Aus v NZ, 2nd Test, Perth, Nov 13-17

[GarlicJam]

Ooh, two early wickets, no Khawaja so Aus effectively 5 down, and the new ball due in a few overs, with the lead at just over 200. There's just a sniff here that the game could take an interesting turn, but it will need NZ bowl Australia out within the next hour.

A perfectly set scene for Mitch1 (the Original and the Best) to stride to the crease and set about smotin' a brisk 70-odd.

could be.....

[bigfluffylemon]

And the chance of something interesting is quickly snuffed out. 250 runs, 60 overs - Australia won't feel safe on this wicket, so will bat on after lunch, and the chances of a result are already looking grim. Come on Smith, be a man and declare over lunch!

[bigfluffylemon]

That's a big blow for Steve Smith, but I guess a lucky break for Peter Siddle. MJ has been a warrior for Australia. A huge shame that he wasn't more consistent.

Pattison is being talked up as a like-for-like - and as the ABC crosses to the Vic/WA Shield match, he obliges by taking a wicket (Klinger, I think).

I wouldn't be surprised if MJ isn't the only bowling changs for the next Test. I keep hearing about Hazlewood and his workload, and then wonder about how Starc is holding up. I guess the candidates are Peter Siddle and James Pattinson. I wouldn't rule out Jackson Bird as a long shot.

Is Pat Cummins still injured?

[from_the_stands]

Cummins will be out for a while. I'd say until the new year, at least.

[from_the_stands]

The Aussies are going to kill this off, and go to Adelaide one up.

[bigfluffylemon]

The Aussies are going to kill this off, and go to Adelaide one up.

I wonder if BMac will open, just to show intent and try and give Australia a bit of a scare. Doesn't matter either way, the game's already dead.

[GarlicJam]

And the chance of something interesting is quickly snuffed out. 250 runs, 60 overs - Australia won't feel safe on this wicket, so will bat on after lunch, and the chances of a result are already looking grim. Come on Smith, be a man and declare over lunch!

Why?

His job is to lead his team to victory. Not a test victory, but a series one.

When push comes to shove, his employers don't give diddlies about the entertainment.

As I a typing, Smith declares.....

Kiwis need 321 off 48 (so I hear). My calculator says this is 6.6875 an over.

Will be an interesting start, at least.

[bigfluffylemon]

And the chance of something interesting is quickly snuffed out. 250 runs, 60 overs - Australia won't feel safe on this wicket, so will bat on after lunch, and the chances of a result are already looking grim. Come on Smith, be a man and declare over lunch!

Why?

Why? Because as a spectator I'd rather see some excitement rather than the match peter out into a bore draw (and let's face it, the dominance of bat over ball has made it pretty dull, except for a few records tumbling).

Of course Smith is reasonable not to have declared earlier, and I am supporting Aus in this series, but dull cricket is dull cricket.

[yuppie]

Off for the rain, weather saves NZ

[bigfluffylemon]

A dismal end to a dismal test match. Not really a fitting way to go for MJ, but 48 overs to bowl NZ out was always going to be tough on this wicket.

[GarlicJam]

Johnson is getting absolutely slaughtered here. His worst economy ever in a test match innings. He has a wicket, so it's not his worst ever analysis, but it's right up there.

I was wondering yesterday of a part of him has mentally retired already.

Either way, I don't think a retirement is too far away.

I think you may be right.

You were right
http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v ... 41569.html

Seems I was spot on - his wife has told ABC how it was after stumps on Day 3 that he made his decision - so yesterday he was bowling with retirement lready decided.

[yuppie]

Well Mitch does have another international wicket.

Seems the right time to retire.

So far a succesful series for Australia, but 2 enforced changes for Adelaide.

Siddle to come in i reckon. Hope he can bowl with the pink ball

[yuppie]

Hang on, whys Mitch retiring

[Arthur Crabtree]

The Original Mitch was a filthy sledger, and I don't like that; but while at times the comical stooge, at others he was a devastating, intimidating pace bowler with a throwback, cartoonish faulty pressure valve, which found it's perfect expression in the occasional moustache. Maybe he should have been Mitch 1&2 because there was a big dichotomy to his career and his personality. His career average of 27.4 reflects that. Halfway between genius and nowhere.

His bowling in the second whitewash was hard to take at times, and his Victorian melodrama histrionics even harder, but it did make for a compelling final act to his story in the Ashes. And who doesn't really want the gobshites who chant their barbs from the crowd, to ultimately have it shoved up their jacksy? Mitch1 really had the last laugh there, and he wasn't a complete arse about it. At his best, a compelling, genuinely scary fast bowler, a handy late order hitter, and an Ashes legend.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Well done the Kiwis on the improvement from the Gabba. A case for better prep going into a series?