Aussies v. Black Caps. Tests.

[Donny]

First Test starts on Thursday. 9 am.

Australia v. New Zealand.

[K]

Conn:

Are Kiwis saving veteran quick for another Wagnerian bouncer barrage on Smith?

'New Zealand appear to be priming Steve Smith’s nemesis Neil Wagner for another full-frontal attack in the Test series later this month.

The veteran left-arm paceman dismissed Smith with short balls in all four innings of the first two Tests when they last met in Australia...

Much to the surprise of a weakened South African side, Wagner did not play in the first Test at Mount Maunganui...

New Zealand are more likely to return to their traditional four fast bowlers for the second and final Test at Hamilton beginning on Tuesday. But even so, Wagner, 37, is no certainty to play.
...'

(SMH)

Nope.

NZ called time & Neil Wagner has retired.

FTB fanboys can sorta stop peeing in their pants.

Only sorta... Cos there are other bowlers...

[Pies4shaw]

Actually, Wagner can stop embarrassing himself in public, now. SPD BradSmith, the World's Greatest Batsman Since Bradman, averages 57.8 overall in Tests specifically against Wagner, for all the drivel you have posted about this.

Hilariously, he averages 138 specifically against Wagner in NZ. So, Wagner's dodged the bullet.

[Donny]

Australia. Named XI: Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Possible New Zealand XI: Tom Latham, Will Young, Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Tim Southee (c), Will O'Rourke

[Pies4shaw]

^ Well, the selection of SPD BradSmith marks the end of the series for NZ.

New Zealand (completely unsuprisingly to those of us who follow cricket) has never won a Test when BradSmith is in the opposition. They haven't even drawn a Test when BradSmith is in the opposition for over 8 years.

Thos of you who like to bet on outcomes with big odds might like to note that New Zealand last won a Test against Australia in 2011 (and even then, hung on to win by just 7 runs). Before that, their previous victory over Australia was over 30 years and 31 Tests ago. So, in short, New Zealand has won just 1 of its last 30 Tests, going back over 30 years, against Australia.

It does make you wonder why Australia doesn't play more Test cricket against the Netherlands, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

[Donny]

Southee won the toss. Aussies to bat first.

[Donny]

First 5 overs negotiated without drama.

0/17. Smith 13*, Khawaja 2*.

[Donny]

4/147 at tea. Smith 31, Khawaja 33, Marsh 39*, Green 23*, Henry 2/25.

[Donny]

Marsh out for 40. Henry 3/27.

5/164. Green 36*.

[Donny]

8/244. Green 73*.

[Donny]

9/267. Green 91*, Henry 4/43.

[Donny]

You bloody bewdy !!

Green races to his century. Top knock.

Stumps: 9/279. Cam Green 103*.

[Donny]

Would you believe Aust: 9/377 ?

Green 169*, Haz 22*.

[Donny]

Haz out for 22. Green 174*.

All out 383. Lunch.

[Donny]

"Cameron Green finishes on an unbeaten 174 from 275 balls, his highest score in Tests and third highest in first-class cricket. It's one of the better Test innings by an Australian abroad in some time and the Basin Reserve crowd are giving him a hearty send-off.


And the last-wicket partnership ends up being worth 116. That's the highest ever against the Kiwis, the third highest in New Zealand and the fourth highest by an Australian pair."

CA.