LOL well what a read this has been!!..i go away for five minutes and suddenly the kiwis have turned into Aus 2003 and WI are no better than an associate team?
Let me break down a few facts for my misguided friends
1. I think everyone is fully aware that we've entered into this competition with a very dark cloud hanging over our cricket...several players missing due to being punished (Bravo and Polly) , injured (Darren Bravo) or just lacking the right mindset and fitness to being considered (Narine, Powell and Rampaul). That's effectively half our best side right there.
2. We also don't have a real head-coach at this world cup so is it any wonder the players are slacking and play hot and cold?
3. I see a lot of arrogance from my NZ friends here and i guess that's to be expected having not tasted much success before but i'd like to remind everyone that in recent years where ODI's are concerned only one team between NZ and WI has ruled the roost...4-1 win for us at home and 2-2 draw in NZ when again we had a very depleted side there too!!..so in the last NINE ODI's the score is 6-3 in our favour. That goes out the window on Friday but from a mental point of view we really have nothing to fear.
4. As much as NZ have impressed with the ball their batting has serious question marks around it imo.The Aus game was a thriller but that was only because NZ allowed it to be with such poor, and nervous batting...if we get 250 they will feel the pressure i think.
5. Yes, we lost to Ireland by being totally slack and adopting the wrong tactics when we bowled..it can happen. To suggest that that victory somehow means they are "equal" or "better" than us is just complete and utter garbage...They've also beaten England and Pakistan in world cups...i don't think anyone was naive enough to think Ireland were really better than those sides and the same remains true in this instance. Nine times out of ten we'll deal with them comfortably and i think most knowledgeable cricket fans know that.
With our bogey team (SA) through to the semi-finals i'm not even all that bothered if we win tbh...it's probably better to exit now than to hand De Villiers another record breaking ton and that clown Tehir another 5fer!!
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The bottom line is all the pressure is all on NZ here and less pressure makes our guys very dangerous...i have a feeling we'll upset the apple-cart but if not then good luck to NZ moving forward.