Yes.... that is the "funny old game" aspect of cricket.... a bit of a collapse and lots of wickets falling.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Stumps -2nd Test - Day 4

Australia
1st innings: 559/9d (133 overs) (4.20 runs per over)
2nd innings: 258/2 (63.0 ov) (4.09 runs per over) (Still in progress)

New Zealand
510/6 (129 overs) (3.95 runs per over)


Australia lead by 193 runs with 8 wickets remaining

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

This match will most likely end in a DRAW

However... cricket is a funny old game.

I suspect that Steve Smith will "play safe" and not declare until there is a "insurmountable" target set. He will certainly bat all of the first session.. and (IMO) continue after lunch as well... setting NZ a target of around 400 and only 40 overs to try and reach it.

I guess it is possible that there will be an Australian batting collapse.. seeing them bowled out before lunch? But if that is the case, then most likely it will be a result of the pitch having deteriorated.. making batting (and scoring quick runs) difficult.. so even then, NZ will have to bat in those conditions themselves. It may be difficult for then to score say 320 in 60 overs.. and in trying to do so they may lose wickets themselves.. giving the win to Australia.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

I finally took off my rose-colored glasses last night, Rumpole.
This doesn't mean I won't have a lot of hope today, I will, but looking at the remaining days with the possibilities you have pointed out.

I am beginning to like Test versus ODI, but I would like to see a closer match. Maybe the 3d Test.

I still think anything can happen in this one.

You have probably heard commentators say that this pitch is NOT a good test pitch.... and I agree.

Put simply.. it favors batters too much.. both bowling attacks have struggled to bowl the opposition out. Since its both teams, it is unlikely to be simply a "bad" set of bowlers. After the first few overs... it may well be the case that the pitch is good for batting, with any good test pitch.. but one expects more deterioration as days go by. This pitch is what is referred to in the trade as "A ROAD"... as in even, flat, consistent, and never-changing.

It has deteriorated a bit.. obviously... cracks have appeared.. but a 5th day pitch could (should) be a lot worse.

The ball has been questioned too. Evidence suggests that this batch of balls is NOT as hard and durable as is usually the case... just another factor making it harder for the bowlers.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

"NZ's Good Morning"

Pop-up trivia:

No. of wicket maidens bowled by NZ in the first ten overs this morning; they had bowled none in this series before today.
2

(wicket maiden is a new term for me)

It looks like Australia have "shut up shop"... Playing safe.. using up time... not scoring many runs. (Settling for a draw)

Unless NZ can bowl them out quickly... they will bat on

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Australia declare... leaving 48 overs to be bowled at NZ

385/7d (103.0 ov) (3.73 runs per over)

Australia lead by 320 runs - target for NZ is 321 runs in 48 overs (6.7 runs per over)

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Rain delay... offset by taking an early tea break... just 2 overs lost.

I dont think there is a realistic chance of either side winning this test.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Umpires call a halt.. (bad light suggested, but Captains can agree on the draw with 15 overs only remaining))

Australia 559/9d & 385/7d
New Zealand 624 & 104/2 (28.0 ov)

Match drawn

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

There is a week break, then the third test.

A historic trial of Day-Night Test Cricket (with pink balls) (W.G. Grace will be turning in his gave)

Fri Nov 27 - Tue Dec 1 14:00 local (03:30 GMT | 16:30 NZDT)
3rd Test - Australia v New Zealand Adelaide Oval LIVE D/N

ESPN Cricket
http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v ... e=fixtures

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Teams ready to create history


Floodlights have long been a feature in cricket but now the pink ball is set to take centre stage
© Getty Images

Big Picture
Back in 2009, the MCC World Cricket Committee discussed its concerns about the future of Test cricket. "Except for certain icon series, such as the Ashes, Test cricket throughout the world, and in particular the lower-ranked nations, is in very real danger of dying," the committee said in a blunt statement. It went on to recommend that day-night Test cricket be trialled as a means of keeping the game alive. After six years and countless tweaks to the pink ball, that recommendation is about to come to fruition. One of the sport's oldest venues, Adelaide Oval, will play host to the newest concept in Test cricket. For the first time in 138 years, a Test match will be played with a ball that is not red. For the first time in 138 years, a Test match will be played at night.

It is a significant moment in the history of Test cricket but it also represents a continuation of the evolution of the game. The first Test match was timeless, with four-ball overs and a red ball; Test No.2188 will has a five-day limit, six-ball overs and a pink ball. One of the key mysteries is how the pink ball will perform. Will it swing, and for how long? Will it seam? Will it discolour too quickly? Will the players be able to see it properly in the evening? And will the spectators? Whatever the case, trials at Sheffield Shield level have satisfied Cricket Australia that the Kookaburra pink ball is sound enough to be used in a Test match. There have also been concerted efforts from administrators and groundstaff to ensure a non-abrasive Adelaide Oval pitch to preserve the ball as well as possible.

Quotes
"It's a great concept, I think the crowds have rolled in ... it's really exciting for us moving forward. I'm sure a lot of people are going to be watching around the world."
Steven Smith on the idea of day-night Test cricket

" We head into this Test match with a sense of excitement, not just about the pink ball and the occasion but also the fact that we have got an opportunity to try and draw the series and protect what is a record we are pretty proud of over the last little while."
Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand captain

More at link: http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-new-zealand-2015-16/content/story/944175.html

Go Aussies!!!

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Hey Molly... that ball looks RED to me?

I am color-blind.. but even so.. I know "nipple pink" when I see it

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Yeah, I thought so too. Thx.

I fixed it!

Nice try... still looks red

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

I do remember 1979 when the first day-night ODI was played.. HUGE controversy over use of a white ball and not the traditional red.... and then colored uniforms... END OF THE WORLD!!!! It was referred to as playing cricket in pajamas

I seem to recall England refused to adopt the colored uniforms for games in England.. still played in whites ( creams) for a few years even when the rest of the world had the colored clothing

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Apparently trials of day-night cricket (with pink ball) at first class level.. do suggest that batting is harder during the night session.. wickets fall more cheaply... so there may be some added "strategy" about managing an innings.. perhaps timing of a declaration etc.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Brendon McCullum won a toss!!

NZ opt to bat first.

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Mark Taylor (former Aust Capt) pointed out a (good) "reality check" ...

As this game starts it is JUST a regular test match with an "off red ball".. later each day, there will be just one hour under lights...

_________________
Do not go gentle into that good night.
___________ Rage, rage against the dying of the light