posted Feb 20, 2007

As an old Aussie with no access to live TV coverage of the Chappell/Hadlee match I followed the text commentary on the cricinfo site. When Bracken bowled that [final over] knee-high full toss which was despatched over the ropes for six, I was amused to read from one commentator "You idiot Bracken!" Well, at least it was sporting of Bracken to say the least ... not like a few years ago when two of the 'great' Chappell brothers contrived to deny the Kiwi's the opportunity of hitting a six by sending down that infamous 'underarm'. Well played you Kiwis and congratulations on a thoroughly deserved 3-0 result.

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posted Feb 20, 2007

I agree with you fleetalangw.

While I think everyone in cricket around the world were thrilled to see NZ beat Oz, some will be nervous that their own team would not have done so well in the circumstances.

I am wondering what England's highest ever successful chase in recent years has been, but I bet its not much over about 285.

We all know what would have happened today if it had been England on 40-4: All out for 150 odd max.

I felt that with Loye and KP firing we had a chance to make the 340 mark, but now I am not so sure.

The key thing with England right now is our bowling. We are never going to fully compete with batting but on a good day Freddie and Anderson/Plunkett/whoever can go through the opposition like a dose of salts. So maybe we won't be in that position of chasing a huge total.

On a slower wicket Monty might come into his own too.

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posted Feb 20, 2007

Sorry about the 'double-up' previous post. I haven't quite mastered the preview/edit/publish technique yet

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posted Feb 20, 2007

comment by wykhamist


"While I think everyone in cricket around the world were thrilled to see NZ beat Oz, some will be nervous that their own team would not have done so well in the circumstances... We all know what would have happened today if it had been England on 40-4: All out for 150 odd max.
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I dunno Wykham - don't forget that while it's not QUITE as good, in in the final three games in the CB, England came back from 52-for-3, 86-for-3, and even 15-for-3 in one of them.

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posted Feb 20, 2007

Point taken Intotherough.

England have certainly improved beyond all measure regarding the middle order during the CB series.

However I think there is a difference chasing a total of up to 250 and one over 300. I just can't see England having the self belief to chase a really big total.

Perhaps it is something we will discover while in the WI!

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posted Feb 20, 2007

wykhamist - I think that the bowling is definitely the better part of the England side at the moment. If Flintoff, Plunkett and Anderson (my current pick of the quicks) can get stuck into the opponents top order then I think we can beat anyone on the day.

The problem comes if the bowlers don't fire and we end up with a big total to chase down or a total in the 230 to 270 range to defend after batting first.

Do you think that Loye would genuinely make the difference at the top of the order?

intotherough - you're right that we did manage to come back with 3 wickets down in the CB but I'm still not sure that we could post a 300+ from that position. Although the smaller pitches in the WI may help us on that score.

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posted Feb 20, 2007

CONGRATULATIONS NEW ZEALAND! They played amazing today! Dont THINK they will win the WC though...I reckon it will be SA or the West Indies... or England (wishful thinking?)
But is anybody else so excited for this WC? Its just going to be so close! just keep remembering the last time i was so excited for the cricket though (the Ashes) and we all know what happened there!

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posted Feb 21, 2007

comment by wykhamist

However I think there is a difference chasing a total of up to 250 and one over 300. I just can't see England having the self belief to chase a really big total.
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Yep, this remains the big bone of contention, though I don't have much doubt that if Fred AND KP fire in the same innings, we can do it. It's just not reliable enough... we need another big hitter.

I do think Loye could have been the man... he was bound to need a little time to bed in, and was starting to look more comfortable, I thought. If it weren't for that silly run out... but I guess there's always Bopara.

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omment by fleetalangw

I think that the bowling is definitely the better part of the England side at the moment. If Flintoff, Plunkett and Anderson (my current pick of the quicks) can get stuck into the opponents top order then I think we can beat anyone on the day.
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This is the thing, the thing that gives me a little bit of hope. Because lately, most ALL of our bowlers have been doing their bit across the board. Maybe not always taking wickets - I don't think that matters as much as constraining the run rate.

The crucial thing is that Plunkett and Mahmood have been at least restricting the run rate to six or seven an over during the power plays, while taking the odd wicket, which is OK. Then Fred, Monty and colly put the squeeze on, and drop the run rate dramatically.

They all seem to have learned to do the line-and-length thing coupled with good variations, which will be useful on ANY wicket, rather than depending on pace or swing. And all of them are chipping in, which suggests reliability. Looks hopeful for the West Indies.

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posted Feb 21, 2007

3 zip yes, but not against a depleted Aussie Team, there is no such thing. the 3th game was absolutly equal ..no Bond, Vettori and Oram and a Scott Styris with Back probs..and awefully out of form...but an astute McMillan emerged from nowhere, I thought he was brillant!!
what actually did the Aussies in was the first ODI in Wellington..out for 148, 5 wickets from Bond and then the runchase without losing a wicket, it puzzelt the Aussies they couldn't get their act together, always chasing their own tails
but,I personally don't see any great probs for the Aussies because every game at the W/C will be a new game and if the teams think the Aussies are ripe for the picking, it could be a big mistake!...
I just can't see the Aussie's crack that badly but as the saying goes:..in sport anything and everything can happend...go the Black Caps!!
I will have an eye on the Windies

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posted Feb 21, 2007

The Aussies have had their fall - now they'll get back up with a vengence, as always, if they can field the players. You have to have been playing for your country for a while to feel like you want to back at the opposition. Newer layers are too busy concentrating on proving themselves.

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