For sure - at the end of the day the catch off Smith was pretty costly in the context of the game, and Nevill took the screamer off Kane who wouldn't have made that mistake again... (poor Wade, love his work)
The Don might make us pay - that's the one that burns really - they clearly have their eye on a couple of bowlers and ignore others - nowhere near a no-ball, and the Don was leaving that all day, he misjudged it badly - can't review, overturn etc obviously, just given the number of times they can't be arsed and triple check later I am astonished that happened.
Hoppa has been impressive - some periods where we've had him in check and he's got twitching, but nice innings
The Don decision was crap, and maybe we would have skittled Australia after getting into Marsh leaving Aus with a 100 run or less lead? Or maybe Marsh blasts a 100 against an attack not swinging the ball this morning instead of the blocking like Voges did.
But how much faith do you have in NZ piling on 450+ in the next innings to have set Australia a defendable chase, regardless?
Niccolls was expected by many fans, myself included to fail. Not because it was his debut. But because of his technique that he displayed during ODI and NZ A. He drives and wafts a straight bat at wide balls, despite having a glorious cut shot. He needs more coaching.
Latham and Guptill, despite their obvious talents, do not inspire me to believe that they can consistently succeed like a Cook and Warner, or other classy openers. They're failing in the mental aspect of the game. The two examples I gave have contrasting styles that Latham and Guptill both can emulate and would be better off to do so.
With respect, McCullum is a parody of test cricketer this summer.
Anderson is not a test #6, and I rate him highly in ODI cricket.
NZ batting cannot put everything on KW, Watling and one of two spinners (or Neesham if you want go further back) batting at 8 to always come up trumps when its needed. I understand Taylor is out injured, and that he with KW are essentially our batting line up, with a marvellous tail starting with Watling - that in itself is a problem that Boult's previously fantastic swing bowling was masking.
