Just one sleep away from the biggest day on Australia’s cricketing calendar, we assess the five key issues that will decide whether the Aussies can stay on course for a summer clean sweep or whether the Black Caps will force an SCG decider.
1. How will the pitch behave?
Yes, I know. Even the most fervent of pitch enthusiasts are sick of talking about the 22-yard strip in the middle of the MCG. But the biggest question in Australian cricket – for the next 24 hours at least – is how the volatile wicket will behave. Of course, the answer to this will have huge ramifications for this Test match.
The pitch’s chequered history – especially in the last two years – has seen it move from a largely lifeless road to, in the most recent Shield clash, a batsman’s nightmare. Given the pressure on curator Matt Page to produce a fair wicket, it’s likely he’ll revert to conservatism to ensure the Test can go ahead without a blip.
But the distinct lack of blips, or variations, is exactly what got the deck into the firing line in the first place. With hot weather forecast for days three, four and five, perhaps it will be spin that plays the biggest role at the back end of the Test.
(Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
2. Can New Zealand break Australia’s ‘bat big, bat once’ mantra?
David Warner has urged his teammates to bat big and bat once in the Boxing Day Test, a continuation of the mantra that has served them well in the last month. In the three Tests this summer Australia has posted 580, 3-589 declared and 416 in their first innings, effectively snuffing out any hopes of an opposition victory.
It’s an emphatic response to the challenge thrown down by Justin Langer before the start of the Pakistan series.
“We’re number five in the world in Test cricket at the moment and there’s a reason for that,” Langer said on November 19. “One of them is that we don’t score 300-plus in the first innings enough. We understand the spotlight on our batting at the moment and the boys have got to embrace that.”
And they’ve done exactly that, with Warner and Marnus Labuschagne setting up mammoth totals in all three Tests. Should they hope to walk away from Melbourne winners, the Black Caps need to quell the big Australian top-order runs in the first innings.
3. Can Santner bridge the gap on Lyon?
While the Aussies outplayed the Kiwis in most departments in Perth, one of the starkest discrepancies was between their respective spinners. Nathan Lyon was instrumental at Optus Stadium, snaring match figures of 6-111, including key top-order scalps. Mitchell Santner, by contrast, returned figures of 0-146. The Black Caps tweaker was relatively expensive, too, conceding 3.6 runs an over.
Santner is a more-than-handy cricketer whose recent century against England underlines his all-round talent. But he has taken just four wickets in his last four Test matches and remains unproven with the red ball. The Black Caps need much more from him in Melbourne.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
4. Which returning quick will have the most impact?
Trent Boult’s return couldn’t come at a better time for New Zealand, especially if Page opts for a generous grass covering on Boxing Day. If Neil Wagner is the Black Caps’ dig-in-short aggressor, Boult will play the decidedly opposite role, pitching it up to the top order and enticing them to drive.
But while his presence is a boon for the visitors, the return of James Pattinson for Australia could be equally beneficial. No man stepping foot onto the G tomorrow knows the ground better than Pattinson, who will relish his first Boxing Day outing since 2015. The fiery quick often bowls better when emotions are high and adrenaline is in excess, and a crowd of 80,000 cheering for the Test’s only Victorian may just see him produce his best.
5. Can Blundell blunt the Aussie seamers?
Former Black Caps batting coach Craig McMillan said it would have been “cruel” for the Kiwis to have picked out-of-form opener Jeet Raval for Boxing Day, but it’s arguably equally cruel to pick wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Blundell to assume the role.
Blundell has never opened at first-class level, bats at number five for his domestic side and in his two Test matches has batted at number eight. Nevertheless, as the only batting cover in New Zealand’s 15-man squad – a wholly puzzling move by the New Zealand selectors – he assumes the role after the axe was swung on Raval.
Blundell spoke earlier this week about lasting the first 30 balls before expanding his game, and given the Black Caps lost their first wicket for one and six respectively in Perth, they need him to do as much in Melbourne – if anything, to shield the likes of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor from the new ball.
The Black Caps hierarchy would be ecstatic if the 29-year-old could grind out a gritty 30 to get his side underway in their biggest Test match in years.
TheGeneral
Roar Rookie
No, one unlucky loss.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
So, no wins then.
TheGeneral
Roar Rookie
The three games at the MCG where Handscomb decided to bowl first, were a draw, an abandonment and yes they did get bowled out for 130 when chasing a mediocre score and lost the other. They also bowled out the opposition for 184 when bowling first in that game.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Victoria hasn't won a game in the Shield.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
At least the Leggies is a bowler! While Blundell may not be worse than Raval, it's unfair on his career. Good luck to him, I hope we're all wrong.
ah huh. my rant now showing.
TheGeneral
Roar Rookie
Shock of all shocks. According to the paper today Paine might even decide to bowl first. In discussions with Andrew McDonald, Siddons and Pattinson, in the early shield games the ball was nipping around on day 1, and then it became a good wicket to bat on. Peter Hanscomb has won the toss in the three Vic games at the MCG this year, and BOWLED. Is that a lead?
I made a post, a rant about Michael Vaughan, and his attack on NZ saying that they dont deserve to be number 2 in the world. The post has not appeared for some reason - I don't recall saying any bad words.
badmanners
Roar Rookie
SA vs England might prove interesting, SA might juice up the first pitch to suit their bowlers and hope they can hold on for a series win. 2 very fragile batting line ups with 2 very good bowling line ups. Sounds a little like the ashes just gone......
In other news...Michael Vaughan says NZ don't deserve their 2nd on the table ranking. This is the guy that a few years ago said NZ should be relegated into a group of teams with the likes of Zimbabwe and Ireland in a sort of "two tier" ladder. Link to that article here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/9900865/Why-Test-cricket-needs-two-tiers-to-combat-threat-of-Twenty20.html Michael Vaughan is an A Grade _______ (fill in cussing word of your choice). Michael Vaughan was a very good cricketer and a good Captain having won the Ashes in 2005. But this guy has had a bee in his bonnet about NZ cricket for years, often said very disparaging remarks in commentary as well as writing ridiculous articles like the link I provided above. Not to make excuses for NZ, but we have five million people, and 4.99 million of them play rugby...OK I am being a bit ridiculous with that comment, but you get my point. England have, what, forty or fifty million people....and they just had their backside handed to them by the team that doesn't deserve their ranking. You know what...for years I looked down on Australian cricket due to the Underarm, the Umpiring, Craig McDermott plum LBW to Danny Morrison, Steve Waugh given not out to Vetorri in Perth in 2001...a whole host of reasons that peeved me off, and I havent even got to the reluctance of Australia to play NZ in cricket when we are right next door. But - I want to apologise to Australians - you guys may have got the rub of the green in my one eyed view , being a patriotic kiwi, but, you guys know and respect good hard cricket -- you really are our brothers you Aussies, and frankly I love the way you play cricket, maybe sans the over the top sledging at times and use of sandpaper - but other than that, you are our ANZAC brothers. So, my new enemy is pompous toolbags from England who look down on NZ in general - especially in Cricket. You know what Vaughan - you can go to hell you pommie git. Whenever Australia play England in the future , I will be singing Waltzing Matilda and cheering the Aussies on...except today of course. Go the Kiwis today and the following four days - I know you can do it against our ANZAC brothers - and stick it right up Vaughan. Rant over, except to say "Advance Australia Fair" and "God Defend New Zealand" - I will definitely be standing up out of respect whens both Anthems are played today before the Test starts.
Unfortunately, Santner has been picked ahead of Astle. I really, really, don't believe it. It just goes to show, some selectors really have no clue.
Jero
Roar Rookie
I’m with Bob. There are only four days between day five of Melbourne and day one of Sydney. Sydney hasn’t exactly been a batsman’s minefield in recent years either.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
But they've had Les B on board now so there should be no mystery. The structure of the wicket has been rectified. Was more about who they've selected already. I don't really care but l'd rather some up-front transparency. Everything about CA feels managed to every breath and fingernail.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
You're a nicer bloke than me.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I just read comics.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Not even the curator was able to read how the wicket would react to the watering, weather/drying in the last FC game. Probably a bit unfair to elevate the selectors knowledge/expectations above that, especially when they're not the ones preparing the wicket.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
With hot weather forecast towards the back end of the Test, Page may be looking to heavily water the wicket beforehand - then again he'll be cautious about the outcome of doing that based on the last Shield game, given the first day will be cool and could still be soft at start of play. So at the time of comment by Langer/Hohns, I suspect there was still some uncertainty as to what the wicket will be like, especially for first couple of days.
Izzy Nutz
Guest
So you are a mind reader now?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
You have deductive powers beyond reason Grasshopper. Ah, but old Polish proverb, which l just make up, says "one should not jump to delusions"
Big Daddy
Guest
For the life of me cannot understand how Kiwi's are number 2 in the world. Never have performed well against us. Williamson and Taylor 2 standout batsmen and Boult and Southee are all class but a bit long in the tooth. The rest are Sheffield shield standard. Even South Africa are ordinary. Real challenge is India.