NZ under GrahamB (ICC 2005)

[chooka_nick]

Argh. You're right! That really isnt good enough. Best of luck... and from what I've seen I'd say that your batting's your problem (just to dispell otherwise). Most teams can chase down 300-odd. 7/187 against the Windies really isnt good!

 

[Graham]

1st Test - NZ v Windies (after Day Three)

Ian Marston did his best to get us close to the Windies total with a belligerent knock that cut the visitors' lead to 74 runs.
Then although our bowlers bowled accurately, the Windies top order put their side in a strong position going into Day Four.

 

[Graham]

1st Test - NZ v Windies (after Day Four)

Can we get through the final day to secure a draw?

 

[Graham]

1st Test - NZ v Windies (Unlikely hero saves the day!

Opening bowler Mark Gillespie has six first class half centuries to his name with a highest score of 86.
He came in last evening as night watchman. Who could have believed that he would bat right through the final day to save the test for NZ, bringing up his maiden first class century in the process!

 

[chooka_nick]

You lucky bugger.

 

[Graham]

You lucky bugger.

 

[Graham]

2nd Test - Windies in NZ 2010

We again struggled against the Windies attack with Lawson in the best form of his career.
Fleming and Papps had provided us with a good foundation, so it was very disappointing that we weren't able to kick on!

 

[Graham]

2nd Test - Windies in NZ 2010 (after Day Two)

We got ourselves back into the game before Windies keeper Baugh took the long handle to us!
The Windies with the edge going into Day Three. We'll need to wrap their innings up quickly if we're to have a chance.

 

[Graham]

2nd Test - Windies in NZ 2010 (after Day Three)

Baugh posted a big century on Day Three as he got sterling support from allrounder Hinds and the lower order.
Facing a huge first innings deficit, the last thing that was needed for us was to lose three wickets before stumps.
A miracle now required to save ourselves from going 1-0 down in the series!

 

[Graham]

2nd Test - Windies in NZ 2010 (The visitors go 1-0 up!)

Recalled opener Michael Papps showed some of the grit that we so desperately need at present as he carried his bat through the innings.
The only support he received however was from tailender Mark Gillespie as we failed to make a challenge of it.
The Windies knocked off the 28 runs required to end the test a day early and go 1-0 up in the three test series.

 

[Graham]

3rd Test - Windies in NZ 2010

With no real options other than the batsmen we already have, the only change to the side came in the makeup of the bowling attack.
Out went Warren McSkimming to make way for young spinner Andrew Aimson with the pitch expected to favour spin and pace equally.

The visitors made a solid start with Brian Lara leading the way.

 

[Graham]

3rd Test - Windies in NZ 2010 (after Day Two)

It doesn't look as though we'll be levelling the test series now!
Centuries to both Brian Lara and Ryan Hinds put the Windies into a commanding position by the end of Day Two.

 

[Graham]

3rd Test - Windies in NZ 2010 (after Day Three)

Can we escape with an honourable draw?
A big fight required on Day Four!

 

[Graham]

3rd Test - Windies in NZ 2010 (after Day Four)

Windies paceman Jermaine Lawson was again our tormentor on Day Four, but we're still in with a chance of salvaging a draw despite failing to avoid the follow on!

 

[Graham]

3rd Test - Windies in NZ 2010 (NZ go down meekly)

Former skipper Stephen Fleming was the only NZer to put up a fight as we crumbled to a crushing loss on the final day.
The Windies take out the test series 2-0!

Well - we've almost hit bottom now with only Zimbabwe below us in the test rankings.
NZ cricket is well and truly in the doldrums with no sign of any saviours coming through the ranks!

 

[LongHopCassidy]

If it helps - a good seam attack will win you far more games than a good batting line-up. It can't hurt to invest in youth and dig up a few RF's and LF's.

 

[Graham]

If it helps - a good seam attack will win you far more games than a good batting line-up. It can't hurt to invest in youth and dig up a few RF's and LF's.

I'm playing the international game, so if you mean invest in youth by playing them, I do that when there are promising ones that come on the scene.
At present, S.Treanor (batsman), J.Ryder (batsman), Ian Marston (keeper) and Andrew Aimson (spinner) are the best of the bunch.
The only young quickie on the scene is Mark Birch (leftarmer), but he has failed to impress in the chances that he's had.

I'll persevere though!

 

[chooka_nick]

Well - we've almost hit bottom now with only Zimbabwe below us in the test rankings.
NZ cricket is well and truly in the doldrums with no sign of any saviours coming through the ranks!

Ouch :|
Congrats on the 50-pages though!

 

[marc71178]

3rd Test - Windies in NZ 2010

With no real options other than the batsmen we already have, the only change to the side came in the makeup of the bowling attack.

Is that Test matches played or ODIs?

 

[Graham]

Is that Test matches played or ODIs?

We seem to be equally hopeless in both at present.
It could perhaps just be that the two sides we've faced recently are seriously on the climb, who knows?
We're hosting Zimbabwe next, so that will be the telling truth!

Players don't retire early enough and so you don't get the necessary number of promising youngsters coming through. Just my opinion.