**Official** New Zealand in England

[Richard]

Oh yeah, congrats on the 4,000 Athers.

 

[Richard]

No way... so Nasser and Bumble, with Athers at third man.

Ian Smith with either Hussain or Atherton (who both have a propensity to underestimate NZ) are the best TBH.

 

[Athlai]

Churning out the thousands now.

 

[four_or_six]

Ian Smith with either Hussain or Atherton (who both have a propensity to underestimate NZ) are the best TBH.

IMO I love the three I mentioned. Good commentary, topped off by hilarity due to stories of their England disasters. Loved Nasser reduced to tears of hysterics in the tests.

 

[Richard]

WoW, what a terrific catch!

MC Hammer in now.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Ian Smith with either Hussain or Atherton (who both have a propensity to underestimate NZ) are the best TBH.

I glad you have recognised that. Thought it was just my kiwi bias.
Nasser seems to be particularly harsh on NZ. Ian Smith jumps on him, ofcourse.

 

[_Ed_]

Nice.

 

[Natman20]

Theres my Styris wicket. Physcic tonight

 

[four_or_six]

We're losing our way a bit / a lot here.

Styris though tbh.

 

[Athlai]

How much did we miss Styris in that Test series? He was that player of experience who we needed in the middle to support the likes of Flynn and Taylor.

 

[Richard]

I glad you have recognised that. Thought it was just my kiwi bias.

Nah. I find it quite cringeworthy TBH, really don't like it.

Nasser seems to be particularly harsh on NZ. Ian Smith jumps on him, ofcourse.

Yeah that's why I love those two with Smith, he's always standing-up for his boys. Whereas most of the rest of the boys (Gower, Botham etc.) just leave it be and nod heads in agreement. But it's all so good-natured, never any "how daaaaare you insult my country" etc.

 

[Richard]

We're losing our way a bit / a lot here.

Are you surprised?

 

[Prince EWS]

Since the 1st of July 2007 (basically after the WC).

McCullum has scored 644 runs @ 53.66 with a SR of 109.89 in 15 matches.
Dhoni has scored 985 runs @ 42.82 with a SR of 80.27 in 34 matches.
Sangakkara has scored 569 runs @ 31.61 with a SR of 66.62 in 19 matches.

I reckon McCullum and Dhoni are a lot closer than the overall records would indicate, considering the way Macca plays these days and how well he has opened.

It takes a lot more than 15 ODIs to change my mind completely on a player, though. Particularly one who has had a long career of mediocrity, and particularly when three of those fifteen games have involved some figure-inflating feats against Bangladesh.

There's no doubt McCullum has improved lately, but lets not get carried away with ourselves. A small period like the above should not immediately leap into World XI consideration or we'd see Symonds in our Test XI.

Dhoni's done it all for longer in a wider variety of circumstances and even you admitted Sangakkara was a class above.

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

Nah. I find it quite cringeworthy TBH, really don't like it.

Same.

Yeah that's why I love those two with Smith, he's always standing-up for his boys. Whereas most of the rest of the boys (Gower, Botham etc.) just leave it be and nod heads in agreement. But it's all so good-natured, never any "how daaaaare you insult my country" etc.

Same.

zomg!!!!11 I'm agreeing with Dick²

 

[Nate]

Mason.

Was sledging Wright to my mate for a good ten minutes pre-match. Wasn't left unsatisfied.

 

[Richard]

Ooops, almost reported the above post, hitting the wrong button.

Turn for Vettori, ITSTL. Good from Vettori bowling slowly at Collingwood.

 

[four_or_six]

Are you surprised?

Nope, sadly not. Not in the slightest.

I hope Collingwood scores runs here, I really think we need him to come good if we're going to win this series.

 

[Richard]

Mason.

Was sledging Wright to my mate for a good ten minutes pre-match. Wasn't left unsatisfied.

Due to the Watson-resemblence?

 

[Richard]

So, two risk-ridden boundaries to Collingwood - is that him back in nick now mewonders?

 

[Natman20]

It takes a lot more than 15 ODIs to change my mind completely on a player, though. Particularly one who has had a long career of mediocrity, and particularly when three of those fifteen games have involved some figure-inflating feats against Bangladesh.

There's no doubt McCullum has improved lately, but lets not get carried away with ourselves. A small period like the above should not immediately leap into World XI consideration or we'd see Symonds in our Test XI.

Dhoni's done it all for longer in a wider variety of circumstances and even you admitted Sangakkara was a class above.

McCullum has always been good he has just got a chance now to prove it by being in a batting position not a lower order saver. I think hes just showing now what a lot of people have suspected for a long time. Of course I would choose Dhoni anyway but just wanted to make a point.