Earl said:
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
I don't think they'd come within buckleys of beating Australia at full strength on NZ friendly wickets.
You also have to take into account that Australia isn't far from NZ as other countires so it wouldn't take as long for them to settle down and get aclimatised.
We're both entitled to our opinions - but let's review.
The last test series we played in Australia was drawn 0-0. A foolish Steve Waugh declaration (prompted, admittedly by a rain interruption) nearly cost you the first test - which was saved only by McGrath bowling four feet wide of off-stump to Cairns.
The second test we were lucky as it rained again.
The third we very nearly won, you were saved by a Warne 99, and a couple of abysmal umpiring decisions in your favour (Waugh hit the cover off a Vetorri delivery, was caught by Parore and given not out.
In the ensueing one-day series we absolutely dominated you through shrewd tactics and superb fast bowling by Shane Bond.
In the world cup you beat us, but again Shane Bond decimated your vaunted (justfiably) batting line-up.
IMO we are the second best test team in the world, we drew a series in India (which you haven't managed, who are our bunnies at home, regardless of the state of wickets), we drew one in Australia, we just thrashed SA in a one-day series, we probably have the best captain in the world who seems to have matured greatly as a batsman too, and unlike South Africa we are not intimidated by your aggressive approach (both verbal and cricketing).
So, I dunno, I'd reckon there's ample evidence that we'd come within buckley's, as you put it. Especially given that we did last time we played (and it was Aust who weren't within Buckley's in the ODIs), and Shane Bond (when fit) seems to trouble the Aust batsmen terrible.
