How can a side which boasts not just one, but three, top order batsmen who don't even seem to know what a cricket bat is used for possibly have got so close to scoring 322 off Australia?
On Monday I couldn't see a light at the end of the tunnel, but now it is bright and shining clear. Stephen Fleming will be back on Saturday and surely (surely) the selectors will also call up Jesse Ryder or Matthew Sinclair or Peter Fulton to fill the top order vacuum. Craig McMillan's poor bunt to midwicket must surely cost him his place, while the Marshall twins looked no more convincing than they have all season (although James was unlucky in the mode of his dismissal).
Yes, we have other concerns apart from the top order - Jacob Oram is a shadow of the bowler who was once ranked fifth in the world and Shane Bond is still injured - but the side showed flair, guts and a heap of talent last night.
Thursday, 8 December 2005
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I told you - gutsy side! Kiwi supporter need more faith. They do seem to have a penchant for loosing closer ones don't they.
That was incredible. Symonds and Clarke batted incredibly well - those 3 sixes by Symonds off Cairns were awesome. And then Vincent was superb - injured but still tonking it. McCullum was superb.
What was really great was that New Zealand got 320 and only two batsmen got over 50. Great support from all (except the three Ms).
Changes that could be made: Fleming will come in, and they surely must try someone else, possibly Fulton or Ryder. Iain O'Brien is bowling well for Wellington but is not seen as a ODI bowler.
Post a Comment