1st Test: New Zealand vs Australia at Christchurch

[Andy Mellon]

The first test has just got underway. I can't imagine there are too many people here predicting a New Zealand win, but here's the sides that have walked out to play:

New Zealand: S P Fleming, C D Cumming, L Vincent, N J Astle, H J H Marshall, C D McMillan, B B McCullum, D L Vettori, I E O'Brien, J E C Franklin, C S Martin
Australia: J L Langer, M L Hayden, R T Ponting, D R Martyn, M J Clarke, S M Katich, A C Gilchrist, S K Warne, M S Kasprowicz, J N Gillespie, G D McGrath

Umpiring duties are taken by Aleem Dar and David Shephard.

A few new names in there for the Kiwis. Anyone got any details on Cumming and O'Brien? Good to see that Brett Lee's been overlooked, I think Kasps is much better, more consistent and more dangerous (in terms of wicket taking) than Lee.

It will be interesting to see how Katich performes, and also how the Aussie bowlers perform with the additional pressure on their places from Lee.

The opening exchanges are going the Kiwis way. The Aussies won the toss and put the Kiwis in, who are now 38 - 0 off 18 overs.

I think that the Aussies should easily win. The Kiwis are short of half a dozen of their best players of the past couple of years - Richardson, Cairns, Bond, Oram and Styris for a start then there's also no Tuffey, Sinclair or Papps. I tell you, Craig Spearman would be an automatic choice in this team if he was available.

In conclusion, the Aussies look too strong, and the Kiwis weaker than they usually would be. Anyone else with any comments out there or any details on Cumming or O'Brien?

[Ernest]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/shared/.../scorecard.stm

Well no wickets yet, not when I left the site anyway.

New Zealand 54-0.

[Andy Mellon]

The Kiwis aren't exactly motoring along are they? 23 overs for 54 runs. Cricinfo have stopped describing each ball and are just writing 'no run'

23.6 Warne to Fleming, no run
23.5 Warne to Fleming, no run
23.4 Warne to Fleming, no run
23.3 Warne to Fleming, no run
23.2 Warne to Fleming, no run
23.1 Warne to Fleming, no run

Fleming's just been dismissed. All Cricinfo had to say about the wicket was:

25.1 Warne to Fleming, OUT:

They're obviously not exactly riveted by the match. For those who are interested, he's out Lbw. Hamish Marshall is the incoming batsman

[Ernest]

BBC have not caught up yet, I hope England play with care when we start our innings in July Andy, playing defensive against Warne though is silly, just a matter of time before he gets you.

[Andy Mellon]

Neither attacking nor defending Warne is a sensible option really. Tough as it may be, playing each ball on its merits is what you have to aim to do. Either that or try to avoid the strike

[Mr Kiwi]

yep - seen them both play at FC level at least

cumming has been in and out of the ODI squad for a about a year. debuted in PAK in the rather meaningless 'consolation tour' by effectivley a NZ 'a' side. did OK but never set the world on fire. got a few games in NZ, again against Pakistan last summer while astle was injured where pretty much the same thing happened. having said that he looks pretty tidy and should be a more permanant name in the future - especially if papps keeps ducking into bouncers

originally from Canterbury (home track for him today) now opens for Otago averaging ~36 which isn't bad for a NZer in NZ. this year he's been in pretty good nick averaging 45 or so in 4-day games. also bowls rather innocuous medium pace at domestic level - probably too innocuous for test matches vs Oz.

o'brian was the 'bolter' no-one expected to play. this year averages 24 for wellington and bowls with a lot of fire and belief - without ever getting to express pace (if you know what i mean). i think he was picked just as much for attitude rather than ability as there are others out there who are probably just as talented. i also think that at this stage it won't have mattered who they try so at least they gave someone a shot

NZ bowling stocks (or lack of) have really been shown up in the last year - also some odd selection policies. once the top few have been injured or infront of a conduct inquiry (ahem) there's not much but pretty bland right arm medium pace. also, i feel franklin and butler should have been played more.

[acker]

1-64 at Lunch

Cummings 38 from 117 balls

a future Chris Tavare in the making.

Australia may rue leaving Lee out McGrath, Gillespie and Kaspowicz are all very similar in pace, I thought Lee may help improve our bowling variety.

[Ernest]

Australia IMHO will be sorry they never gave LEE a perminent spot, he would have gained in confidence as the months rolled by.

England did the same with Devon Malcolm, just because he was a little wayward at times, because of his pace, he was dropped, and that was not long after he had took 9 for against South Africa.
I take your point about being one paced, england have selected such players for years.

[Mr Kiwi]

just checked the score and i'm pleasantly surprised - looks like the new boys are showing how it's done

cumming 74
marshall 52

NZ 153/1 a couple of overs from tea

of course now that i've said that i've probably jinxed them . . .

[Mr Kiwi]

<sigh>

CD Cumming c Gillespie b Kasprowicz 74 (206b 10x4 0x6) SR: 35.92, FOW 153