NZ’s big problem is the instability that the out-of-form/out-of-depth batsmen like Cumming and Fulton bring – the more alented Kiwi batsmen are forced to bat more cautiously in case their dismissal triggers a quick collapse. We saw a bit of that in the Oz camp too, from Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke especially.

Of course, no matter how low the total, NZ could win if Mills and Vettori start taking wickets again No-one seems to have noticed that NZ picked a whole bunch of medium fast ‘pace’ bowlers who all (bar Mills) rely mostly on swing; at a dry Adelaide oval, they were never going to get swing, so were always likely to go for a lot of runs. Shame they never took Mark Gillespie (now injured I think), James Franklin or Chris Martin as backup to allow ‘horses for courses’ pace bowling selections.

There has probably never been a better time for them to beat the Aussies in Australia.