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1st Test: Australia v New Zealand at Brisbane on Nov 5-9, 2015

KeepingTheFaith

Referee
Messages
25,235
I've been listening on the radio and it sounds like he's changing the fields every second ball.

All that does is make life impossible for your bowlers. How can he expect them to build pressure if he doesn't let them bowl to a set field for more than a few deliveries?

f**king madness.

It's not T20 B Mac!

I've never bought into the McCullum love as captain. Won't argue with his success and generally enjoy the style of cricket we play now, but he's a flawed genius for lack of a better term and he has the ability to cost us as much as he helps us (World Cup final for example).

If anything I think what he's done today has helped keep the batsmen focused. For example when someone goes out into the deep for a miscued hook, batsmen usually drop the shot initially because they're aware of it. Those sort of traps only usually work when the batsman has had time to relax and forget about that fielder to a certain degree.

The way McCullum has played with the field today is not aggressive, it's throwing shit against the wall and hoping something sticks.
 

ek999

First Grade
Messages
6,977
I feel for any off spinner who has to tour Australia. Its an off spinners graveyard. Even top off spinners like Swann had trouble down here.

It's more that they are npt able to adapt their approach to take advantage of the conditions. Nathan Lyon has a better record here compared to overseas
 

undertaker

Coach
Messages
10,998
His captaincy has been hugely odd today. Definitely doesn't seem to be coping at all, there's no plan, there's no consistency and no rhyme or reason to his bowling changes....

The first time playing in Australia since the World Cup, McCullum is coming to the realisation that this is not one-day cricket, where the white ball swings more in the opening overs and your bowlers can cash in on batsmen with a very aggressive mindset. Once Australia got through the first hour of the test, they have been scoring runs with consummate ease and minimal risk.

Looks like Australia's 27-year unbeaten test streak at the Gabba is going to continue.
 
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Rabbits20

Immortal
Messages
42,057
Whats happening people,is this pitch a road disgrace or Australia just batting well?

Australia is batting well but NZ are too inconsistent in their length.

But I guess when the field keeps changing its hard to consistently bowl just outside off stump and be patient.
 

JJ

Immortal
Messages
32,591
Australia is batting well but NZ are too inconsistent in their length.

But I guess when the field keeps changing its hard to consistently bowl just outside off stump and be patient.

Yep, Southee aside the bowlers have been poor, and McCullum has been ADHD... he often is to be fair
 

Pete Cash

Post Whore
Messages
62,165
It's a good batting wicket for sure but its the gabba. I think there is plenty of bounce in it and its going to get faster so it should suit us.
 

Rabbits20

Immortal
Messages
42,057
Yep, Southee aside the bowlers have been poor, and McCullum has been ADHD... he often is to be fair

When Australia bowl sometime tomorrow we will see if it's really a batsman's paradise or not????
 

hineyrulz

Post Whore
Messages
153,792
B Mac has been far too clever for his own good today, has given his bowlers no chance with all the chopping and changing. Southee has been the only bowler who has bowled a decent line length today. Boult has look pretty average for the most part.
 

undertaker

Coach
Messages
10,998
Whenever they show Smithy he is yawning:lol:

He deserves a good yawn and rest after being Australia's best batsman so far this year.

It's a good batting wicket for sure but its the gabba. I think there is plenty of bounce in it and its going to get faster so it should suit us.

Pitch is definitely no flat track. It has offered bounce for the fast bowlers, as well as spin for Craig. Much better than the pitches that were dished up against India last summer after the BCCI cried foul and must had a stern word with Cricket Australia after they were rissoled 4-0 the previous Australian tour (2011/12) on pitches which offered the bowlers a lot.

Just inconsistent bowling today from the fast bowlers, and the constant field changes from the captain which make it nearly impossible to build any pressure or momentum, that have brought NZ undone. Unless NZ gets wickets quick, Australia will easily be 350+ runs at stumps.
 

undertaker

Coach
Messages
10,998
B Mac has been far too clever for his own good today, has given his bowlers no chance with all the chopping and changing. Southee has been the only bowler who has bowled a decent line length today. Boult has look pretty average for the most part.

Boult reminds me of Starc: very good with the white ball, but the jury is still out with his red ball form outside of New Zealand and England (where the conditions suit his style of bowling)
 

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