November 26, 2025 • 39 mins
This week on On The Front Foot, we're joined by Peter Holland to review the first Ashes test, we suggest some changes England need to make and review the Black Caps' test squad.
We also discuss South Africa’s winning style and enjoy a mastermind session with Monty Panesar.
Your views welcome: onthefrontfoot20@gmail.com
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talk Sat B.
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Speaker 2 (00:19):
Take another pad.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Now we got it's a rick. It is out. The
test is over.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Goodness smoke, Oh wow, it was a beauty.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
It is out and here he goes.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
This delivery has in the user to Bowl.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
On the Front Foot with Brian Wonnell and Jeremy Coney,
powered by News Talks head b at iHeartRadio.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Hello, nice to be back with you on the Front
Foot once again with Racine one hundred percent key. We
made paints and stains. Boy, what a week we've had.
England batted just sixty seven overs in a Nash stest,
India lose by the biggest margin by runs they've ever lost,
and our Black Cats are staying consistent. The home series
(01:07):
of the West Indies. Oh, we might even consider Mastermind
with Monty Panasa. What city is home for the TV series?
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Cheers?
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Do you know the answer to that? Fetter?
Speaker 4 (01:19):
What I believe?
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Yeah? I think it is Boston?
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Yeah very good. Yeah, Well we'll see, we'll see how
well Monty went at that. I think it was the
old Mastermind between Monty and Steve Smith was a reminder
that you know, if you're going to pick someone off,
you've got to be very careful because you'll come back
and hit your twice as hard. And that's what happened.
Got a fun time around the ashes, but I don't
(01:45):
think the Ashes will be remembered by too many people
in England in particular as a fun time. What did
you make of it? Most? Did you did you manage
to fit in the nearly two days of credit?
Speaker 5 (01:59):
Well, first of all, I got let down because I
had plans for Sunday and there was nothing there, so
I had to fill them with other things much more mundane.
So I'm angry as all the rest to them. But
a lot can happen in for twenty four hours. I
got a message from a good friend of mine who
was actually at the cricket on in Perth and said,
(02:20):
best day of cricket I've ever seen day one Englishman
and where's was just cock a hoop and whoop's next
day he's in home anyway, birds all over. I think
there's been so much said about it, but I think
we're in danger of England potentially unraveling because they go
(02:44):
from this, how do they pick themselves up and then
go to the Red the pickball test in Brisbane.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Yeah, that's the issue.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
It gets easier.
Speaker 5 (02:52):
I'm really worried it could turn into something of a
route so to speak.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Who's who's responsible for picking them up? Jerry's at the coach?
Is that the captain? Is it the individuals themselves because
you know they're going to be on a hiding to
enough thing now the Australians are on fire.
Speaker 6 (03:11):
All the above, I think the whole touring party ultimately,
of course, you know, crickets often been described as a
team game played by individuals, and it is. You go
out there by yourself and you have to make decisions
for yourself, you know, in discussion with other people of
(03:33):
course at times. But I mean, finally, are you going
to play the ball outside off stump when it's just
short of a length that has to be sought about
very carefully? For certainly for the English top order. Are
they going to play the hook with the short book
because they're going to be tested in both those areas.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Again, and you know, the Gabba is very light.
Speaker 6 (03:59):
Perth actually in the first two days it bounces, it
nips a bit. It's a day night test Therefore teams
will want to bat during the day and not during
the twilights and when the lights are on. Stark is
a very good if you look at his he's got
something like eighty odd wickets at sixteen or something like
(04:19):
that for the pink ball Test, so he's one of
the better bowlers with using the pink ball. So it's
not going to be easy. But they have to really
just dig in a bit, don't they. You can't. I
don't know why you think you can just play one way.
Cricket is a multi dimensional at thank heavens it is.
(04:41):
That's one of the beauties of the game, isn't it.
And you can't just approach whatever you're playing on exactly
the same way and you.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Get caught out.
Speaker 6 (04:53):
And it's really nice to see the South African side
using and employing an entirely different method and having truckloads
of success doing that in unfamiliar conditions to them, and
showing that that it's possible to bat different ways and
(05:16):
still get very good results. You don't need to over
entertain people in the ashes, and no one was being
entertained on day three.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Star hosting a lot of money.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Well that's another issue. Altogether.
Speaker 6 (05:33):
I hope the players recognize. I mean it sounded at times,
I don't know what you felt, guys, it sounded like
they were playing in England.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
That's how good the support.
Speaker 6 (05:42):
Was from the Barmi Army and all the rest of
the England you know, fans going out there. It's eye
watering sums to get out there.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
And it seems like fifty to fifty in terms of
public that. You know, the English flags. Everybody takes their flag,
don't they wherever they're from, they hang them overside and
the noise was immense from England, well for a short
period of time anyway. But I take your point, and
most I think it's it's it's a fair point too
(06:13):
about having to be able to change that. The Harry
Brook that's the way I play doesn't cut it in
every Test match that you play, and it's that's the
beauty of the game.
Speaker 5 (06:24):
As Jerry says, I'd reflected on it a bit and
you're so right. What seems to be lacking is is
the plan now if I'm England one of my major
threats clearly at this point the last Test was stark.
He was he was going to be a handful wasn't
there a plan somewhere to actually, if he's going to bowl,
(06:49):
get him, get him bowling clearly of overs, especially in
Test and Test one.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
When was that?
Speaker 5 (06:54):
Why weren't there thinking about that? The more he bowls
those pace comes off all of a sudden, he's got
a bowl closer to you rather than just outside off.
There didn't seem to be any any idea or strategy
around how do we actually go out and witness? Yes,
if it's up and we want to flog it, that's fine,
but there's no plan around that. So that's that's what
(07:19):
surprised him, because these are not stupid people. I mean,
mcarm's a smart fellow, and so Stokes, so is Joe Rude.
It just that's what gets me. And and how are
we going to winness? Take Stark out of the game
surely is a good start, and then you know, whoever
else it might be, how are we going to deal
with Travis Head? I mean, by god, no one has
(07:40):
spoken about that innings. That was just something special, wasn't it.
He just literally he was the one guy who could
take it away from him, and he did, didn't he
quite well?
Speaker 3 (07:48):
He gave him, He gave himself some time though, didn't
he He allowed himself the time to get settled and
we know how he plays, but he didn't do it
from Baar one. He got into it and got some
good support from Lavashine, which would be a delight for
the Ossies because they need him in some form batting
at number three. They've got problem was at the top
(08:08):
of the order themselves here, haven't they. I mean Osmond Kwaja,
he's Australian Zach Crawley, isn't he?
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Now? You know.
Speaker 6 (08:18):
He didn't even open once. He didn't even open. I
mean England had a lot going for them, didn't they.
I mean really, no, Cummins and Hazel were There's six
hundred Test wickets openers that didn't open. Two other players
on debut. You know you've got a lot going for
(08:39):
you there. I was a little surprised. And then what
you guys thought? They picked five place bowlers England. They
won the toss and battered. Now that hasn't been England's way.
Let's be quite clear about that. They like to chase
(09:00):
because of their batting style. They like knowing the target
and they like chasing. They have done that consistently for
two or three years now. I'm not saying there was
anything in the pitch particularly it nibbled a bit. Yes,
it nipped as you'd expect, and it bounced and it was.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Quite quick for them. And they'd been practicing on Lilac hurl,
which is a slow, low pitch.
Speaker 6 (09:24):
That's nonsense actually to prepare like that, But however that's
what they did.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
But I was just a wee bit surprised.
Speaker 6 (09:32):
They already, I mean, probably their best bowler was really
over the last couple of years as Ben Stokes, and
he was he bowled number five. He came in in
about the twenty ninth to thirty year is over. If
he had bowled a bit earlier and they only had
four bowlers, they might have got him out quicker.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Who knows, I mean, would they not have been better?
Perhaps this is where they go all out.
Speaker 6 (10:00):
For something, isn't it. Why couldn't they pick Jamie Smith
as again to give them an extra batsman. Runs were
going to be the key commodity that they required in
the first Test, And why didn't they pick him at
number eight and bowl a few little spinovers.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
If he had to?
Speaker 6 (10:20):
I think they that just seemed to be a very
different way of going about the mantra that Dave and
a mattra that they've had we will chase. Would only
bold eleven overs, That's not many in a match. Arch,
You're only bold seventeen. That's not many in a match
for your two key bowlers. I just thought there was
(10:42):
a bit of a sort of that seemed to be
an odd thing to do for me. When is the
pitch most likely to do something for you? And those
pictures tend, if anything, to be a little bit green
at the start and then ease off and get slightly
easier throughout the match.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
We all know that.
Speaker 6 (11:03):
So I just have a little question about that decision
arly on, as well as some of the other things
about the way they went about playing. I hope no
problem about the intent. We saw that from Travis Head.
He got the intent, but he got himself in first
the fact that it was the English batsman made very
(11:24):
poor choices about which balls to attack and show their
intent upon.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
The other interesting point too is now they've got such
a gap between the two Test matches, they're not really
doing anything that will harden them up for a pink
ball test. They've turned down the opportunity of playing against
the Prime Minister eleven. Okay, that's Canberra. It's slightly different
than the Gabba. But I would think, or I would
(11:51):
have thought, tell everyone wrong, that you take opportunities to
play some tough cricket rather than just nets. I know
nets are important, but if you get an opportunity to
play a pink ball game against a side that wants
to come at you, don't you take that instead of
three players? You aren't even in the Test match post.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
I would have thought, so that the question is what
are they doing?
Speaker 5 (12:15):
It's a real head scratcher for me because and you're right,
Jerry about that when when Stocktures would have a bat,
when I was watching that, I'd love to see the
first ball of a Test match always, I thought, really
really are So there's there's a few things in there
that I'm just wondering what's going on in the back room,
and who's who's doing the planning year, Who's who's developed
(12:37):
a strategy of what we're going to do.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
I don't know.
Speaker 5 (12:40):
And I agree with you playing pink balls you plant
once a year if you're lucky. So they're not. They're
not even used to that are they so I would
have thought that was an absolute yes, get three days
cricket in against against the pink ball, at least prepare
for it.
Speaker 6 (12:57):
Well, if you're only bowling eleven overs and seventeen overs,
you really don't need them, do you, unless they're just
so cleaning them up in that time. Clearly they feel
whatds the value and the concept of freshness is more
valuable than going out and getting game practice, you know.
(13:19):
That's that's to me, that seems to be what they want.
I'm all for fitting in the most training for the
shortest amount of time. I think that's that's the way
you want to practice, where you go very hard and
in a thoughtful and a sensible kind of way, and
you've decided the sorts of things that you need to
(13:42):
be working on. I need to know where my off stumpers,
those kinds of things, and you make sure that that
you're practicing those those matters. But you do need game time.
There's a difference between practicing and game time. You can
get bold and many times you like, and the nets
(14:03):
can't you Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
Well, the situation is such that we know that this
England side is still a pretty good side. They've got
performances behind them to back them up. They were always
going to be a chance to fall over against a
very good Australian side. Well, I just think that this
is a fairly modest Australian side preparing comparing with what
(14:25):
they've had in the past. Can things change by the
next Test match? Bearing in mind we've talked about the Gabba,
which is a tough ground for England on. It's a
pink ball test. It's not a skill factor that there's
going to be tested. It's the mental factor, isn't it
most that's going to be tested in the England.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
Side completely And I agree with you all your summation there,
But I think I made the point a little bit
earlier where I was I'm just concerned that this could
unravel because all of a sudden, if they were ever
going to have a good great opportunity was in that
last test. As Jerry pointed out, start with your main
bowl of two debutantes, a top order which is pretty
(15:08):
much missing an action particularly Kaja. Australia're only going to
get better and are more used to playing people tests.
I think I think we end up to Australia.
Speaker 6 (15:23):
Yeah, Well, that's really hard then Moose, isn't it having
lost that England have won?
Speaker 2 (15:30):
What did you tell me one test in the.
Speaker 6 (15:33):
Last was it fifteen or sixteen?
Speaker 4 (15:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (15:38):
Well now they now they've got to win three out
of the last four. Now those maths aren't good if
you're if you're part of England. But actually I agree
with you too, there Moose, on a paper, this side
looks a pretty good side, This England side really, to
be honest with you, you go down the list and
(16:00):
given that, you'd have to say there actual results on
grass are pretty average and and you know there's the
odd remarkable one here and there that obviously you know
that they stick with. But there are so many in
which they implode trying to force their hand with hyper
(16:22):
aggressive batting. I mean it rarely wins series, it won't
win the ashes, and it's not saving cricket either. So
I see all those issues that they speak about. I'll
go the South African way every time.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
Thanks, Yes, indeed, And they certainly have done the business
in India tool and India can't play at home litt
alone play overseas iliven we would do some of the
English experts. Former captain Alex Stewart said he understands England's
decision to stick to their guns over the President's game
(17:02):
at Canberra. It's a day night game, pink ball, and
he says that from his point of view, when you're
in the inner sanctum, stick to your guns. That's Alex
Stewart's point of view. Michael Vaughan and Jonathan agnew and
in their columns have been scathing in their criticism and
I'll leave the last word to Sir Jeffrey. I cannot
(17:24):
take the stupid England team seriously anymore. Before the series started,
Ben Stokes told the world that any ex player who
criticized them or had a different opinion were has beens
because Test cricket had changed in the past, was irrelevant.
They never learned because they never listened to anyone outside
their own bubble, because they truly believe their own publicity. Wow,
(17:50):
I could imagine that from Jeffrey. That's that the harsh words,
the harsh reality for the England team as they head
off to the Gabba, a place where you remember with fondness, Jerry,
you want a Test match there? And the New Zealand
performed brilliantly back in nineteen eighty six. We've had it previously,
(18:10):
have you just recently in terms of remember this so
you know as well as anybody what the gap is
going to be like. The stands might be a little
bit different, but the ground will be pretty much the
same way.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
I would have thought so, and more particularly the pitch.
Speaker 6 (18:29):
And it will be as bouncy and also the ball
as we know in Australia in particular, it does move
around for the pink ball and during under lights, so
it's not going to be an easy assignment for England. Look,
(18:53):
all they can do really is do it better. All
they can do is make better judgments which balls am
I going to attack?
Speaker 2 (19:03):
Which balls are?
Speaker 6 (19:04):
Or let it go and when they get into a
position of ascendancy as they did in that last match,
that's when you nail it.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Yep, And they didn't. They took it as a license
to do more of what they do.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
Yes, and hope for a different outcome, which is the
definition of well, isn't it stupid? I think something wrong.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
You're going back to.
Speaker 5 (19:37):
Indeed, much as much as I would like to disagree
with Geoffrey and I find him a contakerous really, but
I've got nothing to nothing else stand. I think he's right,
you know, and I wouldn't say that very often.
Speaker 3 (19:56):
But well, I wonder whether the test there is here
in New Zealand is going to create the sort of
discussion that the Ashes test that lasted less than two days,
but a predictable in New Zealand's they haven't got Phillips Jamison.
They're giving time to prepare, see as o roork and
Fish of their fast bowlers are injured, so they've had
(20:16):
to go for the predictable. I'll put my test team
argue with me if you will. I'm leaving out Bracewell,
I'm leaving out Young, and I'm leaving out Tickner. How
does that sound, Jerry.
Speaker 6 (20:30):
I'm struggling to remember all the names, to be honest
with you, especially in the bowling.
Speaker 2 (20:36):
Look.
Speaker 6 (20:38):
Yeah, I think I was really quite pleased to see
Lathan Williamson, Young, what, Bracewell, Tickner, Blundle. I think we're
all in that squad that you were just talking about.
But they went and played round two. They in other words,
they had a match and I think that's a good thing.
(21:01):
So so yeah, Pondway, if he can get those feet moving,
especially moving forward and using two hands, on the bat
and he's looked more comfortable in the last few odies,
hasn't he. Where he's got some runs and he's started
to move those feet and he started to find the
middle of the bat.
Speaker 2 (21:22):
And it's good that it's recent. So let's hope that
he's able to do that.
Speaker 6 (21:27):
Latham, as long as he keeps the foot away from
in front of the stumps, the front foot, he doesn't
come across across the ball slightly and the bat the
pad is in the way he can look. No, everybody
has problems that their battle away with all the time
in the game. Williamson good to see well. He hasn't
played for quite a long time. He's going to have
(21:49):
a bat today against Auckland at Mount Montanui. Ravendra he's
played quite aggressively recently, hasn't he. I'd just like to
see him get in spend that time you said about
head spending twenty minutes, you.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
Know, getting himself in.
Speaker 6 (22:06):
He's a good enough player once he's got the conditions
and can play a number of shots and in fact
can hit the same ball into different areas. That's how
good he is at times when he's at his best.
So you know, don't rain the shots and once you
get in. I'm happy with that, happy to have that intent.
And Mitchell's have mature play now, so they're all kind
(22:29):
of in set positions. I think, whether they've got contracts
or not, I think they're playing the best at the
moment out of the players that you mentioned Blundle, I
think it's a very big game. I think it's worth
just a little discussion. What do you guys feel about Blundle?
Because you know they might feel he's the best keeper,
(22:51):
but certainly his batting has just slipped away in the
last two to three years and I just think we're
not quite getting the runs from number six.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
That's the point, isn't it. Most he's at number six,
so he's a batting position. He did get one hundred,
of course against England in that Test match at the
base in reserve if when the game was lost, yes,
but he still didn't get one hundred in the situation.
But these guys aren't playing a lot of Test cricket either,
are they.
Speaker 5 (23:20):
So he's under I agree because his I mean he's
a bit. He's a better player than the than the
statistics would suggest, is my observation. So something's going on
and if and if you've got him at six, as
you quite correctly point out, you've got you've got to
be you've got to be a batsman as well, and
(23:41):
his production hasn't been particularly good. Other than that, I
actually got quite like the look of this team. We've
got some people there who actually move it around a bit,
you know, Duffy folks, Henry of course.
Speaker 4 (23:55):
That that's quite quite a.
Speaker 5 (23:57):
Good looking attack and Mitchel Satner who's turned his game
around enormously in the last couple of years and is
now our premiere.
Speaker 4 (24:09):
Spinner. But also.
Speaker 5 (24:13):
Could he be a little bit higher because he's he's
looking very very accomplished as a batsman as well. So
I think the one question mark, and I agree with you,
is probably around Tom london pressure.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
On the other one, from my point of view, is
do you play Tickner or do you play Nathan Smith?
Because they both do much the same sort of thing.
I believe you've got to go with Henry backed up
by Duffy and Fuchs, and to me, the fourth seamer
is basically Nathan Smith rather than Lear Tickner. How do
(24:46):
you see that, Jerry, what would be your preference?
Speaker 2 (24:50):
Yeah, that's a more tricky.
Speaker 6 (24:52):
That's the other one to think about, other than perhaps
I think I think prior to Christmas one one spinner
is I don't think you can play both Braceful and Santner,
And Santner clearly gets the nod there at the moment,
I think, to answer Moose's question, he's good enough to bat.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
Seven at the moment, and.
Speaker 6 (25:16):
It leaves us with a slightly longer tail. But you
know that's the job, isn't it. At number six you
should be able to get.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
One hundred and so to me, Smith doesn't see.
Speaker 6 (25:33):
I mean, we've got basically folks a slightly odd action
who swings the ball away from left handers, and Duffy
who brings it back.
Speaker 4 (25:43):
Good.
Speaker 6 (25:43):
We've got both those ways covered. Please that Jamison. They're
showing portion about him whether if they feel he can't
bowl forty overs in a test. Fine, And I see
he's playing round two, isn't he against Otaga at the moment.
So he's getting trying to raise the number of overs
that he bowls. He's been in the in the white
(26:05):
ball game so far. Smith doesn't move the ball much.
That's my slight concern about him. He's a shortish kind
of guy. He bowls at a reasonable heat, but he
just comes straight onto the bat and I think once
you get in there's the issue.
Speaker 2 (26:23):
He's got to start to move that ball.
Speaker 6 (26:27):
And surprise people with a skiddy bouncer, those kinds of
things he needs to have. Tickner tends to be a
taller man who looks to be actually bowling quite well
at the moment and seems the ball. We've got Henry
to do that, haven't we know. I'm like you, Brian,
there there's those two are the issue for me. I
(26:48):
think Folks has got to play. He adds a bit
with the bat as well. That's not the issue who
you're picking him as a bowler, but I mean that's handy.
Smith gives you more on the part with the ball.
I think it's very close for those two.
Speaker 5 (27:03):
But also Smith gives you more with the bat as well.
So you've got, Yes, he does with the Folks and Smith,
you've got some pretty reasonable batting there, and that's what
he for me brings him ahead of Techner, who really
is bowler. And and the other thing that Smith has
(27:25):
a new touched on Jerry. He's very very good in
the in the in the field, so That's why I'd
be going with him. And I sense that there's more
more of the future in Smith than say, perhaps player Techne,
although as you rightly point out, he showed some pretty
useful form and clearly the new coach who's had a
lot to do with him, understands him and knows what
(27:47):
he can what he can bring.
Speaker 6 (27:49):
Yeah, I think probably Smith on that on that sort
of adding to folks as batting, we need those, We
need those runs down at eight and you know even nine.
I mean, Yanson got ninety three the other day on
a pitch you know, over in India, and that's really
n Susan, we got one hundred number eight. That's the
(28:12):
sort of thing occasionally we need from those guys.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
So we need that betting down there.
Speaker 3 (28:19):
Yeahs interesting you talk about those South African as you
mentioned them earlier, and you know, our squad is sort
of developing along their way, perhaps not quite with the
amount of brilliance that seems to be in that South
EVERGA side of the moment, but boy have they done
what New Zealand did to India. What do you think
the Indians are feeling at the moment. It's hard to know.
Speaker 5 (28:44):
It's interesting when I look at it, and I mean
that's retainly scretching because on paper their Indian teams a
pretty good team, albeit that Gill's not playing, and that
I think makes a difference. You know, when you've got Jenna, Todaysia, Sunda, Boomra,
Saraj and the likes and jays while up the top,
(29:07):
that's a good team. They used to get beaten, they
got belted and comprehensively. There was only one more been
there in THENDI in conditions. But then again South Africa
has been showing a bit, hasn't you know? They beat
up on Australian in the World Test Championship final. Fantastic
love that at the time. There's a there's a lot
(29:29):
to like about them, and I love the way they're playing.
Their captain seems to have a really good way about
them and leads with and leads well, and they seems
to be a good sort of spirit amongst them. And
once you go on TV, of course I thoroughly enjoyed that,
particularly seeing them win so comprehensively.
Speaker 4 (29:49):
So well don't they.
Speaker 6 (29:51):
A lot of sniggering, wasn't there about South Africa when
they got into the final. The w TC Final last
year because they didn't play the top sides.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
And they still won't remember.
Speaker 6 (30:05):
So yeah, look, this was a bit of pitch than
the first Test, which was an awful surface. They managed
to win that when you know, they defended one hundred
and twenty four bowling in India out for ninety odd.
This one was a rather different test. They got a
they were in troubled. Well, it was an even first day,
(30:27):
wasn't it two fifty for six. But then as I mentioned,
those guys Metsusan, Mee and Jansen got going and Varina
got a fifty sort of thing. So they ended up
getting four hundred and eighty nine and that really put
a lot of pressure because the pitch was being baked
at the same time. This was a red clay pitch
(30:47):
that turns in Goahati Wadds loves it there and it's
you know, and so they handled the spinners, the spinner's
bowl ler. It's a strange looking side, I'd have to say,
the Indian side they had three batsmen even with that.
Speaker 2 (31:05):
With that, with Gill they bought Sedarshan came in the
second Test.
Speaker 6 (31:09):
Gil was there for the first and of course had
the injury, but they had they either have four or
three spin or rounders.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
They have two keepers.
Speaker 6 (31:23):
Zurrel and Punt, and then they have all the spin
all rounders and then they have two quicks. That's the
way they have formed those last two games.
Speaker 2 (31:32):
So it's a slightly different.
Speaker 6 (31:34):
They reckon that their spinners are good enough batsmen, so
you know that's Judasia and Washington Sunda both combat. Of
course they can. They reckon cool deep can. I'm not
quite so convinced about that. And then they had Actua
Patel in the first test. They dropped him in the
second for the test ready, so they got an extra
(31:54):
seema to come in. But anyway, look I just thought
I thought Harma out.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
Bowled the Indian spinners by miles. My word, what a
bowl of that guy is.
Speaker 6 (32:06):
He's bowld hundreds of overs of Essex and got so
much behind him.
Speaker 2 (32:11):
But to the right handers, I thought he was brilliant.
Speaker 6 (32:14):
He had a big turner that could grip and so
coming between bat and pad, he had the one that
drifted away and so it took the outside edge and
Markram took nine catches at first slip on this test,
the most ever dropped the catch and put one down.
He could add ten and you know, and then he
(32:36):
could bowl the little skidder as well that would get
their left hand as LBW And obviously he could have
bowled a little slow one and it took the top
that the sort of the edge of the bat towards
the top of the bat, and the sort of gave
catches as well.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
So I thought it was very guileful.
Speaker 6 (32:53):
And then you had Maharaj and you then also had
of course Jansen, who bowled them out in the first
things while the pitch wasn't turning with bouncers.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
Got six wickets there.
Speaker 6 (33:05):
So they are developing in to a very strong permitted side,
they know. And it was interesting to hear what Jansen said.
I don't know whether you heard, guys. He said, we
try to do the simple things well and we assess
conditions so we can change our plan if required. Well,
(33:30):
that's vastly different and a contradiction of what we saw
in perse the antitsis really of all out aggression on
that point.
Speaker 4 (33:41):
Jury.
Speaker 5 (33:41):
I couldn't agree with you more about Simon Harmer. And
it's really quite a novel idea that by bowling over
long periods of time over many seasons you hone your
craft and you could see that blatantly clearly from from
how Harmon has become such an adept bowler with those
wonderfully skillful variations. It was actually fantastic and as you
(34:08):
rightly pointed out, he outvolved the Indians in there, in
the Indian spinners in the home conditions and what a
fantastic thing. But you're getting contributions across across the board,
aren't you, With all their players from the keeper through
the yancer. It's it's a pretty good team. So joy
(34:30):
watching them too.
Speaker 3 (34:31):
The only problem is we've only had two tests. That's
all you're going to get. The rest of it is
a short form cricket. I'd love to see another test.
Speaker 6 (34:39):
South Africa now, don't play another test until October.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
Twenty twenty six.
Speaker 4 (34:47):
That's start.
Speaker 3 (34:49):
That's their board.
Speaker 6 (34:50):
What that's the situation we've got to with allowing you
know what we know is happening in the game.
Speaker 3 (34:58):
Well, they're coming here to play short form cricket. Why
couldn't we put a test? So akare here? But there
we go.
Speaker 2 (35:05):
That's the issue.
Speaker 4 (35:06):
You ask the CEO of New Zealand Cricket Brian Well.
Speaker 3 (35:09):
I'm not sure that he's doing interviews at the moment.
Speaker 1 (35:12):
Brian Waddell, Jeremy Coney on the front foot.
Speaker 3 (35:15):
A couple of things to finish on this week. We've
had some emails from Trent. More political, I guess than
it is cricketing wise. Your opening bouncer and the last
podcast should have aimed at the head of whoever dreamed
up the so called State Highway one improvements in Wellington.
Right now, quiet Slip Road runs outside the main entrance
(35:38):
to the Basin Reserve. On matchdays, this lane closes to
accommodate the throngs of public servants and consultants massing to
enter or leave the ground. The crowd flows along kent
Terrace towards the Cambridge Hotel. If there was ever a
place to put State high One underground, to connect it
directly with the Arris Tunnel close by, then that would
(36:00):
be it. We can even call it the Mantis Mine,
the Sedin Subway, the Blundle Bore or the Braceful Burrow.
Surely those are better options than the death trap the
planners have created. Thanks Trent to taking interest in the
Basin Reserve and the possibilities that it could come under
threat a though I don't believe so. And the light
(36:22):
aside we mentioned earlier to the serious chat over the
two day ashes test. It happened even before a ball
was bold and I guess are reminded to not get
your retaliation in first, as Monty Panasa found to his cost,
if you want to reveal skeletons, sometimes you might need
to be squeaky clean or keep your trap shut. Poor
(36:43):
old Monty clambered in with full cricket spikes and opened
a door that Steve Smith couldn't resist walking through.
Speaker 4 (36:51):
Who have you in the room?
Speaker 2 (36:51):
Are seen Mastermind?
Speaker 4 (36:53):
And Monty Panasar on that.
Speaker 3 (36:56):
Any of you?
Speaker 2 (36:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (36:58):
Monty added that his comments were based on cricketing mistakes
made by Steve Smith, calling him a cheat and acknowledging
that he wasn't at his best in the program of Mastermind.
But what we have here is a chance to hear
Monty on Mastermind, something the Australian media have been enjoying
(37:23):
at Pennassar's expense.
Speaker 7 (37:25):
What ninety seven film do? A group of unemployed men
in Sheffield become strippers for a night at their local
working men's club.
Speaker 2 (37:32):
The Dream Voice, a full Monty, in.
Speaker 7 (37:35):
Which city is the OLYMPR study on built for the
nineteen seventy two Olympics, and where Germany's national football team played,
Oh Gosha Munich. In an eighteen nineteen poem, what season
of the does Keats describe as a season of mist
and mellow fruitfulness?
Speaker 2 (37:54):
One a twift?
Speaker 3 (37:56):
It's not fear to mock those who can't answer questions
in the type situation like that. But poor old Monty
opened himself up to that. I guess guys we can
say fer will to mastermind for a while, unless you
guys want to hit off and play a little game.
How are you at mastermind?
Speaker 5 (38:14):
Most I'm really bad under pressure and always have been, Brian,
so I think i'd be appalling.
Speaker 6 (38:20):
Oh and I still think Tiawamut is the capital of Australia.
Speaker 3 (38:27):
And but and and and Boston is not America.
Speaker 5 (38:31):
Well some of them probably think that, yes, oh, well,
new continent.
Speaker 3 (38:39):
We we can enjoy Monty, and we can enjoy see
Steve Smith. And of course we're going to enjoy Steve
Smith if that's your bag, if you like seeing Australia.
When the one thing I find difficult is enjoying either
side winning internationals series.
Speaker 5 (38:58):
It's a difficult one, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (39:02):
You don't want to sort of let anybody know I'm
behind Australia on this one.
Speaker 4 (39:08):
I struggle with that, but I really do.
Speaker 2 (39:11):
Who do you want, Jerry? I think it's too all.
Speaker 3 (39:17):
Oh good, We get that one right on mast and.
Speaker 1 (39:19):
Make it like.
Speaker 2 (39:23):
Alright, right, all right, Jess Cheers you guys.
Speaker 6 (39:30):
Summers.
Speaker 1 (39:39):
For more from News Talks at b listen live on
air or online, and keep our shows with you wherever
you go with our podcasts on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to a podcast from News Talk Sat B.
Follow this and our wide range of podcasts now on Iheartradiot.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Take another pad.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Now we got it's a rick. It is out. The
test is over.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Goodness smoke, Oh wow, it was a beauty.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
It is out and here he goes.
Speaker 2 (00:31):
This delivery has in the user to Bowl.
Speaker 1 (00:36):
On the Front Foot with Brian Wonnell and Jeremy Coney,
powered by News Talks head b at iHeartRadio.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Hello, nice to be back with you on the Front
Foot once again with Racine one hundred percent key. We
made paints and stains. Boy, what a week we've had.
England batted just sixty seven overs in a Nash stest,
India lose by the biggest margin by runs they've ever lost,
and our Black Cats are staying consistent. The home series
(01:07):
of the West Indies. Oh, we might even consider Mastermind
with Monty Panasa. What city is home for the TV series?
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Cheers?
Speaker 3 (01:17):
Do you know the answer to that? Fetter?
Speaker 4 (01:19):
What I believe?
Speaker 2 (01:21):
Yeah? I think it is Boston?
Speaker 3 (01:23):
Yeah very good. Yeah, Well we'll see, we'll see how
well Monty went at that. I think it was the
old Mastermind between Monty and Steve Smith was a reminder
that you know, if you're going to pick someone off,
you've got to be very careful because you'll come back
and hit your twice as hard. And that's what happened.
Got a fun time around the ashes, but I don't
(01:45):
think the Ashes will be remembered by too many people
in England in particular as a fun time. What did
you make of it? Most? Did you did you manage
to fit in the nearly two days of credit?
Speaker 5 (01:59):
Well, first of all, I got let down because I
had plans for Sunday and there was nothing there, so
I had to fill them with other things much more mundane.
So I'm angry as all the rest to them. But
a lot can happen in for twenty four hours. I
got a message from a good friend of mine who
was actually at the cricket on in Perth and said,
(02:20):
best day of cricket I've ever seen day one Englishman
and where's was just cock a hoop and whoop's next
day he's in home anyway, birds all over. I think
there's been so much said about it, but I think
we're in danger of England potentially unraveling because they go
(02:44):
from this, how do they pick themselves up and then
go to the Red the pickball test in Brisbane.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
Yeah, that's the issue.
Speaker 4 (02:51):
It gets easier.
Speaker 5 (02:52):
I'm really worried it could turn into something of a
route so to speak.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Who's who's responsible for picking them up? Jerry's at the coach?
Is that the captain? Is it the individuals themselves because
you know they're going to be on a hiding to
enough thing now the Australians are on fire.
Speaker 6 (03:11):
All the above, I think the whole touring party ultimately,
of course, you know, crickets often been described as a
team game played by individuals, and it is. You go
out there by yourself and you have to make decisions
for yourself, you know, in discussion with other people of
(03:33):
course at times. But I mean, finally, are you going
to play the ball outside off stump when it's just
short of a length that has to be sought about
very carefully? For certainly for the English top order. Are
they going to play the hook with the short book
because they're going to be tested in both those areas.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Again, and you know, the Gabba is very light.
Speaker 6 (03:59):
Perth actually in the first two days it bounces, it
nips a bit. It's a day night test Therefore teams
will want to bat during the day and not during
the twilights and when the lights are on. Stark is
a very good if you look at his he's got
something like eighty odd wickets at sixteen or something like
(04:19):
that for the pink ball Test, so he's one of
the better bowlers with using the pink ball. So it's
not going to be easy. But they have to really
just dig in a bit, don't they. You can't. I
don't know why you think you can just play one way.
Cricket is a multi dimensional at thank heavens it is.
(04:41):
That's one of the beauties of the game, isn't it.
And you can't just approach whatever you're playing on exactly
the same way and you.
Speaker 2 (04:52):
Get caught out.
Speaker 6 (04:53):
And it's really nice to see the South African side
using and employing an entirely different method and having truckloads
of success doing that in unfamiliar conditions to them, and
showing that that it's possible to bat different ways and
(05:16):
still get very good results. You don't need to over
entertain people in the ashes, and no one was being
entertained on day three.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Star hosting a lot of money.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Well that's another issue. Altogether.
Speaker 6 (05:33):
I hope the players recognize. I mean it sounded at times,
I don't know what you felt, guys, it sounded like
they were playing in England.
Speaker 2 (05:41):
That's how good the support.
Speaker 6 (05:42):
Was from the Barmi Army and all the rest of
the England you know, fans going out there. It's eye
watering sums to get out there.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
And it seems like fifty to fifty in terms of
public that. You know, the English flags. Everybody takes their flag,
don't they wherever they're from, they hang them overside and
the noise was immense from England, well for a short
period of time anyway. But I take your point, and
most I think it's it's it's a fair point too
(06:13):
about having to be able to change that. The Harry
Brook that's the way I play doesn't cut it in
every Test match that you play, and it's that's the
beauty of the game.
Speaker 5 (06:24):
As Jerry says, I'd reflected on it a bit and
you're so right. What seems to be lacking is is
the plan now if I'm England one of my major
threats clearly at this point the last Test was stark.
He was he was going to be a handful wasn't
there a plan somewhere to actually, if he's going to bowl,
(06:49):
get him, get him bowling clearly of overs, especially in
Test and Test one.
Speaker 4 (06:53):
When was that?
Speaker 5 (06:54):
Why weren't there thinking about that? The more he bowls
those pace comes off all of a sudden, he's got
a bowl closer to you rather than just outside off.
There didn't seem to be any any idea or strategy
around how do we actually go out and witness? Yes,
if it's up and we want to flog it, that's fine,
but there's no plan around that. So that's that's what
(07:19):
surprised him, because these are not stupid people. I mean,
mcarm's a smart fellow, and so Stokes, so is Joe Rude.
It just that's what gets me. And and how are
we going to winness? Take Stark out of the game
surely is a good start, and then you know, whoever
else it might be, how are we going to deal
with Travis Head? I mean, by god, no one has
(07:40):
spoken about that innings. That was just something special, wasn't it.
He just literally he was the one guy who could
take it away from him, and he did, didn't he
quite well?
Speaker 3 (07:48):
He gave him, He gave himself some time though, didn't
he He allowed himself the time to get settled and
we know how he plays, but he didn't do it
from Baar one. He got into it and got some
good support from Lavashine, which would be a delight for
the Ossies because they need him in some form batting
at number three. They've got problem was at the top
(08:08):
of the order themselves here, haven't they. I mean Osmond Kwaja,
he's Australian Zach Crawley, isn't he?
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Now? You know.
Speaker 6 (08:18):
He didn't even open once. He didn't even open. I
mean England had a lot going for them, didn't they.
I mean really, no, Cummins and Hazel were There's six
hundred Test wickets openers that didn't open. Two other players
on debut. You know you've got a lot going for
(08:39):
you there. I was a little surprised. And then what
you guys thought? They picked five place bowlers England. They
won the toss and battered. Now that hasn't been England's way.
Let's be quite clear about that. They like to chase
(09:00):
because of their batting style. They like knowing the target
and they like chasing. They have done that consistently for
two or three years now. I'm not saying there was
anything in the pitch particularly it nibbled a bit. Yes,
it nipped as you'd expect, and it bounced and it was.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Quite quick for them. And they'd been practicing on Lilac hurl,
which is a slow, low pitch.
Speaker 6 (09:24):
That's nonsense actually to prepare like that, But however that's
what they did.
Speaker 2 (09:30):
But I was just a wee bit surprised.
Speaker 6 (09:32):
They already, I mean, probably their best bowler was really
over the last couple of years as Ben Stokes, and
he was he bowled number five. He came in in
about the twenty ninth to thirty year is over. If
he had bowled a bit earlier and they only had
four bowlers, they might have got him out quicker.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Who knows, I mean, would they not have been better?
Perhaps this is where they go all out.
Speaker 6 (10:00):
For something, isn't it. Why couldn't they pick Jamie Smith
as again to give them an extra batsman. Runs were
going to be the key commodity that they required in
the first Test, And why didn't they pick him at
number eight and bowl a few little spinovers.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
If he had to?
Speaker 6 (10:20):
I think they that just seemed to be a very
different way of going about the mantra that Dave and
a mattra that they've had we will chase. Would only
bold eleven overs, That's not many in a match. Arch,
You're only bold seventeen. That's not many in a match
for your two key bowlers. I just thought there was
(10:42):
a bit of a sort of that seemed to be
an odd thing to do for me. When is the
pitch most likely to do something for you? And those
pictures tend, if anything, to be a little bit green
at the start and then ease off and get slightly
easier throughout the match.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
We all know that.
Speaker 6 (11:03):
So I just have a little question about that decision
arly on, as well as some of the other things
about the way they went about playing. I hope no
problem about the intent. We saw that from Travis Head.
He got the intent, but he got himself in first
the fact that it was the English batsman made very
(11:24):
poor choices about which balls to attack and show their
intent upon.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
The other interesting point too is now they've got such
a gap between the two Test matches, they're not really
doing anything that will harden them up for a pink
ball test. They've turned down the opportunity of playing against
the Prime Minister eleven. Okay, that's Canberra. It's slightly different
than the Gabba. But I would think, or I would
(11:51):
have thought, tell everyone wrong, that you take opportunities to
play some tough cricket rather than just nets. I know
nets are important, but if you get an opportunity to
play a pink ball game against a side that wants
to come at you, don't you take that instead of
three players? You aren't even in the Test match post.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
I would have thought, so that the question is what
are they doing?
Speaker 5 (12:15):
It's a real head scratcher for me because and you're right,
Jerry about that when when Stocktures would have a bat,
when I was watching that, I'd love to see the
first ball of a Test match always, I thought, really
really are So there's there's a few things in there
that I'm just wondering what's going on in the back room,
and who's who's doing the planning year, Who's who's developed
(12:37):
a strategy of what we're going to do.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
I don't know.
Speaker 5 (12:40):
And I agree with you playing pink balls you plant
once a year if you're lucky. So they're not. They're
not even used to that are they so I would
have thought that was an absolute yes, get three days
cricket in against against the pink ball, at least prepare
for it.
Speaker 6 (12:57):
Well, if you're only bowling eleven overs and seventeen overs,
you really don't need them, do you, unless they're just
so cleaning them up in that time. Clearly they feel
whatds the value and the concept of freshness is more
valuable than going out and getting game practice, you know.
(13:19):
That's that's to me, that seems to be what they want.
I'm all for fitting in the most training for the
shortest amount of time. I think that's that's the way
you want to practice, where you go very hard and
in a thoughtful and a sensible kind of way, and
you've decided the sorts of things that you need to
(13:42):
be working on. I need to know where my off stumpers,
those kinds of things, and you make sure that that
you're practicing those those matters. But you do need game time.
There's a difference between practicing and game time. You can
get bold and many times you like, and the nets
(14:03):
can't you Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
Well, the situation is such that we know that this
England side is still a pretty good side. They've got
performances behind them to back them up. They were always
going to be a chance to fall over against a
very good Australian side. Well, I just think that this
is a fairly modest Australian side preparing comparing with what
(14:25):
they've had in the past. Can things change by the
next Test match? Bearing in mind we've talked about the Gabba,
which is a tough ground for England on. It's a
pink ball test. It's not a skill factor that there's
going to be tested. It's the mental factor, isn't it
most that's going to be tested in the England.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
Side completely And I agree with you all your summation there,
But I think I made the point a little bit
earlier where I was I'm just concerned that this could
unravel because all of a sudden, if they were ever
going to have a good great opportunity was in that
last test. As Jerry pointed out, start with your main
bowl of two debutantes, a top order which is pretty
(15:08):
much missing an action particularly Kaja. Australia're only going to
get better and are more used to playing people tests.
I think I think we end up to Australia.
Speaker 6 (15:23):
Yeah, Well, that's really hard then Moose, isn't it having
lost that England have won?
Speaker 2 (15:30):
What did you tell me one test in the.
Speaker 6 (15:33):
Last was it fifteen or sixteen?
Speaker 4 (15:38):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (15:38):
Well now they now they've got to win three out
of the last four. Now those maths aren't good if
you're if you're part of England. But actually I agree
with you too, there Moose, on a paper, this side
looks a pretty good side, This England side really, to
be honest with you, you go down the list and
(16:00):
given that, you'd have to say there actual results on
grass are pretty average and and you know there's the
odd remarkable one here and there that obviously you know
that they stick with. But there are so many in
which they implode trying to force their hand with hyper
(16:22):
aggressive batting. I mean it rarely wins series, it won't
win the ashes, and it's not saving cricket either. So
I see all those issues that they speak about. I'll
go the South African way every time.
Speaker 3 (16:41):
Thanks, Yes, indeed, And they certainly have done the business
in India tool and India can't play at home litt
alone play overseas iliven we would do some of the
English experts. Former captain Alex Stewart said he understands England's
decision to stick to their guns over the President's game
(17:02):
at Canberra. It's a day night game, pink ball, and
he says that from his point of view, when you're
in the inner sanctum, stick to your guns. That's Alex
Stewart's point of view. Michael Vaughan and Jonathan agnew and
in their columns have been scathing in their criticism and
I'll leave the last word to Sir Jeffrey. I cannot
(17:24):
take the stupid England team seriously anymore. Before the series started,
Ben Stokes told the world that any ex player who
criticized them or had a different opinion were has beens
because Test cricket had changed in the past, was irrelevant.
They never learned because they never listened to anyone outside
their own bubble, because they truly believe their own publicity. Wow,
(17:50):
I could imagine that from Jeffrey. That's that the harsh words,
the harsh reality for the England team as they head
off to the Gabba, a place where you remember with fondness, Jerry,
you want a Test match there? And the New Zealand
performed brilliantly back in nineteen eighty six. We've had it previously,
(18:10):
have you just recently in terms of remember this so
you know as well as anybody what the gap is
going to be like. The stands might be a little
bit different, but the ground will be pretty much the
same way.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
I would have thought so, and more particularly the pitch.
Speaker 6 (18:29):
And it will be as bouncy and also the ball
as we know in Australia in particular, it does move
around for the pink ball and during under lights, so
it's not going to be an easy assignment for England. Look,
(18:53):
all they can do really is do it better. All
they can do is make better judgments which balls am
I going to attack?
Speaker 2 (19:03):
Which balls are?
Speaker 6 (19:04):
Or let it go and when they get into a
position of ascendancy as they did in that last match,
that's when you nail it.
Speaker 2 (19:15):
Yep, And they didn't. They took it as a license
to do more of what they do.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
Yes, and hope for a different outcome, which is the
definition of well, isn't it stupid? I think something wrong.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
You're going back to.
Speaker 5 (19:37):
Indeed, much as much as I would like to disagree
with Geoffrey and I find him a contakerous really, but
I've got nothing to nothing else stand. I think he's right,
you know, and I wouldn't say that very often.
Speaker 3 (19:56):
But well, I wonder whether the test there is here
in New Zealand is going to create the sort of
discussion that the Ashes test that lasted less than two days,
but a predictable in New Zealand's they haven't got Phillips Jamison.
They're giving time to prepare, see as o roork and
Fish of their fast bowlers are injured, so they've had
(20:16):
to go for the predictable. I'll put my test team
argue with me if you will. I'm leaving out Bracewell,
I'm leaving out Young, and I'm leaving out Tickner. How
does that sound, Jerry.
Speaker 6 (20:30):
I'm struggling to remember all the names, to be honest
with you, especially in the bowling.
Speaker 2 (20:36):
Look.
Speaker 6 (20:38):
Yeah, I think I was really quite pleased to see
Lathan Williamson, Young, what, Bracewell, Tickner, Blundle. I think we're
all in that squad that you were just talking about.
But they went and played round two. They in other words,
they had a match and I think that's a good thing.
(21:01):
So so yeah, Pondway, if he can get those feet moving,
especially moving forward and using two hands, on the bat
and he's looked more comfortable in the last few odies,
hasn't he. Where he's got some runs and he's started
to move those feet and he started to find the
middle of the bat.
Speaker 2 (21:22):
And it's good that it's recent. So let's hope that
he's able to do that.
Speaker 6 (21:27):
Latham, as long as he keeps the foot away from
in front of the stumps, the front foot, he doesn't
come across across the ball slightly and the bat the
pad is in the way he can look. No, everybody
has problems that their battle away with all the time
in the game. Williamson good to see well. He hasn't
played for quite a long time. He's going to have
(21:49):
a bat today against Auckland at Mount Montanui. Ravendra he's
played quite aggressively recently, hasn't he. I'd just like to
see him get in spend that time you said about
head spending twenty minutes, you.
Speaker 2 (22:04):
Know, getting himself in.
Speaker 6 (22:06):
He's a good enough player once he's got the conditions
and can play a number of shots and in fact
can hit the same ball into different areas. That's how
good he is at times when he's at his best.
So you know, don't rain the shots and once you
get in. I'm happy with that, happy to have that intent.
And Mitchell's have mature play now, so they're all kind
(22:29):
of in set positions. I think, whether they've got contracts
or not, I think they're playing the best at the
moment out of the players that you mentioned Blundle, I
think it's a very big game. I think it's worth
just a little discussion. What do you guys feel about Blundle?
Because you know they might feel he's the best keeper,
(22:51):
but certainly his batting has just slipped away in the
last two to three years and I just think we're
not quite getting the runs from number six.
Speaker 3 (23:03):
That's the point, isn't it. Most he's at number six,
so he's a batting position. He did get one hundred,
of course against England in that Test match at the
base in reserve if when the game was lost, yes,
but he still didn't get one hundred in the situation.
But these guys aren't playing a lot of Test cricket either,
are they.
Speaker 5 (23:20):
So he's under I agree because his I mean he's
a bit. He's a better player than the than the
statistics would suggest, is my observation. So something's going on
and if and if you've got him at six, as
you quite correctly point out, you've got you've got to
be you've got to be a batsman as well, and
(23:41):
his production hasn't been particularly good. Other than that, I
actually got quite like the look of this team. We've
got some people there who actually move it around a bit,
you know, Duffy folks, Henry of course.
Speaker 4 (23:55):
That that's quite quite a.
Speaker 5 (23:57):
Good looking attack and Mitchel Satner who's turned his game
around enormously in the last couple of years and is
now our premiere.
Speaker 4 (24:09):
Spinner. But also.
Speaker 5 (24:13):
Could he be a little bit higher because he's he's
looking very very accomplished as a batsman as well. So
I think the one question mark, and I agree with you,
is probably around Tom london pressure.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
On the other one, from my point of view, is
do you play Tickner or do you play Nathan Smith?
Because they both do much the same sort of thing.
I believe you've got to go with Henry backed up
by Duffy and Fuchs, and to me, the fourth seamer
is basically Nathan Smith rather than Lear Tickner. How do
(24:46):
you see that, Jerry, what would be your preference?
Speaker 2 (24:50):
Yeah, that's a more tricky.
Speaker 6 (24:52):
That's the other one to think about, other than perhaps
I think I think prior to Christmas one one spinner
is I don't think you can play both Braceful and Santner,
And Santner clearly gets the nod there at the moment,
I think, to answer Moose's question, he's good enough to bat.
Speaker 2 (25:12):
Seven at the moment, and.
Speaker 6 (25:16):
It leaves us with a slightly longer tail. But you
know that's the job, isn't it. At number six you
should be able to get.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
One hundred and so to me, Smith doesn't see.
Speaker 6 (25:33):
I mean, we've got basically folks a slightly odd action
who swings the ball away from left handers, and Duffy
who brings it back.
Speaker 4 (25:43):
Good.
Speaker 6 (25:43):
We've got both those ways covered. Please that Jamison. They're
showing portion about him whether if they feel he can't
bowl forty overs in a test. Fine, And I see
he's playing round two, isn't he against Otaga at the moment.
So he's getting trying to raise the number of overs
that he bowls. He's been in the in the white
(26:05):
ball game so far. Smith doesn't move the ball much.
That's my slight concern about him. He's a shortish kind
of guy. He bowls at a reasonable heat, but he
just comes straight onto the bat and I think once
you get in there's the issue.
Speaker 2 (26:23):
He's got to start to move that ball.
Speaker 6 (26:27):
And surprise people with a skiddy bouncer, those kinds of
things he needs to have. Tickner tends to be a
taller man who looks to be actually bowling quite well
at the moment and seems the ball. We've got Henry
to do that, haven't we know. I'm like you, Brian,
there there's those two are the issue for me. I
(26:48):
think Folks has got to play. He adds a bit
with the bat as well. That's not the issue who
you're picking him as a bowler, but I mean that's handy.
Smith gives you more on the part with the ball.
I think it's very close for those two.
Speaker 5 (27:03):
But also Smith gives you more with the bat as well.
So you've got, Yes, he does with the Folks and Smith,
you've got some pretty reasonable batting there, and that's what
he for me brings him ahead of Techner, who really
is bowler. And and the other thing that Smith has
(27:25):
a new touched on Jerry. He's very very good in
the in the in the field, so That's why I'd
be going with him. And I sense that there's more
more of the future in Smith than say, perhaps player Techne,
although as you rightly point out, he showed some pretty
useful form and clearly the new coach who's had a
lot to do with him, understands him and knows what
(27:47):
he can what he can bring.
Speaker 6 (27:49):
Yeah, I think probably Smith on that on that sort
of adding to folks as batting, we need those, We
need those runs down at eight and you know even nine.
I mean, Yanson got ninety three the other day on
a pitch you know, over in India, and that's really
n Susan, we got one hundred number eight. That's the
(28:12):
sort of thing occasionally we need from those guys.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
So we need that betting down there.
Speaker 3 (28:19):
Yeahs interesting you talk about those South African as you
mentioned them earlier, and you know, our squad is sort
of developing along their way, perhaps not quite with the
amount of brilliance that seems to be in that South
EVERGA side of the moment, but boy have they done
what New Zealand did to India. What do you think
the Indians are feeling at the moment. It's hard to know.
Speaker 5 (28:44):
It's interesting when I look at it, and I mean
that's retainly scretching because on paper their Indian teams a
pretty good team, albeit that Gill's not playing, and that
I think makes a difference. You know, when you've got Jenna, Todaysia, Sunda, Boomra,
Saraj and the likes and jays while up the top,
(29:07):
that's a good team. They used to get beaten, they
got belted and comprehensively. There was only one more been
there in THENDI in conditions. But then again South Africa
has been showing a bit, hasn't you know? They beat
up on Australian in the World Test Championship final. Fantastic
love that at the time. There's a there's a lot
(29:29):
to like about them, and I love the way they're playing.
Their captain seems to have a really good way about
them and leads with and leads well, and they seems
to be a good sort of spirit amongst them. And
once you go on TV, of course I thoroughly enjoyed that,
particularly seeing them win so comprehensively.
Speaker 4 (29:49):
So well don't they.
Speaker 6 (29:51):
A lot of sniggering, wasn't there about South Africa when
they got into the final. The w TC Final last
year because they didn't play the top sides.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
And they still won't remember.
Speaker 6 (30:05):
So yeah, look, this was a bit of pitch than
the first Test, which was an awful surface. They managed
to win that when you know, they defended one hundred
and twenty four bowling in India out for ninety odd.
This one was a rather different test. They got a
they were in troubled. Well, it was an even first day,
(30:27):
wasn't it two fifty for six. But then as I mentioned,
those guys Metsusan, Mee and Jansen got going and Varina
got a fifty sort of thing. So they ended up
getting four hundred and eighty nine and that really put
a lot of pressure because the pitch was being baked
at the same time. This was a red clay pitch
(30:47):
that turns in Goahati Wadds loves it there and it's
you know, and so they handled the spinners, the spinner's
bowl ler. It's a strange looking side, I'd have to say,
the Indian side they had three batsmen even with that.
Speaker 2 (31:05):
With that, with Gill they bought Sedarshan came in the
second Test.
Speaker 6 (31:09):
Gil was there for the first and of course had
the injury, but they had they either have four or
three spin or rounders.
Speaker 2 (31:20):
They have two keepers.
Speaker 6 (31:23):
Zurrel and Punt, and then they have all the spin
all rounders and then they have two quicks. That's the
way they have formed those last two games.
Speaker 2 (31:32):
So it's a slightly different.
Speaker 6 (31:34):
They reckon that their spinners are good enough batsmen, so
you know that's Judasia and Washington Sunda both combat. Of
course they can. They reckon cool deep can. I'm not
quite so convinced about that. And then they had Actua
Patel in the first test. They dropped him in the
second for the test ready, so they got an extra
(31:54):
seema to come in. But anyway, look I just thought
I thought Harma out.
Speaker 2 (32:00):
Bowled the Indian spinners by miles. My word, what a
bowl of that guy is.
Speaker 6 (32:06):
He's bowld hundreds of overs of Essex and got so
much behind him.
Speaker 2 (32:11):
But to the right handers, I thought he was brilliant.
Speaker 6 (32:14):
He had a big turner that could grip and so
coming between bat and pad, he had the one that
drifted away and so it took the outside edge and
Markram took nine catches at first slip on this test,
the most ever dropped the catch and put one down.
He could add ten and you know, and then he
(32:36):
could bowl the little skidder as well that would get
their left hand as LBW And obviously he could have
bowled a little slow one and it took the top
that the sort of the edge of the bat towards
the top of the bat, and the sort of gave
catches as well.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
So I thought it was very guileful.
Speaker 6 (32:53):
And then you had Maharaj and you then also had
of course Jansen, who bowled them out in the first
things while the pitch wasn't turning with bouncers.
Speaker 2 (33:02):
Got six wickets there.
Speaker 6 (33:05):
So they are developing in to a very strong permitted side,
they know. And it was interesting to hear what Jansen said.
I don't know whether you heard, guys. He said, we
try to do the simple things well and we assess
conditions so we can change our plan if required. Well,
(33:30):
that's vastly different and a contradiction of what we saw
in perse the antitsis really of all out aggression on
that point.
Speaker 4 (33:41):
Jury.
Speaker 5 (33:41):
I couldn't agree with you more about Simon Harmer. And
it's really quite a novel idea that by bowling over
long periods of time over many seasons you hone your
craft and you could see that blatantly clearly from from
how Harmon has become such an adept bowler with those
wonderfully skillful variations. It was actually fantastic and as you
(34:08):
rightly pointed out, he outvolved the Indians in there, in
the Indian spinners in the home conditions and what a
fantastic thing. But you're getting contributions across across the board,
aren't you, With all their players from the keeper through
the yancer. It's it's a pretty good team. So joy
(34:30):
watching them too.
Speaker 3 (34:31):
The only problem is we've only had two tests. That's
all you're going to get. The rest of it is
a short form cricket. I'd love to see another test.
Speaker 6 (34:39):
South Africa now, don't play another test until October.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
Twenty twenty six.
Speaker 4 (34:47):
That's start.
Speaker 3 (34:49):
That's their board.
Speaker 6 (34:50):
What that's the situation we've got to with allowing you
know what we know is happening in the game.
Speaker 3 (34:58):
Well, they're coming here to play short form cricket. Why
couldn't we put a test? So akare here? But there
we go.
Speaker 2 (35:05):
That's the issue.
Speaker 4 (35:06):
You ask the CEO of New Zealand Cricket Brian Well.
Speaker 3 (35:09):
I'm not sure that he's doing interviews at the moment.
Speaker 1 (35:12):
Brian Waddell, Jeremy Coney on the front foot.
Speaker 3 (35:15):
A couple of things to finish on this week. We've
had some emails from Trent. More political, I guess than
it is cricketing wise. Your opening bouncer and the last
podcast should have aimed at the head of whoever dreamed
up the so called State Highway one improvements in Wellington.
Right now, quiet Slip Road runs outside the main entrance
(35:38):
to the Basin Reserve. On matchdays, this lane closes to
accommodate the throngs of public servants and consultants massing to
enter or leave the ground. The crowd flows along kent
Terrace towards the Cambridge Hotel. If there was ever a
place to put State high One underground, to connect it
directly with the Arris Tunnel close by, then that would
(36:00):
be it. We can even call it the Mantis Mine,
the Sedin Subway, the Blundle Bore or the Braceful Burrow.
Surely those are better options than the death trap the
planners have created. Thanks Trent to taking interest in the
Basin Reserve and the possibilities that it could come under
threat a though I don't believe so. And the light
(36:22):
aside we mentioned earlier to the serious chat over the
two day ashes test. It happened even before a ball
was bold and I guess are reminded to not get
your retaliation in first, as Monty Panasa found to his cost,
if you want to reveal skeletons, sometimes you might need
to be squeaky clean or keep your trap shut. Poor
(36:43):
old Monty clambered in with full cricket spikes and opened
a door that Steve Smith couldn't resist walking through.
Speaker 4 (36:51):
Who have you in the room?
Speaker 2 (36:51):
Are seen Mastermind?
Speaker 4 (36:53):
And Monty Panasar on that.
Speaker 3 (36:56):
Any of you?
Speaker 2 (36:57):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (36:58):
Monty added that his comments were based on cricketing mistakes
made by Steve Smith, calling him a cheat and acknowledging
that he wasn't at his best in the program of Mastermind.
But what we have here is a chance to hear
Monty on Mastermind, something the Australian media have been enjoying
(37:23):
at Pennassar's expense.
Speaker 7 (37:25):
What ninety seven film do? A group of unemployed men
in Sheffield become strippers for a night at their local
working men's club.
Speaker 2 (37:32):
The Dream Voice, a full Monty, in.
Speaker 7 (37:35):
Which city is the OLYMPR study on built for the
nineteen seventy two Olympics, and where Germany's national football team played,
Oh Gosha Munich. In an eighteen nineteen poem, what season
of the does Keats describe as a season of mist
and mellow fruitfulness?
Speaker 2 (37:54):
One a twift?
Speaker 3 (37:56):
It's not fear to mock those who can't answer questions
in the type situation like that. But poor old Monty
opened himself up to that. I guess guys we can
say fer will to mastermind for a while, unless you
guys want to hit off and play a little game.
How are you at mastermind?
Speaker 5 (38:14):
Most I'm really bad under pressure and always have been, Brian,
so I think i'd be appalling.
Speaker 6 (38:20):
Oh and I still think Tiawamut is the capital of Australia.
Speaker 3 (38:27):
And but and and and Boston is not America.
Speaker 5 (38:31):
Well some of them probably think that, yes, oh, well,
new continent.
Speaker 3 (38:39):
We we can enjoy Monty, and we can enjoy see
Steve Smith. And of course we're going to enjoy Steve
Smith if that's your bag, if you like seeing Australia.
When the one thing I find difficult is enjoying either
side winning internationals series.
Speaker 5 (38:58):
It's a difficult one, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (39:02):
You don't want to sort of let anybody know I'm
behind Australia on this one.
Speaker 4 (39:08):
I struggle with that, but I really do.
Speaker 2 (39:11):
Who do you want, Jerry? I think it's too all.
Speaker 3 (39:17):
Oh good, We get that one right on mast and.
Speaker 1 (39:19):
Make it like.
Speaker 2 (39:23):
Alright, right, all right, Jess Cheers you guys.
Speaker 6 (39:30):
Summers.
Speaker 1 (39:39):
For more from News Talks at b listen live on
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