**Official** 2004 Natwest Series (Eng, NZL, WI)

[PY]

Ah now I see it. Cheers.

 

[superkingdave]

Butler could do with a bit extra mph if he is to be affective on batsmen friendly pitches - 89-91 is good enough on a pitch like today but he bowls quite short and on another day he'd go for a lot of runs. But if he can get up to 94 its a different story

 

[Tim]

I can't quite see Butler hitting 150 kph...I think he maxes out at 148.

 

[superkingdave]

Thats the thing, i think he needs to find that extra to really be a top bowler

and since he is only yourg i think he could find it over the next few years

 

[Tim]

So you're saying he has to bowl 148 k's+ just to be a good bowler? I think all he needs to do is become more consistent in line & length.

He hit 148 k's in India on placid tracks.

 

[Tim]

I think the current partnership is where it could be won & lost for England. A couple of wickets now could have them out for 160 odd. If these 2 keep going they could reach an imposing score of around 250.

 

[superkingdave]

No i just think he is never going to be the line and length bowler, i also said he needs to find the extra pace to be a 'really top bowler' he can be a good bowler at his pace now just not really top IMO.

But i do think he might find extra pace if he stays free of injury

 

[marc71178]

But i've heard that the lights in England are as bad as the one's in Napier here. So surely that can't be helping the team batting 2nd under lights.

The problem with the lights is our long twilight period - for a long time they aren't very effective.

That's why it's so different to conditions elsewhere, although teams appear to be beginning to work out how to bat over here under lights.

I think it was 2 years or so before a team chased successfully under them.

 

[superkingdave]

At least it looks like we might do better than in the other matches

 

[marc71178]

I haven't seen too much talk about Hamish Marshall..he recorded yet another half century finishing 75* yesterday. He's very good at rotating the strike & keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

Must be people taking him for granted that he'll just come in and do the job!

Has NZ finally found a good #3?

Appears so, he's doing it consistently - and yet again someone who's domestic figures didn't really suggest him an immediate candidate...

 

[Tim]

Well I hope England get a good score & I think its on the cards today.

 

[marc71178]

Ian Botham knows jack about the NZ team really. He called Scotty Styris as "nothing more than a part-time option" when the ND man has taken nearly a wicket every ODI.

I think he's talking in the sense that you wouldn't really want to go in with him as one of 5 bowlers - he's not that frequently given a full 10, especially in recent times as his batting has progressed.

 

[marc71178]

Why is Cairns out? is he injured?

Slight ankle problem I believe - possibly also 2 games in 2 days when it's not so crucial for NZ means it's better to rest him.

 

[Tim]

I would agree with that. Certaintly if NZ had 3 quality quicks, a good spinner & Oram it would be unlikely that Styris would bowl more than 5 overs.
I still think he has value as a bowler though..he's good at taking crucial wickets.

 

[marc71178]

I'd like to see England set NZ a big total today.

The conditions might mean that a "big" total isn't necessarily as big as you'd think to be honest.

 

[Tim]

I disagree..if a Flintoff or Oram gets going..250 could easily be achieved. It's just whether the other batsmen can hang around & help create a platform.

 

[Tim]

In this case..you could be right that 250 is too high but players like Flintoff, Oram, Cairns etc don't exactly worry too much about what the pitch is doing..if they've got their eye in it'll be difficult to stop them.

 

[superkingdave]

In this case..you could be right that 250 is too high but players like Flintoff, Oram, Cairns etc don't exactly worry too much about what the pitch is doing..if they've got their eye in it'll be difficult to stop them.

Are you saying that Flintoff has not changed his game today because of the pitch and situation?

 

[Tim]

what?

 

[superkingdave]

what?

Well the first 30 runs came of 60 balls would you say that says hes not concerned about the pitch?