Official thread: 3rd Test at the WACA

[iceman]

Originally posted by Nic
We're ******.

i hate to admit it but yes, we are

full credit to NZ tho, no one even rated them when they came to Australia

 

[GoEagles]

Australia are 6/251 off 73 overs

Good to see Langer and Martyn back in form with 50s. Gilchrist is a bit of a worry against spin IMO, not sure if he's 100% over the whole Harbhajan Singh.

 

[Player]

End of day one

End of day two

End of day three

End of day four

 

[brownybears bro]

end of day 3

poor warnie out on 99

he tried to get it quickly because of Mc Grath at the other end but he should have showed some trust in him and he would have got it easily

AND E.

 

[RogerC]

End of day three. Australia all out for 351 in reply to NZ's 534/9 declared. Warne out for 99, a good rear guard action by the tail ending on a bit of a sour note. Vettori 6/87.

It could have been a lot worse. Dropped catches and a couple of caught behind decisions turned down that proved to be out (Langer and Warne, from memory), and a lot of agricultural batting ending up in safe patches of the outfield. I should think the Aussies would be a little relieved, and a touch annoyed at the decision going against Lee.

It always irks me to see a batsman stand his ground in situations like those. Unless there is some serious reason to doubt the fielder's honesty, you should walk. In a perfect world. And I concede there's a lot more at stake in a wicket these days, now that cricket is more a business than a game. The batsman knows he'll probably stay in via a technicality, as replays are rarely conclusive, whether the catch is legitimate or not.

That aside, New Zealand should be very proud of their efforts. I wonder what the first two tests might have looked like had Fleming decided to bat first instead of field. In this test, Australia has been on the back foot since those first two wickets fell, except for that spell at the end of the first day.

There has to be question marks over the bowling of Warne and McGrath. They've lacked penetration all series. The batting of the Waughs is a worry too; less so had they been younger than they are, but at the age of 36 you have to wonder what they're hanging around for. We'll know more about that if they fail against South Africa. It's not an issue yet, but it could be soon. Mark in particular looks as if his reflexes are slower than they have been.

Any predictions as to what might happen? I think if New Zealand make anything over 200 the game is out of our reach. Though I'd love to see us chasing 380 on the last day. It'd make for a tremendous finish.

 

[Player]

What has impressed me this series is that New Zealand has out-thought if not out-fought Australia.

The hyped Australia bowling attack has been contained all series by excellent discipline and real patience at the wicket, the New Zealand first innings was the ultimate example of a team unwilling to needlessly chase the stock deliveries of the Australian pace man outside the off stump.

While the Australian batting has benefited from monster opening partnerships and very wayward New Zealand bowling, the Black Caps have finally gotten its best bowling line up sorted, with
Bond and Martin easily looking the most penetrative and consistent quick bolwers for NZ all tour. The Australian trio is capable of a performance much better than these two, but their movement and pace have leveled the playing field somewhat.

In this test the implementation of real imaginative strategy has allowed them to bundle Australia out for 351 in conditions which still on the whole favour the batsman. That 'bodyline' attack in the morning session was pure genius, while Vettori has so far easily outclassed a very ordinary Shane Warne on an increasingly turning wicket.

As a captain Fleming has done everything right all series, from winning every toss, scoring lots of runs and having confidence in his strategy and his hunches. Surprisingly Steve Waugh on the other hand has looked like a captain who can barely be bothered to go through the motions.

I would love to see Australia chasing 450+ over the last four sessions with Daniel Vettori on the attack, and even the worst case scenario the chase should at least be 350. It is a lot of pressure on the kid but he is the only person who can now effectively win or lose the test.

New Zealand have not won this test yet, and may very well choke tomorrow, but they have certainly exposed a few frailties in this Australian team that were not visible a month ago. A 0-0 test series was beyond my wildest dreams, I am not about to start counting my chickens just yet.

 

[The Hippie]

I'm wondering whether the Aussies aren't totally switched on in these first 3 Tests. They seem to be playing with half an eye to the South African series and NZ have slipped under their guard a little (or a lot.)
The weather's been the real winner, Australia had probably won 4 or 5 of the days (out of probably 6 or 7 actually played) of the first 2 Tests, but the history books won't show that, it'll only remember the series score, however it turns out.
But, hey, that's what makes the game great to watch, the unpredictability.

 

[Fat Red]

Can't wait for Dan26 to tell us that a test series should be decided on a wickets to runs ratio because that's mathematically fairer

 

[RogerC]

Hayden's gone for 57. And with him go whatever slight chances Australia had of winning this test. Four and a half hours of survival ahead.

3/130. Vettori 1/32

 

[Briedis]

I reckon we are still in it. The Waughs are consolidating, but still scoring (they just took 13 off one Cairns over) so they haven't shut up shop just yet. And with Gilchrist to come.....

 

[Stucey]

What is the latest score???

 

[kretchy]

Current score
4/224
Mark Waugh bowled for 86 by McMillian.

Martyn looking ok Steve Waugh struggling to make many runs.

 

[joshhem]

draw

*phew*

 

[Player]

I doubt umpire Robinson will be scheduled for a test involving New Zealand anytime soon. The real annoying thing is they were not even difficult decisions. Total incompetence.

I said it, but I will not dwell on it. A bitter-sweet series all round.

 

[Player]

Oh and I wonder how the Indians would of handled the situation.

 

[Dipper]

Originally posted by Fat Red
Can't wait for Dan26 to tell us that a test series should be decided on a wickets to runs ratio because that's mathematically fairer

You can joke......................