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Beasley Hutton wrote: AR I laugh at how the Kiwis always love to talk about that 1985/86 3 match Test series over here (the only series win the Kiwis have had in Australia) like it was some massive achievement.
In reality it was the worst Australian side to probably play Test cricket in that 1984/85-87/88 era where we just had the retirements of all time greats Lillee, R.Marsh & G.Chappell then the resignation of K.Hughes and then on top of that we had 17 of our First Class players all head to South Africa to play in the rebel series over there in the consecutive summers of 1985/86 & 86/87- K.Hughes, Alderman, Hogg, Wessels etc among those tourists unavailable for Oz whilst we had to compete with average cricketers like Bennett, Kerr, Sleep, Holland, Gilbert, Dyer etc in the baggy green.
Fark we should have been demolished with that sort of cattle.
So although it was a big achievement for NZ to finally beat us on our home deck albeit only 2-1 I might add it should be put into context that was our lowest ever point ever and probably NZ's best era lead primarily off the back of some superb bowling by R.Hadlee & M.Crowe with the bat and it wasnt a complete whitewash by any means.

yeah easily the most feeble outfit
a shield standard PM's 11 cobbled together at the last minute sort of thing
vaguely remember a horrible WSC era Test side that got belted by an old England side Brearley Randall
only one near that

The Kiwis have been decimated with injury it seems.....big loss the skipper....surprised Southee has been rested....especially since Wagner must be knackered.....more knackered I reckon.....

Joe Burns goes cheap again....not sure where Aust go from here....no doubt Burns will continue v Bangladesh and Afghanistan....make runs and keep his spot v India.....with Labuschagne coming in earlier enough, perhaps he could open, good time to blood Pucovski perhaps v Bangladesh and Afghanistan?....or has he been earmarked for Wade's number 5 spot?

Burns looked OK this morning but he does need a score to keep his spot. Like you,I was very surprised about Southee not playing, thought he might have come down with the Lurgi. Will be interesting to see how Somerville goes with his experience at the SCG. I think Pucovski will be given a chance, I assume he is playing grade cricket at the moment as he doesn't appear to be in any BBL squads

Surely Southee is injured and not being rested in only a 3 Test Series after playing only 2 Tests...surely?

Pretty sure I saw Southee fielding out there today BH....how many deliveries has Wagner bowled that were actually gonna hit the stumps?

To quote a failed Prime Minister "How good is Labuschagne?" 4 centuries now in 5 tests. The Kiwis are looking down a rather large barrel, time for him and Smith to fill their boots. You have to give credit to Wagner though, 17 overs for 1-25, the guy never stops trying.

I dont think I have ever seen a player improve so much and in so little time as Labuschagne has in the last 6 months...incredible!

Beasley Hutton wrote: I dont think I have ever seen a player improve so much and in so little time as Labuschagne has in the last 6 months...incredible!

Yep I'll put my hand up and say that I thought he looked out of his depth last summer against India but he has improved so much as you said. Sometimes I think he has modelled himself on Smith to the extent that he is now Smudge Mark 2!

mikeh wrote:

Beasley Hutton wrote: I dont think I have ever seen a player improve so much and in so little time as Labuschagne has in the last 6 months...incredible!

Yep I'll put my hand up and say that I thought he looked out of his depth last summer against India but he has improved so much as you said. Sometimes I think he has modelled himself on Smith to the extent that he is now Smudge Mark 2!

+1 Mike I never saw this run of form coming but I hope it continues long into the future.

been a remarkable run of form by Labuschagne - got pretty much half the team total again today
and all these runs on vastly differing pitches but the big examination is coming up against India over there
More of this will see us competitive instead of getting Tandooried