***Official*** New Zealand in Zimbabwe & Zimbabwe/New Zealand/India ODI Tri-Series

[aussie]

gotta agree with that. Vettori is also developing into a classy batsman to compliment his bowling, soon he might give Freddy a run for best all rounder in the world

oh yes he really can

 

[AndrewM]

Match report up

http://www.cricketweb.net/article.php?CategoryIDAuto=1&NewsIDAuto=615

 

[shaka]

Good day by the lower order (as usual) Commentators must be eating their words on Bond batting ability, thinking he is like Martin and cannot bat, then they checked his FC record and that all changed. Huge 6's!

 

[Macka]

Good day by the lower order (as usual) Commentators must be eating their words on Bond batting ability, thinking he is like Martin and cannot bat, then they checked his FC record and that all changed. Huge 6's!

The commentators' knowledge of our players isn't exactly great. Speaking of the coverage, where were the highlights of the dismissals? I started watching after the Ashes Test was over, and I went to bed when Vettori was 40-odd. They never showed a single dismissal before the Fleming-McCullum partnership. Looks as if McCullum has closed off his stance a little, too.

No surprise the top-order failed. That's all I'm going to say.

 

[Retox]

I wouldnt wanna question that theory after the way its working out fine right now..

Why not? He got a 100 and looks in fine touch at any number (VS England at 3?). Lou is not a opener and has said that. I don't mean instead of cummings (even though how or papps should be there) But until he gets back.

 

[Smudge]

In a way i disagree mate, i think Papps is better than them both i reckon that Fleming should open the batting, NZ have enough good players to make up a solid middle order. What do you think about this XI:

1. Papps
2. Fleming
3. H.Marshall
4. Styris
5. Astle
6. Oram
7. McCullum
8. Vettori
9. Franklyn
10. Bond
11. Tuffey - i rather him over Martin

Plus: I dont see why your selectors have dropped Sinclair i know he failed againts the aussies but he is a better batsman than Vincent & co

anyway i'm eagerly anticipating to see Bond bowl...

It's a moot point discussing your changes as they aren't on tour...

 

[Blaze]

Reminds me of what some say about the Warriors, they win 2 games and all of a sudden they have "turned the cornor"

Newsflash: 112/5, the top-order fails against bowlers who can't push it past the 130kmh mark. Messing around with openers, and accomadating middle-order batsman who have little form, selected for their reputation.

I think we should hold our judgement. I think you would have had to stay up all night to see with your own eyes, how awful the Zimbabwaen bowlers were.

I am not saying that we have turned the corner but it was a great recovery when we looked like we were going to be embarassed.

Yes the bowlers are poor but we aren't going to do well up the top with the team we have selected. Papps and How should be opening the batting IMO. This would have been a great tour to try How. James Marshall seems to have been picked on his brothers ability.

 

[Tim]

Yeah but Papps isn't on the tour so it has to be Cumming.

Bond apparently hit Astle on the shoulder and ripped Cumming's middle stump out of the ground in a warm-up match in Namibia so it sounds like he's ready to go.

 

[Tim]

I wouldn't mind seeing Jesse Ryder & Jamie How open for us in a few years.

 

[MoxPearl]

NZ were lucky though because they could easily have been 280 all out if McCullum & Vettori hadn't have batted so well.

thats a pretty stupid thing to say.. its cricket.... these things happen

You could make a thousand statements like that per game...

 

[Retox]

thats a pretty stupid thing to say.. its cricket.... these things happen

You could make a thousand statements like that per game...

Its all what if...

 

[Blaze]

thats a pretty stupid thing to say.. its cricket.... these things happen

You could make a thousand statements like that per game...

Steady on, hes just saying that if they hadn't saved us then we would have made a very modest total which would be due to the top order failing

 

[Blaze]

Yeah but Papps isn't on the tour so it has to be Cumming.

Bond apparently hit Astle on the shoulder and ripped Cumming's middle stump out of the ground in a warm-up match in Namibia so it sounds like he's ready to go.

Yeah I saw that on the news. Really excited to see how he goes tonight

 

[Darrin]

**official** New Zealand in Zimbabwe/New Zealand/India ODI Tri-series

The selectors should be picking James Marshall & Craig Cumming to open if you ask me.
If they should be dropping one player it should be Styris so that Vincent can slot back into the middle order.

Or I guess we'll hear Styris complaining about how he scored so many runs a year & a half a go so why should he be dropped?

I absolutely agree Tim. We happen to have a bit of depth in some areas and someone must miss out. If we have learnt anything over the last year is that we need specialist openers, not fleming, astle or whoever. To have opened with lou AGAIN defies belief.

 

[Blaze]

Cumming is injured but IMO for this test with the squad we have got McCullum should have opened with Marshall.

 

[lord_of_darkness]

Why not? He got a 100 and looks in fine touch at any number (VS England at 3?). Lou is not a opener and has said that. I don't mean instead of cummings (even though how or papps should be there) But until he gets back.

Imo if i did really well at number 5/6 then, say score a 100.. id rather stay there and play the supportive role that mccullum did so well.. i dont think at the number he came the ball would have been swinging as much or the bowlers holding their concentration as much as they did at the start of the innings... He should be looking to cement a spot and that number seems perfect for him because he has to play a more defensive role if he goes up the order..

 

[cricket player]

hopefully Zimbabwe will put on a good fight with the bat.

 

[AndrewM]

Man am i looking foward to the return of Bond tonight!

He'll get his fifty first though, then concentrate on bowling

And that reminds me...1st test fifty for him as well if he so gets it. What a lower order we have!

I also get to put my feet up and saviour it, no match report to do

 

[lord_of_darkness]

And that reminds me...1st test fifty for him as well if he so gets it. What a lower order we have!

I just remember posting regarding the batting strength and determination of the lower order australia possesses after their fightback against england to lose by 2 runs in the 2nd test.

Regarded the zimbabwe bowling isint that strong enough.. but they are still a test side and this is still a test match.. new zealands lower order batting strength and determination seems to be building very well

Andrew i think everyones just awaiting for the big return from Bond

 

[_Ed_]

Even Chris Martin may make a trip into double figures tonight!