1st Semi Final - India v New Zealand

[Zinzan]

Finished a busy day at work, followed by a good work-out, already to relax and watch at least a couple of hours cricket, so no doubt there'll be another delayed start. :/ Such as us NZ fans are getting used to happening in these 9.30pm (NZ time) scheduled starts.

I'll be able to stomach it if it's actually raining, but it will piss me off no end if it's due to a wet-outfield again.

There should be a new criteria for future world cups, that venues must be able to cover the whole field like 3rd-world Sri Lanka have been managing to do for over a decade now.

 

[veganbob]

Williamson looked so much better without the beard.

Agreed. He just looks weird with the beard.

 

[aussie tragic]

Saw this on cricinfo and if true should take away any rain fears

"As per the playing conditions for playoffs - extra two hours permitted beyond the regulation close time (1800 hours). And beyond that, if the match referee thinks a result is possible on the day, he decides."

 

[The Hutt Rec]

I hope he plays. Truly, I do. And I advocated for him to be dropped a long time ago. Nicholls is a sitting duck. They didn't invest enough time in him as an opener, then dropped him from there, then reinstated him at the hardest part of the tournament. Zero confidence. I can see him poking around for 8 off 22 then nicking out to Bumrah. The best we can hope for is a 20 off 10 from Munro.

It's a blunt comparison, but ODI averages opening:
Latham: 38.0
Nicholls: 22.6

ODI averages at number 5:
Latham 30.4
Nicholls: 55.0

Not quite sure how we ended up with Nicholls opening and Latham at 5.

 

[Zinzan]

It's a blunt comparison, but ODI averages opening:
Latham: 38.0
Nicholls: 22.6

ODI averages at number 5:
Latham 30.4
Nicholls: 55.0

Not quite sure how we ended up with Nicholls opening and Latham at 5.

Because Latham in that tour of India a year or so back showed himself to be brilliant at milking spin relatively risk-free in the middle overs, hence why they wanted to stick with him at 5. Who knew he'd go through such a rough period of form.

 

[Howsie]

New Zealand are going to win this game and Gary Stead will live off it for a good couple of years.

 

[Jezroy]

Kohli bowling at the warm ups. Hilarious.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Whole result hinges on NZ opening bowlers making early inroads. If they don't it as good as game over.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

New Zealand are going to win this game and Gary Stead will live off it for a good couple of years.

If Gary Stead is the guy who wins us an away series in the UAE, the World Cup, and takes us to no 1 in the test rankings he'll be thought of as a tactical and selectorial genius. Who cares if it would be wrong

 

[hendrix]

Because Latham in that tour of India a year or so back showed himself to be brilliant at milking spin relatively risk-free in the middle overs, hence why they wanted to stick with him at 5. Who knew he'd go through such a rough period of form.

Yeah but I find this logic so bizarre, as if openers never have to/get to face any spin bowling whatsoever.

I think it's more of a workload thing with him keeping as well. Which...yeah dunno.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Rohit only averages about 36 against NZ and I don't think has a century yet. Will that change or continue?

 

[aussie tragic]

5 minutes before my night out is decided...NZ must be bowling or not worth it...

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Rohit only averages about 36 against NZ and I don't think has a century yet. Will that change or continue?

Depends on Boult.

 

[jcas0167]

Williamson looked so much better without the beard.

 

[Grasshopper]

Kane has won the toss and NZ will bat.

 

[aussie tragic]

Wtf, NZ win toss and bat!!!!!

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Think both captains would probably have been just as happy to lose the toss as win it. Think Morgan is only one of 4 semi finalists who is desperate to win it.

 

[cnerd123]

Good toss to lose IMO. Not sure if we'd have been better off chasing or setting. Kohli would have batted first too though.

Chahal, Jadeja, Bhuvi and Bumrah. Damn. Interesting attack.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

320 today please

 

[rythy]

No one wants to chase now lol.

I would have liked India to bat first too. Get runs and put pressure. Now let's see how it goes.