Aust Vs NZ 1st ODI
 

What a terrific start by Australia. 78/1 from 12.2 overs

Gilly 50 from 39 balls
Hayden 13 from 21 balls - Out to a brilliant outfield catch by Sinclair bowled Oram
Ponting 12 from 16 balls

:D

That's a handy batting line-up. Shane Watson at 8!!!

Aust 110/1 from 18 overs. Run rate 6.11

:D

Could be a very big total if these two hang a round for a while.

Should have kept my mouth shut.

Aust 114/2

Gillchrist out bowled. 68.

NZ's got an extra man on the field.

Scratch what I said about them having a strong batting line-up.

Geez, Clarke and Lehmann had better dig in here, because they're pretty weak in the bowling for this game.

Apart from Lehmann's 50 it all went down hill after Gilly got out.

Looks like not being much more than 250, if at all. And as Sportznut said we have gone in with what appears to be a pretty average bowling line up. So that is going to be a hard total to defend. :(

Aust 236/9 from 48.2 overs.

Not looking good. It's hard to expect Lee to bat where the recognized batsmen have failed.

Probably be all over by the time I edit this post. Hope not.

How good is this opening spell from Lee! Making a good case for his inclusion in Perth!

Don't like the complacency of the Australians in this game. Resting one of Gillespie and McGrath is one thing, but BOTH of them???

What did I tell ya? They deserved to lose tonight's game picking a team like that. Why on earth would you give the opposition such an advantage?

Man that was a massive choke from Kaspers!! I wonder if that over will come up in the selection room when they are picking the test side for Perth.

I don't blame him for the loss though, that blame should sit well and truly with our middle order. How we only scored 246 aftre the start we had is beyond me.

Anyways, that loss should make the Sydney game a hell of a lot more exciting now that the Aussies have to win it!

Unfortunately not a good game for the Qlders. Personally, I don't know that Kasprowiscz should even be in the One-day team, at least not in Australia. Much rather have Bichel than Kasper in a one-dayer here.

Yes, you're right that our middle order stuffed up, and they were helped along by a couple of dubious decisions. Even given our poor batting though, we still could have defended it with McGrath and Gillespie out there. I just simply hate the way we gave New Zealand a head start by leaving out our two best bowlers.

By the way, I'd probably have MacGill in my team too, but he's obviously never going to play for Australia again, so I guess I'll have to give up on that one.

You are right about leaving both Gillespie and Mcgrath out - I know they need to be rested but I was under the impression that they would take it in turns. It shows a total lack of respect for the Kiwis doing that and tonight it came back to bite us on the ass.

I don't know about Macgill, he is a great bowler but that is about it. Hogg can handle the bat and he fields very well. He was awesome tonight chasing down balls to save runs and his contribution with the bat was very handy. If anything we need Warney back!!

Well yeah, I agree that MacGill's pretty hopeless with the bat and in the field, but he gets wickets and plenty of them. He's been probably the best bowler in ING Cup Cricket for years now and I still think they could give him a go (at least in Sydney). Anyway, as I said that simply isn't going to happen and Hogg played pretty well last night. Yes you're right. I think they miss Warne though.

Yeah, if just one of them was out there last night, I'm pretty certain we'd have won. You're right, it shows a total lack of respect for the kiwis AND this series. I mean, why didn't they just play their strongest team and try to win the first two games. If they did, then they could have rested whoever they liked in the 3rd game.

SPORTZ....we need it.

Dirk Gently
 

Hi all, I thought the Kiwi's were a good bet @ $3.45 (was a bit anxious till the 22 off 6) but I'm swinging towards the Aussies @$1.30 for Sydney. It looks like being a bit wet though and I'd favour the Kiwi's big hitting in a rain-shortend match. What's the better bet? (Kiwi's are still around $3.45).

Another thing, why isn't Gillespie back in as well?

Are you sure he's not playing? I heard that they were originally planning on resting him for the first two matches, but after they lost the first one, I thought they might bring him back for this game.

I also thought the Kiwis were pretty good value in Game 1 with our weak bowling lineup, but when Australia won the toss and batted first, I decided against betting.

Same thoughts Gillespie.