Ian Chappell predicts an Anzac Battle

[adharcric]

New Zealand know they can beat both though. They defeated South Africa in the Champions Trophy by a considerable margin in the end and have played Sri Lanka so often in recent times that they should be comfortable with playing Murali.

NZ's ability to beat the top sides is seriously undersold at times. Sure we do badly against Australia every now and then, but who hasn't?
I'd say we've got fairly even records with Sri Lanka & South Africa over the last 3 years.

New Zealand are certainly underrated but I can't see them doing too well against Vaas, Malinga and especially Murali on these pitches. South Africa and Australia are simply superior sides but that's just my opinion. Nevertheless, I agree that you can't count the Kiwis out even against the best opposition. I would prefer a Australia vs SL/SA final.

 

[_Ed_]

The All Blacks would, no doubt about it. And it would be an injustice.

Yeah...so would it be bad if we did win the Cricket World Cup and I cheered against the ABs in the Rugby World Cup final?

I'd prefer to see the ABs win here in 2011 anyway...

 

[LA ICE-E]

you think, if you guys won there would be more intrest in cricket there? Anyways i would prefer that the aussies didn't make it to the final for once...they have made it to every one of them this '96...i would like to see nz vs sa though since neither won one, it would be a win win situation for me...or (not happening but sitll) WI vs Eng again a win win situation(eng never won, wi is home team)

 

[luffy]

you think, if you guys won there would be more intrest in cricket there? Anyways i would prefer that the aussies didn't make it to the final for once...they have made it to every one of them this '96...i would like to see nz vs sa though since neither won one, it would be a win win situation for me...or (not happening but sitll) WI vs Eng again a win win situation(eng never won, wi is home team)

NZ have a large enough fan base i think.

 

[Dick Rockett]

would it be bad if we did win the Cricket World Cup and I cheered against the ABs in the Rugby World Cup final?

I dunno, do we still have the death penalty for treason?

NZ have a large enough fan base i think.

When the Blackcaps are winning. NZ sports fans are the most disloyal bunch of turncoats ever, except when it comes to rugby.

 

[luffy]

When the Blackcaps are winning. NZ sports fans are the most disloyal bunch of turncoats ever, except when it comes to rugby.

Ok that explains the NRL fans

 

[_Ed_]

you think, if you guys won there would be more intrest in cricket there?

Definitely...until the next game NZ loses.

 

[Smudge]

Yeah...so would it be bad if we did win the Cricket World Cup and I cheered against the ABs in the Rugby World Cup final?

I dunno, do we still have the death penalty for treason?

Dunno, but I'm willing to arrange a lynchmob for Ed...

 

[pup11]

I am one the biggest and most optimistic Aussie fan but Watson's injury has really shattered the rhythm of Aussie bowling line-up.


I am worried about the fact that Symonds, Clarke and Hodge might have to fill-in as the 5th bowling option which could prove to be really expensive.



I would like to see Johnson come in for Watson (and thats of course if he doesn't get fit), Aussie batsmen are in form so they should take this punt.

 

[Blaze]

I would prefer the Warriors won the premiership to both the Cricket world cup and the Rugby World cup tbh.

 

[LA ICE-E]

i dont know about rugby...except that more people know the name rugby than cricket but is more popular than cricket?

 

[adharcric]

I am one the biggest and most optimistic Aussie fan but Watson's injury has really shattered the rhythm of Aussie bowling line-up.


I am worried about the fact that Symonds, Clarke and Hodge might have to fill-in as the 5th bowling option which could prove to be really expensive.



I would like to see Johnson come in for Watson (and thats of course if he doesn't get fit), Aussie batsmen are in form so they should take this punt.

You might be underrating Symonds as a bowler a little there.

 

[pup11]

I am not underrating Symo's bowling but he is not in his usual rhythm atm after his injury.

 

[Athlai]

In a New Zealand Australia final, imagine the clash of the personalities.
If NZ won, Fleming would ring up Ponting in the middle of the night and remind him.

As for the other two major teams, SL could stun any of the teams with its bowling attack if they all fire. This is something I don't feel any of the other teams is capable of. But then again if Australias openers fire a total of 300 would be a minimum. Against any attack.

South Africa won't make it to the final I feel, so far the form of a lot of their players hasn't looked at its finest and their bowling is getting picked off. (Kallis and Smith have been brilliant though.)

 

[Richard]

in recent years how many times have the aussies lost a match in the final? (bar the last two)

The past is past. Each new occasion is just that.

 

[Richard]

In addition, isn't it hilarious how quickly the pundits change their tune? A few games ago the Aussies were a bunch of has-beens on the way out, now they're nigh on unbeatable.

TBH, anyone who said that didn't really have a clue what they were on about. They were and still are beatable, but they're obviously back now to a better side than they were in those 5 consecutive losses.

 

[Craig]

South Africa won't make the final, and I will let you choose my avatar for a month if I'm wrong, I just feel if there is a way for them to lose a close game, they will find it. Sure they hung on against Sri Lanka (and made a meal out of it as well), but I'm not so sure in the semi finals.

 

[Richard]

Haha. You meant, of course, the first person to respond will choose your avatar?

And guess what I'll choose...

 

[simmy]

I would prefer the Warriors won the premiership to both the Cricket world cup and the Rugby World cup tbh.

Great.

What an important post this was.

 

[Richard]

?