Group C - New Zealand, England, Kenya, Canada

[Richard]

Predictably NZ win the important toss.

You really don't have a clue, do you - you CANNOT PREDICT THE TOSS OF A COIN. It's A FIFTY:FIFTY CHANCE.

 

[wpdavid]

Flem wins the toss and sticks us in...

May not be a disaster if there's more delays and NZ end up batting in the twilight or under lights. Of course, I'll deny ever writing that if we're 20 for 4 after the first 10 overs.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

NZ side is

Fleming
Vincent
Taylor
Fulton
Styirs
Oram
McMillan
McCullum
Vettori
Franklin
Bond

Very long batting lineup.

Wonder why no Patel

 

[Scaly piscine]

May not be a disaster if there's more delays and NZ end up batting in the twilight or under lights. Of course, I'll deny ever writing that if we're 20 for 4 after the first 10 overs.

NZ's team is all set up to chase, England are a better chasing side. There's more than just the advantage of the conditions.

 

[Richard]

May not be a disaster if there's more delays and NZ end up batting in the twilight or under lights. Of course, I'll deny ever writing that if we're 20 for 4 after the first 10 overs.

Well you can delete it given the length of the match...

 

[Richard]

NZ side is

Fleming
Vincent
Taylor
Fulton
Styirs
Oram
McMillan
McCullum
Vettori
Franklin
Bond

Very long batting lineup.

Wonder why no Patel

Franklin over Patel does seem a little strange.

 

[Loony BoB]

NZ's team is all set up to chase, England are a better chasing side. There's more than just the advantage of the conditions.

You mean England are a better side when chasing? Would say that NZ are the better chasing side.

EDIT: Guessing the lack of Patel is down to them bowling first on a pitch which - I'm guessing due to the rain - suits seamers. Also a better bat.

 

[GIMH]

Not too downhearted about losing the toss. If the toss was as important as is sometimes made out then we might as well not play the match.

 

[Evermind]

With 2 full-time bowlers, they'd better have a long batting lineup.

 

[wpdavid]

NZ's team is all set up to chase, England are a better chasing side. There's more than just the advantage of the conditions.

I couldn't say we're better at either nowadays. I know we batted first in 3 of the 4 game winning run in Aus, although I won't pretend that's conclusive.

 

[GIMH]

With Mahmood & Harmison in the team I feel more comfortable with us chasing. Without them, I'm not too fussed

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Franklin over Patel does seem a little strange.

I'm more surprised that they went for all 3 of Fulton/Styris/McMillan

Leaves the bowling lineup as Bond/Franklin/Oram/Vettori then Styris and McMillan to share 10. Thats a bit of a danger considering Franklin's waywardness and the recent form of Styris with the ball. (and Oram for that matter too)

But i suppose, as people have said, the batting lineup is built for chasing. And NZ is chasing so...

 

[Fiery]

NZ side is

Fleming
Vincent
Taylor
Fulton
Styirs
Oram
McMillan
McCullum
Vettori
Franklin
Bond

Very long batting lineup.

Wonder why no Patel

ha, I guess that's one way of solving the "3 into 2 don't fit" problem in the middle order with Fulton, Macca and Styris...just play them all. Didn't see that coming. That's a ridiculously deep batting line-up. Hope we don't come up short in the bowling. Oram, Styris, McMillan and Franklin will need to get through 30 overs somehow.

Game on. May the best team win

 

[Loony BoB]

The main reason I'm surprised at Fulton/McMillan/Oram is that they're all only *just* through injury. Hope they're fit enough.

 

[Richard]

If Bond can exploit the conditions as they appear to be the lack of a proper fifth seamer shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Fiery]

The main reason I'm surprised at Fulton/McMillan/Oram is that they're all only *just* through injury. Hope they're not too stunted.

Fulton and Oram are both about 6'6 but Macca is a bit short

 

[pup11]

I think it would(or should) be a pretty close game since both the teams are pretty evenly matched and though New Zealand should be the favourites to win today's game, but i won't be suprised if England win.

Would be nice to see KP back in action after sometime.

 

[wpdavid]

ha, I guess that's one way of solving the "3 into 2 don't fit" problem in the middle order with Fulton, Macca and Styris...just play them all. Didn't see that coming. That's a ridiculously deep batting line-up. Hope we don't come up short in the bowling. Oram, Styris, McMillan and Franklin will need to get through 30 overs somehow.

Game on. May the best team win

A bit harsh on Franklin! Surely we're looking at 20 from Oram, Styris & McMillan, which shouldn't be beyond what's a pretty experienced bunch of cricketers. And if it does swing, they could be quite handy anyway.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Ok, there was confusion over the NZ team.

Patel playing instead of Fulton!

 

[Fiery]

Gee Beefy's looking extra beefy. Must have been dining with Ian Smith