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Batting first or bowling first in ODIs?

Your preference


  • Total voters
    25

Craig

World Traveller
Interesting points being made by TheLad and Banhz in the New Zealand in Australia thread, so what is your option of choice if you win the toss? It is better to bowl first if you don't have a strong bowling line-up but are better chases as you have hitters or you just bator bowl first regardless? Especially if it is a flat wicket.
 

NZTailender

I can't believe I ate the whole thing
Bowl first IMO. What am I basing this on? ICC games where it's easier to chase than to defend, for mine.
 

Somerset

Cricketer Of The Year
Completely dependent on the team's confidence, personal preference, etc IMO. :) I don't believe theres a definite answer.
 

Richard

Cricket Web Staff Member
Yeah, certainly - would vote for Chaminda even if the option was "yes" or "no" to "do you want England to win the Third Test?"

Either way, have always believed fielding first and chasing is the best way if you've a decent batting side, presuming the pitch isn't going to change much (which it won't very often over a mere 100 overs). Obviously, if it's going to get slower you need a damn good reason to choose to chase. And equally obviously, even if you normally prefer to set the target, if there's early seam and swing you're always best served fielding.

Cannot fathom why New Zealand would ever want to bat first against Australia at present TBH. Have never looked remotely like beating them of late when batting first but have always won or almost won when chasing.
 

Somerset

Cricketer Of The Year
Yeah, certainly - would vote for Chaminda even if the option was "yes" or "no" to "do you want England to win the Third Test?"

Either way, have always believed fielding first and chasing is the best way if you've a decent batting side, presuming the pitch isn't going to change much (which it won't very often over a mere 100 overs). Obviously, if it's going to get slower you need a damn good reason to choose to chase. And equally obviously, even if you normally prefer to set the target, if there's early seam and swing you're always best served fielding.

Cannot fathom why New Zealand would ever want to bat first against Australia at present TBH. Have never looked remotely like beating them of late when batting first but have always won or almost won when chasing.
Incidentally all three of New Zealand's victories against Australia in the 2001/02 VB Series were when we batted first. :S And the other match we probably should've won too - after batting first - if it wasn't for Michael Bevan.
 

Richard

Cricket Web Staff Member
Incidentally all three of New Zealand's victories against Australia in the 2001/02 VB Series were when we batted first. :S And the other match we probably should've won too - after batting first - if it wasn't for Michael Bevan.
That Shane Bond in the evening atmosphere could be quite a handful, couldn't he?
 

Richard

Cricket Web Staff Member
Oh, certainly, but that tournament was probably his crowing-glory (in his very first series too) and what made it so special was how much damage he caused Australia, and he did that by maximising the swing-friendly conditions that are early evening.
 

Somerset

Cricketer Of The Year
True, Bond coming across midway through the test matches and then blasting Australia out of the water in the VB series was simply brilliant.. Was certainly his finest hour along with his 6/23 against, you guessed it, Australia, in the World Cup 03.
 

Burgey

Request Your Custom Title Now!
True, Bond coming across midway through the test matches and then blasting Australia out of the water in the VB series was simply brilliant.. Was certainly his finest hour along with his 6/23 against, you guessed it, Australia, in the World Cup 03.
Hmmm. Fine bowler Shane Bond. Sad that both of those achievements which you list came in contests where NZ didn't win. It's a shame he hasn't had more support when he's been there.
 

Somerset

Cricketer Of The Year
Hmmm. Fine bowler Shane Bond. Sad that both of those achievements which you list came in contests where NZ didn't win. It's a shame he hasn't had more support when he's been there.
I'd say that beating Australia three times and knocking them out of their own tournament was as good as winning it for most New Zealanders. We've struggled to beat South Africa consistently anyway (besides the most recent home series against them). The World Cup was admittedly a massive shame given the start we had (7/84 or something along those lines).
 

Richard

Cricket Web Staff Member
Especially given that all it would've taken to get rid of Bichel was catching a catch.
 

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