Nice. The familiarity which came with playing an opponent we've seen a lot of in the recent past worked for us. Well for the bowlers at least. I didn't expect NZ to defend 133 though I knew they would make a decent fist of it, and it's great to see such desperation for the semi final slot. Pakistan sort of contributed to their own downfall though you gotta feel for Salman Butt, who paced his innings beautifully but was let down at crucial moments by his partners.
I wasn't pleased initially with the omissions of Southee and especially Oram who I think has much to contribute up front to a struggling batting lineup, but the bowling gained much intensity as a result. Mills and Butler got some encouragement from the pitch and managed to keep at the batsmen with hostility and accuracy. Bond also put in his best bowling performance in the tournament to date which is great news. Butler's transition from tearaway quickie to injured discard to medium-paced bowling allrounder has kind of been the story of the decade for a lot of NZ cricketers, but today he showed his value to the side and should start in St.Lucia too. The spinners once again backed up well.
Having said that Pakistan really should have chased down 133 even with a bit of difficulty. They got the formula right in the field when they worked out the kiwi batsmen are currently clueless about working the spinners around. As a point of concern NZ's batting has only gone backwards since the South Africa game. This time it was Ryder who went early, while McCullum got a start and fell when he looked as though he meant business. The rest contributed little and it was left to the experienced duo of Styris and Vettori (who predictably top scored) to pull things back a bit. For the England game, I'd perhaps re-jig the batting order, maybe bring in Oram or Redmond for the struggling Guptill, and move Styris up the order to take care of the slower bowlers. Kevin Pietersen will apparently miss that game and that has got to be a bonus in a must-win situation.
Amazingly, Pakistan's two final-over defeats have ensured that their Net Run Rate hasn't suffered much, and if they are still in with a theoretical chance of qualifying. It pretty much means Nz have to beat England and hope that South Africa don't beat Pakistan by a large margin (if they do win). Cricinfo has summed up the situation here.
Top Cricket From The Second Tier
13 years ago
6 comments:
Butler going around the wicket was a good tactic against Butt as he cramped him for room.
Both Swann and Yardy have been in great form so it won't be easy for NZ'S batsmen
Butler's last over was a mixed affair, but histrorically NZ bowlers have struggled so badly at the death so this was a major improvement.
NZ weren't very comfortable against Swann when they played him in the ODIs in 2008, so they need to have a plan.
Ugh, I can't believe I am saying this but if SA win...I am going to have to pray for a Kiwi loss...
Unless SA and NZ can both go through if both win their matches by big margins tomorrow.
Purna, I'm seeing this comment just as South Africa have lost! Tough luck. I'll save any further comment for your blog (if you happen to post anything).
I knew at least one of us would end up disappointed at the end of the day. What an irony it'll be if Pakistan are the ones to go through!
Ha and I am ending up disappointed twice, would have preferred both NZ and SA over the teams that are through now.... bugger bugger bugger. Not a good day for the good boys, not at all :(
Well SA deserved to get their arses kicked, they were just horrid in their last two matches. But NZ... my precious little wonder team
*sneeeeeeeeeeef*
That's depressing...
~ Wes ~
Unfortunate... but England is red-hot currently. But your lot was good here.
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