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:

"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 »

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.

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.

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.

Click here to read the rest of the post »

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 »

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 »