If our test year was dry, in comparison our ODI year was a drought. We played 14 ODIs – the fewest of any test playing nation. Bangladesh (28) and Zimbabwe (29) had at least twice as many, and even Kenya had more (16).
Excluding the rubbish that is 20-20, New Zealand cricketers played a total of 54 days of cricket through 2006. Whoever organises our international playing schedule should be sacked. I would prefer seeing the Black Caps go and thrash Bangladesh than play no cricket at all. In 2007 we will at least have more ODIs than 2006. Before we even play at the World Cup, we’ll play 13 games against Sri Lanka, England and Australia (and potentially more if we make the VB series finals). We will definitely play at least 3 at the world cup (against England, Canada and Kenya) and probably more. Unfortunately, after the world cup there are no more matches scheduled until December, when NZ is away in South Africa.
Of the 14 ODIs played, we had a good record – 9 wins and 5 losses for a win % of 64.3%, second only behind Australia. 6 of those games were against Sri Lanka (3 at the start of the year, 1 at the Champions Trophy and 2 at the end of the year). We finished even on 3-3. NZ played 5 against the West Indies (won 4, lost 1), and got to the semifinals of the Champions Trophy (beating South Africa and Pakistan, losing to Sri Lanka, and losing to Australia in the semi-final).
Only one player played in all 14 matches – Brendon McCullum, while Peter Fulton and Daniel Vettori both appeared 13 times.
Of the batsmen, Nathan Astle had a successful year, passing 50 on 5 out of 12 occasions and converting one of those into a century. The batting highlight of the year was the emergence of an heir-apparent for Astle – Ross Taylor’s 128 in his third ODI was sensational, particularly given the pressure of high expectations placed upon him. Players to finish the year with averages over 30 were Taylor (63.0); Astle (58.6); Fleming (35.5); Vettori (31.6) and Styris (30.2).
As in the test matches, the standout bowler was Kyle Mills. He played in 7 matches, taking 16 wickets at 15.25. Jeetan Patel had a great year taking 14 at 20 in 8 matches and Shane Bond showed his strike-power by taking 21 in 11 matches at 22.04. Both Daniel Vettori and Jacob Oram didn’t take many wickets but had good economy rates of about 4 per over.
The most frustrating aspect of the year has been the persistent injury problems to a number of core players – particularly Oram, Styris and Mills. For once, Shane Bond’s international appearances were unaffected by injury (probably helped by the lack of opportunities to play international cricket). The selection policies by the end of the year were becoming hard to stomach – playing Shane Bond in pointless 20-20 matches but not in ODIs is difficult to understand, as is depriving your best batsman (Fleming) of important game time to help him get his form back.
Yugan noted in a comment on another topic what his ideal World Cup eleven would be. The 2006 year would back him up with the following:
1. Stephen Fleming (c)
2. Brendon McCullum (wk)
3. Ross Taylor
4. Nathan Astle
5. Scott Styris
6. Peter Fulton
7. Jacob Oram
8. Daniel Vettori
9. Kyle Mills
10. Shane Bond
11. Jeetan Patel
If this team played at the World Cup I think that NZ has a very real chance of making the finals, if not winning. The mixture of batting with aggressive shotmakers and quality strokemakers mixed with a bowling side that can bowl sides out and contain, is a quality one that I think few others can match. As a one-day unit, they are also starting to achieve a level of consistency that they haven’t in the past. I think playing a month of cricket against Australia will sharpen them up very well. The key will be the selectors settling on a side very soon after arriving in Australia and then allowing that side to really start to hum.
Showing posts with label New Zealand Cricket. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Zealand Cricket. Show all posts
Thursday, 4 January 2007
Karl on ... 2006 – the test year in review
2006 was a very dry year for NZ test cricket fans, with only 8 test matches. The team won 3, lost 3 and drew 2. There was a home series against the West Indies in March (2 wins and 1 rained-out draw), an away series against South Africa in April (2 losses and 1 draw) and the home series against Sri Lanka in December (1 win and 1 loss).
Six players turned out for NZ in every test – Fleming, Vettori, Astle, Franklin, McCullum and Martin.
The batting by New Zealand was very frustrating and was marked by a lack of application and poor selection policies, with a lot of experimentation with openers. Only Stephen Fleming among the specialist batsmen redeeming himself with a fine 262 against South Africa in a 256 run, eighth-wicket partnership with James Franklin. The most consistent batsman for New Zealand was Daniel Vettori, who passed 50 on four out of 11 occasions. Four players finished the year with averages over 30: Fleming with 47.5; Vettori with 35.18; Styris with 34.57 and Franklin with 34.37.
The bowling was more consistent. The standout bowler who had a breakthrough year was Kyle Mills. In 3 tests he took 14 at 18.64. Shane Bond played 4 of the 8 tests and had a return of 18 at 26.16 – not matching the expectation heaped upon him but a good return given the lack of tests. Daniel Vettori took 21 at 28.57, finishing the year with a superb 7-130 against Sri Lanka. Rounding off the bowlers were James Franklin who took 29 at 29.96 and Chris Martin with 24 at 33.54. The bowlers were consistent without being devastating, but did show that they could bowl sides out, which is better than a number of recent NZ attacks.
The highlight of the year for me was the superb partnership between Fleming and Franklin in South Africa. It was a great return for Fleming and really showed Franklin’s potential. Another highlight was Kyle Mills emerging as an international class player.
I had two lowlights – the lack of tests played by NZ and the Muralitharan run-out incident.
The lack of tests is very frustrating. As a direct result of this I think our batsmen are losing the ability to play test cricket. Better scheduling in NZ for home series can make it a more financially attractive option and a two-test series is condescending to the fans. 2007 currently has no tests scheduled until NZ tours South Africa in December/January.
The Muralitharan run-out should never have been an issue in a professional game. A number of journalists have an outmoded view of what the game should be in the professional era. This is a professional game. We want our players to win and that has to involve capitalising on stupid mistakes made by the opposition. The whole incident has demeaned Brendan McCullum’s huge input to the team and reflects poorly on NZ sports reporters.
Note: Stats from http://nz.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/BY_CALENDAR/2000S/2006/
Six players turned out for NZ in every test – Fleming, Vettori, Astle, Franklin, McCullum and Martin.
The batting by New Zealand was very frustrating and was marked by a lack of application and poor selection policies, with a lot of experimentation with openers. Only Stephen Fleming among the specialist batsmen redeeming himself with a fine 262 against South Africa in a 256 run, eighth-wicket partnership with James Franklin. The most consistent batsman for New Zealand was Daniel Vettori, who passed 50 on four out of 11 occasions. Four players finished the year with averages over 30: Fleming with 47.5; Vettori with 35.18; Styris with 34.57 and Franklin with 34.37.
The bowling was more consistent. The standout bowler who had a breakthrough year was Kyle Mills. In 3 tests he took 14 at 18.64. Shane Bond played 4 of the 8 tests and had a return of 18 at 26.16 – not matching the expectation heaped upon him but a good return given the lack of tests. Daniel Vettori took 21 at 28.57, finishing the year with a superb 7-130 against Sri Lanka. Rounding off the bowlers were James Franklin who took 29 at 29.96 and Chris Martin with 24 at 33.54. The bowlers were consistent without being devastating, but did show that they could bowl sides out, which is better than a number of recent NZ attacks.
The highlight of the year for me was the superb partnership between Fleming and Franklin in South Africa. It was a great return for Fleming and really showed Franklin’s potential. Another highlight was Kyle Mills emerging as an international class player.
I had two lowlights – the lack of tests played by NZ and the Muralitharan run-out incident.
The lack of tests is very frustrating. As a direct result of this I think our batsmen are losing the ability to play test cricket. Better scheduling in NZ for home series can make it a more financially attractive option and a two-test series is condescending to the fans. 2007 currently has no tests scheduled until NZ tours South Africa in December/January.
The Muralitharan run-out should never have been an issue in a professional game. A number of journalists have an outmoded view of what the game should be in the professional era. This is a professional game. We want our players to win and that has to involve capitalising on stupid mistakes made by the opposition. The whole incident has demeaned Brendan McCullum’s huge input to the team and reflects poorly on NZ sports reporters.
Note: Stats from http://nz.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/BY_CALENDAR/2000S/2006/
Karl on ... my favourite quote of the SLvNZ series
In game one the ball was hit toward Muralitharan fielding on the boundary. Bryan Waddle on Radio Sport said "They'll safely run because Muralitharan can't throw". Silence for a moment. Then "Well, he can throw but not from the boundary".
Karl on ... 4 rounds of the State Shield
The first four rounds of the State Shield have come to an end, with almost all teams having played each other (round five is later this week).
Currently, on the points table, Wellington lead the competition having won 3 matches and lost 1. Wellington have been very consistent, until this week's loss to ND in Taupo.
Wellington - 14 pts
Auckland - 9 pts
Otaog - 8 pts
Canterbury - 8 pts
CD - 7 pts
ND - 5 pts.
None of the players has really set the competition alight.
The bowling statistics show that the highest wicket takers after four matches with 7 wickets each are Chris Harris and Brandon Hiini, both from Canterbury. Interestingly Craig Cumming has taken 6 wickets for Otago. Black Caps hopefuls include Iain O'Brien, who has taken 6 wickets at 18.2 in 3 matches, Daryl Tuffey who has taken 2 at 86.5 in 4 matches and Chris Martin who has taken 2 at 44.5 in 2 matches.
The batting statistics show the highest run scorer, with 200 runs at 50.0, is English import Alun Evans for ND. Craig Cumming is close behind with 183 runs at 61 - he also has the only century of the competition. Black Caps hopefuls include Craig McMillan who has 116 runs at 38.66 (HS of 69), Mathew Sinclair with 89 runs at 44.5 (HS of 67) and Lou Vincent who has 2 ducks and a score of 26. In the weekend Jacob Oram had his first game back, scoring 43 and not bowling.
Currently, on the points table, Wellington lead the competition having won 3 matches and lost 1. Wellington have been very consistent, until this week's loss to ND in Taupo.
Wellington - 14 pts
Auckland - 9 pts
Otaog - 8 pts
Canterbury - 8 pts
CD - 7 pts
ND - 5 pts.
None of the players has really set the competition alight.
The bowling statistics show that the highest wicket takers after four matches with 7 wickets each are Chris Harris and Brandon Hiini, both from Canterbury. Interestingly Craig Cumming has taken 6 wickets for Otago. Black Caps hopefuls include Iain O'Brien, who has taken 6 wickets at 18.2 in 3 matches, Daryl Tuffey who has taken 2 at 86.5 in 4 matches and Chris Martin who has taken 2 at 44.5 in 2 matches.
The batting statistics show the highest run scorer, with 200 runs at 50.0, is English import Alun Evans for ND. Craig Cumming is close behind with 183 runs at 61 - he also has the only century of the competition. Black Caps hopefuls include Craig McMillan who has 116 runs at 38.66 (HS of 69), Mathew Sinclair with 89 runs at 44.5 (HS of 67) and Lou Vincent who has 2 ducks and a score of 26. In the weekend Jacob Oram had his first game back, scoring 43 and not bowling.
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