Cricket Banter

A standout performance from Cam Green with 174 no, when you consider that the Kiki's only manged 179 between them in their 1st innings. Will the Aussies rue the decision to not enforce the follow-on, as they lost 2 last wickets. Still lead in excess of 200 already puts Australia in a strong position. With Lyon in their side & just 43 overs bowled, asking New Zealand to bat again must have been tempting.
It will be interesting to see if Green can kick on now as he is batting in his preferred position of 4 which he occupies for WA. It was a big call to move Smith up to open to accommodate Green, but Smith wanted a new challenge & had been short of runs. Smith is approaching 35 & Khawaja is 37, so it can't be too far off before we see a brand new opening pair.

Congratulations to Ireland for their first Test Match victory. It has taken 6 years but after 7 previous losses they got over the line against a competitive Afghanistan side. The target of 111 looked simple enough but they were soon in trouble at 13-3 & then 39-4, before skipper Balbirnie & Tucker guided them home.
Hopefully this win will lead to more regular matches & not just one off Tests.

(01-03-2024 10:12 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(29-02-2024 05:47 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  New Zealand v Australia 1st Test - Wellington - Day 3 Close
New Zealand elected to field
AUS 383 (115.1 overs) Green 174 no Marsh 40 Khawaja 33 Smith 31 Hazlewood 22 Henry 5-70 O'Rourke 2-87 Kuggeleijm 2-75
NZ 179 (43.1 overs) Phillips 71 Henry 42 Blundell 33 Lyon 4-43 Hazlewood 2-55
AUS 164 (51.1 overs) Lyon 41 Green 34 Head 29 Khawaja 28 Phillips 5-45 Henry 3-36 Southee 2-46
NZ 111-3 (43 overs) Ravindra 56 no Lyon 2-27
New Zealand require 258 runs (Target 369)

Australia extended their lead to 331, but collapsed from that point losing 5-37 four on which fell to Phillips who finished with 5-45. Many of Australia's batters contributed to their own downfall as Phillips profited from their mistakes. Lyon, who top scored with 41 as nightwatchman, will be a dangerous bowler with the pitch taking spin & bounce.

(02-03-2024 09:10 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(01-03-2024 10:12 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(29-02-2024 05:47 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  New Zealand v Australia 1st Test - Wellington - Day 3 Close
New Zealand elected to field
AUS 383 (115.1 overs) Green 174 no Marsh 40 Khawaja 33 Smith 31 Hazlewood 22 Henry 5-70 O'Rourke 2-87 Kuggeleijm 2-75
NZ 179 (43.1 overs) Phillips 71 Henry 42 Blundell 33 Lyon 4-43 Hazlewood 2-55
AUS 164 (51.1 overs) Lyon 41 Green 34 Head 29 Khawaja 28 Phillips 5-45 Henry 3-36 Southee 2-46
NZ 196 (64.4 overs) Ravindra 59 Mitchell 38 Kuggeleijn 26 Lyon 6-65 Hazlewoood 2-20
Australia won by 172 runs

As expected Lyon was the main threat & finished with match figures on 10-108. Lyon broke the 4th wicket stand of 67 by removing Ravrindra, Blundell went for a duck the same over & Phillips went in Lyon's next over. Kuggeleijn struck 4 boundaries in a short stay, leaving Mitchell, the other overnight not out batter to occupy the crease before he was the last wicket to fall.

4 players are set to join the Test Match 100 club this week, which will bring the total to 80 with 100 or more appearances.. Barstow & Ashwin on Thursday, followed by Southee & Williamson the next day.

New Zealand v Australia 2nd Test - Christchurch - Day 1 Close
Australia Elected to field
NZ 162 (45.2 overs) Latham 38 Henry 29 Southee 26 Blundell 22 Hazlewood 5-31 Starc 3-39
AUS 124-4 (36 overs) Labuschagne 45 no Green 25 Head 21 Henry 3-39

(08-03-2024 06:27 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  New Zealand v Australia 2nd Test - Christchurch - Day 2 Close
Australia Elected to field
NZ 162 (45.2 overs) Latham 38 Henry 29 Southee 26 Blundell 22 Hazlewood 5-31 Starc 3-39
AUS 256 (68 overs) Labuschagne 90 Starc 28 Green 25 Henry 7-67
NZ 134-2 (50 overs) Latham 65 Williamson 51

(09-03-2024 22:24 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  

(08-03-2024 06:27 )Boomerangutangangbang Wrote:  New Zealand v Australia 2nd Test - Christchurch - Day 3 Close
Australia Elected to field
NZ 162 (45.2 overs) Latham 38 Henry 29 Southee 26 Blundell 22 Hazlewood 5-31 Starc 3-39
AUS 256 (68 overs) Labuschagne 90 Starc 28 Green 25 Henry 7-67
NZ 372 (108.2 overs) Ravindra 82 Latham 32 Mitchell 58 Williamson 51 Kuggeleijn 44 Cummins 4-62 Lyon 3-49
Aus 77-4 (24 overs) Marsh 27 no Sears 2-22 Henry 2-37
Target 279 runs