37th Match - New Zealand v Australia

[TheJediBrah]

How is Will Young and can he open after the WC?

I saw that he did quite well on a NZ A tour to Aus, he scored heavily against an Aus A attack featuring their WC bowlers.

Would you prefer to play us or Pakistan?..

You should be aiming for second so you can play us. Pakistan on their day can beat anyone and they seem to be peaking at the right time.

That Will Young looked genuine quality. I was a bit worried at the time that NZ had unearthed another good player all of a sudden to partner Williamson ahead of the WC

 

[Moss]

That Will Young looked genuine quality. I was a bit worried at the time that NZ had unearthed another good player all of a sudden to partner Williamson ahead of the WC

Been touted as the next big thing for about 5 years now but only recently has he had substantial FC/LA performances to show for it. Was leapfrogged by Nicholls around the time McCullum retired and a batting slot was up for grabs. NZ have probably missed out by not playing him at all this summer.

 

[Jezroy]

How is Will Young and can he open after the WC?

.

The fact you even had to ask this question says a lot.

As does the fact that you chose to post after a NZ loss, rather than any of their wins.

I’m surprised that you didn’t post about how slow Kane Williamson’s strike rates were during his last couple of tons TBH.

 

[Zinzan]

The irony is Lords would have suited NZ more vs. Pakistan and that tired used wicket at Edgbaston would have suited NZ more vs. Australia.

One of a few reasons I think we'll get flattened by Australia on the weekend.

 

[Burgey]

Edgbaston is like everything else in Birmingham - terrible. England’s Chennai.

 

[TheJediBrah]

The irony is Lords would have suited NZ more vs. Pakistan and that tired used wicket at Edgbaston would have suited NZ more vs. Australia.

One of a few reasons I think we'll get flattened by Australia on the weekend.

The irony is that the game is still 2 days away and you're already trying to point to luck and looking for excuses to explain why NZ lost

 

[SteveNZ]

That Will Young looked genuine quality. I was a bit worried at the time that NZ had unearthed another good player all of a sudden to partner Williamson ahead of the WC

He wasn't picked earlier because his conversion rate was junk, but he's always been a player that everyone on the scene knew would play for NZ eventually because he was clearly technically and ball striking wise better than most at FC level.

 

[SteveNZ]

The irony is that the game is still 2 days away and you're already trying to point to luck and looking for excuses to explain why NZ lost

He's right though. It's not necessarily excuses; moreso that Australia have far and away a better side than us, in better form than us. They aren't carrying anyone, possibly Khawaja apart, we are carrying at least 4 players (Munro, Guptill, Latham and Henry's second spell). The only thing that could've helped us was a tired wicket, given Australia's spin options aren't their strength, and their batsmen (Smith apart) generally aren't that flash when pace is taken off.

The thought of Starc bending it downhill at the Pav End at Lord's genuinely gives me stress blisters.

Of course we are capable of winning, but I say Australia are the $1.20 favourites to our $5 or whatever.

 

[Athlai]

Guptill is out of form, I wouldn't call him being carried. Blokes an ODI legend.

 

[Spark]

We're carrying a certain all-rounder much more than Khawaja IMO.

 

[Gob]

We're carrying a certain all-rounder much more than Khawaja IMO.

Bowling ok tbh

 

[Athlai]

I wouldn't call Australia far better personally, better quick attack right now because Boult is kind of in average form and Starc is hitting his stride again. Aussies openers and Smith are all class too.

 

[Meridio]

Reckon Australia might give Starc and/or Cummins a rest for this game?

 

[Zinzan]

The irony is that the game is still 2 days away and you're already trying to point to luck and looking for excuses to explain why NZ lost

Lol, only a cynical mind would interpret it that way.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Reckon Australia might give Starc and/or Cummins a rest for this game?

Nah, still important to finish as high on the table as possible, and there's nearly a week between games at this stage so it's not like anyone will be overworked

 

[Spark]

You'd rest them for the final game IMO, not this one.

 

[BeeGee]

Lol, only a cynical mind would interpret it that way.

TBH, NZ fans tend to be a pessimistic bunch. Hence the ever popular "Doom and Gloom" thread.

While I agree Aus are favourites, I don't think the gap is as wide as other Kiwis think. The egregious state of our openers is the only issue I'm very concerned about.

 

[rythy]

Finch have been astonishing in the series. Expected from Warner and Smith but Finch? Quite surprising how good he have been so far.

 

[Burgey]

He seems to bat well in England, from what I can recall he's made some big scores in T20s over there as well. Seems odd given he doesn't really cope with the moving ball in red ball cricket, but yeah he's been immense.

 

[Burgey]

You'd rest them for the final game IMO, not this one.

And then only if you're assured of a top two finish imo. They'll know by then, and there's a full week's break between the NZ and SA games in any event..