Tag: New Zealand

Cricket: New Zealand v England 1st Test Preview

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English cricket fans are desperate for some good news.  Their National cricket team is without a coach, is embroiled in a long-winding and tiresome war of words with Kevin Pieterson, and suffered an embarrassing recent loss to a West Indies team their new Chairman Colin Graves labelled ‘mediocre’.  Thus the fans need a distraction that can only be delivered in the form of a test and series win against New Zealand.

Their New Zealand opponents are on an upward curve.  After a promising home series against Sri Lanka and a World Cup campaign that set the nation alight, New Zealand have moved to third in the test rankings and will no longer fly under any world cricket radar.

The opening bowling pair of Tim Southee and Trent Boult is arguable the strongest facet of their game, but with Kane Williamson, and Brendon McCullum in the middle order, runs might not be a problem for the first time in an away Northern Hemisphere tour.

They have concerns over the form of Ross Taylor (he’s failed to get past 32 in four warmup innings thus far), and their preparation has been slightly scuppered by the late arrival of IPL stars.  But they should still be competitive throughout.

The Last Time These Two Met

The Black Caps were pretty ropey the last time they played in England.  In a test series immediately after a drawn series in New Zealand, the tourists fell to two hefty defeats at Lords and Hedgingly.  The most disappointing aspect of the tour was the final innings effort at Lords where New Zealand fell over for 68 when chasing 239 for the win – perhaps the Lords slope will be cause for concern for the batsman again.  New Zealand’s bowling was on song for most of the series, however their batsman let them down badly.

Of more recent form, New Zealand beat Sri Lanka at home in their most recent series, while the English tied a series in the West Indies – much to the disappointed of their fans.

The Teams

England (likely): 1 Alastair Cook (capt), 2 Adam Lyth, 3 Gary Ballance, 4 Ian Bell, 5 Joe Root, 6 Moeen Ali, 7 Ben Stokes, 8 Jos Buttler (wk), 9 Mark Wood, 10 Stuart Broad, 11 James Anderson

Adam Lyth and Mark Wood are expected to debut in the series opener.

New Zealand (likely): 1 Tom Latham, 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Brendon McCullum (capt), 6 Corey Anderson, 7 BJ Watling (wk), 8 Mark Craig, 9 Matt Henry, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Trent Boult

As is Matt Henry for New Zealand.

The Key Players

James Anderson – Some have already labelled the series a battle between New Zealand and Anderson.  England’s one true match-winner simply gets the job done series after series.  He is deadly at home too and, after having worked himself into some form at the end of the West Indies series, shapes as the key foil to a New Zealand series win.

Kane Williamson – Don’t be fooled by New Zealand’s climb to third in the test match rankings or their dream run to the World Cup Final in April, their batsman will struggle in England.  The ball will swing and the ball will seam, and England have to bowlers to exploit both.  That puts the onus on the techniques of the New Zealand batsman and there are none better than Williamson.  Williamson’s straight bat is the best defence to the moving ball and with plenty of English conditions experience with Yorkshire should be able to improve on his modest record in England.  Expect a big series from the little man.

The Match Odds*

England – $2.32

New Zealand – $2.80

Draw – $2.95

*Courtesy of Sportsbet Australia.

The Prediction

Great odds all round if you’re confident which way this one will go.  Always factor in the rain in English hosted test matches but also consider the movement on offer could equate to a lot of wickets falling early in the test (only two of the past 8 test have been drawn at Lords).  So we’re thinking result, and we’ll go with England courtesy of their superior home record.

The Best Bets

BJ Watling to top score at $10.00 is sensational money.  In great nick in the warm up games, and barring any spectacular collapses won’t face a new ball until the second is on offer and he’s well settled.

Matt Henry is likely to grab the third seamer spot and he might just surprise a few people.  More into the pitch then Boult and Southee he may enjoy bowling into the slope.  He’s at $4.33 to lead the wicket-takers in the 1st Innings.

Rugby League: ANZAC Test Preview

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International Rugby League – ANZAC Test Preview

Who

Australian Kangaroos v New Zealand Kiwis

Where

Suncorp Stadium

When

Friday, 7.45pm (Australian Eastern Time)

Odds

Australia – $1.44

New Zealand – $2.87

Form

Most recently, the Kiwis enjoyed narrow wins over Australia in their past two meetings during last years Four Nations.  The wins came against severely weakened opponents so we’re taking the recent form with an almighty grain of salt.

Despite turning Suncorp in to an overseas fortress, winning four of their past five there (including one against England), New Zealand have won just one-from-15 Anzac Tests since the annual clash’s inception.

Teams

Australia: 1 Greg Inglis (Rabbitohs) 2 Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs) 3 Michael Jennings (Roosters) 4 Will Chambers (Storm) 5 Josh Dugan (Dragons) 6 Jonathan Thurston (Cowboys) 7 Cooper Cronk (Storm) 8 Matthew Scott (Cowboys) 9 Cameron Smith (Storm) 10 Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers) 11 Greg Bird (Titans) 12 Sam Thaiday (Broncos) 13 Corey Parker (Broncos).

Interchange: 14 Luke Lewis (Sharks) 15 Trent Merrin (Dragons) 16 Nate Myles (Titans) 17 James Tamou (Cowboys) 18th man: Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles) 19th man: Josh Papalii (Raiders).

New Zealand: 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 2 Jason Nightingale, 3 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 4 Peta Hiku, 5 Manu Vatuvei, 6 Kieran Foren, 7 Shaun Johnson, 8 Jesse Bromwich, 9 Issac Luke, 10 Ben Matulino, 11 Tohu Harris, 12 Kevin Proctor, 13 Simon Mannering (c).

Interchange: 14 Thomas Leuluai, 15 Martin Taupau, 16 Sam Moa, 17 Greg Eastwood, 18 Lewis Brown.

Preview

History is New Zealand’s enemy tonight.

The Kiwis, who have a tendency to score first before badly running out of steam, are looking to overcome 13 straight ANZAC test match defeats, and will need to call upon every inch of NRL form that exists within their squad.

The New Zealand underdogs have belief after last years Four Nations, but injuries to key personnel including Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Kieran Foran, and Jason Nightingale may have curtailed any momentum garnered from last seasons tournament win.  Instead they will rely on form front rower Jesse Bromwich and the electric footed Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to inspire an upset that would leave a lot of punters upset.

Tim Sheen’s Australian squad are bolstered by several names who missed last years Four Nations finale, in addition to bright prospects Alex Johnston and Will Chambers.  Greg Inglis gets a chance to play his preferred fullback position after Billy Slater was ruled out through injury, and that in itself is a reason to tune in tonight.

Other mouth watering prospects include Cronk v Johnson, Scott and Woods v Matulino and Bromwich, Luke v Smith.

Prediction

Australia’s stranglehold over the annual fixture looks set to continue in tonight’s 2015 edition (also the 100th anniversary of the first major contribution of ANZAC troops in the First World War).  Despite the Kiwi’s Four Nations win (including the back to back wins) the Australians have too much quality on paper and are traditionally to fit for their trans-Tasman rivals in the early season figure.  We’re predicting the Kangaroos to pull away in the final quarter to win by 14. 

Sportsbet Betting Special

Representative Round Special – Place a Win / Try Combo bet on any Representative (Fiji v PNG, Samoa v Tonga) match this weekend and if your player scores a try but the team loses, you’ll get your cash back.

Cricket World Cup: NZ v South Africa – SF 1 Review

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Grant Elliot held his nerve on the penultimate ball to swat Dale Steyn over the long on boundary, sending a 45,000 strong Eden Park into a frenzy, and New Zealand to the World Cup final.  South African born Elliot played the innings of his life to help New Zealand find 29 from the final 17 balls and 12 from the final over in a pulsating finish the World Cup richly deserved.

After four one-sided quarterfinals the tournament was screaming out for a close and memorable encounter.  Auckland duly delivered with a day’s play that constantly saw momentum ebb and flow, as two teams desperate to book their first ever World Cup final appearance traded blows under intense duress.

New Zealand fired the first shot; Trent Boult matching his deadly late swing with unparalleled accuracy, at one stage bowling to a 7-2 offside field with five slips, and taking two early wickets.  Hashim Amla chopped on when he through the hands loosely at a widish drivable length, and when Quinton de Kock gave his wicket away after surviving an earlier storm for 14, South Africa were reeling at 31/2.

While the electric Eden Park crowd bayed for more blood, Faf du Plessis personified the fight and heart of his South African side with a brilliantly composed 82.  He withstood the early pressure along with Rilee Rossouw to help build an AB de Villers shaped platform from which the aggressive captain could launch from.

Launch they did too as the 10 overs between 30 and 40 brought 110 runs.  The de Villiers led impetus had South Africa perfectly set-up to press on to 350+ before a one and a half hour rain delay curtailed the possibility.  The rain delay reduced the contest to 43 hours and meant South Africa had just five more overs to add to their total.  The post break hero for South Africa was David Miller who thrashed 49 from just 18 balls to set up the daunting total.  Remarkably, de Villiers faced just 7 balls in the final five overs.

Duckworth-Lewis entered the fray at the innings break and adjusted New Zealand’s target t0 298.  In the process, asking the Black Caps to successfully complete the largest run chase in World Cup knockout history.  History looked entirely plausible when Brendon McCullum launched a familiar attack in the first five overs.  He dispatched everything that came his way, including reducing some of the World’s best fast bowlers to club cricket cannon fodder.  McCullum’s 26-ball 59 was crucial to his side’s chances and set the perfect tone for the stiff target as well as denting the confidence of Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander – confidence that did not return when they both needed it in the crunch overs.

Despite the fall of McCullum, and a collection of others through the middle overs, Grant Elliot remained calm, found support from Corey Anderson and expertly controlled the asking rate under unimaginable stress.  Elliot and Anderson’s 103 run partnership was the determinative contribution of the innings.  The pair survived multiple run out chances, and dropped catch collisions to put together their match-winning effort.  It shouldn’t go down as a choke, as South Africa left everything out on the park, but there were some interesting options taken by the eventual losers.

In particular, JP Duminy’s early introduction and subsequent choice to bowl round the wicket was head scratching.  He can bowl better, as the quarterfinal hat-trick outline, but he picked a poor day to bowl some of his worst stuff.  That forced de Villiers himself to make up some of the overs, and he did an okay job until trying a bouncer every over that resulted in boundaries.  Rossouw’s decision to throw the ball flat and hard while trying to run out Corey Anderson will be questioned as will Steyn’s final delivery length option.

New Zealand’s win did get a little closer than perhaps it should have.  Tight Imran Tahir and Morne Morkel overs asked the South African faithful to believe, but with ten needed from four balls, Daniel Vettori squeezed and important boundary and then Elliot connected perfectly to book New Zealand a spot in Melbourne’s tournament decider.

Dream big New Zealand.

New Zealand 299 for 6 in 42.5 overs (Elliott 84*, McCullum 59, Anderson 58, Morkel 3-59) beat South Africa 281 for 5 in 43 overs (Du Plessis 82, De Villiers 65*, Miller 49) by 4 wickets (D/L method)

Cricket World Cup: NZ v South Africa – SF 1 Preview

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[Tweet “Cricket World Cup Madness!”]As predicted, the four best teams in the Cricket World Cup have made it through to the semi-finals, and for the two of them competing in the tournament’s first semi-final, it could mean a first ever World Cup final.

New Zealand and South Africa head to a wet Eden Park in a bid to book a place in Melbourne’s World Cup showpiece against either Australia or India.  They’ll have a bleak day of unpredictable weather to contend with, as well as the significant expectation of success that both countries have placed on their players.  For New Zealand, that pressure has come about through a wealth of good form and an attractive brand of cricket.  The Black Caps have lost once in their last 13 matches and are riding a public wave of admiration only ever seen before at the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

South Africa on the other hand have always had that expectation.  They have simply never delivered.  So much so, that their World Cups are more synonymous with choking than they are with success.  They may have turned around their knockout fortune with an imperious win over Sri Lanka, but doubts will remain about their mettle if this one gets close.

Questions will also be asked of New Zealand’s fifth bowling option.  Corey Anderson and Grant Elliot are expected to perform the role with little tournament experience, while some might point to Ross Taylor’s strike rate and running between the wickets as trouble zones too.

Either way, the cauldron of Eden Park will get that much hotter in the final quarter of the game as pressure and expectation weigh heavily on the players minds.

The Last Time These Two Met

In a full series in early October (the earliest cricket has ever been played in a New Zealand summer), South Africa comfortably got the better of an experimental New Zealand side (Jimmy Neesham was opening).  They won the series 2-0 and were tracking well in the washed out Hamilton finale.  The teams have met once since then in a World Cup warm up match in Christchurch.  The Black Caps were at their devastating best in that match piling on 331 and bowling their opponents

The Teams

New Zealand (likely): 1 Brendon McCullum (capt), 2 Martin Gupill, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 Corey Anderson, 7 Luke Ronchi (wk), 8 Daniel Vettori, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Matt Henry

Adam Milne has been withdrawn from the World Cup because of a heel injury.  The ICC have okayed Matt Henry as a replacement and he is expected to make a shock first appearance in a straight replacement.

South Africa (likely): 1 Hashim Amla, 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Faf du Plessis, 4 AB de Villiers (capt), 5 Rilee Rossouw, 6 David Miller, 7 JP Duminy, 8 Dale Steyn, 9 Vernon Philander/Kyle Abbott, 10 Morne Morkel, 11 Imran Tahir

AB de Villiers has confirmed his entire squad is fit and available.  That means the selectors must only ponder over the third seam option.  Vernon Philander adds more with the bat (he was the second highest South African scorer in the World Cup warm up match between the two sides), whereas Kyle Abbot’s aggressiveness helped create the early pressure that Sri Lanka found it impossible to come back from.

The Key Players

Daniel Vettori – Eden Park is not an easy place for spin bowlers.  The two tiny straight boundaries are only an enticing strike away for most World Class batsman.  But as he proved against Australia earlier in the tournament, Vettori has the guile to do well at Kingsland’s concrete jungle.  In that game he successfully stalled the charge of David Warner and Shane Watson and essentially turned the game in New Zealand’s favour.  The challenge will be to do it again against AB de Villiers and co.

Hashim Amla – Just as Vettori likes Eden Park, Amla likes playing New Zealand in New Zealand.  In six games against the Black Caps on their own turf the elegant right-hander has managed 345 runs at 57.50.  He’s also had a relative quiet World Cup, save for his 159 versus Ireland, so he’s well and truly due to bag big runs.  His technique is arguably the best in his team’s lineup to counteract swing too; he plays the ball so late and can manoeuvre it anywhere with his freakishly supple wrists.  His role will be to ensure South Africa don’t lose early wickets and retain them for a late onslaught.

The Match Odds*

New Zealand – $2.00

South Africa – $1.82

*Courtesy of Ladbrokes Australia.

The Prediction

Before the tournament, we would have given this match to South Africa comfortably.  However, so good is New Zealand’s form it makes it awfully hard to bet against them.  When one player fails, another will stand up, and to man, the team believes.  That said, the 11 South African players are marginally better than the 11 Black Caps, and that will be decisive.  South Africa to get home by 2 wickets or 25 runs.

The Best Bets

Guptill answered his critics, why can’t Taylor do so as well.  Ross Taylor to Top Score @ $6.00

Guptil likes an over or so to get going.  Back South Africa to Have Highest Score After Over 1 @ $2.25

AB de Villers Top Batsman / Dale Steyn Top Bowler Comb0 @ $16.00

Cricket World Cup: New Zealand v West Indies – QF 4 Review

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The Black Caps were handsomely rewarded for their selection loyalty to opener Martin Guptill when the much maligned right-hander plundered a New Zealand best 237*, to guide his side to  victory over the West Indies and into the Cricket World Cup semi-finals.

Guptill was constantly under fire prior to the tournament; criticised for his slow starts and inconsistent form, he was fortunate that his team were winning games, buying him more time, and affording him the luxury of an extended time in the side to work on his game.  It paid off in spectacular fashion tonight at Wellington’s Cake Tin stadium.  Guptill’s double is the first by a New Zealand batsman, and comfortably tops Chris Gayle’e earlier tournament effort as the highest ever World Cup score.

It was breathtaking viewing.  Straight drives, powerful leg side flicks and exceptional square cuts personified the impressive control Nuptial had on proceedings, and set the tone for New Zealand’s 393 for 6,  Facing the first and last ball of the innings, Guptill got his runs in conventional fashion.  No reverse sweeps, switch hits, paddles or scoops, just excellent cricket shots perfectly placed and timed well.  The 237 featured over 160 runs in boundaries with 24 fours and 11 sixes to Guptill’s name.

To an extent the fabulous innings masked another bizarre Ross Taylor innings – his tournament strike rate is now languishing at just 60.88 – and papered over some Brendon McCullum form cracks too.  Mccallum departure early again, this time for just 12, but it should have been Guptill departing early.  Third ball of the game Marlon Samuels put down a catchable chance, that would go on to cost them some 233 runs.  (Not quite the most expensive drop in ODI history as Rohit Sharma was also put down on 4 when he amassed 264).  Williamson solidified for a moment but then fell to an Andre Russell slower ball for 33.  That brought Taylor to the crease, who is now a major worry ahead of their South African semi-final showdown at Eden Park on Tuesday.  He scratched his way to a useful 40 in the circumstances, but looked afraid of getting out, afraid of trying to up the ante, and was part of a host of running between the wicket mishaps.  The running was eventually his downfall as a misunderstanding led to his run out, but also allows the Black Caps to insert Corey Anderson, Grant Elliot, Luke Ronchi and Dan Vettori who all pitched in.

Guptill’s effort was only marginally short of the entire West Indies team effort as they came out swinging in an aggressive pursuit of the ominous total. Perhaps thinking it was still a Pool game and net run rate was important the Windies went at better than 8 runs an over throughout.  Despite regular wickets the West Indies to a man swung wildly at anything loose in a tactic that unsettled New Zealand and saw them concede far too many boundaries.  Even the ever reliable Vettori took some tap.  Gayle’s 61 was a highlight, as were Trent Boult’s four wickets and Vettori’s spectacular boundary rope catch to dismiss Marlon Samuels.

None of those players could overshadow man of the match Martin Guptill though.  New Zealand make another World Cup semi-final but for the first time enter it with a real belief that they could win it.  They head to Auckland for Tuesday’s encounter along with the three other strongest teams in the tournament.  Cricket fans desperately hoping for semi-finals that are closer than the quarters were.

New Zealand 393 for 6 (Guptill 237*, Taylor 3-71) beat West Indies 250 (Gayle 61, Boult 4-44) by 143 runs

Cricket World Cup: New Zealand v West Indies – QF 4 Preview

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A semifinal spot against South Africa in Auckland awaits the winner of the final World Cup quarterfinal.  It would be cruel to not see New Zealand there, at Eden Park, in front of a huge home crowd.  But that’s exactly what the West Indies will be looking to achieve when they bring their enigmatic game to Wellington for the first time in the tournament.

Betcirca brings you all the key information for the New Zealand v West Indies quarterfinal.

The Last Time These Two Met

In late 2013, early 2014 New Zealand and the West Indies faced off in a series that became famous for one person rather than one match.  It was Corey Anderson, and his record breaking hundred in Queenstown.  That was the last time the sides have met in one day internationals.  The series was split 2-2, with the final game decided in West Indies favour by a whopping 203 runs.

The Teams

New Zealand (likely): 1 Brendon McCullum (capt), 2 Martin Gupill, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Grant Elliott, 6 Corey Anderson, 7 Luke Ronchi (wk), 8 Daniel Vettori, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Adam Milne.

Adam Milne is fit and will replace big Mitchell McClenaghan in the only change for the Black Caps from the team that beat Bangladesh.

West Indies (likely): 1 Chris Gayle , 2 Johnson Charles, 3 Marlon Samuels, 4 Jonathan Carter, 5 Lendl Simmons, 6 Denesh Ramdin 7 Darren Sammy, 8 Andre Russell, 9 Jason Holder, 10 Jerome Taylor, 11 Sulieman Benn

Chris Gayle will play even if he’s 15% fit, he’s that important to their chances.  He’s been in and out of training all week but we believe he’ll be available to open with Johnson Charles.  Sulieman Benn will probably be included instead of Kemar Roach as a slow bowling option alongside all the seam bowlers.

The Key Players

Kane Williamson – Last time at bat, Kane Williamson scored a solitary run. It was his first single figure score in 24 innings.  It was the first time since Boxing Day 2013 (ironically it was against the West Indies).  We predict it won’t happen again at this World Cup.  This incredibly humble, intelligent and unflappable batting talent will bounce back with big runs today.  It’s in his nature, it’s in his mind.

Jason Holder – Twenty-three year olds are generally only found in the crowds of Cricket World Cup quarterfinals.  Not leading their side amongst selection wrangles, pay wrangles and Twenty20 franchise distractions.  However, Holder has excelled in his role and is one of the genuine finds of the 2015 World Cup.  He’s has wickets to his name, runs beside it and has garnered the respect of the cricket world.  He’s the key for the West Indies today.  How will his game and captaincy compare to Brendon McCullum.

The Match Odds*

New Zealand – $1.28

West Indies – $3.70

*Courtesy of Ladbrokes Australia.

The Prediction

New Zealand should be able to continue their tournament momentum with a win in Wellington.  While the conditions won’t suit their bowlers as well as they did when they played England at the Cake Tin, they’ll still have the class to take top order wickets and restrict the West Indies batsman.  New Zealand by 60 runs or 4 wickets.

The Best Bets

Williamson doesn’t fail twice in a row.  Get on him to Top Score @ $4.25.

Jerome Taylor loves playing New Zealand (would you believe he has a Test match century to his name against them?).  He can bowl too.  He’s paying $3.75 to be the leading wicket-taker for the West Indies.