Semi-Final #2- New Zealand v South Africa- Wednesday, March 5th- Lahore

[Kenneth Viljoen]

New Zealand well played, the margin of victory does not tell the whole story , excellent side in all departments. Hope you can win the trophy

 

[Moss]

As Ian Smith was saying, perhaps it throws up some changes for the final with the way Jamieson and O'Rourke bowled. Needed another spin bowler in the squad really.

I doubt Smith or Duffy would do much better. Duffy maybe, but would be very against type for NZ to bring him into the final.

 

[Darwin Award]

... Well done Miller!

Unless I'm mistaken that's a record for the fastest champions trophy hundred as well.

From what I see Sehwag struck his in 77 balls opposed to Miller's 67.

edit: Forgot about Inglis achieving his in 77 balls too.

 

[King Kane]

Great ton from Miller, thankfully it was too late to win the game.

Our pace bowlers have some work to do on their death bowling.

 

[James]

Santner Bracewell Phillips and Rachin is quite a lot of spin already. Don't really think we have many other spinners that would add anything to our team tbh.

Maybe you stack the batting for the final and bring Conway in for O'Rourke?

 

[Moss]

Well played Miller, if that's his last major tournament for SA that's a pretty good way to finish.

Great that NZ won a knockout without any murmurs about rain or conditions. On to the finals then for the latest edition of the Kohli-Williamson trophy..

 

[Athlai]

Maybe you stack the batting for the final and bring Conway in for O'Rourke?

I think 3 pace bowling options is probably still a good idea. Mitchell just doesn't offer enough with the ball to take that risk unless it looks like a rank turner.

 

[SkyBlue]

Some of these NZ players deserve big IPL contracts. Definitely more deserving than English players. Just shows their lobby is not strong enough.

 

[Stefan9]

Congrats NZ, well played.

Well played David. Too bad like always you lack support in knockout games.

 

[Stefan9]

Some of these NZ players deserve big IPL contracts. Definitely more deserving than English players. Just shows their lobby is not strong enough.

The local economy benifits more from the English. Think of the poor golf course owners without the English .

 

[SkyBlue]

Both semis were fairly one sided. This game was even more one-sided.

Hope we get to see a competitive final. There's no Australia in a final so you can guarantee it won't be one sided.

 

[King Kane]

I think we need to pick another specialist spinner for the final in Dubai, is Mark Craig still available?

 

[Sunil1z]

I think we need to pick another specialist spinner for the final in Dubai, is Mark Craig still available?

Ish Sodhi ?

 

[James]

I think 3 pace bowling options is probably still a good idea. Mitchell just doesn't offer enough with the ball to take that risk unless it looks like a rank turner.

Get Ajaz on the next plane

 

[SkyBlue]

If he keeps improving his left arm spin, Rachin could become the most valuable player in the world in the coming years but he needs a good PR team and a strong lobby

I think he's the best batting talent to come out of NZ probably ever. Has the potential to break Kane's records.

 

[King Kane]

Ish Sodhi ?

Get Ajaz on the next plane

Both good suggestions but I would still go with Mark Craig if he's available.

 

[Bahseph]

Well done Kiwis! Great win. Massive pressure on the SA side to produce with the bat and the middle order fell away. Strange to say this but this combo hasn’t played that much together and I think it showed.

 

[NZTailender]

Good win in the end, amazing stuff from Ravindra and Williamson, then the spinners. Worried about Jamieson and O'Rourke a bit. I mean it was very low stakes when they came on to bowl at the death but they really don't seem to have the technique atm. We're now left in the awkward position of going into a final with little game time for the alternatives in Smith and Duffy. I'd be inclined to bring in Smith and Conway and get 30 out of Bracewell, Phillips, Ravindra and Mitchell. Gives us loads of batting, but I also know that this XI is probably the team they'll stick with, but I wonder if they'll give Jamieson and O'Rourke a few more up front and then end with Henry and Santner in Dubai.

Also, feel for Miller. With a bit of support that could've been an atg ODI knock.

 

[Moss]

Both good suggestions but I would still go with Mark Craig if he's available.

Bring back (John) Bracewell. The player that is, not coach. Actually coach might also be okay.

 

[honestbharani]

Some of these NZ players deserve big IPL contracts. Definitely more deserving than English players. Just shows their lobby is not strong enough.

Chennai Super Kiwis is a thing mate.