What was the point of a series where Australia didn’t bring its best three specialist batsmen?
What was the point of a series where Australia didn’t have its first three choices of skipper?
Jammed into the schedule after a Test and one day series against Pakistan, and before touring India, arguably the biggest challenge of skill and character in world cricket.
It was a series shoved in at the end of the Big Bash, leaving the Sheffield Shield seemingly obsolete. Whilst it was clearly important enough for Australia to lose the top spot in the one day rankings, one has to wonder what the actual point of these games were.
If you watched both games, you have an answer. No matter who is playing, no matter the scenario or past and future tours, no matter the score line, cricket is still bloody exciting. For a tour with a lack of consequences, both games proved to be vastly more interesting than the ones played at home against Pakistan.
With the 50-over game becoming lost in a world of cricket purists and 20/20 fanatics, these two games showed there is still life yet in the format.
The excitement level boiled down to a few factors. The contest between bat an ball proved to be far more even than other series, with Trent Boult’s effort in the final game a masterclass.
It seems that 300 is almost the new par score in a One Day International, and to see teams be restricted in back to back games proves both the conditions and bowling were suited to an even contest.
Clearly there were still runs scored, with a couple of brilliant performances by two men at opposite ends of their international career. Ross Taylor scored a very powerful Ross Taylor-esque hundred in the final game.
He was very strong through backward point, and held up one end whilst things fell apart around him. He now has the equal most One Day International hundreds for New Zealand, a remarkable feat considering the talent of one day players to hail from NZ.
The other performance was right out of left field, with Marcus Stoinis obliterating a world class attack in his second game for his country. He scored 146*, not to mention his three wickets to almost bring Australia home from the brink of what was looking like an embarrassing loss.
The striking of such a player, so unexperienced in the international arena was brilliant. A plethora of drives on the up that continuously slammed into the crowd 15 and 20 rows back, and doing so whilst looking so calm, surely has the Australian selectors reconsidering the future of the all-rounder in the Australian team.
Other players who stood up again included Travis Head, who continues to show that he should have been on the plane to India instead of Glenn Maxwell, and Pat Cummins. He is a fast-bowling prodigy who has added control and variation to his blistering pace.
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood I am sure would have preferred to be watching the games from the comfort of their own homes, as a bit of fatigue seemed to have set in. Nevertheless, they charged in and showed glimpses of why they are now the most impressive new ball pair in world cricket.
I must admit, at the start of the series I thought to myself; “Who cares? Bring on India”. It was so refreshing to see competitive games of cricket played in this manner, and I for one can wait for the next tour that doesn’t mean anything!
Homer
Guest
Agree, the ABs play the Wobblies for exactly the same reason. So do the Pommes by the looks of it.
Zozza
Guest
Another Ocker living in dodo fantasy land.
Dreadly
Guest
And so their cricketing trophy cabinet doesn't collapse under the weight of all the dust. I assume there's a trophy for whatever this series is called.
Dreadly
Guest
NZ got smashed in the 2 (not 3) tests. Never came close to threatening a win.
Republican
Guest
.....really, would NZ derive any purpose as a nation whatsoever, if hypothetically, we did not exist? The pleasure is all ours I assure you......
Duncan
Guest
If it was, then it did the trick. Thanks Australia.
Republican
Guest
..........good idea, pay em off and do it now. I also believe we are over exposed to playing NZ in all codes which only assists their national cause as we have been their benchmark in most codes, with the exception being Union. The reason NZ are now on a par with us in League as one example, is due to that familiarity and our indirect fostering of their talent. Keep em at arms length I say after all they are our greatest adversary and a sovereign nation - or a pseudo one anyway.
Republican
Guest
.........thats the spirit - keep em honest Zozza.
Republican
Guest
......is that a duty of care thing on our part?
Zozza
Guest
What? What the ___ test series were you watching? Cut the BS. Kiwis had Voges out bowled for under double figures - Umpire incorrectly says it's a no-ball, Voges scores a double century. Second match NZ fought hard, but Australia edged through, SO WHERE THE HECK DO YOU GET OFF SAYING NZ GOT SMASHED? Clown.
Bobbo7
Guest
Spot on Republican. In both games both teams generally batted poorly - in each game on one player from either side made runs
Adrian
Guest
It was played so New Zealand can feel good about themselves. Simple as that.
Republican
Guest
.....to be fair, the final ODI batting performance by NZ was very ordinary as well, the difference being Taylor really.
Republican
Guest
........I suggest we will be lucky to win any ODI's on their very' green decks'........
AREH
Roar Guru
Guessing you didn't feel like a sprite
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Lynn rarely bowls. 14 overs in 40 first class matches, 11.5 overs in 40 domestic one dayers and 13 overs in 85 domestic 20/20 games. I agree with you that Stoinis wont be feeling the tour was pointless. He staked a very strong claim for a one day all-rounder position and apparently there are a few such spots available. Perhaps the tour wasn't pointless but the format seems to be, for many, if our very best aren't on the field. Certainly outside of a World Cup tournament, at least. Cricket Australia have been taken to task for both the amount of cricket our test stars play and poor test series preparations, in recent years. Now, they rest our two best quicks against South Africa and a couple of our test batsmen for this NZ series and everyone loses their minds. It makes sense to me. Save the indispensable test players for the real stuff and let the next level of players use limited overs series to showcase their wares. Just don't swallow the CA line that our cricketing depth is exceptional. Outside our best 15 or so players, there is more depth in channel seven virtual reality TV shows.
Gordon Smith
Guest
"Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood I am sure would have preferred to be watching the games from the comfort of their own homes, as a bit of fatigue seemed to have set in" Surely not, they bowl a lot less overs than the days of Dennis Lillee and Merv Hughes for a ton more money. Why would you not prefer to represent your country more than watching.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Didn't prove to be that way in either of the games. Just as well Stoinis performed because the rest were ordinary.
tommyh
Guest
whats with the new annoying adverts ? goodbye The Roar.
Ashan D
Roar Pro
Are you sure Smith was injured ? Oh yeah he posted on instagram and twitter with him watching TV with a shot of his heavily strapped leg.. yeah sorry.