**Official** New Zealand in Australia

[KiWiNiNjA]

Not bad in the end considering Australia's position.

There's a real lack of depth in this Black Caps lineup compared to past sides, so I think Australia would be fairly confident about eating their way into our batting. Hope we get off to a steady start and be like 23-0 after 10 overs.

A bit on the pessimistic side, no?
I would be looking for NZ to be at least 50-1 off 10 overs. Don't mind a wicket down if the RR is good. Making a good start will make the task easier as we go. If we are 23-0 after 10 then we will end up bogging ourselves down and making it harder for ourselves.

Of course, a few early wickets can change everything.

 

[James]

The pitch is great for batting. McCullum will attack almost certainly.

Perhaps it is, but we have an in-experienced batting lineup and even though I rate Vettori with the bat, it worries me seeing Mills, Vettori, Southee, O'Brien, Patel as our last five.

Seems a bit strange to play Elliott as a specialist batsman too Would have thought given Cumming's performances in the State Shield, he would play if they'e just looking for a specialist now.

 

[inbox24]

I can see this happening:

Cricinfo - 1st ODI: New Zealand v Australia at Wellington, Feb 16, 2007

Incidently Hussey was also top scorer in that game.

 

[James]

A bit on the pessimistic side, no?
I would be looking for NZ to be at least 50-1 off 10 overs. Don't mind a wicket down if the RR is good. Making a good start will make the task easier as we go. If we are 23-0 after 10 then we will end up bogging ourselves down and making it harder for ourselves.

Of course, a few early wickets can change everything.

I tend to think we'd be 50-3 after 10 though. The Aussie bowlers will come steaming in at us first up, and as we're not under any pressure to score quickly, why should we?

 

[Somerset]

Certainly didn't expect Australia to be rolled so easily - though even 180 was a reasonable score after their first five wickets were lost within 20 overs. I found it quite humourous that the Australian commentators were so shocked at the New Zealand fielding today - if they'd bothered to contact a New Zealand commentator who knew a bit about domestic cricket, they'd know that Guptill's a great fielder and Broom's not far behind.

180 will still take some getting, though the pitch is good and Australia's best ODI spinners are apparently David Hussey and Michael Clarke so I'm confident we'll have enough to get there. Elliott, Vettori and Mills a spot higher in the order than I'd prefer is the only part that makes me a bit nervous.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

I tend to think we'd be 50-3 after 10 though. The Aussie bowlers will come steaming in at us first up, and as we're not under any pressure to score quickly, why should we?

I think NZ should play their natural game, which means McCullum going for it. He can go for it without making too many risks too. Guptill and Fulton should look to play safely, but McCullum should be given a license to play his natural game.

 

[duffer]

The Kiwi pessimism is astonishing in here. Makes us Indian fans look royally optimistic.

 

[James]

I think NZ should play their natural game, which means McCullum going for it. He can go for it without making too many risks too. Guptill and Fulton should look to play safely, but McCullum should be given a license to play his natural game.

I'd agree with you there, let McCullum loose but ask Guptill and Fulton to keep it tight.

 

[inbox24]

I reckon with our bowling morale down at the moment and their inability to take wickets, you should let both McCullum and Guptill take it to us, because there's still Fulton to anchor if anything goes wrong.

Where's Ryder btw?

 

[Redbacks]

The Kiwi pessimism is astonishing in here. Makes us Indian fans look royally optimistic.

hopefully the doubts are in the dressing room too.

 

[Athlai]

I reckon with our bowling morale down at the moment and their inability to take wickets, you should let both McCullum and Guptill take it to us, because there's still Fulton to anchor if anything goes wrong.

Where's Ryder btw?

Injured. Nothing serious though.

 

[vic_orthdox]

I reckon with our bowling morale down at the moment and their inability to take wickets, you should let both McCullum and Guptill take it to us, because there's still Fulton to anchor if anything goes wrong.

Where's Ryder btw?

Sunday sesh at the Cott.

 

[Prince EWS]

The Kiwi pessimism is astonishing in here. Makes us Indian fans look royally optimistic.

It's not altogether unjustified though. They've picked a short batting lineup with Mills at 7 and even the batsmen they have are either inexperienced or just not very good, with the exception of Taylor.

They should obviously be favourites but their strength, particular with this lineup, was always going to be their bowling so any target to chase was going to make them a bit nervous. I think you'd see a lot more optomism if they'd batted first and set Australia 240 to win, even though that's below par on this wicket.

 

[_Ed_]

Absolutely thrilled with that fielding and bowling effort, really proud of the team.

 

[Athlai]

It's not altogether unjustified though. They've picked a short batting lineup with Mills at 7 and even the batsmen they have are either inexperienced or just not very good, with the exception of Taylor.

They should obviously be favourites but their strength, particular with this lineup, was always going to be their bowling so any target to chase was going to make them a bit nervous. I think you'd see a lot more optomism if they'd batted first and set Australia 240 to win, even though that's below par on this wicket.

Fulton has about as much experience as Taylor.

McCullum moreso than either.

We should run over Australia here.

 

[Craig]

The Kiwi pessimism is astonishing in here. Makes us Indian fans look royally optimistic.

AWTA. Really we should get home easily providing Tait (never know what you will get), Bracken (will be so tight), and Johnson (can be very good but can go for a few runs as well) don't bowl the innings of their lives. I really want to see McCullum fire and play innings like this and this.

 

[_Ed_]

Fulton has about as much experience as Taylor.

And Fulton appears to be in some form with the bat, which makes a change from his recent appearances for NZ.

 

[Athlai]

And Fulton appears to be in some form with the bat, which makes a change from his recent appearances for NZ.

The guy is superb against Australia. NZ's Laxman.

 

[duffer]

It's not altogether unjustified though. They've picked a short batting lineup with Mills at 7 and even the batsmen they have are either inexperienced or just not very good, with the exception of Taylor.

They should obviously be favourites but their strength, particular with this lineup, was always going to be their bowling so any target to chase was going to make them a bit nervous. I think you'd see a lot more optomism if they'd batted first and set Australia 240 to win, even though that's below par on this wicket.

Absolutely, but if they don't think they're going to chase this then when are they ever going to be confident about anything? Should be pumped up right now in the dressing rooms.

 

[Evermind]

Yep! No excuses whatsoever if NZ can't make this happen. I think even the Bangers should be able to chase this one at home.

I can't imagine the score if Bond were still around. 120? 130?