Thursday's weather forecast for Brisbane:
A few showers developing, thundery rain this afternoon. Mostly light N to NE winds early, with a fresh to strong S to SE wind change developing.
Precis: Showers, thundery rain.
The weather was similarly pace-friendly in 2008/09 when New Zealand's battery of household names (Tim Southee, Chris Martin, Ian O'Brien and Grant Elliott) ran through Australia on day one of the First Test.
Australia won that Test, courtesy of runs from Michael Clarke (first innings) and Simon Katich (second innings). But Katich is no longer there, while Australia's collapsible batting line-up has gone from bat to worse.
Australia would not want to give New Zealand a sniff; especially since NZ have a better batting line-up than 2008 and Australia's attack is headed buy Peter Siddle and supported by new boys. If, say, Australia bats first and gets rolled cheaply it is perfectly conceivable NZ will be much more difficult to bowl out this time round than three years ago.
(I'm busy today, so is their any chance the cricket can be moved to a more civilized viewing time? 4:00pm to midnight would be perfect, thanks.)
Hear, hear. 1am through 8am is distinctly unfriendly. It pains me that watching cricket from anywhere else in the world but the country of my birth is much easier. Cricket should be played in England during summer, South Africa during winter, and the Caribbean. Nowhere else - until I move time zones.
India is sort of ok, but it means that the BCCI is making money, and I'd much rather they didn't.
Posted by: Carrot | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 09:27 AM
not my own again but you wouldn't want to curry favours with the BCCI
Posted by: The Don has risen | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 09:53 AM
The beauty of this game is could be anything from a disaster to complete dominance. Or a total washout. Starc over Cutting is interesting as his record is inferior, but they obviously want a left-armer. He'll be better than Studs, anyway.
Need new nicknames (again): Naked and ?
Posted by: Russ | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Blunt?
Posted by: Carrot | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Tried an oliebollen the other day, by the way Russ - it was pretty decent fare, although nothing to get TOO excited about, though. It would go well with a good cappuccino, although try finding that in the Netherlands.... It wasn't a fruit one, though - and you did say those were the best? Don't think this guy was selling the fruit variety.
Posted by: Carrot | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 10:33 AM
... and I've just realised that "olibollen" is plural, of course. I actually tried an "oliebol". You can read about anything on the AGB folks, even Dutch grammar.
Posted by: Carrot | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 10:35 AM
Kiwis win the toss and bat. No Cow Corner Warner first up.
Posted by: Carrot | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Not upset to be bowling. NZ playing to their strengths and our perceived weakness, but the real worry is being rolled on a green-top, so that is out.
Carrot, fruit is better. Also keep in mind when I first tried them I'd been subsisting on biscuits and chocolate for 4 months. What is your opinion on Dutch cuisine in general?
Posted by: Russ | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 10:43 AM
Agreed. Probably a good toss to lose.
The words "Dutch" and "cuisine" do not belong in the same sentence. The food here is an absolute crying shame. It's expensive, bland, and bad. The only thing worse than the food is the coffee. The good thing is with the lack of a food culture I don't spend much money eating out, and I used to spend a LOT doing that in London.
Posted by: Carrot | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Good lord, is Richie STILL commentating? I didn't hear any of him last summer, because all the internet feeds were the Sky Sports commentary in the UK, it being the Ashes. When are they going to pension him off?
Posted by: Carrot | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Carrot, agreed. My impression: pulverise, deep fry, spice or sweeten. The humble oliebol fits perfectly into that.
Posted by: Russ | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:01 AM
McCullum is SUCH a cowboy. He's a poor man's Sehwag. If he gets runs here I will be annoyed.
Posted by: Carrot | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:04 AM
Shtarker (from Get Smart).
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Is this a one day game?
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:13 AM
Pattinson = Chris Matthews?
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Kiwis think it is a 20/20.
gosh good to see accurate bowling
Posted by: The Don has risen | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Every game is a one-dayer when McCullum is playing (and Ryder, Taylor and Vettori).
Posted by: Russ | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:14 AM
Shtarker should be opening the bowling. Left/right combination is a good one.
(He played junior cricket around here as a wicket-keeper!)
Guppy has a bad batting technique which a decent test bowler who bowls outswingers should take advantage of.
Posted by: The Don has risen | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:21 AM
Of the two of them, Guptil is the only one who actually looks like a batsman at the moment. McCullum clearly isn't the sharpest tool in the kit if he can't resist flashing to every ball outside the off peg to a new ball that's doing a bit.
Posted by: Carrot | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Guppy's feet are too wide which could cause him to crouch too much and move the head. He also plants his front foot straight down the pitch sometimes instead of the ball.
Posted by: The Don has risen | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:29 AM
... from Darwin to the Dandenongs, wherever your address might be...
Posted by: Carrot | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:30 AM
The ABC feed is poxy, dropping in and out. But hey! At least the commentary box web cam is updating every 30 seconds. The school updated its network recently, but they cocked it up. Can't view more than a few minutes of Youtube, etc and struggle to stream radio. I suspect they did it on purpose to stop people like me enjoying life.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:32 AM
I agree, he does look a bit suspect. He looks like he's willing to apply himself more than McCullum, that's all.
Posted by: Carrot | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Clarke should bring Copeland on... Clarke should pick Copeland.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:33 AM
Oh God, there's that flag dickhead - what's his name again?
Posted by: Carrot | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Flag D. Head.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:41 AM
Artie Beetson died. He was the only rugby league player I had heard of before about 1980.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Apparently he owns - or used to own - an accountancy firm. I used to live with a couple of cricket-mad Kiwis, and the showed me his website. It covered all of his cricket traves, and had porn on it! They hate him in Inzid - I think he's been banned from his flag-waving in some of the grounds, why I'm not too sure.
Posted by: Carrot | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Clearly Phlegmmo can shelve the "corridor of controversy" alliteration. Just a teensy tad tedious.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:48 AM
Carrot, you should be OK with Dutch grammar but don't try German - Teach will take you to the cleaners.
Posted by: os | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:52 AM
No, Carrot would have me covered for German grammar. My knowledge there is shallower than the gene pool at a Nickelback concert.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Siddle gets Guppy, caught Klutzy.
1/44
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Hah - ich spreche ein bisschen Deutsch, aber kein Hollandisch!
Guptil gone fiddling outside off. Don called it!
Posted by: Carrot | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 12:00 PM
Only a matter of time that dismissal.
Williamson in, this kid has huge wraps on him. Also a shocking chucker.
Posted by: Russ | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 12:01 PM
Hipster jargonista Danny Morrison. He says "good burgle" or "amped up" or "hit the strings" and I'll punch the screen. He should be commentating on MMM, not ABC.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 12:18 PM
McCullum caught by Cow Corner off Shtarker.
2/56
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 12:21 PM
The Kiwis are showing Australia how not to bat in a Test match.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 12:23 PM
Ve don'y play shots like zat in KAOS!
Williamson sounds like an economist not a first drop.
What is his opinion on the MYEFO?
Posted by: The Don has risen | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 12:23 PM
Pack 'em McCullum, you're crap. Taylor is a proper batsman, I don't mind him scoring runs.
Posted by: Carrot | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Bottom-hand Ross.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 12:27 PM
I like Milton Friedman.
Good compact stance, uses his feet well. busy between the wickets.
I agree on Ross Taylor.
The bowlers really should have had quite a few wickets given the way the ball is moving
Posted by: The Don has risen | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 12:28 PM
Umpiring note.
When I started umpiring we had a session where we used a rope wicket to wicket and it showed when the ball went over the stumps. This gave us a good idea of what length the ball has to be to give LBWs.
It would be more sophisticated at test level.
I still give quite a few but that is lack of batting ability. like not playing a shot when it pitches middle stump! ( twice so far)
coaching note:
what got Friedman into trouble was Lyon getting the ball above the eye level.
When this happens the batsman is uncertain of the length. Also Lyons technique allows him to spin the ball more, get drift away and dip the ball.
Friedman has obviously not seen much spin like this before.
A good education.
Posted by: The Don has risen | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 12:45 PM
Ooooooo... I missed a wicket getting my sausage roll.
Williamson caught Uzi, bowled Lyon, Nathan
3/78.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 12:52 PM
I'm more and more impressed by Lyon. When was the last offie we had this good? May, Mallett? Or further back again?
Posted by: Russ | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 12:54 PM
Two Kiwi wickets in Clarke time. What's the Kiwi equivalent of getting out in the last 10 minutes of a session?
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 12:57 PM
Lyon is tasty.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 12:57 PM
Bottom-Hand Taylor drags Pattinson onto his stumps.
4/93.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 12:58 PM
Shithouse cricket. Williamson was worked out, but the rest were rubbish shots better left to Australians.
Posted by: Russ | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 12:59 PM
Os, you will be happy to know the Queensland listeners have left for the Country Hour. What a poll Herefords going for today?
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 01:01 PM
Like everyone except the Poms, the Kiwis are batting like it's a one dayer.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 01:09 PM
Pattinson came back well - 1 for 40 off 7.
Siddle tied it together nicely - 1 for 16 off 7.
Good support (and a little chin music) from Shtarker - 1 18 off 6.
Lyon has been very fine - 1 for 15 off 5 and dangerous.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 01:14 PM
Kiwis are awful.
They will be lucky to get 150.
Posted by: The Don has risen | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Shtarker bowls Jesse Jumbo.
5/96
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 01:47 PM
Vettori will probably make a century.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 01:52 PM
...and yet here is TT blogging and tweeting away. Such a great service!
Posted by: @TKYC | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 01:53 PM
Clarke... in and out action (not that type).
Posted by: @TKYC | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 02:02 PM
Ok, so how many catches have we dropped so far? 15?
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 02:05 PM
Isn't it a pleasant surprise seeing an oz left arm quick shaping the ball back into rh batsmen.
Posted by: Hangover Black | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 02:11 PM
His name is Mitchell, too. Odd.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 02:19 PM
so if he gets a 5for the kiwis have gone Starcers
Posted by: The Don has risen | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 02:22 PM
Dreadful referral, by all reports.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 03:01 PM
Bad light came at just the right time to help Australia get its act together. Jesus, I wish they would learn to steal wickets, rather than rely on the the batsmen gifting them wickets.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 03:38 PM
3:30... off for light.
Queensland. Beautiful one day...
Posted by: @TKYC | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 04:12 PM
It is about to cane it down in Brisbane, chances are no further play.
Posted by: Russ | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 04:17 PM
Clarke can't seem to get it together 100%. If he fields well he will bat poorly and if he bats well he will field poorly. Guess he is due a good score here.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 04:32 PM
uring the next two months, I'd like to challenge you all to consider how you might be able to help out others. Whether it's with a donation of your money or your time, I'm sure it will be appreciated and be a blessing to those receiving it. We all know it's been a rough few years for many people financially, and whatever you can do this holiday season to help others will certainly make a difference for them. And even if you have been hit by the economy, it's still good to have some perspective -- you're doing much better than most of the world.
Posted by: Jordy Heals | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 07:27 PM
I don't think buying basketball shoes helps anyone.
Posted by: m0nty | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 07:44 PM
Kerry O'Keefe: "The selectors are not picking horses for courses, they are picking to win each Test."
Discuss.
Posted by: Tony | Thursday, December 01, 2011 at 08:01 PM
Nice to see the Kiwi reputation for stupid batting is still intact. Why not make the bowlers do a bit of the work?
Posted by: lou | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 12:28 AM
Not just Clarke time - Clarke style.
Flat footed wafts and slaps to gully. It's like looking at a greatest hits tape of Clarke innings with a different colored helmet and body shape.
Posted by: bruce | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 07:52 AM
Speaking of Lyon (as Donster was yesterday arvo):
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 08:07 AM
The Age is onto a winner, having replaced Spanky with Malcolm Knox:
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 09:37 AM
Quite obviously Chris Barrett and/or Jim Morton have not been watching Australia field lately:
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 09:43 AM
The almost-always excellent Will Brodie is back at The Age for 2011/12:
Almost? Yes: almost. I disgree with Will's take on the 2001/02 NZ series:
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 10:03 AM
Brodie is right, but not by any great margin. Based on expected margins over the past 10-20 years, NZ plays 3-5 runs per game worse than normal against Australia. In other words, they play to form, and their form is ordinary. I still like playing them more than anyone bar England and South Africa though.
Posted by: Russ | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 10:18 AM
About $4 a kilo ... not bad. You still lose money though.
Posted by: os | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Me, yesterday: "Vettori will probably make a century."
Half way there.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Not so easy for the Aussie bowlers when the batsmen decide against donating their wickets.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Dean "Perth-born" Brownlie.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Is there any more of a brainless commentaterism than "That's the way he plays"? Particularly after an ugly hoick that spooned over the slips? What is it supposed to mean - that's the way he plays: badly? They were saying it about McCullum yesterday as well, when he was doing everything he could to get out every ball!
Posted by: Carrot | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 11:05 AM
Are they talking about Haddin?
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 11:07 AM
They might as well be...
Posted by: Carrot | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Koo Starc.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 11:35 AM
that was a graeme wood call.
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 11:49 AM
Vettori run out by Hussey.
6/256
Bad running is bad football.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 11:53 AM
so kiwis have only two batsman who know how to bat in a test match.
Batting coach obviously hasn't said much about footwork.
imagine what the curries would have done to this attack on a bowling friendly pitch and skies
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 11:55 AM
Young, caught Clarke, bowled Siddle.
7/256
Any advance on 7 down?
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Or the Poms. England would be 2/300 by now.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Perhaps Gnome B.N. can go coach NZ. Then he would be Hobbit B.N.
Posted by: m0nty | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 11:59 AM
Just had a thought: why wasn't Doug Bollinger mentioned in the selection mix for this match? Is he injured, too?
Posted by: Carrot | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 12:00 PM
The selectors think Bollinger is a fatty.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 12:00 PM
Bracewell, caught Clarke, bowled Lyon.
8/259
Any advance on 8 down?
Wish Clarke had caught Dean "Perth-born" Brownlie, too.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Kiwis seem all at sea at at the spinner using fast revolutions , getting the ball above eye level with the ball dipping, swerving away and at times bouncing.
need a new batting coach
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 12:27 PM
Southee holes out to Hussey off Lyon.
9/290
Will NZ get 300, thus guaranteeing that Australia trail on the first innings?
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 12:33 PM
Shame Southee couldn't stick around. Now Koo gets to bowl at Martin for an extra undeserved wicket.
Bollinger is injured (as well as the selectors considering him a fatty).
Posted by: lou | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 12:33 PM
I thought Bollinger and christmas went together
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 12:34 PM
Out: Mitchell. In: Mitchell Same sh1t, same bucket.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Chris Martin from that shit band is a better batsman that Chris Martin from New Zealand.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 12:37 PM
Phlegm is pinching my gear.
Posted by: Tony | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 12:39 PM
if ball is too old to swing then put on a right armer will hit the stumps.
simple but effective against a bunny
Posted by: The Don has risen | Friday, December 02, 2011 at 12:40 PM