Australia tour of New Zealand - Feb 2016

[Arthur Crabtree]

15-1 off the last ten overs.

[Arthur Crabtree]

it was certainly worth only having 5 hours sleep put it that way and the fact it was against the aussies makes it even more enjoyable

Often a factor in legendary knocks in the last 25 years. For me, part of the impact of the McCullum innings is in the man he is. He has character and stature, and his nation is proud of him. During the WC, the Aussies seemed to be keen to undermine NZ by mocking their and his ambitions. They used to do this to England as a tactic. Of even daring to dream you could win. Braddin was at the centre of this, and he has been continuing with the theme right into this series. You can keep the sprit of the game, we'll keep the WC.

The Kiwis got to the WC final where the Aussies were pretty in their face about the heavy defeat they handed out to their neighbours. It's often said that the Kiwis have a little brother mentality in relation to the Aussies. Rather pleasingly, Brendon is a little brother himself. I think the Kiwis were pretty stung by the thrashing they were handed out by the Aussies. But even more so by the talk. Which little brother can take being patronised?

And in the games Tests followed, the Kiwis had some key moments of bad luck. Still they were being cuffed by the Aussies, particularly their bowlers, against a team NZ hoped could challenge. And that for me is the context of the McCullum innings, in terms of him and his compatriots. And its poignancy. He hit back, and for a few hours at least his hitting scattered the Aussie fielders like pigeons.

[Arthur Crabtree]

So there's a Steinbeckian East of Eden sensibility to Bren's innings. I didn't get the same epic themes from Stokes, though I agree with those above that Ben played better strokes (in better batting conditions)...

[yuppie]

NZ just giving way too many easy runs here.

Still got a very healthy lead, try and build the pressure. Seems like they are trying to buy a wicket.

[GarlicJam]

15-1 off the last ten overs.

That's five times faster than the Kiwis 24 hours earlier.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Five times faster is more or less the same number of runs though.

The ball was doing something yesterday as well.

[GarlicJam]

I see BMac's innings differently, Arthur. I see it as he bats this way most times, this time he just happened to come off - in a big way.

No romance, no underlying drama, just pure aggression coupled with good luck.

[Arthur Crabtree]

I see BMac's innings differently, Arthur. I see it as he bats this way most times, this time he just happened to come off - in a big way.

No romance, no underlying drama, just pure aggression coupled with good luck.

I don't really disagree with the first part. I doubt the second bit, if only because here has been a lot of popular reaction to it. Plenty over here. He's a popular fella here, among cricket fans. It's more than that to the NZers though.

[GarlicJam]

oh, to outsiders, that's a different matter. I meant to BMac himself. I don't reckon he went in with an "I'll show you, you big bullies" attitude. Just a "whack it" attitude.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Can't really guess that, though I presume he cares and he believes in the whack-it method. But it's how it seems that matters to how it's remembered.

[GarlicJam]

and I can believe that some, of all, of what you mentioned may well give him greater satisfaction afterwards, but I don't see it as a spur/incentive for him.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Hundred for Burns. Well done Joe. Good knock.

Southee bowling pretty well. Asking questions. Until these half trackers.

[Gingerfinch]

Another ton for Smith. 14 in 41 matches with an average of over 59.

The kiwis are going to need to knock them over in tomorrow's first session, or I can only see one winner.

[The Professor]

New Zealand getting absolutely spanked by Australia. Australia about to become the number one Test team and they still have their critics.

[Making_Splinters]

Watched up until lunch and was very impressed with Burns. Relatively even at the moment, but with the new Don at the crease and with plenty of batting still to come, New Zealand need to take early wickets to stay in the game.