Final - New Zealand v Australia (29th March)

[Bahnz]

It's not a view when he's straight up spouting non-truths:

"There were a number of times last night where the New Zealand batsmen appeared to be hitting big balls - but they'd be getting caught three quarters of the way to the fence at the MCG," Hayden wrote.

This did not happen once in the game last night. That's not an opinion open to interpretation, it's just bull****.

There was one six last night that wouldn't have cleared the MCG boundaries (the first one Elliott hit), and there was not a fielder stationed within 50M of it anyway.

Hmmm, I haven't seen the distance for Anderson's six off Duminy, but I reckon it might've struggled to clear the MCG's 85m straight boundary.

 

[Burgey]

Yeah but it isn't like the ground is only bigger for one team. So if some of McCullum's bombs don't clear the rope, they're still fours. Find it weird to say the ground will be a massive factor tbh. Can't see any side changing their approach because of it. The pitches there are good to bat on barring rain, the outfield is quick. Just seems like a whole lot of BS to me.

 

[hendrix]

NZ just straight up has the best team in the tournament. They've beaten every good team bar India.

It doesn't make any sense for them not to be favourites for the whole thing at this point, especially considering the fact that they have to win one game while the others have to win 2. Madness.

 

[Dan]

Sure I can given that we were going at 6rpo the whole time. I'm less concerned about a magical spell of swing bowling than I am of us batting like dickheads and throwing our wickets away.

The one benefit Australia has now, having swapped Smith and Watson in the order, is that the guys who can play/survive against swing bowling are up the top (Finch notwithstanding, but he's **** anyway). But break through those, and the batting like dickheads things becomes a real issue. The structure of the team minimises the risks of it though, IMO.

 

[Dan]

Yeah but it isn't like the ground is only bigger for one team. So if some of McCullum's bombs don't clear the rope, they're still fours. Find it weird to say the ground will be a massive factor tbh. Can't see any side changing their approach because of it. The pitches there are good to bat on barring rain, the outfield is quick. Just seems like a whole lot of BS to me.

Yeah, "NZ can't play on big grounds" has to be right up there with "Eden Park is 400 vs. 400 because short straight boundaries" in the pantheon of 2015 World Cup lazy cricketing analysis.

 

[viriya]

Wow they haven't even won their semi-final yet and they're already talking down NZ, what a C***

Cricket World Cup: Aussie great - Black Caps will struggle with size of MCG - Cricket World Cup - NZ Herald News

"Hayden, who won the World Cup with Australia in 2003 and 2007, also said if Australia make the final they'd be much happier to face New Zealand than South Africa. New Zealand defeated Australia by one wicket in pool play.

"I just think New Zealand winning is a huge advantage for Australia on several different levels."

I do think that NZ bowlers might not like MCG as much as home conditions, but this is just classic Aussie strategy. My Boy Corey can clear any ****ing boundary.

 

[viriya]

NZ just straight up has the best team in the tournament. They've beaten every good team bar India.

It doesn't make any sense for them not to be favourites for the whole thing at this point, especially considering the fact that they have to win one game while the others have to win 2. Madness.

Yea agree that right now NZ has to be the favorites. Not so if Aus qualify.

 

[cnerd123]

No way are Ind or Aus favourites.

The aura around this NZ side and the performances they have put in are so much like India in 2011. Whoever comes up against them in the final is standing between them and destiny.

Even if India make the final, I'd be pretty happy in NZ won. They've had the best build up to the tournament, have picked the best balanced squad, have played the best cricket in all 3 disciplines, and the character of the side is just immense.

No bloody way are Ind or Aus favourites to anyone who has followed this whole WC and the build up to it.

 

[viriya]

NZ would be outright favorites if the final would be in NZ imo, not so if it's MCG vs Aus. I do think they have the most balanced side.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

NZ just straight up has the best team in the tournament. They've beaten every good team bar India.

It doesn't make any sense for them not to be favourites for the whole thing at this point, especially considering the fact that they have to win one game while the others have to win 2. Madness.

"Plucky little NZ will punch above their weight but Australia/India haven't even revealed their final form".

 

[Greenlite]

So many patients telling me Go The BC. I've never seen cricket been so popular here, used to hear people say they'd rather watch paint dry.

If you're a kiwi living in AUS, wear your BC jersey on the street and you might be greeted with "Go The BC" from kiwi strangers and hugs from random grandmas. I wore my Crusaders jersey back in 2000 in Gold Coast and was greeted with "Go Canterbury" by a cyclist who I thought was going to maul me over for a second.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Wow they haven't even won their semi-final yet and they're already talking down NZ, what a C***

Cricket World Cup: Aussie great - Black Caps will struggle with size of MCG - Cricket World Cup - NZ Herald News

"Hayden, who won the World Cup with Australia in 2003 and 2007, also said if Australia make the final they'd be much happier to face New Zealand than South Africa. New Zealand defeated Australia by one wicket in pool play.

"I just think New Zealand winning is a huge advantage for Australia on several different levels."

If South Africa had won I guarantee he would have said it was an advantage to Australia as they beat South Africa earlier in the summer and Australia would prefer facing SA pace to NZ swing. The bloke would have probably thrown in the 'c' word too - no, not that one, the SA one. This is just Hayden being Hayden.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Poll?

I'd back TBC given the form they're in, just for the record.

 

[Greenlite]

Cricket World Cup: Henry joy contrasts Ryder shame - Sport - NZ Herald News

"Henry's girlfriend arrives today - a spot of shopping is on the agenda. His parents arrive on Saturday, while his brother will also attend with a few mates. He bought tickets weeks ago."

That's amazing

 

[Greenlite]

#mcgsobig takes off after former Australian cricketer Matt Hayden's comments | Stuff.co.nz

 

[Chewie]

I was wondering why that was trending

 

[Flem274*]

I'm loving this tasty chat about us being unable to play on big grounds or swing the ball away from home from some media and blow in 7 post CWers. It's going to be so good when Big Daddy Kane, Ross and Graunt knock it around to 160 after 35 overs. Jadeja, Raina, Maxwell, Watson....nuh uh, they're not going to cut it.

The big three scum are going down, it doesn't matter who they send to the MCG.

 

[Flem274*]

You may have noticed I'm feeling very bullish by the way. The reason is nothing can be worse than sitting through the last half of that run chase the other night. I'm not scared of us losing anymore. If it happens it happens.

New Zealand are bringing the cup home.

 

[Days of Grace]

Will any New Zealanders be allowed to commentate or will it b Bogle bantering with an array of Aussies.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

I'm loving this tasty chat about us being unable to play on big grounds or swing the ball away from home from some media and blow in 7 post CWers. It's going to be so good when Big Daddy Kane, Ross and Graunt knock it around to 160 after 35 overs. Jadeja, Raina, Maxwell, Watson....nuh uh, they're not going to cut it.

Agreed, K-Dub in particular is going to absolutely love batting on a big ground.