Aus v NZ 2nd Test from Adalaide

[Occasional Fan]

Thanks for that, Beny. It was a good game and the better team won it. Didn't see the league (not a game I know much about), but from the scoreline I'd say the better team won that as well! The All Blacks knocked seven shades of stuffing out of the French last night, so not all a bad day.

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by Wisden Cricket Info Commentary

Stumps, Day 3: Australia 575/8d & 57/0 (21.0 ov) New Zealand 251 Australia lead by 381 runs with 10 wickets remaining Australia end the day as they've ended the last two - well and truly on top of this match A somewhat surprising, and peculiarly defensive, decision by Ponting to bat again instead of sending the visitors into bat again when they were well and truly on the ropes It makes New Zealand's task of saving the game somewhat easier Australia will be looking to build a lead of 450 to 500 runs before declaring sometime around Lunch tomorrow

(see full commentary and scorecard here)

Originally Posted by Andrew Miller in the match report for the Wisden Cricket Info Website

Ricky Ponting....was calling all the shots. With a lead of 324 in the bank, he opted not to enforce the follow-on to allow his fast bowlers a well-deserved break.

(see full bulletin here)

Anyone else agrees/disagrees, has Australia taken the right/wrong step by not enforcing the follow on?

[Occasional Fan]

I don't think it will affect the result at all, but it does seem a little strange to me. I would have thought that it would make more sense to put NZ straight back in. NZ would have needed 325 to make Australia bat again, and I can't imagine they would have come close.

[Zainub]

I agree OF, I don't think NZ can save this test match. They're just not batting or bowling any way near well enough to have a chance. But you're right, it was a little un-Aussie like this declaration, usually when Aus are in such a commanding position they step up the gas one further bit and ruthlessly finish off games.

Based on that reputation one would have thought that with Scott Styriss unfit and NZ so far behind Aus would have avoided batting for the second time but no...they take the cautious approach and try and bat NZ out of the game.

I think that that match against India in Kolcatta in 2001 has had a huge pychological impact on them, I don't think they are now that comfortable with enforcing the follow on as they were before that match.

[BlueyM]

I have been pondering why, as the Australian captain, you would elect to not invite the opposing team to bat again.

The only thing I can reasonably surmise is that the heat in Adelaide at 37C may have been a bit much for the bowlers after a day in the field, and he elected to go in to bat to spare the quicks until tomorrow (Monday)

It will be interesting to see when the declaration is made.

[Maranello]

I agree, the heat and the advanced ages of the bowling attack seems to be the only explanation. Tom Moody and Charles Colville were pontificating on Sky, and they both felt that the main factor was that each of Kaspa, Gillespie and McGrath had bowled 20 overs each. Australia have a stated policy of resting their quicks when they can, and would not want them to burn-out in the second Test of the summer.

However, I agree, it is a very un-Aussie move; going for the kill and attacking at all times is what they do best. In this instance, they chose to rest their bowlers, as a sort of thank-you during a match: "well done boys, now put your feet up" - very strange, they obviously do not have a high opinion of NZL batting at all - can't say I blame them for that!

I know it is a very remote possibility, but what if NZL bat through the remaining 4.5 sessions after Australia's declaration, eg because Styris is fully fit, Fleming gets a big 100, Astle sticks around, Oram does what he did at the Gabba, etc? Even the remote possibility of that should have been enough for Ponting to enforce a follow-on.

Also, Hayden and Langer's batting in the final session was uncharacteristically slow - Langer batted like he normally does, no flair or attempt to get on top of the bowling, but Hayden was quite watchful too. It seems these guys are using a Test match to get some batting practice before the real cricket starts!

I know, Austrlia will probably end up winning this Test very easily and the above comments will look silly with hindsight - however, that would not change the fact that these were un-Aussie decisions.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Occasional Fan

I don't think it will affect the result at all, but it does seem a little strange to me. I would have thought that it would make more sense to put NZ straight back in. NZ would have needed 325 to make Australia bat again, and I can't imagine they would have come close.

I'd assume that the reason the folow on wasn't enforced (even if the Aussies don't admit it) is that they want to play some cricket... and entertain the crowds.. and make the game last long enough to keep the turnstiles turning.. and dare not risk the NZ side crubling to an innings defeat in no time flat.

This Aussie side is very professional.. and that means as entertainers and public relations men and advertisers and so on.. and they are all pretty switched into the commercial side of the game as well: enforcing the follow on would have gone against ALL of that.

They'll never say that "the game was won anyhow, so we thought we'd just toy with them".. as that would be an unprofessional thing to say... but that strikes me as exactly what is going on.

[Beny]

I think it's as simple as the Aussies dont want to overkill their bowlers in 37 degree heat.

[vvvrulz]

Its a trend seen ever since Ricky Ponting has taken over I think. He is reluctant to enforce the follow-on, whether that has anything to do with the Kolata match of 2001, I don't know. It was back in Steve Waugh's days when Australia used to persist with the follow-on, I think the change in captaincy has lead to a slight change in philosophy, not that it makes a difference to the result (so far).

[Maranello]

Day 4 - Australia are 84 for 0 after the first 45 minutes of play. NZL are using off-spin from both ends, Vettori and Wiseman, in an attempt to use the rough outside the left handers' off-stump.

Hayden not looking very fluent. Just survived a muted LBW shout off Vettori. Hawk-eye showed that the ball would have hit off-stump, but surprisingly, only the wicket-keeper had appealed.

Lead 408 runs and rising.

Weather apparently much cooler today. According to Tony Greig & co, there is a slight chance of some showers tomorrow - could make it interesting!