An apology may be in order for my prediction in last week’s column. With the eye of a previewer and with no immediate evidence to go on, a 2-1 series victory for the Australians felt like the right way to go.
Australia, regardless of the changes made, had the formidable record of the Gabba in their favour and the fact that they are rarely beaten on home soil.
New Zealand could lean on a settled group of players with an effectively combative method that has produced some eye-catching results in recent times.
It all pointed towards positive results and an educated guess as to who would claim the lion’s share.
Well, after seeing what was served up in Brisbane over the five days, I’m sorry to anybody who was offended by my prediction of the Kiwis winning one of the three Tests.
With a toothless bowling attack Brendon McCullum’s side barely came second, and if Tim Southee is forced to miss the game in Perth then it is hard to see how they will get back on level terms.
They didn’t disgrace themselves with the bat and Kane Williamson was outstanding – he is the real deal – but they’ll need to post far more substantial totals if they are to have any chance.
If I was an Australian supporter, the one area of concern prior to the series would’ve been the top order.
There was a raw opener, a number three who had rarely convinced in limited opportunities at the top level, a number six who looked anything but in England, and a wicketkeeper-batsman trying to fill the shoes of a successful predecessor.
That constituted a wall with holes to exploit, but what transpired made a mockery of such worries.
Joe Burns looked at home, Usman Khawaja lived up to the promise many have been convinced he had, and the other two weren’t required to do anything of note which tells you all you need to know.
The fact the New Zealand attack were unable to make any inroads or offer much in the way of control will be a major head-scratcher as the sides head west to compete on a pitch similar to the one gone before.
Trent Boult looked off the pace, Doug Bracewell the same, and spinner Mark Craig wasn’t even given the time of day by his opponents, who viewed him as average-boosting cannon fodder.
Only Southee was able to threaten, but one man will not win a game on his own on a surface such as the Gabba. Bowl as a team or get blown away.
The excuse of being undercooked could be put forward but this is international cricket in 2015, with preparation time in short supply, so it really is a case of finding a way or take your chances.
And while I’m not really a fan of the term ‘momentum’ in a sporting context – the vanquished bounce back on plenty of occasions – the home side will be buoyed by their initial efforts.
The last thing they will have wanted was for questions to remain over the identity of David Warner’s opening partner or who should replace Michael Clarke in the middle order, and for the immediate future these have been answered.
And for all the troubles experienced on the alien pitches at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, it was unlikely the same would be produced in more familiar surroundings. Home advantage has never been more pronounced as it is at this moment in time, the past week or so merely emphasising the fact.
New Zealand, England and South Africa have been thumped overseas and nobody batted an eyelid, regardless of the strength of the respective sides or their recent records.
With the calendar the way it is, there isn’t much that can be done, with the longer tours of years gone by consigned to the history books unless an individual country wants to buck the trend.
It means overseas victories should be treasured even more because, like an honest FIFA official, they are extremely rare.
Just don’t expect New Zealand to have anything to shout about by the end of the month.
Eski
Guest
Front row NZ didn't win in Pakistan they drew there NZ'S only away Series victories in the last ten years have been against Bangladesh, W.I and Zimbabwe Australia have S.L, South Africa and N.Z not great but certainly better than NZ record considering that in the last 10 years NZ record against S.A, England and Australia is 3 wins, 19 loses and 6 draws were NZ under done or just playing to the standard they have shown in previous years
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Same period, starting in 2010 (New Years Test against Pakistan) and ending with the Brisbane Test just completed, Australia has played 64 Tests, 29 at home, 35 away.
Eski
Guest
Sam
Guest
It's not your opinion that's the problem, it's your habit of making things up and stating it as fact. Brendon McCullam is not nearly 40 he has just turned 34. "Australia gives itself a huge advantage in test cricket by playing 5 and 6 match Ashes series at home and in recent time just about every 18 month to two years with it in England in between" 5 AND 6? with it in England in between - in between what?
Frontrow
Guest
" Since the beginning of 2010 Australia have played 6 Tests in India, New Zealand 5. Australia 3 Tests in Sri Lanka, New Zealand only 2" Yes but they more home games than the other nations except perhaps India and off course England as they are in the Ashes so those stats do not tell the whole story India gets four test series most of the time because of its TV ratings power regardless of how good the side is home and away TV has huge power in the game now a and the Ashes and India test series are the biggest money spinners for the networks
Frontrow
Guest
I didn't I knew more than the author did I or anyone else for that matter only that i know something about cricket and because of that this article annoys me I think parts of he says are way off the mark Like the author - i am entitled to my opinion
no one in particular
Roar Guru
"Australia gives itself a huge advantage in test cricket by playing 5 and 6 match Ashes series at home and in recent time just about every 18 month to two years with it in England in between" In the three and a half year cycle that ends with the World Test Championship in 2016,Australia will have played 47 Tests, with only England more with 49. Next best is India and Pakistan with 38. Australia get more Tests at home simply because they play more Tests. There was a small gap between the last England visit to Australia and in England series before that becuase the series not being held a year earlier due to London 2012. And the FTP states that a country has to play every other country in at least one home and one away series every 10 years. Since the beginning of 2010 Australia have played 6 Tests in India, New Zealand 5. Australia 3 Tests in Sri Lanka, New Zealand only 2
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Hilarious! So you were a top level cricketer. On top of telling all on the rugby tab that they must listen to your opinion because you were a top level rugby player too. Very busy man Frontrow. Probably one of NZ's finest across multiple sports.
Sam
Guest
This article annoys you because you know plenty about cricket and iyho, your knowledge is superior to the author. Please go and check Alec Swann's cricketing credentials...
Sam
Guest
Like I said, what a carry on.
Frontrow
Guest
As a matter of fact I played cricket for 25 years and faced guys like Rodney Hogg when he played top provincial cricket in Victoria and some of the so year I know plenty about cricket...that is why I get annoyed at articles like that above
Frontrow
Guest
Why take back seat mate - A lot of what i said there is true - sorry if you don't like reading about Australia's pretty ordinary away record...Lost test series in England - yet again- lost to Pakistan -- hardly awe inspiring in the WI considering how disorganized they are...and yet NZ haven't lost series in two years Seriously mate Australia just aren't as crash as so many of you make out...especially when they are not in Australia...very good side? absolutely Great side ...Hell no And the same can be said of NZ
Frontrow
Guest
Wow I forgot only two men in the world are called Swann the English spinner and his brother....yea not real bright of me
Frontrow
Guest
Milnes average is because when he first played at 18 he was irratic but quick - he is much better than that now
Frontrow
Guest
Mate don't be so naive as to just a very rusty Mark Craig on one test - Lyon is more economical so he is more accurate as his average is just over 33 and Craig's over 42 but Craig when he is on - and he needs game time - he is one of those guys who does - is pretty much every bit as good as Lyon at taking wickets and their strike rates prove that Lyons takes a wicket every 64.5 balls and Craig every 69 balls so there is not much in their wicket taking ability and Craig has won two test for NZ with his bowling this years and had a good hand in others I would be careful talking about Craig like he is rubbish - he is not he is underdone as are the entire NZ side before this series And Craig is far superior batsman to Lyon with an average over 40 so they are both good cricketers but quite honestly Craig is the better all round cricketer and don't get me started on Lyons hit and miss fielding because Craig is very good slipper The bowling attack I think will be Craig - Southee - Boult - Wagner ( who has an average of 27 in his last five tests and should never have been dropped for the under performing Bracewell- and Wagner gets in batsmen's faces and is a cunning bowler who will start with an over at under 125 and finish with an over 140 - 146k - he is very shifty with his pace and a superb old ball bowler as he is very good a reverse swing - and I would have Henry in over Bracewell but that surname carries weight in NZ cricket behind the scenes and that is the problem We shall see
Sid Nandan
Roar Rookie
Probably the most aesthetically pleasing batsman to watch in the world today. There is correctness and classical beauty to his batting. His style also looks like one that can be replicated but this might be an illusion. He seems to have more time to play his shots than most other players around the world. I think we are privileged to be seeing one of the greats in action t the start of his career.
Eski
Guest
Front row Milne is turning 24 in April so he is not 22 has taken 24 wickets in 25 odi games at 39 and has a fc bowling average of 29 not a record that is going to terrify international sides And great rant gave me a great laugh
Jake
Guest
Ah, so any writer who doesn't genuflect to anything kiwi is Australian. Gotcha.
rasty
Guest
You are a goose frontrow. Alec is a pom, so you go ahead and lambast him from the perspective that he is an Aussie, shows completely how little you know... about cricket and I suspect almost everything else!! Goose!
Drak
Guest
" you think you are are OH so much better" Think? After the past 2 games the teams have played (the WC final and the 1st test), there is no thinking about it. Australia just are. Quite a rant though