New Zealand have two things going for them heading into tonight's Champion's Trophy semi-final. The first is the highest run-scorer in the competition (Stephen Fleming) and the second is the bowler with the best strike rate in one day cricket (Shane Bond). Australia believe they have the answer to Fleming’s form with the bat – Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken. Bracken might be Scott Styris’ only competition for the title of the world’s ugliest cricketer, but he also rated the world’s 4th best bowler in one day cricket and his height is certainly going to make him hard to play on a hard Mohali wicket. If Fleming has a weakness then it is against balls that move away from him, and that means Bracken’s left-arm angle might present him with a problem.
Bond's bowling figures against Australia make for great reading:
10-1-53-3 (Melbourne)
8-1-28-2 (Sydney)
9.2-2-25-5 (Adelaide)
9.3-2-38-4 (Melbourne)
10-0-63-2 (Colombo)
10-2-23-6 (Port Elizabeth)
Every single one of those bowling efforts has included the wicket of Ricky Ponting. Trends are made to be broken though, and Bond is still under a bit of an injury cloud - despite the positive headline in the Dominion-Post Bond admits that he does not yet feel fully fit. Ponting certainly doesn't seem concerned. He has stated that Australia have been focusing on Kyle Mills as much as they have been focusing on Bond. Perhaps that is just talk though. John Bracewell is certainly flapping his mouth around like a boxer trying to talk up his chances.
Australia has won 15 out of the last 17 matches between the two countries. And the trend in those matches has been for either Australia to romp home or for a match that goes to the wire. This is one trend that is expected to continue. A New Zealand win is currently at $3.50 at the TAB. On the basis of Australia's last match in Mohali, expect those odds to shorten if we win the toss and to lengthen considerably if we lose it.
Wednesday, 1 November 2006
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3 comments:
Mike, I'll lay it on the line before the match. I'll be bold and parochial. I predict a win to New Zealand. Australia is a team that has begun to be beset by doubt since Ponting became captain. And New Zealand is a fantastic team with a super captain.
And by the way, with regard to your statement "Bracken might be Scott Styris’ only competition for the title of the world’s ugliest cricketer", I will only say "Lou Vincent".
Good call Karl. 10 minutes to go. Fleming won the toss and NZ will bowl.
As for ugliest cricketer, I'm not going to name names, but some real beauties are being ignored.
Well, we lost. Awful batting performance. The game was set up for a victory. Vettori and Oram showed what could be done on that pitch with a little patience. The top orders failed all through this tournament.
Fleming's been great, bar this game. Vincent came into the team with a great county season behind him but seemed to get tangled up on the pitches there. Marshall was woeful, is woeful. The guy has talent (and a future in the NZ team) but he needs to get away and work on his confidence in the dosmetic comp. Fulton reminds me of someone like matt horne - good player but not quite good enough for internationals.
Dont know whats happening with Astle but class never dies and hopfully his rut will end asap.
OH well, Mills played well. Underated player. Bonds class, even when he has an off day. ANd Vettori is turning into a world class all rounder.
So some positives.
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