well done Australia - not for the first time this WC they have shown why they are No1 in both forms of the game.
If they aren't destroying the opposition they are able to resurect their innings where other mere mortals would have fallen.......
they have been in serious trouble when ENG got away on them but then Bichel saved the day, now they were in serious trouble batting first v NZ but yet again Bevan showed the way - from memory this is about the 3rd / 4th time that he has secured a victory for AUS v NZ when it should have been the other way around!!!!!
congards to Bond - I thought he was due.........
As Fleming said - they went for it and ran out of steam - both bowling and batting.
I didn't like Vettori opening - if it doesn't come off the middle order are exposed too early - hence Astle getting one of those balls.....
Styris should have known better than to stay on the crease line on a slow / low pitch
Cairns had done the work & seen off Lee - then had a brain fade - mind you he was not the first or last as Fleming can testify - if he had of left it it would have been wided......it was just the tonic Lee needed & he then started to pitch the ball up and got the due results as Bond had earlier.....
as for the rest - not enough application to the craft of graft - Bevan & Bichel had already shown what was required - ! partnership nearing 3 figures and block out the pacemen when pitched up!!!!!! I think Bond would have taken more wickets against any of the remaining tailenders with those deliveries except Bichel bats well below his ability with the bat.
NZ still need an opening partner for Fleming - do they bite the bullet in this WC & bring back Astle or do they chuck Sinclair in if Macca is still out of form???? They need to protect the middle from exposure to the new ball as they are only playing with 3 - 4 recognised specialist batsmen!!! Maybe Vincent needs to open - I liked what saw when he was leaving anything outside off......
NZ can't continue with Adams - yes he is an impact player but he seems to also be a confidence player & at the mo he has none. In the last 2 matches he has struggled for his control of not only line & length but he is also lost his release. Mills is the obvious replacement, but I would even go with a fit Tuffey if Mills is still out. Even a fit again & confident Cairns sharing the 10 overs with Adams would not be enough IMO.
OK so it's a loss - still some positives to be taken from the match & they know what they need to do v India so far as their own performances are concerned.
bottom line they still pushed AUS harder than anyone else had managed (at least for about 40 overs of the AUS innings & 25 overs of the NZ innings).....
