*Official* Match 24 - New Zealand v Pakistan

[shivfan]

McCullum minor batting ahead of Vettori? Why?

 

[_Ed_]

McCullum minor batting ahead of Vettori? Why?

Because he's better - in ODIs, at least.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Gul bowling beautifully.

 

[Spark]

See THAT is smart batting. Just beat the field with good timing and you get as many runs as if you slog.

 

[shivfan]

Because he's better - in ODIs, at least.

Is he? And is James Franklin better than Vettori too?

I just find the way Vettori is dropped down the order puzzling....

 

[Spark]

And THAT is why you don't move around every single ball like a maniac. The odd occasion is fine, but if you play normally most of the time, you'll get some wides.

 

[Nate]

Pakistan surely on top, but a lot depends on the last five overs. Come on Kiwis!

 

[IrishOpener]

You just have to laugh at dropmal, three dropped catches and the game isn't over yet ...

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

See THAT is smart batting. Just beat the field with good timing and you get as many runs as if you slog.

It was a great shot, but if he'd played such a casual push into the off-side and found the fielder instead of the gap he'd be criticised for not pushing the scoring rate up when it was required. It's a difficult balance I think, which is why the power play often seems like it doesn't help the batting side at all.

 

[_Ed_]

Is he? And is James Franklin better than Vettori too?

I just find the way Vettori is dropped down the order puzzling....

I certainly rate N McCullum higher than Vettori with the bat in ODIs, yes. And Nathan's in fantastic form - averaging over 40 in his last nine innings. And he's just hit a glorious six.

I won't comment on Franklin at this stage - I'm still furious at him for his innings today, so I can't be objective.

 

[Spark]

But here's the thing - he's even less likely to beat the field if he smashes it. So it's less likely to score runs.

 

[salman85]

Good hitting.

I think NZ will put something around 250 on the board.

 

[_Ed_]

I think NZ will put something around 250 on the board.

I hope so. I don't think we can possibly defend much less than that.

 

[_Ed_]

Nathan WAFG.

 

[Flem274*]

Bugger.

Useful cameo though.

 

[_Ed_]

And there's the jinx. But that was a great slower ball.

 

[salman85]

You don't hit Gul for a six and get away with it bitch!

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

I have a bit on NZ scoring under 250. Felt pretty good about it until the last over or so. Getting nervous.

edit: ah, that will help

 

[_Ed_]

So both McCullums got clean bowled the ball after tonking a massive six.

 

[shivfan]

I certainly rate N McCullum higher than Vettori with the bat in ODIs, yes. And Nathan's in fantastic form - averaging over 40 in his last nine innings. And he's just hit a glorious six.

I won't comment on Franklin at this stage - I'm still furious at him for his innings today, so I can't be objective.

Nathan McCullum has certainly answered my doubts with two consecutive sixes....

The thing is, I feel Franklin and Vettori should be reversed. As we know from Test cricket, Vettori can build an innings, but is not necessarily a big hitter. In contrast, Franklin can hit it really big when he's ready, and I don't think he's as accomplished a batsman as Vettori. Therefore, I would like to see Franklin only coming to the crease when the ball is changed, and NZ are ready to take the batting powerplay.

This would be my batting order:

1) Guptill
2) McCullum major
3) How
4) Taylor
5) Vettori
6) Styris
7) Franklin
8) McCullum minor
etc....