New Zealand vs Australia: First T20, international cricket live scores

No man, I am using the word in the context of the level of competition - defined aptly by the best players that participate in it. The cream of all nations competes in it and the pool of Indian players who are cut above the rest in domestic T20s (ie how many see success when they step us at Int'l levels vs players from other countries). The variation in pitches and the close contests, the close season positions. Don't give 2 hoots about sales pitches but don't mind calling something good as it is without the prejudice for BCCI, big money etc.

He will do well i reckon and they will put a lot of work into him as well and don’t mistake the biggest money competition in the world as by definition, the fiercest. Sorry but what is, and what is not, the fiercest is never a given fact for anything as it is just a matter of point of view. The word is an arbitrary abstraction for a start making it a matter of opinion – its like trying to argue which romance movie has the most love in it – what? the one with the biggest stars and biggest budget and the biggest audience? I mean seriously! Don’t buy into slogans and hype – its just a sales pitch.

In India his main asset - the height would be less of an asset. Further, RCB end up paying so much because the f'd up by letting go Morris who has a proven record and whom they thought they would buy at a cheaper price in the auction. Anyway, they also bought Christian, a bit strange. In T20, test prospects are rarely a virtue. And his experience is limited to NZ domestic which is not even the top 5 domestic competition in the world. So expecting him to do well in IPL, in conditions that are not favoring him and in the fiercest competition in the world, is not a sure go. And 2m USD is for proven players not for a punt.

I think your view of Marsh's fielding is extremely Western eyed. Mitchell is slow and I haven't seen him bothering anyone with his average fielding skill. J.Richardson was an absolute weapon but he is extremely cautious in committing to the ball and isn't going to be throwing in a flat quicker throw anytime soon. I think his bowling and batting and general catching and movement are still good enough for selection. Stonis and Wade would be opening, McDermott 3, Maxwell 4, Phillipee 5, Turner or Inglis (WC)6, (Sams, Marsh, Agar) 7, Behrindorff 8, J. Richardson 9, Zampa 10, Meredith 11. If Phillipee opened instead of Stoinis then Marsh would definitely be an option at 7. I do think Stoinis is a complete waste outside of opening.

Marsh and Stoinis are way different players. Totally different processes. The two to go are Finch and Wade. I'd open with Philippe and Stoinis. As for Richardson, he is the fastest outfielder in the country. He has lost his arm but he attack on the ball limits 2s to ones. They have well and truly drilled the tap on to the other fielder. He only bowls it in or underarms it only when the batsmen have decided against the second run. Marsh is a gem in the field. Great hands and bullet throw. McDermott will get his shot but they went with Wade and Finch.

I watched both teams lose early wickets. I watched a number 4 score twice as many as the other bloke when both got a start and use to the conditions? Unfortunately Australia failed to bowl well in the middle overs and at the death compared to Kiwis. Who benefited from score board pressure. I’d make a decision between Marsh and Stonis. Not both. Stonis opens or doesn’t get picked either a choice between him and Finch, Wade and Phillippe. I’d like to see Phillippe bat 4or 5 with Maxwell personally. Marsh is a log in the field and between the wickets IMO. Does the power hitting and slow starts of Stonis and Marsh affect those quicker players (running between the wickets) in the middle or final overs? Can we hide both J. Richardson arm, Marsh’s slowness in the field? I like Finch but it’s cruel to watch a player struggling to regain form at a international level. They did it to Joe Burns. Give McDermott a shot. I dare say his time in Tasmania would have suited the NZ conditions.

I realise sarcasm is apparently the lowest form of wit but I really thought a few of you would have picked up what I was putting down ? Perhaps a few did and will wait till Marsh and his Dad fail again. lol.

Is that their homework?

well that was a bit of a wooping

Didn’t you love her hypocrisy when she complained about kiwis were back into having to quarantine when arriving in Australia after NZ has a couple of cases?

What a fabulous cricket ground Hagley Oval seems to be!

Well...everyone seems to like her, not just China!

Picked on form? Maybe Cummins, and perhaps Smith. But not the others...

Finch and Maxwell have been horribly out of form all season. Not sure why the selectors thought they’d magically come good now...

Thought Jye was the pick of the bowlers actually. Sam's opening spell had the Black Caps in trouble too...

Thought he looked in good touch actually Don.

On certain pitches in nz , starc would surely be an asset over 4 overs. Cummins of course . With bat they could have got labs and smith over there at least even if they arent quick scorers they can handle the kiwi style pitches which can play a little more like england but surely mcdermott plays and that kid from nsw is it ollie davis looks like he can smack it well .

Also marsh was wise to pace it aus didn't make 18 overs with bat

Langer isn't coach this series McDonald is.

No it wouldn't be . But no excuses. Out played by a better team.