***Official*** Pakistan in New Zealand 2015

[Flem274*]

The much maligned technique of Martin Guptill still let him score two massive hundreds over there, and I'm pretty sure we haven't dropped an ODI series there in a while as well. Wasn't the Champions Trophy we made the final of there too?

If it was a test championship there then I'd agree, but in ODIs we'll be okay.

 

[Flem274*]

Also the radio today coined a great new nickname for Corey J which fits nicely with CWs cake and icing theme.

Candy.

 

[Bahnz]

The much maligned technique of Martin Guptill still let him score two massive hundreds over there, and I'm pretty sure we haven't dropped an ODI series there in a while as well. Wasn't the Champions Trophy we made the final of there too?

If it was a test championship there then I'd agree, but in ODIs we'll be okay.

Nah, that was in South Africa. In the Champions Trophy in England we were knocked out in the first round.

 

[Greenlite]

We're a very good chance in the next one as well imo. All the young guys will have four more years of experience and I'm pretty sure it's in England so would you bet against Tim Southee taking bucketloads of poles?

We will probably lose McCullum, Vettori, Elliot, Ronchi, NcCullum, Guptill, Mills, that's half of the team. Although McCullum can probably play with less diving and chasing on the field.

Latham, Watlng, Neesham will probably be the new replacements, Latham likely to be the new star.

Milne, Henry, Boult will have 4 years of experience, probably in or entering their prime, with Southee, that's one scary bowling staff.

Williamson, Taylor, ANderson in their prime.

Any new Batsmen and spinners that's gonna rock the world after the WC?

Still we have to have a great coach in 2019 to have a chance, team culture and environment is the difference between winners and losers.

 

[Bahnz]

We will probably lose McCullum, Vettori, Elliot, Ronchi, NcCullum, Guptill, Mills, that's half of the team. Although McCullum can probably play with less diving and chasing on the field.

Latham, Watlng, Neesham will probably be the new replacements, Latham likely to be the new star.

Milne, Henry, Boult will have 4 years of experience, probably in or entering their prime.

Any new Batsmen and spinners that's gonna rock the world after the WC?

Guptill's still only about 28 right? If he's good enough there's no reason why he won't be playing in 4 years time.

But yeah the team probably won't be as strong at the next world cup.

 

[Hurricane]

I have a hunch Taylor won't be around in 4 years but my reasons are flimsy.

 

[Flem274*]

Depends who comes through. Four years is a long time. Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Corey Anderson, Tom Latham and Jimmy Neesham were either domestic babies or hadn't played at all back in 2011. When did Ronchi change his status?

We'll see plenty of new faces in the domestic and international game between now and then. In the mean time Guptill, Latham, Kane, Old Ross, Anderson, Neesham, Watling, Southee, Boult, Henry, Milne and Mitch M form the core of a strong squad. Taylor could be touch and go.

 

[Mike5181]

1. Martin Guptill
2. Tom Latham
3. Kane Williamson
4. Ross Taylor
5. Corey Anderson
6. BJ Watling+
7. Jimmy Neesham
8. Mitchell Santner/Ish Sodhi
9. Tim Southee
10. Adam Milne/Matt Henry
11. Trent Boult

Doesn't look too bad to me.

 

[Zinzan]

I have a hunch Taylor won't be around in 4 years but my reasons are flimsy.

I think he'll be there, but very much doubt he'll be in his 'prime', as the post above suggests, more like his twilight.

Also wouldn't surprise me if Taylor gave up the short-forms internationally to concentrate on test cricket.

 

[Zinzan]

In terms of feeling over-confident or being under a false sense of security about NZ's chances, I'm firmly In Hurricane's camp here, my expectations aren't that high.

I'll be disappointed if we don't make the semis, but I don't expect us to progress much further. I'll be absolutely delighted if we can do one better than in the past and actually make the final (even if it's a losing finalist).

The reality hit home with me when we lost that last game in the series against an under-strength SL . It was a stiff reminder that we're still not quite consistent enough to win 3 crucial pressure games on the trot from the quarter-finals on.

Whereas if you look at the likes of the Australians and to a slightly lesser extent the South Africans (we'll forget they did drop one against the WI), they've got enough class to be below par yet still get-up against decent sides.

That last game against England was a classic example. Having been inserted and in trouble at 50/4 early on, Australia still had a enough class to win fairly easily in the end.

 

[Bahnz]

To be fair, we had the class to recover from 90/5 against SRL and score 350-odd. We're generally pretty resilient. I also think that even without Malinga Sri Lanka are one of the better ODI sides, so beat them 4-2 was a pretty encouraging effort.

But I also agree with your central point that we probably lack the excellence to win 3 pressure games in a row. Admittedly though, if we do well in the group stage, the QF may well be against a seriously weak opponent (maybe even Ireland).

 

[Zinzan]

To be fair, we had the class to recover from 90/5 against SRL and score 350-odd. We're generally pretty resilient.

True, but the big picture is we lost twice to SL in 6 games, and that was a decidedly ordinary side in these conditions and their bowling was atrocious most of the series, saying nothing about the fact they were without Mathews for half of the games,

 

[Dick Rockett]

I don't think Australia are half as good as everyone assumes. They don't worry me. SA are the team to beat.

 

[Flem274*]

I've seen the batting highlights but how did we bowl last night?

 

[Dick Rockett]

I've seen the batting highlights but how did we bowl last night?

Southee was uncharacteristically poor. Elliott was expensive but tricky. Vettori and Boult were outstanding - accurate and wily. Boult's economy would've been even better if he hadn't been stiffed by a top-edged six that the batsman knew nothing about.

 

[Hurricane]

I've seen the batting highlights but how did we bowl last night?

Dan's 4 deliveries to get rid of Afridi were top shelf

That was my highlight as I didn't see all of it

 

[Zinzan]

I don't think Australia are half as good as everyone assumes. They don't worry me. SA are the team to beat.

Think you're underestimating how good Australia are in their own conditions. I actually give us a 50/50 chance of doing them at Eden Park, but I can still see them reaching the final at Melbourne even if they drop that game.

Don't forget, they made SA look fairly ordinary in that short ODI series in Aust straight after SA had hammered us in our backyard. (admittedly minus Taylor & Williamson).

Also, if it was SA/Aust final, I know which of the two sides I can see handling the big occasion better.

 

[Flem274*]

N Mac and Milne?

 

[Zinzan]

I've seen the batting highlights but how did we bowl last night?

Bowling was solid overall, only Timmy & Milne received some tap, but were both still well under the required rate.

 

[Dick Rockett]

Think you're underestimating how good Australia are in their own conditions.

Yeah ok. Man for man I don't think they're a particularly great team - especially when you compare them with who came before - but that's my opinion.

Anyway chaps, I'm off on hols. Enjoy the start of the WC everyone!