NZ under GrahamB (ICC 2005)

[Somerset]

Bit surprising not to see McGrath selected - did he retire or was he just not picked?

Can't help but feel your bowling is too weak BTW - batting looks strong enough but that Australian order looks extremely good with only four fairly inexperienced Kiwi bowlers.

 

[Blaze]

Give Bondy the call up!!!!!

 

[Graham]

Bit surprising not to see McGrath selected - did he retire or was he just not picked?

Can't help but feel your bowling is too weak BTW - batting looks strong enough but that Australian order looks extremely good with only four fairly inexperienced Kiwi bowlers.

I'll need to check on McGrath and Warne once the 1st Test is over.

As for the Kiwi bowlers, Mills, Franklin and Brooke Walker all got in based on their test averages in the first season. It was a toss up between Tuffey, Orchard and Matthew Walker for the fourth spot. Walker got the nod based on devastating domestic form plus his batting talents.

 

[Graham]

Give Bondy the call up!!!!!

I'll post Bondy's stats for you once I get a chance and you'll be able to see why he hasn't received the phone call!

 

[Graham]

Just to get you Aussies worried, here's the scorecard at the end of Day 2!

 

[Somerset]

Extremely impressive performance so far Graham - puts your side in a great position going into the final three days. Hopefully that bowling attack will now be able to pull together to knock the Aussies over!

 

[Graham]

The Aussies are no pushovers though. Scores at the end of Day 3:

 

[thewizard1o1]

Great innings by Fleming and good old consistant Papps got a few as well. Who is the batsman left in? Katich?

 

[Somerset]

Wow, the game really is realistic, considering Gilchrist's century to take control of the game away slightly.

 

[Graham]

Great innings by Fleming and good old consistant Papps got a few as well. Who is the batsman left in? Katich?

Yes - Katich.

 

[Graham]

After gaining a 147 run first innings lead, I decided to go for broke in order to set the Aussies a target that would give us enough time to bowl them out on the last day. After all, it's unlikely I'll get a chance like this too often against them!
But with the pitch deteriorating, it was tougher going than expected!

Scores at the end of Day 4:

We lead by 321 and will declare early on the final morning!

 

[crickhowell]

good luck, but i wouldnt put it past them to geting there if they attack

 

[_Ed_]

Great effort so far Graham, good luck defending that total. Hopefully Brooke will rip through the Aussie lineup.

 

[Graham]

We set the Aussies 349 to win in just over 5 hours and guess what!

After dominating the test for the greater part, this was gutting!

 

[_Ed_]

B.Walker 1-78

So, that's realistic too then

Bad luck! Still, 4 good days and a much closer match than expected, there might still be hope for the rest of the tour.

 

[Graham]

Shane Bond's stats as promised!

Glenn McGrath has retired which is why you didn't see him in the Aussie line up.
However Warnie is still around and has been brought into the Aussie side for the 2nd and final test.

NZ has made one change to their side also with Darryl Tuffey replacing James Franklin.

 

[marc71178]

Good to see the MOM thing is still as random as ever!

 

[Mystical Ninja]

Yeah, Hayden would have got my vote.

 

[Graham]

Hayden is a dirty word in my vocabulary right now!

 

[Somerset]

Shane Bond's stats as promised!

Glenn McGrath has retired which is why you didn't see him in the Aussie line up.
However Warnie is still around and has been brought into the Aussie side for the 2nd and final test.

NZ has made one change to their side also with Darryl Tuffey replacing James Franklin.

TBH, I can't see much wrong with those stats, especially considering his average in the one day game last year...