they beat us 3 times our only victory against new Zealand was michael Bevan pulling off one of his miracles at the MCG

 

[Kwality]

Australia goes there and only plays 2 tests, Which is all they play at home at the moment. They need to change that

The problem is Australia wants to rule the roost & NZ want no part of it, & good on them.

Like South Africa they are playing cricket at the same time of year as we do. The bloody nerve of them having a Boxing Day Test, its Melbournes, ask any Victorian.

As the initial excitement of BBL subsides, we could initiate talks with NZ for a TV based knock out style comp with NZ a FULL partner, by incorporating home & away.

 

[philreich]

Kyle Jamieson is yet to play a Test against Australia - I have no doubt he'd be a real handful for our batsmen.

 

[big_e]

The biggest problem with test cricket is it's bilateral nature. When it's about rivalries between Team A and Team B, the likelihood that both sides will be evenly matched is quite low. The Ashes has been quite boring for most of my life because it's been one flogging after another, with maybe one in ten series being any good. And we play each other every 18 months. Ugh.

If you want to nurture test cricket, having these bilateral rivalries is not the answer. It leads to situations where we play two or three teams all the time, but exclude everyone else.

The World Test Championship is a good idea but the ICC have gone about it in a half-arsed manner, as usual. Get that right, with all teams involved, and with a fairer set of fixtures, and we might be getting somewhere.

 

[mcgarnacle]

The biggest problem with test cricket is it's bilateral nature. When it's about rivalries between Team A and Team B, the likelihood that both sides will be evenly matched is quite low. The Ashes has been quite boring for most of my life because it's been one flogging after another, with maybe one in ten series being any good. And we play each other every 18 months. Ugh.

If you want to nurture test cricket, having these bilateral rivalries is not the answer. It leads to situations where we play two or three teams all the time, but exclude everyone else.

The World Test Championship is a good idea but the ICC have gone about it in a half-arsed manner, as usual. Get that right, with all teams involved, and with a fairer set of fixtures, and we might be getting somewhere.

Apart from the regularity of the ashes with the fixed cycle of them being here every 4 years, Cricket Australia has always sought competitive teams to tour Australia. In the 80s/90s/2000s, the West Indies were a regular visitor here until their competitiveness waned. The Saffas generally play well in Oz due to similar conditions to their pitches. Most recently, India have become the new West Indies on these shores due to their competitiveness, and also the number of ex-pats living around the country that they bring through the gate. It's like an Indian home series here now with regard to crowds. They also have adapted to clay-based pitches given their last start win, and despatching the Saffas fairly easily in their away series so far.

 

[Cleavy]

Apart from the regularity of the ashes with the fixed cycle of them being here every 4 years, Cricket Australia has always sought competitive teams to tour Australia. In the 80s/90s/2000s, the West Indies were a regular visitor here until their competitiveness waned. The Saffas generally play well in Oz due to similar conditions to their pitches. Most recently, India have become the new West Indies on these shores due to their competitiveness, and also the number of ex-pats living around the country that they bring through the gate. It's like an Indian home series here now with regard to crowds. They also have adapted to clay-based pitches given their last start win, and despatching the Saffas fairly easily in their away series so far.

the money due to tv rights agreements, you mean?

 

[cricketnut14]

yeah the WTC ensures we play england and india in every cycle - so unfortunately we ain't playing the others that regularly.

we do play NZ in a fair bit of white ball stuff though.

they have a short tour here and then we go there for a 20/20 tour while our test cricketers will be in pakistan at the time.

 

[cricketnut14]

I do recall Adam Voges being bowled for 10 in the 1st test which was called a no ball from the umpire.

Replays showed it was a legal delivery.

He ended up scoring 239.

Big turning point

would've made his batting ave 48

 

[Around the Wicket]

ATM if they wanted a 5 match series that would be a super series it'd be India v Pakistan, both have good side, good spinners. Australia v NZ in NZ would be another tight contest, worthy of a 3 match series.

 

[Around the Wicket]

Look at Australia's summer next year, we have Windies for 2 Tests which we'll win both within 2 days and South Africa for 3 Tests and again we are a level above South Africa as well atm so it'll be 5 crap Tests.