200-run win, Woo Hoo!

Been sick for the last two days so didn't get down to posting about Tuesday's game against India. Given that NZ rarely win big against quality opposition, and given that they were missing important personnel, it's reason enough to belatedly celebrate.

Taylor and Styris provided the one thing which had been missing throught the series against the Aussies at home; a mammoth partnership, which meant we reached a daunting 288 instead of a semi-competitive total. Taylor was remarkably controlled and deserved a century for the responsibility, while Scott Styris' contribution makes me wonder how the side got by without him for the better part of the last 15 months. Of course, it must be said we enjoyed the better of the conditions, and bowling under lights on that track was pretty much a dream scenario for Tuffey and co. Still, helpful conditions need to be exploited and it was a solid bowling effort. McKay looked pretty sharp though I can't see why Vettori rates him as quick as Bond.

The win does mask a few concerns, but I'll dwell on them later. In any case David has summed them up in his post on the game. India looked a fragile unit but it was more a case of simply not turning up after Praveen Kumar and Nehra made the early inroads. They tend to bounce back in tournaments after starting badly, so no writing the men in blue off yet.