Brisbane Test: Wrapping Up

I didn't put up a review of Day 4 at Brisbane as I was busy, but things were wrapped up so quickly I needn't have bothered. NZ's second innings folded up quickly; though it was very distressing to watch, in hindsight I agree with dave's assessment that the game was essentially lost on the first two days, and James Pattinson was unstoppable in a display of excellent swing bowling at high pace.

While I don't support the calls for drastic changes at the top of the order, there's no denying the top 6 have issues. In some cases, Patto was too good. Guptill's early-season form was encouraging, but the fact that he has been converted to an opener means he is learning on the job, and the Aussies ruthlessly exploited his weaknesses. McCullum, ironically, is even more vulnerable when he tries to defend rather than attack, and got a good ball from Patto before the close of play. Williamson has this habit of driving away from the body, an early nerves thing; he is a much better batsman than what he showed here, but again shouldn't be batting at no.3 at this stage of his career. Each of Ross Taylor's dismissals was to a poor stroke, but the Zimbabwe tour suggested he is willing to show more restraint; as captain he will simply have to.

The guy we should be most worried about is Jesse Ryder; the manner of both his dismissals overshadowed Taylor's for sheer irresponsibility, and he is clearly not in a good place mentally at the moment. NZ have invested much in him, so he'll be the one most feeling the pressure at Hobart. Dean Brownlie is the polar opposite of Ryder - a right hander with an almost nonexistent front foot game and slightly iffy technique, but having the best test-match temperament among the batsmen (Vettori aside, of course) on the evidence of this test.

So yes, a frustratingly poor effort from the batters, but it'd be inappropriate to stick the boot in, considering the series is not done. Disappointingly, The media seem to think otherwise; "Day of Shame" on Stuff and this piece in the Herald are just two examples. Thankfully, observers on blogosphere are approaching this far more sensibly. Apart from Dave, Kiwiballs is pretty philosphical about the test, while there's unexpected support from The Tooting Trumpet who seems to hold the top 6 in high regard. Additionally, Mykuhl provides some refreshing insight through a numbers-oriented approach.

My feeling through the test: for whatever reason, the media had gone overboard about NZ's chances and the "struggling" Aussies, and the players unfortunately bought into the hype to some extent. It was also counterproductive in that it served to fire up the Aussies. Not that I'm trying to pin the blame on the media, but there's a lesson here. It's a reminder to the players that NZ typically play their best cricket by focusing on the job and surprising the opposition, not by talking themselves up unnecessarily.