Crunch Time for the Kiwis

Haven't been blogging for a while and a fair bit has happened in the CB series since game 5, which was the last I reported. New Zealand bounced back to notch up two wins against England, thanks in no small part to Jacob Oram's return. Oram also came up with that stunning century at the WACA which was not enough to take his side past the Aussies' 344. Australia cleaned up England in one game but floundered chasing against them last Friday, conceding a bonus point in the process. Which all means this is the end of the wire; two games in three days, and NZ have to win at least one of them to progress to final. In the midst of all that, Nathan Astle called it quits and was replaced by Lou Vincent, who resumed his love affair with Perth by notching up a couple of half centuries. He also talked a fair bit about Australia's relentless sledging and alleged that 'some of them think they're bigger than the game.' The Australians predictably responded with some controlled comments, asserting that Vincent's words only confirmed the uncompromising way they play the game and they were happy with that. It makes for an interesting lead up to Sunday's trans-Tasman clash at the MCG.

The situation which the kiwis find themselves in, brought about by England's resurgence, was unforseen a while back but the reality is if they can't win one of these two games they probably don't deserve to be in the final. It is remarkably similar to the scenario at the 2003 WC, when the Black Caps needed to win one of two super six games against Australia and India to make it to the semis. The batting floundered in both games, and not even Shane Bond's six wicket haul against the Aussies was enough. This time Fleming will be relieved he has more or less his strongest pool of players to call on. But who he decides to play, among the bowlers, will ultimately be critical to the results of both games. Kyle Mills has returned to the frame but he did not look at full fitness at Perth, going for too many and lacking the pace and control he showed in the champions trophy. With Oram's bowling having been disappointing in stark contrast to his batting, the combination becomes crucial. Add to that the question of which game to play Shane Bond in (the kiwis have let it be known that they're not willing to risk him in both games) and whether to include Scott Styris in the lineup.

My personal opinion is the kiwis should probably treat the Australia game as a knockout one and play Bond. I'd also rather see Franklin and Gillespie support him instead of Kyle Mills because they seem to have improved a fair bit through the tournament when given added responsibility. It's a tough call on whether or not to include the second spinner in Jeetan Patel; it might come down to the wicket, and whether the kiwis decide to bat or bowl first. As for the batting, I would probably be tempted to give Styris the go ahead on experience, since Fulton and McMillan have turned out mostly disappointing scores. Scotty is a vital part of the world cup plans and NZ need to get him back into the middle of the action.

It'll be a heart wrenching couple of games, but my feeling is NZ have improved enough over the course of this tournament to make the finals though the big match temperament of the players will well and truly be on trial. I will be keeping my fingers crossed that it's not Deja Vu 'all over again'.