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.