NZ in Australia tests

[Swooperman]

Not for the faint hearted this

Midnight start UK time, heres a brief scene setter:

Australia have just been thumped a bit in India & are expected to win this heavily.
NZ have lost a lot of players to the IPL, but the plus side to that is that not a lot of their team have lost to the Aussies, & they are pretty young.
The Aussie press have labelled this NZ side as the weakest to visit their shores....but I remember that said about Fat Gatts lot in 86/7 & Mark Taylors mob in 89.....both won by at least 2 tests.
Punters under pressure, they really really dont want to bowl slowly
Symonds is back at the expense of either Krejza or Watson......wonder if he'd be back this quick if they hadnt lost in India ??
Rain about, wickets under-prepared. Hayden called it 'spicy' & Punter wondered how much play there'd be. Sounds a result track but will there be enough play.
A green top is pretty similar to NZ conditions & has to bring NZ more into the game even though they havent won in Oz in 23 years.

The stats say this is easy for Australia but we might find a bit about them in the next few days as they need a good performance to quell the doubting whisperers. NZ raise their game here & although you can see it being all against them I dont think this'll be as easy as their press think.
The odds are still in the mighty, mighty Aussies camp & I dont think theyre as good as they were, but time will tell.
The NZ price is too big but I'll lay Australia from the outset @ 1.36 together with small bets on Clarke & Ryder as HS'ers @ 7.2 & 6.4 respectively.

Less of a kitchen sink bet & more of a little tub of fairy liquid kept for emergencies type thing

[rcgills]

Clarke top scores for the Aussies with 98

[Swooperman]

Long way to go but NZ are in a decent position. Their bowlers have done the basics extremely well in bowling the Aussies out for 214. Australias batting was very 'champagne' & if their bowlers try the same it could be advantage NZ.
NZ need 300 I feel & it wont be easy as for my money the likeliest scorers are Ryder & Taylor & they go for their shots whereas somebody needs to 'do a Clarke' & reign it in.
Will be very interesting but Clarke has covered all my match bets so far so I'm relaxed. Personally I see tonights 1.48 on Australia as foolhardy but time will tell. Still rain about