NZ v Australia Test #1

Gunner

Bloody hell, innocently clicked on a Herald article and the bloody thing was written by Ratpoo. 
Only read the first paragraph, but he's basically just gone and fucked our chances of winning this series by banging on about how the BCs are in the box seat, blah blah blah. 
Fuckin sneaky Herald, not having the author of the article with the headline.

Bovidae

I think they'll play Craig because he did OK in the 2nd innings vs Sri Lanka in the last test at the Basin. As others have said, Anderson to replace Santner in the batting lineup and only select 3 quicks (Boult, Southee and Henry/Bracewell). Anderson's workload as the 4th seamer would have to be monitored as well, looking ahead to the T20 WC. The problem is that Craig can't even be used confidently as a stock bowler into the wind as he leaks runs.

MN5

It's maybe a bit niggly but Bracewell has yet to score a test 50 but if he plays he always bats ahead of Craig, Southee and even Boult who has one. He scored a good 47 against Sri Lanka but when is he gonna start delivering on the talent he has ? Those guys are all there for their bowling, I get that but I'd be pissed off if I was one of the aforementioned latter guys. I may rip the shit out of Craig on here as a bowler but he is an extremely decent low order batsman so if he has to play at least he brings that to the table.

Immenso Rapido

Doug's batting has been good since his return to the side. I think he's worked out his method now. 
Get the feeling Santner's injury costs Doug a starting place.

tubbyj

I agree if Taylor and Santner were fit he probably would play ahead of Anderson.
 
However his batting was shit in the ODI when he had time/overs to bat and build an innings. Only one innings sure but the nature of his dismissal - beaten all ends up bowled - didn't suggest he could provide dependability or stick-ability in the lower order you need in a test match. Plus he was the one to advise Milne not to review his LBW.
 
He may still beat out Henry though as McCullum and Hesson both made comments about his bowling being better than his figures suggest.

hydro11

Good chance the first 3 days of the test will sell out. It should sell out with capacity of only 6,500 but still good to see.

MN5

So all this being said looks like poor old Wagner is definitely gonna miss out ? pretty rough but that's the price you pay for having depth I guess.

No Quarter

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="557928" data-time="1455144672">
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So all this being said looks like poor old Wagner is definitely gonna miss out ? pretty rough but that's the price you pay for having depth I guess.
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I would like to see Bracewell, Henry, Southee and Boult.
 
Bit it will likely be Craig, Wagner, Southee and Boult.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="557930" data-time="1455145298">
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I would like to see Bracewell, Henry, Southee and Boult.
 
Bit it will likely be Craig, Wagner, Southee and Boult.
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</blockquote>
 
I don't think Wagner will get in much as I'm a fan of his workhorse nature.

mariner4life

how does Craig keep getting picked? He's dreadfully ordinary

tubbyj

I guess he has provided valuable runs in our previous test wins and done the job (taken wickets) when a spinner needs to in the 4th innning when there has been assistance and a big lead (which alot of our other spinners inculuding Vettori have not always done). When he hasn't been effective or expensive our pace bowlers have usually been able to take 10 wickets anyway.
 
The only time he has been terrible was the latest series in Oz but Lyons who is considered one of the best around didn't do much better on those roads.
 
So given Santners injury he has earned another chance. I guess he will be highly motivated.
 
I personally would prefer Sodhi but it has been a hallmark of Hesson that he is loyal to people who have got the job done for him in the past and whose attitude he likes.

dogmeat

Long range weather forecast has improved and suggests there will now be no weather interruptions Northerly throughout and only really fresh on Sunday so the need for a workhorse diminishes. I really like Wagners attitude and he's never let us down. However Henry appeals more as a wicket taking option and I think to beat Oz we need to consistently get them out cheaply because I think the balance of our batting is deeply affected by our injury absences. Fascinating test in prospect. Who will we pick Will Boult be Lightning or Listless Is Southee over his injury - and even if he is will he turn up Is the Kane train on track Please be fit BJ - and back in form and that's before you even start to consider the opposition. BRING IT ON!

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="557936" data-time="1455146781">
<div>
how does Craig keep getting picked? He's dreadfully ordinary
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</blockquote>
 
Cos the NZ selectors have it in their heads they need a spinner so a decent quick misses out to an ordinary spinner every time.

Immenso Rapido

Craig has alternated between bloody marvellous and bloody awful. The issue isn't that Craig is useless, it's that he's terribly inconsistent. Not just between games, but inconsistent between days or spells. 
Craig is the least of our concerns though. This is the weakest we've looked for about 3 years. 
Taylor out and Baz no longer the 2014 version, and Corey looking scratchy. This is our weakest middle order since Cape Town. 
Boult and Southee both having listless injury disrupted seasons. 
4. Nicholls 
5. McCullum 
6. Anderdon 
Is powder puff soft. God help us if Ronchi is at 7. 
Likely team 
Latham 
Guptill 
Williamson 
Nicholls 
McCullum 
Anderson 
Watling 
Craig 
Wagner 
Southee 
Boult

Immenso Rapido

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="557943" data-time="1455149238">
Cos the NZ selectors have it in their heads they need a spinner so a decent quick misses out to an ordinary spinner every time.</blockquote>
Because tests last (potentially)5 days, and tosses (are theoretically) 50/50.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="557946" data-time="1455149756">
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Because tests last (potentially)5 days, and tosses (are theoretically) 50/50.
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</blockquote>
 
So he doesn't take wickets and leaks runs but it's ok cos he provides "variation" huh ?

Immenso Rapido

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="557947" data-time="1455150554">
So he doesn't take wickets and leaks runs but it's ok cos he provides "variation" huh ?</blockquote>He does take wickets. He's taken plenty of 3rd/4th innings wickets. And produced 3 match winning performances in his 15 odd tests.

Virgil

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="557945" data-time="1455149677">Craig has alternated between bloody marvellous and bloody awful. The issue isn't that Craig is useless, it's that he's terribly inconsistent. Not just between games, but inconsistent between days or spells. 
Craig is the least of our concerns though. This is the weakest we've looked for about 3 years. 
Taylor out and Baz no longer the 2014 version, and Corey looking scratchy. This is our weakest middle order since Cape Town. 
Boult and Southee both having listless injury disrupted seasons. 
4. Nicholls 
5. McCullum 
6. Anderdon 
Is powder puff soft. God help us if Ronchi is at 7. 
Likely team 
Latham 
Guptill 
Williamson 
Nicholls 
McCullum 
Anderson 
Watling 
Craig 
Wagner 
Southee 
Boult</blockquote>
 
We are there for the taking, if oz click it could be ugly.

KiwiPie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Immenso Rapido" data-cid="557948" data-time="1455151294">
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He does take wickets. He's taken plenty of 3rd/4th innings wickets. And produced 3 match winning performances in his 15 odd tests.
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</blockquote>
What he said - some of you have short memories. Craig did a good job in England. The problem in Oz was that when we needed him to do the Vettori role, he kept bowling half-trackers so the Aussies just milked him for easy runs. There's a lot to like about Craig, he's tall, has a nice action and does turn it - but he also needs consistency if he is going to keep the test spot for long.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="KiwiPie" data-cid="557952" data-time="1455151734">
<div>
What he said - some of you have short memories. Craig did a good job in England. The problem in Oz was that when we needed him to do the Vettori role, he kept bowling half-trackers so the Aussies just milked him for easy runs. There's a lot to like about Craig, he's tall, has a nice action and does turn it - but he also needs consistency if he is going to keep the test spot for long.
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</blockquote>
 
The fuck ? has this turned into some gay dating site when I wasn't looking ? Would you like to Waj him too ?

The Silver Fern

NZ v Australia Test #1