Daniel Vettori v Michael Clarke
Young Daniel Vettori vs India
Funny Daniel Vettori Appeal!!! FUNNY
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Vote 1 4 Dan the man!
Daniel Vettori v Michael Clarke
Young Daniel Vettori vs India
Funny Daniel Vettori Appeal!!! FUNNY
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Twenty20 Years of Sachin Tendulkar!
from cricinfo.comDiscipline
He never comes late to any practice session, never comes late to the team bus, never comes late to any meeting - he is always five minutes ahead of time. If you are disciplined, it shows you are organised. And then he is ready for anything on the cricket field.
Mental strength
I've learned a lot of things from him as far as mental strength goes - on how to tacke a situation, how to tackle a ball or bowler. If you are not tough mentally, you can't score the number of runs and centuries he has in the last two decades. He is a very good self-motivator.
He always said to me: whatever the situation or whichever the bowler you face, always believe in yourself. There was this occasion in South Africa, early in my career, when I was not scoring runs fluently, so he suggested I try a few mental techniques that had worked for him. One of the things he said was: Always tell yourself you are better than others. You have some talent and that is why you are playing for India, so believe in yourself.
Picking the ball early
He can pick the ball earlier than other batsmen and that is a mark of a great batsman. He is virtually ready for the ball before it is bowled. Only great players can have two shots for one ball, like Tendulkar does, and a big reason is that he picks the ball very early.
Soft hands
I've never seen him play strokes with hard hands. He always tries to play with soft hands, always tries to meet the ball with the centre of the bat. That is timing. I have never been able to play consistently with soft hands.
Planning
One reason he can convert his fifties into hundreds is planning: which bowler he should go after, which bowler he should respect, in which situation he should play aggressively, in which situation he should defend. It is because he has spent hours thinking about all of it, planning what to do. He knows what a bowler will do in different situations and he is ready for it.
In my debut Test he scored 155 and he knew exactly what to do every ball. We had already lost four wickets (68 for 4) when I walked in, and he warned me about the short ball. He told me that the South African fast bowlers would bowl short-of-length balls regularly, but he knew how to counter that. If they bowled short of a length, he cut them over slips; when they bowled outside off stump, he cut them; and when they tried to bowl short into his body, he pulled with ease. Luckily his advice had its effect on me, and I made my maiden hundred!
Adaptability
This is one area where he is really fast. And that is because he is such a good reader of the game. After playing just one or two overs he can tell you how the pitch will behave, what kind of bounce it has, which length is a good one for the batsman, what shots to play and what not to.
A good example was in the Centurion ODI of the 2006-07 series. India were batting first. Shaun Pollock bowled the first over and fired in a few short-of-length balls, against which I tried to play the back-foot punch. Tendulkar cautioned me immediately and said that shot was not a good option. A couple of overs later I went for it again and was caught behind, against Pollock.
Making bowlers bowl to his strengths
He will leave a lot of balls and give the bowler a false sense of security, but the moment it is pitched up to the stumps or closer to them, Tendulkar will easily score runs.
If the bowler is bowling outside off stump Tendulkar can disturb his line by going across outside off stump and playing to midwicket. He puts doubts in the bowler's mind, so that he begins to wonder if he has bowled the wrong line and tries to bowl a little outside off stump - which Tendulkar can comfortably play through covers.
Only great players can have two shots for one ball, like Tendulkar does, and a big reason is that he picks the ball very early
In Sydney in 2004, in the first innings he didn't play a single cover drive, and remained undefeated on 241. He decided to play the straight drive and flicks, so he made the bowlers pitch to his strengths. It is not easy. In the Test before that, in Melbourne, he had got out trying to flick. After that when we had a chat he said he was getting out playing the cover drive and the next game he would avoid the cover drive. I thought he was joking because nobody cannot not play the cover drive - doesn't matter if you are connecting or not. I realised he was serious in Sydney when he was on about 180-odd and he had missed plenty of opportunities to play a cover drive. I was stunned.
Ability to bat in different gears
This is one aspect of batting I have always discussed with Tendulkar: how he controls his game; the way he can change gears after scoring a half-century. Suddenly he scores 10-12 runs an over, or maybe a quick 30 runs in five overs, and then again slows down and paces his innings.
He has maintained that it all depends on the team's position. If you are in a good position you tend to play faster. He also pointed out that the batsman must always think about what can happen if he gets out and the consequences for the team. The best example is the knock of 175. I was confident he would pull it off for India and he almost did.
Building on an innings
I learned from Tendulkar how to get big hundreds. He told me early on that once you get a hundred you are satisfied for yourself. But it is also the best time to convert that into a bigger score for the team because then the team will be in a good position.
If you look at my centuries they have always been big. A good instance of this was in Multan in 2004, when he told me I had given away a good position in Melbourne (195) the previous year and the team lost, and I needed to keep that in mind against Pakistan. In Multan, in the first hundred of the triple century I had hit a few sixes. He walked up to me after I reached the century and said he would slap me if I hit any further sixes. I said why. He said that if I tried hitting a six and got out the team would lose the control over the game, and I needed to bat through the day. So I didn't hit a single six till I reached 295. By then India were 500-plus and I told him I was going to hit a six!
Dedication
This is the most important aspect of his success. In his life cricket comes first. When he is on tour he is thinking about nothing but cricket, and when he is not on tour he dedicates quality time to his family. That shows his dedication to the game and to his family. He has found the right balance.
Sachin Tendulkar The Legend
Part 1 - Click here to download this video
Part 2 - Click here to download this video
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So much for the next Don Bradman?
Phillip Hughes’s first ever test innings was in Johannesburg against the mighty South Africans. He survived three balls until:
However, he rebounded superbly with a well made 75. He went on to make a whopping 415 runs at an average of 69.16, including 2 centuries and 1 fifty in the whole series – which is most runs by any batsmen in the series. Keep in mind that this was just his first ever series playing in the white Australia uniform. That was when critics compared Hughes with the greatest batsman of all time, ‘Sir Donald Bradman!’ Have the critics possibly spoken too soon?
He is in his second series and has started to expose his weakness, the short balls. We can all thank Mr Freedy Flintoff for exposing that, dismissing Hughes 2 out of the 3 times that Hughes has been dismissed so far during the Ashes series 2009. Just a reminder of the dismissals:
Hughes has managed just 36, 4 and 17 at Sophia Gardens and Lord’s, and posted scratchy innings of 10 and 68 in the most recent tour against Northamptonshire.
As a consequence, he has been dropped for the 3rd test and Shane Watson has brought in to replace him. It has been reported that it was the ‘fundamental flaws in his technique have prompted the selectors to act.’ The selectors have brought in a player boasting a batting average of 19.76 and who has never batted higher than No. 6 in the five-day game. One fact that might go in his favour are the quickfire 84 and 50innings he made against Northants. Wise move? We will just have to wait and see…
Some reactions to the axing of Phillip Hughes…
NeilCameron (July 30 2009, 06:05 AM GMT)
79KAH79 (July 30 2009, 03:23 AM GMT)
Rusty_1 (July 30 2009, 02:51 AM GMT)
0.4 Steyn to Hughes, OUT, super start for Steyn, and a duck for Hughes on debut! Short delivery just outside off stump, rises up off the surface and Hughes jumps at it, trying to slash it over the slips, but can only succeed in getting a faint under-edge through to a gleeful Boucher, who springs up and takes the offer
PJ Hughes c †Boucher b Steyn 0 (1m 4b 0×4 0×6) SR: 0.00
However, he rebounded superbly with a well made 75. He went on to make a whopping 415 runs at an average of 69.16, including 2 centuries and 1 fifty in the whole series – which is most runs by any batsmen in the series. Keep in mind that this was just his first ever series playing in the white Australia uniform. That was when critics compared Hughes with the greatest batsman of all time, ‘Sir Donald Bradman!’ Have the critics possibly spoken too soon?
He is in his second series and has started to expose his weakness, the short balls. We can all thank Mr Freedy Flintoff for exposing that, dismissing Hughes 2 out of the 3 times that Hughes has been dismissed so far during the Ashes series 2009. Just a reminder of the dismissals:
14.6 Flintoff to Hughes, OUT, got him! Flintoff wins the battle with a ball that perhaps moves in a touch and Hughes, trying to punch it through off, gets the thinnest of inside edges behind to Prior
PJ Hughes c †Prior b Flintoff 36 (61m 54b 5×4 0×6) SR: 66.66
9.2 Flintoff to Hughes, OUT, gone, got him, gone! Is he? Hughes edges it to Strauss at first slip who claims this low, scooping catch. Ponting sends Hughes back, asks Strauss if he caught it. Koertzen’s given him though. This will run, and run, and run…
PJ Hughes c Strauss b Flintoff 17 (46m 34b 2×4 0×6) SR: 50.00
Hughes has managed just 36, 4 and 17 at Sophia Gardens and Lord’s, and posted scratchy innings of 10 and 68 in the most recent tour against Northamptonshire.
As a consequence, he has been dropped for the 3rd test and Shane Watson has brought in to replace him. It has been reported that it was the ‘fundamental flaws in his technique have prompted the selectors to act.’ The selectors have brought in a player boasting a batting average of 19.76 and who has never batted higher than No. 6 in the five-day game. One fact that might go in his favour are the quickfire 84 and 50innings he made against Northants. Wise move? We will just have to wait and see…
Some reactions to the axing of Phillip Hughes…
NeilCameron (July 30 2009, 06:05 AM GMT)
Hughes does have a problem with the short pitched ball but this weakness has yet to really dent his form. Granted, his form so far in England hasn’t been great, but it is only two matches. As other comments here have pointed out, some players in the top side seem to find it harder to be dropped than others. My gut feeling regarding Hussey was to give him one moretest to score runs before dropping him, but this is what I also applied to Phil Hughes as well. I don’t think Watson is a good choice as an opener but he is a better batter than bowler so I would prefer him at no.6 and bring Hussey, who has experience opening, in to partner Katich. Nevertheless I am quite annoyed thatHughes has been treated so poorly after such a great start to his career – other players (eg Steve Waugh) were given a lot more leeway early in their careers.
79KAH79 (July 30 2009, 03:23 AM GMT)
Terrible decision, the Australian selectors continue to amaze me. Hughes is one of the most sumpremely talented young batsman I have seen in years. He has only had one bad game and wasn’t even out in the secondinnings at Lord’s. His confidence and brashness is refreshing at the top of the order and has the potential to quickly change games. I don’t have a problem with Watson but Hussey or North should have gone beforeHughes. Granted, Hughes has lookes a little uneasy against Flintoff but he needs to be given more than two games. Flintoff has bowled awesome but these are foreign conditions forHughes , he should have be given a chance to hit back, learn and develop further as a player. I honestly think that the Australian selectors get worried when a young player is hyped as much asHughes. They are sometimes OVERPROTECTIVE. He will be back more hungry just like Clarke did before. I’m bitterly disappointed that I won’t be able to watch the Hughes/Flintoff rematch at Egbaston.
Rusty_1 (July 30 2009, 02:51 AM GMT)
What a disgrace! The selectors had better come out and make a strong statement as to why they have perpetrated this act of madness! Watson had also better back them up with a century in bothinnings & 5 for. What’s the rationale behind his inclusion? Is it the same as in India? He is a handy bat & he might take a wicket or two, so throw him in? Did we learn nothing from India? What must Stuart Clark be thinking? Here is a man with atest bowling avg of 22….. 22 and he can’t get a run on? For mine, the batting line up was strong as it was (certainly strong than the English), it was the bowling that needed assistance. Johnson is off form, Siddle is trying to hard & not effective & Hauritz & Hilfy are only in theirtest infancy. Why not drop North, move Haddin to 6 & include Clark?? Or replace North with Watson at worst? Looks like the “be like Flintoff” curse has struck the Aussie selcectors once again after his heroics at Lords.Click here to read the rest of the post »
ICC World Twenty20 2009 Lowdown – Report Card
Sri Lanka entered this tournament, playing their first international game since the devastating bombings in Pakistan. They did not disappoint, accounting for Australia and the West Indies with ease. Heading to the super8s, making totals became a big problem and many teams faltered because of their bowling. What made Sri Lanka such a dominant side was no matter what score they made, their bowlers made the scores defendable. Sri Lanka’s MMM combination comprising of Mendis, Malinga and Muralitharan were absolutely brilliant with the ball - restricting runs, creating pressure, taking wickets and eventually winning games. The starts with the bat were Dilshan and Sangakarra, who were major contributors in Sri Lana’s totals. However, their fairytale tournament ended with a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Pakistan. Nonetheless, a great tournament for Sri Lanka given the context of their most recent events. Grade: A
Pakistan, the most unpredictable...
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Pakistan, the most unpredictable...
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A Tale of Upsets
The ICC World Twenty20 2009 Tournament has been quite a spectacle to watch so far. One asset of this tournament that makes it so fascinating to watch are the upsets. Unlike the older formats (that is, test and ODI), the Twenty20 format is so fast and action-packed that
“Anything can happen…”
What better to kick off the twenty20 tournament than to have the hosts upset by an associate side. That’s right, England were beaten in a last ball thriller by the Netherlands. Wright’s superb 49-ball 71 was negated by Doeschate’s 2 – 35 and Grooth nice 30-ball 49 cameo. It was great to see how much this game meant for the Netherlands, as they all rushed out into the middle in celebration after the last ball win. It was indeed a real and successful wake-up call as England have not looked back, defeat last year’s champions, India and Pakistan.
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What better to kick off the twenty20 tournament than to have the hosts upset by an associate side. That’s right, England were beaten in a last ball thriller by the Netherlands. Wright’s superb 49-ball 71 was negated by Doeschate’s 2 – 35 and Grooth nice 30-ball 49 cameo. It was great to see how much this game meant for the Netherlands, as they all rushed out into the middle in celebration after the last ball win. It was indeed a real and successful wake-up call as England have not looked back, defeat last year’s champions, India and Pakistan.
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The Theatre of the Absurd
There is something no right about the Indian Premier League Season 2 2009. Part-timers are taking hattricks, teams are losing from just winning positions, teams are winning from impossible situations and teams at the top of the (points) table are going down to teams ranked below them...
“THE THEATRE OF THE ABSURD”
Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh are two part time bowlers and hardly bowl for India. Yet they are the only two bowlers in this tournament to have taken hattricks. Another part-timer who has taken a decent bag of wickets is Suresh Raina. He has hardly bowled for India and has one career wicket to his name in all forms of cricket for India. Notice that all these part-timers are Indian – bizarre! Here are their statistics with the ball in this tournament (courtesy of cricinfo):
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Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh are two part time bowlers and hardly bowl for India. Yet they are the only two bowlers in this tournament to have taken hattricks. Another part-timer who has taken a decent bag of wickets is Suresh Raina. He has hardly bowled for India and has one career wicket to his name in all forms of cricket for India. Notice that all these part-timers are Indian – bizarre! Here are their statistics with the ball in this tournament (courtesy of cricinfo):
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From one Spectacle to Another - ICC World Twenty20 2009 Preview
With the end to the second season of the Indian Premier League, another exciting tournament takes its place in the ICC World Twenty20. The fast-growing rise in popularity in the Twenty20 format is what makes this tournament one of the most exciting for the year. In a sense, it is just like the IPL except players will be playing for their own countries, meaning players will be more passionate and determined to take their countries to victory.
Here are the prospects of the test-playing nations:
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Here are the prospects of the test-playing nations:
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The Underperformers
So far in this Season of the Indian Premier League, we have seen the best of the players. However, we have also seen the worse of players.
The first person that comes to mind is no other than the 1.5 million dollar man, Kevin Pietersen. I won’t say too much about him as you have probably heard enough of him in the previous article:: “Sorry, but no Refunds.” Pietersen had scored 93 runs at an average of 15.50 before he went. Surely, such a performance is not worth the 1.5 million. He played the odd good shot, then predictably got himself out.
Another player who comes to mind is supposedly one of the “most destructive batsman in the world” - please stand Brendon McCullum...
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The first person that comes to mind is no other than the 1.5 million dollar man, Kevin Pietersen. I won’t say too much about him as you have probably heard enough of him in the previous article:: “Sorry, but no Refunds.” Pietersen had scored 93 runs at an average of 15.50 before he went. Surely, such a performance is not worth the 1.5 million. He played the odd good shot, then predictably got himself out.
Another player who comes to mind is supposedly one of the “most destructive batsman in the world” - please stand Brendon McCullum...
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Sorry but no Refunds!
The IPL journey for the “re-injured” Andrew Flintoff ends with a serious knee injury that sidelines him for around 3 months. The IPL journey for Kevin Pietersen ends on Wednesday as he heads home for the West Indies Series. Both are the two of the most expensive players in the IPL but are frankly two of the most disappointing players.
The situation is worse for Pietersen, whose captaincy has led the Bangalore Challengers to 1 win and 4 losses from their 5 games. To top it off, he has scored 80 runs (including two ducks) from 5 games at an average of 16.00 and a strike rate of 109.58. C’mon KP!
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The situation is worse for Pietersen, whose captaincy has led the Bangalore Challengers to 1 win and 4 losses from their 5 games. To top it off, he has scored 80 runs (including two ducks) from 5 games at an average of 16.00 and a strike rate of 109.58. C’mon KP!
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The first IPL Super Over!!
Indian Premier League - 10th match - Scorecard
Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals 2009 season
Played at Newlands, Cape Town (neutral venue), on 23 April 2009 - day/night (20-over match)
The game of the tournament ended in a tie. Enter the Super Over!!! For Kolata, Gayle, McCullum and Ganguly are their bastmen and Mendis is their bowler. For Rajasthan, Pathan, Mascarenhas and Jadeja are their bastmen and K. Khan is their bowler. I won't say anymore so I don't spoil it...
NOTE: *spoilers below*
Cricinfo commentary
Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals 2009 season
Played at Newlands, Cape Town (neutral venue), on 23 April 2009 - day/night (20-over match)
The game of the tournament ended in a tie. Enter the Super Over!!! For Kolata, Gayle, McCullum and Ganguly are their bastmen and Mendis is their bowler. For Rajasthan, Pathan, Mascarenhas and Jadeja are their bastmen and K. Khan is their bowler. I won't say anymore so I don't spoil it...
NOTE: *spoilers below*
Cricinfo commentary
I'll fill you in with the rules of the Super Over. Each team gets one over to bat and the team which scores the most wins. If it's a tie then the team which scores the most sixes in the match wins.Click here to read the rest of the post »
Right Kamran Khan will bowl and Ganguly, McCullum and Gayle are the three batsmen for Kolkata. A finish like this was just what the tournament needed. Takes your mind off the rain.
Righto! Gayle and McCullum walk out. Looks like Gayle will face.
Ball 1 Kamran to Gayle - ONE - Kamran fields well off his own bowling and he deflects it to long-off
Ball 2 Kamran to McCullum - ONE - Ouch! McCullum tries to pull a full toss on waist height and he meets the ball flush on the glove
Ball 3 Kamran to Gayle - WIDE - Too wide outside off, can't chase that
Ball 3 Kamran to Gayle - FOUR - Poor length, full on the pads and he easily chips this one over mid-on
Ball 4 Kamran to Gayle - FOUR - Another poor delivery, on the pads and he hoicks him across the line and sends the ball scorching to deep square leg
Ball 5 Kamran to Gayle - FOUR - He comes over the wicket but it doesn't help, he stays at the crease, drags his backfoot back and thumps a full delivery across the line to deep midwicket
Ball 6 Kamran to Gayle - OUT - Gayle stays at the crease, bends his knee and tries to cart a full ball over the off side but Quiney at sweeper cover takes a sharp catch falling forward
So Rajasthan need 16 to win. Here;s the line-up. Mendis will bowl, Jadeja, Pathan and Mascarenhas are the three batsmen
Mendis warms up. What an entertaining evening for the crowd and it sure is a late night for all you folks back in India. Shah Rukh's on his feet, McCullum sets his field. Pathan will face Mendis. Can we have a move on please? This is taking the whole night. Lots of fielders in the deep. Jadeja's up next to bat. Four men in the ring.
Ball 1 Mendis to Pathan - SIX - Take that! He makes room and carts a flighted delivery high over long-off, 10 needed off 5
Ball 2 Mendis to Pathan - TWO - And dropped! He heaves him over the bowler's head and HOdge runs across and drops a difficult one
Ball 3 Mendis to Pathan - SIX - He stays at the crease and gives it a mighty heave ho over deep midwicket, that went rows back
The field comes in
Ball 4 Mendis to Pathan - FOUR - It's all over! Yusuf cuts out the aerial hits and settles for the sweep, he gets on his knee to a delivery pitched on middle and leg and sweeps wide of square leg
Yusuf charges off and celebrates with his team-mates who rush to congratulate him. It wasn't exactly a gamble bringing on a spinner for the Super Over but all credit must go to Pathan for his brute force. He decided to stay put at the crease and smash them. He and his brother Irfan took India to victory in Colombo recently. It was a no-brainer for Warne to send him first up. Mendis' carrom ball and other variations deserted him in this crucial moment.
Spin the IPL X-Factor
The first round of the IPL season 2009 has finished and there has been one common aspect of each of four games: the impact of spin.
In the 1st game, Harbarjan Singh from the Mumbai Indians kept the Chennai run chase in check with three super, miserly overs conceding just 15 runs and rendering the big wicket of Flintoff.
Cricinfo commentary
It didn’t particularly shift the momentum of the game as Mumbai were always on top with the two early wickets, but it did add more pressure to such an extent that the run chase looked more imporbable as the overs continued.
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In the 1st game, Harbarjan Singh from the Mumbai Indians kept the Chennai run chase in check with three super, miserly overs conceding just 15 runs and rendering the big wicket of Flintoff.
Cricinfo commentary
9.5 Harbhajan Singh to Flintoff, OUT, Flintoff goes for broke over the on side but gets a tame leading edge which balloons to the off side, Harbhajan takes the easiest of catches and pumps the air
A Flintoff c & b Harbhajan Singh 24 (23b 2×4 1×6) SR: 104.34
It didn’t particularly shift the momentum of the game as Mumbai were always on top with the two early wickets, but it did add more pressure to such an extent that the run chase looked more imporbable as the overs continued.
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A “dog” of a day
The opening night of the IPL season can best be described as a “dogged” day figuratively and literally.
The opening game of the tournament - Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians was a rather “dull” game in regards to the match situation and in comparison to the opening game last year (between Kolkata Knight Riders and Bangalore Royal Challengers).
Despite the one-sided match, the audience witnessed Brendon McCullum hit a 74-ball 158*, featuring 13 sixes and 10 fours.
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The opening game of the tournament - Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians was a rather “dull” game in regards to the match situation and in comparison to the opening game last year (between Kolkata Knight Riders and Bangalore Royal Challengers).
Despite the one-sided match, the audience witnessed Brendon McCullum hit a 74-ball 158*, featuring 13 sixes and 10 fours.
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Let the Battle Begin!
The most anticipated and exciting tournament of the year 2009, the Indian Premier League Season 2! However, it's a bit weird considering the "Indian Premier League" is being played in "South Africa." Oh well, I guess it's safety first, perfectly summed up by Ross Taylor of New Zealand:
The tournament is sure to be packed with great excitement and entertainment - whether it's a four, six, wicket, sledging or even aggression. For those of you who have forgotten in last year's tournament, there was aggression between Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth - to the extent that a Harby slapped Sressanth in tears. Harby was rewarded for this efforts with a 6 - game ban. Who said Cricket was just a game?
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If you're dead you can't earn any money. Life's obviously more important than earning cash
The tournament is sure to be packed with great excitement and entertainment - whether it's a four, six, wicket, sledging or even aggression. For those of you who have forgotten in last year's tournament, there was aggression between Harbhajan Singh and Sreesanth - to the extent that a Harby slapped Sressanth in tears. Harby was rewarded for this efforts with a 6 - game ban. Who said Cricket was just a game?
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Taylor and Rain Star as New Zealand Secure a Respectable Defeat
Ross Taylor's fantastic century, featuring 16 fours and a handy strike rate of 65 and the heavy Rain were the highlights of the last day of what has been an entertaining tour of cricket in the three forms (i.e. Twenty20s, ODIs and Test Matches).
Just as New Zealand were 8 down, with only Chris Martin to come and had 50 + overs left to bat out, the rain appeared. No wonder New Zealand are so hard to beat at home. Not only do they have to persevere with New Zealand but also the rain gods. At times the rain can be frustrating for New Zealand as in either puts them at a disadvantage or removes New Zealand's commanding position. This time it worked a treat, preventing New Zealand from going down 2 - 0 in the test series against India. Instead, they lose the test series by a respectable 1 - 0.
Congratulations to India on a strong overseas performance against a side that they are traditionally weak against. Special mentions have to go to Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan and Harbarhjan Singh!! The team was well led by MS Dhoni, who incidentally "out-captained" the more experienced Daniel Vettori. The top order was very consistent throughout the test series, and the lower order did their part when necessary. Their bowlers used the conditions perfectly (even better than New Zealand did on New Zealand soil!) and took cheap and good wickets with consistent line and length. Zaheer Khan and Harbarhjan Singh completely tore the New Zealand batting line-up to shreds (bar the 2nd test), and they were well supported by Munaf Patel and Ishant Sharma. On the field they were a bit scrappy but brilliant at times, taking great slip catches. The way they dismantled New Zealand throughout test series just goes to show their red hot form and current domination with recent test series wins over Australia, Sri Lanka and England.
India are the real deal at the moment and it will take a "miracle" for any nation to stop them. Click here to read the rest of the post »
Aha! more drama. Rain stops play.
Just as New Zealand were 8 down, with only Chris Martin to come and had 50 + overs left to bat out, the rain appeared. No wonder New Zealand are so hard to beat at home. Not only do they have to persevere with New Zealand but also the rain gods. At times the rain can be frustrating for New Zealand as in either puts them at a disadvantage or removes New Zealand's commanding position. This time it worked a treat, preventing New Zealand from going down 2 - 0 in the test series against India. Instead, they lose the test series by a respectable 1 - 0.
Congratulations to India on a strong overseas performance against a side that they are traditionally weak against. Special mentions have to go to Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan and Harbarhjan Singh!! The team was well led by MS Dhoni, who incidentally "out-captained" the more experienced Daniel Vettori. The top order was very consistent throughout the test series, and the lower order did their part when necessary. Their bowlers used the conditions perfectly (even better than New Zealand did on New Zealand soil!) and took cheap and good wickets with consistent line and length. Zaheer Khan and Harbarhjan Singh completely tore the New Zealand batting line-up to shreds (bar the 2nd test), and they were well supported by Munaf Patel and Ishant Sharma. On the field they were a bit scrappy but brilliant at times, taking great slip catches. The way they dismantled New Zealand throughout test series just goes to show their red hot form and current domination with recent test series wins over Australia, Sri Lanka and England.
India are the real deal at the moment and it will take a "miracle" for any nation to stop them. Click here to read the rest of the post »
The Finale
One that should be an enthralling and exciting test match to wrap what has been an entertaining tour to watch. New Zealand took the Twenty20 Series quite convincingly. India took the ODI Series with a game to spare. India lead 1 - 0 in the test series.
The India team ready to do what's required: Win the test match if they have the chance or draw if they can't win it.
For India, they cannot lose this test series so that would be a good feeling. For New Zealand, win and they obtain the credibility of drawing a test series with India. Lose and all the hard work they put into the 2nd test (most notably Ryder's double century, McCullum's first century against a quality test opposition and making India follow on) will count for nothing. So both teams should have the urge and attitude to win this test match.
For this 3rd and final test match, I find it almost impossible for India to lose this game. In the 2nd test match, India showed that if they can't win a test match, then they can most certainly save it. New Zealand were in such a dominant position, putting 600 + runs on the board in 5 sessions, giving themselves three days and a session to take 20 wickets. However, they only took 14 wickets - 3 in Day 2, 8 in Day 3, 1 in day 4 and 2 in day 5. It not only shows how good this Indian batting line-up is but powerless and un-threatening the New Zealand bowling attack is. Had the bowling attack contained the likes of a 'Dale Steyn,' a 'Brett lee' or even one their own - a 'Shane Bond;' they would of had no trouble bowling India out in 3 or so days. New Zealand lack a spearhead, an outright fast bowler who can make breakthroughs when needed most - backed up by support bowlers who can chip in with a wicket or two. New Zealand's whole pace attack consists of support bowlers. In an attack featuring Chris Martin, Iain O' Brien, James Franklin or even Tim Southee - India have nothing much to worry about. The four have neither the pace nor intimidation to even put a doubt in the Indian minds. If a 'Shane Bond' was in that attack, he would have probably nipped 2-3 top-order wickets - and then allowing the support bowlers and spin bowlers to come into the game. Vettori and Patel are great spin bowlers but ain't very effective when they're the only ones taking the wicket - which further stresses the need of a spearhead in the New Zealand attack.
The decision to bring Tim Southee back is a bit of an odd decision to be honest. He struggled in the ODIs and the Indians attacked him whenever he was brought in to bowl - bowling 10 wicketless overs for 100+ runs. Hopefully, Tim Southee produces the swing that he had when he nipped three Australian top order wickets in one session. If not, then let the Sehwag show begin!
After the match, Vettori stated that:
I can't see how not being unable to bowl out an opposition in 2 days is a good performance, especially given how dominant New Zealand were in (even more than the dominant positions that Australia were in against New Zealand in the test matches!). In my opinion, the momentum is firmly on India.
However, you cannot take the credit away from the Indian batting line-up. Sure they got bowled out late in Day 3 but they regrouped superbly batting 180 overs in the second innings at the cost of just 4 wickets. Gambhir played probably his most boring test innings of late but it was a match-saving one. His briliance in the second innings was backed up by Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman (who played superbly in this century knock) and then Y. Singh (who helped himself to a fifty with some good shots to get his confidence back). Only miracle spells from the New Zealand bowlers will stop these men.
Given the declining status of test cricket and the rising of Twenty20, let's hope this match gets a result - hopefully at the end of day 5, just to finish off what has been an entertaining tour. My money's still on India though! Click here to read the rest of the post »
The India team ready to do what's required: Win the test match if they have the chance or draw if they can't win it.
For India, they cannot lose this test series so that would be a good feeling. For New Zealand, win and they obtain the credibility of drawing a test series with India. Lose and all the hard work they put into the 2nd test (most notably Ryder's double century, McCullum's first century against a quality test opposition and making India follow on) will count for nothing. So both teams should have the urge and attitude to win this test match.
For this 3rd and final test match, I find it almost impossible for India to lose this game. In the 2nd test match, India showed that if they can't win a test match, then they can most certainly save it. New Zealand were in such a dominant position, putting 600 + runs on the board in 5 sessions, giving themselves three days and a session to take 20 wickets. However, they only took 14 wickets - 3 in Day 2, 8 in Day 3, 1 in day 4 and 2 in day 5. It not only shows how good this Indian batting line-up is but powerless and un-threatening the New Zealand bowling attack is. Had the bowling attack contained the likes of a 'Dale Steyn,' a 'Brett lee' or even one their own - a 'Shane Bond;' they would of had no trouble bowling India out in 3 or so days. New Zealand lack a spearhead, an outright fast bowler who can make breakthroughs when needed most - backed up by support bowlers who can chip in with a wicket or two. New Zealand's whole pace attack consists of support bowlers. In an attack featuring Chris Martin, Iain O' Brien, James Franklin or even Tim Southee - India have nothing much to worry about. The four have neither the pace nor intimidation to even put a doubt in the Indian minds. If a 'Shane Bond' was in that attack, he would have probably nipped 2-3 top-order wickets - and then allowing the support bowlers and spin bowlers to come into the game. Vettori and Patel are great spin bowlers but ain't very effective when they're the only ones taking the wicket - which further stresses the need of a spearhead in the New Zealand attack.
The decision to bring Tim Southee back is a bit of an odd decision to be honest. He struggled in the ODIs and the Indians attacked him whenever he was brought in to bowl - bowling 10 wicketless overs for 100+ runs. Hopefully, Tim Southee produces the swing that he had when he nipped three Australian top order wickets in one session. If not, then let the Sehwag show begin!
After the match, Vettori stated that:
You can play another Test match on this if you want to! whatever conditions we get [in the third Test] , this performance here will give us lots of heart.
I can't see how not being unable to bowl out an opposition in 2 days is a good performance, especially given how dominant New Zealand were in (even more than the dominant positions that Australia were in against New Zealand in the test matches!). In my opinion, the momentum is firmly on India.
However, you cannot take the credit away from the Indian batting line-up. Sure they got bowled out late in Day 3 but they regrouped superbly batting 180 overs in the second innings at the cost of just 4 wickets. Gambhir played probably his most boring test innings of late but it was a match-saving one. His briliance in the second innings was backed up by Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman (who played superbly in this century knock) and then Y. Singh (who helped himself to a fifty with some good shots to get his confidence back). Only miracle spells from the New Zealand bowlers will stop these men.
Given the declining status of test cricket and the rising of Twenty20, let's hope this match gets a result - hopefully at the end of day 5, just to finish off what has been an entertaining tour. My money's still on India though! Click here to read the rest of the post »
Test Selections backfire for New Zealand
Once again, the players of whom the selectors have put their faith in to perform have let them down one too many times - this time costing New Zealand defeat on just the 4th day. I'm actually amazed how New Zealand avoided the innings defeat.
First of all, Tim McIntosh. His form as opener must be a huge concern for the selectors with scores of 12 and 0 in the 1st test. Though his 0 could be said as unfortunate considering the edge hit the ground first before making it into the hands of Sachin Tendulkar. But still, he invited the edge and I wonder if McIntosh will be able to handle the Indian pace attack. However, the selectors should give him another chance as it is only his 3rd match and he looks to be a great opener for New Zealand.
Second of all, James Franklin. Everyone has said that he is in superb form and has even been said to be one of the in-form all rounders in the New Zealand domestic season. He has scored centuries for his club and New Zealand A, and to top it off he has taken a few bags of wickets. However, he looks the complete opposite in the test arena, which was well summed up by Matthew from New Zealand:
It will be interesting to see if the selectors will give him another go. If they truely believe that Franklin is the best all rounder going around in New Zealand, then we should be seeing special things from him in the next game or two. If not, then I guess he'll be going down the same path as Matthew Sinclair.
I can understand Kyle Mills' poor run with the ball in the ODI series considering he is coming back from injury. It seems Mills bowling form gets worse the more games he played - especially evident in this test match. No wonder India made 520. How could you not when Mills is continually offering the same wide half-volleys over by over. Any momentum that New Zealand had with the ball was instantly countered with Mills. Unfortunately, I don't see a place for him in the next game unless they have no replacements.
And the last selection horror for them is Martin Guptill. He is such a talented player that it frustrates me to see him with scores of 14 and 48. The way he played did not show a person out of form/nick but a person who suffers from lapses of concentration. His 14 was a little understandable, a good ball from Khan and it was his debut innings. But there are no excuses for his second innings. He made a brilliant 48 with consisted of 7 fours and a six, until he played a lazy shot to Harbarjan Singh, gifting him a wicket. This is only his first game, so I guess he can be left off the hook this one time.
Players who should be considered in the squad:
Kane Williamson. Looks to be promising with his most recent innings rendering 111 runs.
Jeetan Patel. Took 5 - 61 off 33 overs so is in relatively good form. I don't care how good the Indians are at playing spin, the 1st game showed that if New Zealand seamers ain't getting early wickets, then it's game over for New Zealand.
Jacob Oram. Took 1 - 45 off 15 overs today. Despite his poor form with the bat, he is desperately needed by New Zealand to fill the number 6 role. James Franklin showed that he is not the solution to play the 'Oram' role and failed with both bat and ball. Click here to read the rest of the post »
First of all, Tim McIntosh. His form as opener must be a huge concern for the selectors with scores of 12 and 0 in the 1st test. Though his 0 could be said as unfortunate considering the edge hit the ground first before making it into the hands of Sachin Tendulkar. But still, he invited the edge and I wonder if McIntosh will be able to handle the Indian pace attack. However, the selectors should give him another chance as it is only his 3rd match and he looks to be a great opener for New Zealand.
Second of all, James Franklin. Everyone has said that he is in superb form and has even been said to be one of the in-form all rounders in the New Zealand domestic season. He has scored centuries for his club and New Zealand A, and to top it off he has taken a few bags of wickets. However, he looks the complete opposite in the test arena, which was well summed up by Matthew from New Zealand:
"Rather depressing that the best allrounder (close to best batsman) in the domestic scene can't buy a wicket and looks completely out of his depth at six. Where to now for the next test? emerging talent kane Williamson?"
It will be interesting to see if the selectors will give him another go. If they truely believe that Franklin is the best all rounder going around in New Zealand, then we should be seeing special things from him in the next game or two. If not, then I guess he'll be going down the same path as Matthew Sinclair.
I can understand Kyle Mills' poor run with the ball in the ODI series considering he is coming back from injury. It seems Mills bowling form gets worse the more games he played - especially evident in this test match. No wonder India made 520. How could you not when Mills is continually offering the same wide half-volleys over by over. Any momentum that New Zealand had with the ball was instantly countered with Mills. Unfortunately, I don't see a place for him in the next game unless they have no replacements.
And the last selection horror for them is Martin Guptill. He is such a talented player that it frustrates me to see him with scores of 14 and 48. The way he played did not show a person out of form/nick but a person who suffers from lapses of concentration. His 14 was a little understandable, a good ball from Khan and it was his debut innings. But there are no excuses for his second innings. He made a brilliant 48 with consisted of 7 fours and a six, until he played a lazy shot to Harbarjan Singh, gifting him a wicket. This is only his first game, so I guess he can be left off the hook this one time.
Players who should be considered in the squad:
Kane Williamson. Looks to be promising with his most recent innings rendering 111 runs.
Jeetan Patel. Took 5 - 61 off 33 overs so is in relatively good form. I don't care how good the Indians are at playing spin, the 1st game showed that if New Zealand seamers ain't getting early wickets, then it's game over for New Zealand.
Jacob Oram. Took 1 - 45 off 15 overs today. Despite his poor form with the bat, he is desperately needed by New Zealand to fill the number 6 role. James Franklin showed that he is not the solution to play the 'Oram' role and failed with both bat and ball. Click here to read the rest of the post »
1-all! New Zealanda and India battle it out in white
New Zealand surprisingly won the Twenty20 International series quite confortably, and India did the same to New Zealand in the ODI Series - which means we are 1-all? Not for long as these two teams battle it out in the test arena.
India will be red hot favorites to take this series based on current form and rankings. However, the way New Zealand dismantled the Indians in the 5th ODI has shown that anything can happen. If New Zealand play like they did in the 5th ODI, India could be in for a surprise - especially in the 1st 2 days of the first test match. We could see India's batting line-up ripped apart and New Zealand posting a decent lead with a much-better looking test batting line-up than in the past. However, on India's day - Sehwag and the rest of the Indian batting lineup could send the ball to all corners of the park and a score of 400 + on the first day would be likely. If the India's bowlers fire, we might even see the test matches finished in 3 or 4 days.
If both New Zealand and India are playing at their best, then we are definitely in for a contest.
Players to watch out for:
New Zealand:
Daniel Vettori had a fairly quiet ODI series, expect him to shine with ball and bat with his matchwinning qualities (especially when he single-handledly beat Bangladesh, taking 9 wickets and scoring two fifties)
Daniel Flynn has been in peak test form ever since being promoted to bat at number 3. He seems to have so much temperament and class when he's there. He's due for a big score after his unlucky referral dismissal in the 90s.
James Franklin has come out of the wilderness again! His most recent first class game rendered him one fifty, one century and 3 1st innings wickets. Useful addition to New Zealand squad.
India:
Virender Sehwag absolutely destroyed the New Zealand bowlers in every match he has played so far. Expect the same except the difference is, he's in white.
Sachin Tendulkar. Well what more can be said. One of the best strokemakers in cricket and looks in really good form. Wouldn't be suprised if he scores at least 2-3 centuries in this test series.
New Zealand Test Squad:
Daniel Vettori (c) Daniel Flynn
Brent Arnel James Franklin
Martin Guptill Brendon McCullum (wk)
Tim McIntosh Chris Martin
Kyle Mills Iain O'Brien
Jeetan Patel Jesse Ryder
Ross Taylor
India Test Squad:
MS Dhoni Lakshmipathy Balaji
Rahul Dravid Gautam Gambhir
Harbhajan Singh Dinesh Karthik (wk)
Zaheer Khan Dhawal Kulkarni
VVS Laxman Amit Mishra
Munaf Patel Virender Sehwag
Ishant Sharma Sachin Tendulkar
M Vijay Yuvraj Singh Click here to read the rest of the post »
India will be red hot favorites to take this series based on current form and rankings. However, the way New Zealand dismantled the Indians in the 5th ODI has shown that anything can happen. If New Zealand play like they did in the 5th ODI, India could be in for a surprise - especially in the 1st 2 days of the first test match. We could see India's batting line-up ripped apart and New Zealand posting a decent lead with a much-better looking test batting line-up than in the past. However, on India's day - Sehwag and the rest of the Indian batting lineup could send the ball to all corners of the park and a score of 400 + on the first day would be likely. If the India's bowlers fire, we might even see the test matches finished in 3 or 4 days.
If both New Zealand and India are playing at their best, then we are definitely in for a contest.
Players to watch out for:
New Zealand:
Daniel Vettori had a fairly quiet ODI series, expect him to shine with ball and bat with his matchwinning qualities (especially when he single-handledly beat Bangladesh, taking 9 wickets and scoring two fifties)
Daniel Flynn has been in peak test form ever since being promoted to bat at number 3. He seems to have so much temperament and class when he's there. He's due for a big score after his unlucky referral dismissal in the 90s.
James Franklin has come out of the wilderness again! His most recent first class game rendered him one fifty, one century and 3 1st innings wickets. Useful addition to New Zealand squad.
India:
Virender Sehwag absolutely destroyed the New Zealand bowlers in every match he has played so far. Expect the same except the difference is, he's in white.
Sachin Tendulkar. Well what more can be said. One of the best strokemakers in cricket and looks in really good form. Wouldn't be suprised if he scores at least 2-3 centuries in this test series.
New Zealand Test Squad:
Daniel Vettori (c) Daniel Flynn
Brent Arnel James Franklin
Martin Guptill Brendon McCullum (wk)
Tim McIntosh Chris Martin
Kyle Mills Iain O'Brien
Jeetan Patel Jesse Ryder
Ross Taylor
India Test Squad:
MS Dhoni Lakshmipathy Balaji
Rahul Dravid Gautam Gambhir
Harbhajan Singh Dinesh Karthik (wk)
Zaheer Khan Dhawal Kulkarni
VVS Laxman Amit Mishra
Munaf Patel Virender Sehwag
Ishant Sharma Sachin Tendulkar
M Vijay Yuvraj Singh Click here to read the rest of the post »
What a Game! 726 runs scored in one ODI match.
What a fantastic game of cricket, a game of cricket that all cricket fans would just love to see. India won it but boy did New Zealand give them a scare. Though it has to be said that this game was 'The Battle of the Batsman.' Tendulkar played the innings of his life, playing a measured innings at the start which turned into a Sehwag-like style innings. Bowlers from both side were getting thrashed to all corners of a small Christchurch field, most namely Tim Southee 0 - 105 off 10 overs. Congratulations! Once again it was another disappointing performance by the New Zealand bowlers, who bowled too predictably. It's a shame Daniel Vettori wasn't in the side in the most exciting game in this series yet. India could be guilty of bowling badly at the end but they took wickets when it mattered. New Zealand didn't. That was the difference today...
The official cricinfo report:
Well done Sachin Tendulkar, your first century in New Zealand and probably one of his finest innings.
The official cricinfo report:
Well done Sachin Tendulkar, your first century in New Zealand and probably one of his finest innings.
India survived a scare from New Zealand to win a boundary-filled match and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. A serene Sachin Tendulkar played a perfectly-paced innings to score his first ODI century in New Zealand while Yuvraj Singh demolished the attack in a violent knock to power India to 392 for 4. The mammoth score allowed India the room to overcome a tremendous assault led by Jesse Ryder, who hit a sparkling maiden ton, and his 166-run opening partnership with Brendon McCullum, and later soak up the pressure exerted by a frenetic 83-run stand between Kyle Mills and Tim Southee in seven overs.Click here to read the rest of the post »
The tiny AMI Stadium in Christchurch turned into a bowling slaughterhouse as the batsmen plundered 726 runs, the second highest aggregate in ODI history, but India prevailed in the end by winning in vital moments of the game. When they batted, Tendulkar and Yuvraj ransacked 69 runs from their batting Powerplay, a period that changed the course of the game emphatically. The Indian fielding was sloppy initially - both Ryder and McCullum were dropped - but they hit back with two run-outs when the opening partnership was assuming threatening proportions. Suresh Raina caught McCullum short of the crease and Yuvraj Singh ran out Ross Taylor to peg New Zealand back.
Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan had begun their spells poorly but bounced back for a strong finish. Ryder, who shredded both bowlers, fell in the 27th over, chipping Harbhajan straight to long-off and that was the pivotal moment of the chase. Later, when Mills and Southee attempted to pull of a minor miracle, India were rattled initially but they held their nerve to close the game. New Zealand started and ended their chase well but couldn't sustain the momentum during the middle overs.
In contrast, India never allowed the pace to drop during their innings. The tempo lifted significantly when they took the batting Powerplay in the 23rd over. Yuvraj looted 44, Tendulkar accumulated 24 during the fielding restrictions and India doubled their score during a nine-over period, leaping from 90 after 18 overs to 190 after 27. New Zealand desperately missed the restrictive lines of Daniel Vettori, who missed the game to be with his wife who was expecting their child.
The sparse Christchurch crowd was treated to Yuvraj's full repertoire; swings over midwicket, fiercely-timed cover drives and booming off-drives smashed into the concrete stands. The shot of his innings was a breathtaking six over cow-corner: Yuvraj checked a drive, like putting for a birdie, and the full toss from Tim Southee disappeared into the crowd.
While Yuvraj dazzled with glamourous shots, Tendulkar inspired awe with his innovations. He played numerous paddle sweeps, scooped Southee over fine leg for a stunning six, lofted drives inside out over cover and opened the bat-face to deftly steer the ball to the boundary. Unlike Sehwag, who was bowled while trying to pull a delivery that was not short enough, Tendulkar did not let the temptation of the short square boundaries influence his batting early in his stay. He remained busy throughout his innings, using his wristy flick to turn short-of-length deliveries cutting into middle and off stump to the leg side for many singles.
Saaed Anwar's record score was under threat but Tendulkar retired hurt in the 45th over after pulling a stomach muscle. India's middle-order rose to the occasion; Dhoni punctuated his seven boundaries with 31 singles to rotate the strike to Tendulkar and Suresh Raina increased the six count with five clean hits, the last bringing up India's 18th and equaling the world record.
If India thought they could relax after their batting effort, they were in for a surprise. New Zealand started like a runaway train in pursuit of 393, reaching 166 in 22 overs before they began to implode.
Ryder and McCullum played plenty of big shots but there was no desperation in their method. Ryder stayed adjacent to the line, did not commit himself early to either back or front foot, and swung through the line. When the ball was full, he drove, and when the ball was short, he cut or pulled. It was almost that simple. His balance was perfect. When Praveen Kumar bowled one slightly short of a length, he worked his wrists over time to swat it over long-leg for an audacious six. When Munaf Patel bowled with a packed off-side field, Ryder expertly found gaps where none seemed to exist.
You felt the real contest would be when Harbhajan Singh came on to bowl but Ryder made it a mis-match initially. Harbhajan did not help himself by trying to bowl too fast and ended up bowling either too short or too full. Ryder pulled him for two sixes and lofted one over covers in the first over. In Harbhajan's second over, the ball disappeared over extra cover twice. Ryder brought up his hundred with a delicate dab through backward point. It was not all Ryder, though, as McCullum played the perfect supporting act.
McCullum turned the heat on Praveen, who until then had kept the batsmen on a tight leash with his clever mix of slower ones and nagging short-of-length cutters which suited his packed off-side field. However, McCullum adapted quickly to play several drives. He used his feet well, coming down the track and punching on the up and inside-out to find the gaps. He used the charges down the wicket sparingly but effectively, forcing the bowler into a guessing game and thus, spoiling the length.
It was all going very well for the hosts before they were stunned by the run outs and India came roaring back into the game.
All to play for - New Zealand and India at it again.
The Scenario
This could prove to be the match of the series. For New Zealand, a loss here and they can say good bye to the series. For India, a win and a series win will get closer. New Zealand would probably have to thank their reliable rain gods, who came it when they needed it most to stop the Indian innings and get a no-result. Prior to the rain, India were on fire with Sehwag thrashing the New Zealand bowlers out of the attack while with Tendulkar, it was all about elegant strokes and placement.
Milliondollar question: How will New Zealand stop Virender Sehwag?
The Lowdown
All of the New Zealand bowlers look at sea, including their best bowler from the last series, Iain O' Brien. Even the much reliant Kyle Mills is bowling poorly. Ian Butler was probably the best of the quick bowlers, who was the only bowler to maintain some sort of consistency with line and length. Unfortunately, the only bowler they have left in their bowling stocks is Tim Southee, who I doubt would make much of a difference. In fact the Indians would be happy if he was included in the side - especially Sehwag who greeted Southee in the 1st Twenty20 with 3 straight sixes in first 3 balls faced. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to bring Jeetan Patel in to help control the runs. However, his inclusion in the squad is only as cover for Daniel Vettori who is expecting a child very soon. I doubt Patel and Vettori will be fielded in the same team against this firece Indian team but who knows, a last resort.
The Indian bowlers look on fire, especially Zaheer Khan and Praveen Kumar. Both restricted the destructive pairing of Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder and Kumar was able to get both of them out through false shots in the 1st ODI. Harbhajan Singh has a dream match where he took three cheap wickets in the space off 4 balls - which was the killer blow to any chance New Zealand had of winning. Munaf Patel was underbowled big time and was rather disappointing, 14 runs conceded from 2 overs. The only negative criticism for what was a 'complete' performance so far by the Indian bowlers.
The New Zealand batting line-up is of a great concern, especially with McCullum not 100% fit, Ryder hit and miss, Oram on a hattick 2morrow for golden ducks (not a feat he'd want to achieve) and doubts over Broom/McGlashan to make decent contributions. Nonetheless, New Zealand always seem to pull a rabbit out of the hat in must-win games.
The Indian batting line-up is of complete contrast to New Zealand. Everyone looks great shape and in form, most namely Sehwag, Tendulkar and Dhoni. Sehwag is on fire at the moment with his destructive batting, making the New Zealand bowling attack look like first graders. Tendulkar's fifty in the 2nd ODI gave New Zealand something else to fear, as he is starting to look at his best and when he does, there's no stopping the little master. Even if New Zealand get the trio out, there's still Y. Singh, Gambhi, Raina and Y. Pathan to contend with. New Zealand will have to be at their very best to stop this Indian batting line-up.
The Verdict
This is a must win encounter for New Zealand and as they're shown so many times in the previous years, they know how to win these games. However, this time their assignment is to beat a red hot India who are the form ODI team going around. If New Zealand play at their best, they should be able to win but it will be close. However, if India play at their very best, New Zealand bowlers may be due for a very long night of sight-seeing. Click here to read the rest of the post »
This could prove to be the match of the series. For New Zealand, a loss here and they can say good bye to the series. For India, a win and a series win will get closer. New Zealand would probably have to thank their reliable rain gods, who came it when they needed it most to stop the Indian innings and get a no-result. Prior to the rain, India were on fire with Sehwag thrashing the New Zealand bowlers out of the attack while with Tendulkar, it was all about elegant strokes and placement.
Milliondollar question: How will New Zealand stop Virender Sehwag?
The Lowdown
All of the New Zealand bowlers look at sea, including their best bowler from the last series, Iain O' Brien. Even the much reliant Kyle Mills is bowling poorly. Ian Butler was probably the best of the quick bowlers, who was the only bowler to maintain some sort of consistency with line and length. Unfortunately, the only bowler they have left in their bowling stocks is Tim Southee, who I doubt would make much of a difference. In fact the Indians would be happy if he was included in the side - especially Sehwag who greeted Southee in the 1st Twenty20 with 3 straight sixes in first 3 balls faced. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to bring Jeetan Patel in to help control the runs. However, his inclusion in the squad is only as cover for Daniel Vettori who is expecting a child very soon. I doubt Patel and Vettori will be fielded in the same team against this firece Indian team but who knows, a last resort.
The Indian bowlers look on fire, especially Zaheer Khan and Praveen Kumar. Both restricted the destructive pairing of Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder and Kumar was able to get both of them out through false shots in the 1st ODI. Harbhajan Singh has a dream match where he took three cheap wickets in the space off 4 balls - which was the killer blow to any chance New Zealand had of winning. Munaf Patel was underbowled big time and was rather disappointing, 14 runs conceded from 2 overs. The only negative criticism for what was a 'complete' performance so far by the Indian bowlers.
The New Zealand batting line-up is of a great concern, especially with McCullum not 100% fit, Ryder hit and miss, Oram on a hattick 2morrow for golden ducks (not a feat he'd want to achieve) and doubts over Broom/McGlashan to make decent contributions. Nonetheless, New Zealand always seem to pull a rabbit out of the hat in must-win games.
The Indian batting line-up is of complete contrast to New Zealand. Everyone looks great shape and in form, most namely Sehwag, Tendulkar and Dhoni. Sehwag is on fire at the moment with his destructive batting, making the New Zealand bowling attack look like first graders. Tendulkar's fifty in the 2nd ODI gave New Zealand something else to fear, as he is starting to look at his best and when he does, there's no stopping the little master. Even if New Zealand get the trio out, there's still Y. Singh, Gambhi, Raina and Y. Pathan to contend with. New Zealand will have to be at their very best to stop this Indian batting line-up.
The Verdict
This is a must win encounter for New Zealand and as they're shown so many times in the previous years, they know how to win these games. However, this time their assignment is to beat a red hot India who are the form ODI team going around. If New Zealand play at their best, they should be able to win but it will be close. However, if India play at their very best, New Zealand bowlers may be due for a very long night of sight-seeing. Click here to read the rest of the post »
Chaos in Pakistan and for England
Breaking News: Pakistan Bombing
Unfortunately, there's been another security issue in Pakistan. Click here to get the full story. Just when you thought Pakistan were getting to terms with security and playing cricket, this act of terrorism occurs. What makes this matter even worse is that they targeted the Sri Lanka cricket team. Thank god the grenade that was thrown at their bus did not explode or else the whole Sri Lankan cricket team would be dead and we would shortly be heading into WWIII. Now that this event has occurred, cricket in Pakistan looks over. In fact, I don't think there will ever be a cricket match played in Pakistan for a very long time. Pakistan's cricketing future look bleak, and I wouldn't be too surprised if they were omitted from all forms of international cricket.
A dead-looking New Zealand
In other news, congratulations to the Indian team on their complete dominant performance over the somewhat laid-back New Zealand - not the same New Zealand side we saw beat the Indians in both Twenty20 Internationals. Though it has to said that rain single-handledly destroyed New Zealand's hopes of chasing down such a big total. Though one finger has to point to the New Zealand bowlers. They bowled poorly, giving away easy boundaries. Even Kyle Mills (ranked number 3 ODI bowler in the world!) had a bad day, which is understandable since this was his first game since injury (he's had no warm-up games).
Another finger has to point to Brendon McCullum. Firstly, you tell us that you will be taking a measured approach to the ODI series. Then you get out for a five ball duck trying to pull it for six. Make up your mind!
Though it must be said that India had won the game when they posted 271 from just 38 overs. It featured a typical Sehwag innings, a captain's knock by Dhoni and some extraordinary hitting from Y. Pathan and S. Raina. That was justified by McCullum's five ball duck (as mentioned above) and Ryder's inability to hit the ball.
Has Australia's dominance era returned?
Well it's a bit premature but if Australia were to beat South Africa in the test series in South Africa, would that mean that they're back to their best? Will they come back to their old ways of thrashing all other countries in cricket? We'll just have to wait and see...
"untouchable" Sarwan = "unbeatable" West Indies
Well done to West Indies in ensuring that England cannot win the test series with 1 win, 2 draws and 1 more game to play. They have really looked good in all three departments: batting (in particular), bowling (51 all out, can't get any better than that) and fielding. Sarwan in particular, has looked in such great form, a big contrast to his recent test performances against New Zealand. The West Indies have finally become a competitive test outfit who can now play test cricket to win, and not just to make up the numbers. Either that or England are complete trash. Is anyone looking forward to the Ashes later this year? Cause I know I'm not. Click here to read the rest of the post »
Unfortunately, there's been another security issue in Pakistan. Click here to get the full story. Just when you thought Pakistan were getting to terms with security and playing cricket, this act of terrorism occurs. What makes this matter even worse is that they targeted the Sri Lanka cricket team. Thank god the grenade that was thrown at their bus did not explode or else the whole Sri Lankan cricket team would be dead and we would shortly be heading into WWIII. Now that this event has occurred, cricket in Pakistan looks over. In fact, I don't think there will ever be a cricket match played in Pakistan for a very long time. Pakistan's cricketing future look bleak, and I wouldn't be too surprised if they were omitted from all forms of international cricket.
A dead-looking New Zealand
In other news, congratulations to the Indian team on their complete dominant performance over the somewhat laid-back New Zealand - not the same New Zealand side we saw beat the Indians in both Twenty20 Internationals. Though it has to said that rain single-handledly destroyed New Zealand's hopes of chasing down such a big total. Though one finger has to point to the New Zealand bowlers. They bowled poorly, giving away easy boundaries. Even Kyle Mills (ranked number 3 ODI bowler in the world!) had a bad day, which is understandable since this was his first game since injury (he's had no warm-up games).
Another finger has to point to Brendon McCullum. Firstly, you tell us that you will be taking a measured approach to the ODI series. Then you get out for a five ball duck trying to pull it for six. Make up your mind!
Though it must be said that India had won the game when they posted 271 from just 38 overs. It featured a typical Sehwag innings, a captain's knock by Dhoni and some extraordinary hitting from Y. Pathan and S. Raina. That was justified by McCullum's five ball duck (as mentioned above) and Ryder's inability to hit the ball.
Has Australia's dominance era returned?
Well it's a bit premature but if Australia were to beat South Africa in the test series in South Africa, would that mean that they're back to their best? Will they come back to their old ways of thrashing all other countries in cricket? We'll just have to wait and see...
"untouchable" Sarwan = "unbeatable" West Indies
Well done to West Indies in ensuring that England cannot win the test series with 1 win, 2 draws and 1 more game to play. They have really looked good in all three departments: batting (in particular), bowling (51 all out, can't get any better than that) and fielding. Sarwan in particular, has looked in such great form, a big contrast to his recent test performances against New Zealand. The West Indies have finally become a competitive test outfit who can now play test cricket to win, and not just to make up the numbers. Either that or England are complete trash. Is anyone looking forward to the Ashes later this year? Cause I know I'm not. Click here to read the rest of the post »
You've won the battle but there's still a war to fight...
Yes I am referring to New Zealand's Twenty20 International clean sweep over the masters and champion of Twenty20s, India. Let's got get too carried away with this minor series win. This also happened last year but it was against New Zealand. England destroyed New Zealand in the Twenty20 series but look who won the ODI series, New Zealand by a big margin (3-1). It really should of been 4-1 had New Zealand played decent cricket in the last 10 or so overs but that's getting away from the point. The point is New Zealand have to justify these minor victors with big victories in the ODI arena or even the test arena in the near future.
A big wrap has to go to Brendon McCullum. He scored two well measured innings that turned out to be matchwinning. Hopefully, McCullum can adapt this sort of batting to his ODI career and we should see his average sneak up to the 40s. Finally McCullum has finally taken the initiative and responsibility for his team, playing the anchor role around some really big hitters in this New Zealand line-up, i.e. Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptil, Ross Taylor and Jacob Oram. McCullum has now scored 4 consecutive fifties in 4 Twenty20 games - simply outstanding! In ODIs, it is equivalent to scoriing four consecutive centuries in 4 games. Boy would Brendon McCullum love to get that feat. He might even if he continues to play like he's done in the Twenty20s.
Twenty20 Series Report Card
(only the players who played both Twenty20 games)
The Twenty20 series has indicated that this series should be a fascinating contest to watch. Click here to read the rest of the post »
A big wrap has to go to Brendon McCullum. He scored two well measured innings that turned out to be matchwinning. Hopefully, McCullum can adapt this sort of batting to his ODI career and we should see his average sneak up to the 40s. Finally McCullum has finally taken the initiative and responsibility for his team, playing the anchor role around some really big hitters in this New Zealand line-up, i.e. Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptil, Ross Taylor and Jacob Oram. McCullum has now scored 4 consecutive fifties in 4 Twenty20 games - simply outstanding! In ODIs, it is equivalent to scoriing four consecutive centuries in 4 games. Boy would Brendon McCullum love to get that feat. He might even if he continues to play like he's done in the Twenty20s.
Twenty20 Series Report Card
(only the players who played both Twenty20 games)
Stand-outs:
New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (obviously), Daniel Vettori, Iain O'Brien
India: Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan
Decent:
New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Jacob Oram
India: Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh
Dissapointments:
New Zealand: Tim Southee
India: MS Dhoni, Gautam Gambhir, Yusuf Pathan, Irfan Pathan
The Twenty20 series has indicated that this series should be a fascinating contest to watch. Click here to read the rest of the post »
Battle between two growing powerhouses
That's right! It's the much anticipated series between New Zealand and India in New Zealand. For India, this will be the true test of whether they are the real deal or not. They've been unbeatable for some time and it will take a big effort from them to do it in New Zealand. As for New Zealand, this will be about confidence, momentum and building. New Zealand have a very inexperienced team with the retirements of their key players. New Zealand will have to play their best cricket (better than what they showed against Australia) to topple the form team of the circuit.
Players To Watch Out For:
New Zealand
Brendon McCullum has not had the best of times with the bat in ODIs. He has played the odd good shot but has been dismissed way too early to make him a formidable opener. For Brendon, this will be a make or break tour. The consequences being dropping him down to bat at six or seven. Expect McCullum to mix fireworks with some measured and mature batting throughout the tour in all formats of the game.
Ross Taylor has been in tremendous ODI form of late, aided by his new batting maturity and attitude. He no longer tries to whack a ball out of the park from the word go, but has learnt to pace his innings. He will be dangerman that India will want to see the back of as soon as possible. However, his test form has not been very good of late.
Ian O Brien has become a formidable ODI bowler for New Zealand. Since being recalled to the squad, he has taken 10 wickets in 5 matches at an average of 25.30. Expect him to make a big impact in toppling the Indian batting line-up. He has also been a tireless working bowler in the test arena.
Daniel Vettori had a quiet series against Australia but was able to tie them down, conceding only 4.25 runs per over throughout the series. However, he only took 2 wickets in 5 matches at an average of 93.50. Expect him to make a big impact, especially on his home soil in both the ODI and test series.
India
Virender Sehwag. Is there any more I need to say? For a start, if he fires, India will almost certainly be in a commanding position in both ODIs and test matches. He is such a fine hitter of the ball and the small New Zealand grounds will make Sehwag's job a lot easier. However, like McCullum, Sehwag does have his lapses early in his innings so it will be important for New Zealand to get him out really early.
Yuvraj Singh will also be another dangerman for New Zealand. Like Sehwag, when he gets going, there is no stopping him - especially when there is no real fast bowler in the New Zealand bowling line-up (what a pity they don't have Shane Bond's service s anymore). He has been in tremendous ODI form, scoring 284 runs (including a century and two fifties) in his last 5 ODI matches with at an average of 56.80. He test form is also quite good with good koncks against England. He will be a handful for New Zealand.
Ishant Sharma has been in tremdous ODI form with the ball, who like O Brien, has 10 wickets from his last 5 ODIs at an average of 24.30. The New Zealand will be very weary of his bowling as one false shot, and it's all over. This has to do with his such consistent line and length. He isn't as terrorizing in the test arena thankfully for New Zealand.
Zaheer Khan will be another bowler to watch out for, especially in the test arena. He may not be as deadly with the ball in ODIs but he will cause trouble for the New Zealand top order if he gets his line and length right. In his recent performances against England in test matches, he has taken 8 wickets in 2 games at an average of just 21 and conceded just 2.33 runs per over. New Zealand's test batting line-up can be very fragile at times and if there is a collapse, expect this man to be the main cause of it.
The Lowdown
For the Twenty20s, I think India will win comfortably. They are the masters of that format, having previously won the Twenty20 World Cup 07 and having won almost all their Twenty20s since. In contrast, New Zealand have been terrible in this format, with only 1 win in their last 9 outings. This has been reflected by New Zealand's inability to chase 150 down against a fairly weak bowling Australian attack.
The ODI series will probably be the most fascinating contest of the tour. Expect it to be close, with New Zealand winning just. Despite their previous failures against Australia, they have been in really good ODI form and have not lost an ODI series in New Zealand. Also, India don't have a good touring history in New Zealand - which is another factor that has brought me towards New Zealand winning
The test series will be won by India but it will be a fight. New Zealand have a new test line-up which looks promising. They looked really god against the West Indies, though they just weren't able to bring it all together (i.e. bowling, batting, fielding). India have been on fire in the test arena, beating Australia, Sri Lanka and England with ease. The first test match will be a fight, but the second should be a breeze for India. Would not be surprised if the test matches finish on Day 4 or early Day 5. Click here to read the rest of the post »
Players To Watch Out For:
New Zealand
Brendon McCullum has not had the best of times with the bat in ODIs. He has played the odd good shot but has been dismissed way too early to make him a formidable opener. For Brendon, this will be a make or break tour. The consequences being dropping him down to bat at six or seven. Expect McCullum to mix fireworks with some measured and mature batting throughout the tour in all formats of the game.
Ross Taylor has been in tremendous ODI form of late, aided by his new batting maturity and attitude. He no longer tries to whack a ball out of the park from the word go, but has learnt to pace his innings. He will be dangerman that India will want to see the back of as soon as possible. However, his test form has not been very good of late.
Ian O Brien has become a formidable ODI bowler for New Zealand. Since being recalled to the squad, he has taken 10 wickets in 5 matches at an average of 25.30. Expect him to make a big impact in toppling the Indian batting line-up. He has also been a tireless working bowler in the test arena.
Daniel Vettori had a quiet series against Australia but was able to tie them down, conceding only 4.25 runs per over throughout the series. However, he only took 2 wickets in 5 matches at an average of 93.50. Expect him to make a big impact, especially on his home soil in both the ODI and test series.
India
Virender Sehwag. Is there any more I need to say? For a start, if he fires, India will almost certainly be in a commanding position in both ODIs and test matches. He is such a fine hitter of the ball and the small New Zealand grounds will make Sehwag's job a lot easier. However, like McCullum, Sehwag does have his lapses early in his innings so it will be important for New Zealand to get him out really early.
Yuvraj Singh will also be another dangerman for New Zealand. Like Sehwag, when he gets going, there is no stopping him - especially when there is no real fast bowler in the New Zealand bowling line-up (what a pity they don't have Shane Bond's service s anymore). He has been in tremendous ODI form, scoring 284 runs (including a century and two fifties) in his last 5 ODI matches with at an average of 56.80. He test form is also quite good with good koncks against England. He will be a handful for New Zealand.
Ishant Sharma has been in tremdous ODI form with the ball, who like O Brien, has 10 wickets from his last 5 ODIs at an average of 24.30. The New Zealand will be very weary of his bowling as one false shot, and it's all over. This has to do with his such consistent line and length. He isn't as terrorizing in the test arena thankfully for New Zealand.
Zaheer Khan will be another bowler to watch out for, especially in the test arena. He may not be as deadly with the ball in ODIs but he will cause trouble for the New Zealand top order if he gets his line and length right. In his recent performances against England in test matches, he has taken 8 wickets in 2 games at an average of just 21 and conceded just 2.33 runs per over. New Zealand's test batting line-up can be very fragile at times and if there is a collapse, expect this man to be the main cause of it.
The Lowdown
For the Twenty20s, I think India will win comfortably. They are the masters of that format, having previously won the Twenty20 World Cup 07 and having won almost all their Twenty20s since. In contrast, New Zealand have been terrible in this format, with only 1 win in their last 9 outings. This has been reflected by New Zealand's inability to chase 150 down against a fairly weak bowling Australian attack.
The ODI series will probably be the most fascinating contest of the tour. Expect it to be close, with New Zealand winning just. Despite their previous failures against Australia, they have been in really good ODI form and have not lost an ODI series in New Zealand. Also, India don't have a good touring history in New Zealand - which is another factor that has brought me towards New Zealand winning
The test series will be won by India but it will be a fight. New Zealand have a new test line-up which looks promising. They looked really god against the West Indies, though they just weren't able to bring it all together (i.e. bowling, batting, fielding). India have been on fire in the test arena, beating Australia, Sri Lanka and England with ease. The first test match will be a fight, but the second should be a breeze for India. Would not be surprised if the test matches finish on Day 4 or early Day 5. Click here to read the rest of the post »
So close yet so far...
The Twenty20 International last night has summed up what has been a tour "that could of been." First came the missed opportunity at the Sydney Match where they could of really restricted Australia to 250 and chase it down with ease if it wasn't for some wayward bowling. In the 4th ODI, they were truely outplayed and Australia deserved that one. New Zealand were in a winning position against Australia but the rain gods intervened and the game was declared a "no result." The series was drawn 2-2 but Australia retain the Chapell-Hadlee Trophy since they won the last Chapell-Hadlee series.
In the Twenty20 International last night, New Zealand were all over Australia. Yet again, they found a way to lose. This time, part of the blame has to go sorely to Fulton and Elliot. Fulton wasted 8 balls for 1, which is simply not good enough in Twenty20. He would of been better off getting out on a golden duck, so the other batsman in the New Zealand lineup could make better use of. It's a shame that will be Fulton's last game for some time. He has looked so good, but has no real scores to his name. Disappointing... Grant Elliot attempted to slog 10 or something times and missed all of his attempts. Why would he try to slog it when he has McCullum at the other end who can actually slog. He wasted so many balls and in Twenty20, dot balls are like wickets. They are that crucial. Though credit has to go to the Australian bowlers, especially Bracken with figures of 0 - 16 off 4 overs. His last 10 runs conceded came off the last two balls, when the match had pretty much already been decided.
The twenty20 loss and the tour was summed up with Vettori's comment: "I'm devastated with that loss." Click here to read more about it.
They have a shot of redemption when they play India in their home ground. Should be a fascinating contest to watch and with the likes of Ryder, Styris and hopefully Oram to boost the New Zealand ranks. Though India seem to be the powerhouse of the competition, having not lost an ODI, Test series in ages. However, they have a poor touring history and by equating that, I believe New Zealand will win but it will be mighty close for the ODI series. In the test series however, India will have jsut too much for a young and inexperienced New Zealand lineup. Click here to read the rest of the post »
In the Twenty20 International last night, New Zealand were all over Australia. Yet again, they found a way to lose. This time, part of the blame has to go sorely to Fulton and Elliot. Fulton wasted 8 balls for 1, which is simply not good enough in Twenty20. He would of been better off getting out on a golden duck, so the other batsman in the New Zealand lineup could make better use of. It's a shame that will be Fulton's last game for some time. He has looked so good, but has no real scores to his name. Disappointing... Grant Elliot attempted to slog 10 or something times and missed all of his attempts. Why would he try to slog it when he has McCullum at the other end who can actually slog. He wasted so many balls and in Twenty20, dot balls are like wickets. They are that crucial. Though credit has to go to the Australian bowlers, especially Bracken with figures of 0 - 16 off 4 overs. His last 10 runs conceded came off the last two balls, when the match had pretty much already been decided.
The twenty20 loss and the tour was summed up with Vettori's comment: "I'm devastated with that loss." Click here to read more about it.
They have a shot of redemption when they play India in their home ground. Should be a fascinating contest to watch and with the likes of Ryder, Styris and hopefully Oram to boost the New Zealand ranks. Though India seem to be the powerhouse of the competition, having not lost an ODI, Test series in ages. However, they have a poor touring history and by equating that, I believe New Zealand will win but it will be mighty close for the ODI series. In the test series however, India will have jsut too much for a young and inexperienced New Zealand lineup. Click here to read the rest of the post »
Chapell-Hadlee Trophy comes down to one match
Who would of thought that the 2009 Chapell-Hadlee Trophy would come down to this. First of all no one expected New Zealand to even win a game against Australia in Australia, even after their 4 - 1 series defeat at the hands of South Africa. Enter the New Zealand bowling attack (Mills and O'Brien in particular), restricting Australia to mere totals of 181 and 225 in the 1st and 2nd ODIs respectively. Just when you thought Australia were at their extreme low points, they pull a rabbit out of the hat and win the next two ODIs quite convincingly. Now we are down to tomorrow's winner takes all contest; the decider at the Gabba.
At this stage, you would say that Australia are firm favorites to win this based on form and the fact that they are ranked higher than New Zealand. However, it is these situations that New Zealand really step up and play their best cricket. New Zealand's past two defeats have been stimulated by poor toss decisions made by Daniel Vettori. In the 3rd ODI, Vettori won the toss and decided to bowl first. It was on a pitch where batting first is a clear advantage due to the pitch conditions. In the 4th ODI, Vettori again won the toss but decided to bat first. Another bad decision considering that the pitch does not change over the course of 100 overs and New Zealand are not very good at setting a total. New Zealand bowlers haven't bowled as tight as they did in the first 2 ODIs; their fielders weren't as athletic as they were - missfields and dropped catches and the batsmen have struggled to pace their innings (bar Elliot and Taylor). Australia have really turned their poor form by outplaying New Zealand in all aspects - bowling, fielding and batting. The Australian bowlers have really kept a leash on the New Zealand top and middle order. In particular, James Hopes has really starred with the ball, taking wickets as regular intervals as well as conceding just 3.47. Their batsmen have finally converted their starts to big scores and propelling their innings total to a matchwinning total/chase.
Daniel Vettori has surprisingly had a poor series with the ball, taking only one wicket in four games. In the 3rd and 4th ODI, he could not restrict the hosts as they continued to attack him and doing so effectively. Most notable player who has taken Vettori to the cleaners is Brad Haddin. Expect Vettori to make an impact on this game, especially in situations such as this.
Brendon McCullum has really been disappointing ever since his promotion to opener. McCullum will occasionally hit a great few shots but in the next few balls, he will be out. This is ODI, not Twenty20. McCullum batting average of 29 does not reflect the sort of ability with McCullum. If McCullum fires and plays his natural aggressive game, New Zealand could be 100/0 in as little as 10 overs (which he showed against West Indies in 5th ODI). McCullum really has to fire this game or else he should consider playing down the order again - where he can boost the middle order.
Mitchell Johnson has had a great series with the ball and looks to have regained the form that enabled him to take 5 - 2 in a few overs in a truely magnificent spell. Though he can be inconsistent with his line and length. If Johnson fires with the ball, Australia will fire.
Brad Haddin has really played himself into great form in the past 2 ODIs. Since being promoted to opener, Brad Haddin has 152 runs in 2 games, including a magificent maiden century in the 3rd ODI. He was also on track for a big score until he was run out by David Hussey. If Brad Haddin can make a big contribution, that will boost the confidence and set the tempo for the rest of the Australian batting order and hence, Australia will win.
It is most likely that Australia will bat first and New Zealand will chase. New Zealand know too well that this is probably the only and best chance to beat Australia in Australia in an ODI series. New Zealand to win just.
At this stage, you would say that Australia are firm favorites to win this based on form and the fact that they are ranked higher than New Zealand. However, it is these situations that New Zealand really step up and play their best cricket. New Zealand's past two defeats have been stimulated by poor toss decisions made by Daniel Vettori. In the 3rd ODI, Vettori won the toss and decided to bowl first. It was on a pitch where batting first is a clear advantage due to the pitch conditions. In the 4th ODI, Vettori again won the toss but decided to bat first. Another bad decision considering that the pitch does not change over the course of 100 overs and New Zealand are not very good at setting a total. New Zealand bowlers haven't bowled as tight as they did in the first 2 ODIs; their fielders weren't as athletic as they were - missfields and dropped catches and the batsmen have struggled to pace their innings (bar Elliot and Taylor). Australia have really turned their poor form by outplaying New Zealand in all aspects - bowling, fielding and batting. The Australian bowlers have really kept a leash on the New Zealand top and middle order. In particular, James Hopes has really starred with the ball, taking wickets as regular intervals as well as conceding just 3.47. Their batsmen have finally converted their starts to big scores and propelling their innings total to a matchwinning total/chase.
Daniel Vettori has surprisingly had a poor series with the ball, taking only one wicket in four games. In the 3rd and 4th ODI, he could not restrict the hosts as they continued to attack him and doing so effectively. Most notable player who has taken Vettori to the cleaners is Brad Haddin. Expect Vettori to make an impact on this game, especially in situations such as this.
Brendon McCullum has really been disappointing ever since his promotion to opener. McCullum will occasionally hit a great few shots but in the next few balls, he will be out. This is ODI, not Twenty20. McCullum batting average of 29 does not reflect the sort of ability with McCullum. If McCullum fires and plays his natural aggressive game, New Zealand could be 100/0 in as little as 10 overs (which he showed against West Indies in 5th ODI). McCullum really has to fire this game or else he should consider playing down the order again - where he can boost the middle order.
Mitchell Johnson has had a great series with the ball and looks to have regained the form that enabled him to take 5 - 2 in a few overs in a truely magnificent spell. Though he can be inconsistent with his line and length. If Johnson fires with the ball, Australia will fire.
Brad Haddin has really played himself into great form in the past 2 ODIs. Since being promoted to opener, Brad Haddin has 152 runs in 2 games, including a magificent maiden century in the 3rd ODI. He was also on track for a big score until he was run out by David Hussey. If Brad Haddin can make a big contribution, that will boost the confidence and set the tempo for the rest of the Australian batting order and hence, Australia will win.
It is most likely that Australia will bat first and New Zealand will chase. New Zealand know too well that this is probably the only and best chance to beat Australia in Australia in an ODI series. New Zealand to win just.
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In particular, Cricket Herald publishes cricket articles based on:
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If you have any questions, feel free to contact us @
Click here to read the rest of the post »
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