Tag: New Zealand

Cricket World Cup: Day 27 Recap and Day 28 Preview

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Day 27 Results

1. New Zealand v Bangladesh

Martin Guptill and the lower order helped New Zealand get past Bangladesh in their final Pool game of the Cricket World Cup, but only just.  Chasing 289 to win, the Black Caps looked to be cruising with Guptill and Ross Taylor controlling the chase, however, the brave Bangladeshi slow bowlers refused to give the game away and took it right down to the wire.  In the end, cameos from Corey Anderson (39), Daniel Vettori (16) and Tim Southee (12) were needed to see the locals home with seven balls to spare.

Bangladesh had earlier recovered from a poor first ten overs – they were 29/2 – to post an excellent 288.  That was largely thanks to Mohammad Mahmudullah’s second consecutive hundred.  His 128 was as good if not better than his previous knock against England.  If featured, nervy start, in which a couple f chances went down within his first few balls, but then controlled aggression and supreme patience.  He allowed others to build partnerships around him and later destroyed Mitchell McClenaghan in the final overs.

Bangladesh’s tactic of using slow bowlers to curb Brendon McCullum’s free scoring worked well.  Shakib bowled an opening over maiden and then removed McCullum and Williamson shortly after.  The plan was working and they should have been well on top had they reviewed an LBW decision against Guptill that went against them.  Guptill got to 100, Taylor to 50, and New Zealand seemed on course before allowing the late pressure to get a bit much for them.  Instead of cool heads, Guptill; Taylor; Elliot; Ronchi; and Anderson all went for wild swipes and perished.

And just when Bangladesh started to believe, Shakib, the hero of the innings with four important top order wickets, went for 12 to lose by 3 wickets.

New Zealand 289 for 7 (Guptill 105, Shakib 4-55) beat Bangladesh 288 for 7 (Mahmudullah 128*, Soumya 51) by three wickets

2. England v Afghanistan

The second match of the day was damp, dull and decidedly English in conditions and appearance.  Sydney’s persistent rain had reduced play to just 50 overs and reduced the crowd to a sparse smattering.  It was befitting of the England Cricket World Cup campaign that this was how it ended.  No bright lights, no powerful opposition and no fanfare.  Simply a final Pool game won comfortably against an associate nation.

All five bowlers took wickets for England, again there was no standout, and they chased their target of 100 easily.  Just one down, with runs to Ian Bell and Alex Hales.  Ian Bell scored another half century, his third of the tournament, but that just accentuates the problems with England.  Not enough hundreds, not enough wickets, no x-factor and carrying a captain averaging 19 in the tournament.

A comfortable win to finish for England, a disappointing final effort from Afghanistan despite bringing plenty of value to the occasion.

England 101 for 1 (Bell 52*, Hales 37) beat Afghanistan 111 for 7 (Shafiqullah 30) by nine wickets (D/L method)

Day 28 Matches

1. India v Zimbabwe

India – $1.10

Zimbabwe – $7.00

India will look to continue their unbeaten World Cup run that spans not only this edition but also 2011’s tournament.  Five from five this year and verging on ten in total, the Indians ave been mightily impressive, despite being given very little chance to do well at the onset.

So dominant have they been, they’ll relish a challenge and the chance to give more batsman game time if Zimbabwe can come to the party.  That could be too much to ask, but we hope not, especially for Brendon Taylor, who deserves a fitting farewell in his final match for Zimbabwe (he’s signed for Nottinghamshire on a Kolpack deal).

2. Australia v Scotland

Australia – $1.01

Scotland – $17.00

Australia will make short work of Scotland in the second of the day’s matches.  Scotland have been the biggest disappointment of the associate nations and you get the feeling they’ll just want to get home.  The only unanswered questions in this match are the size of the total if Australia bat first, the overs taken to chase down Scotland’s effort if they bat first, and whether Shane Watson will play (which might be a tip for who gets the quarterfinal spot).

Day 28 Multi

The Test Best Double

During the Australian Summer two batsman stood out amongst a number of fine efforts.  They were both captains of their sides at various times in the series and both made centuries for fun in the four test series.  That’s why we’re backing them to succeed today.

Virat Kohli to Top Score at $4.75 + Steven Smith to Top Score at $5.00 = $23.75

Odds from Unibet Australia.

Cricket World Cup Day 27 Preview

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Not long now until the World Cup starts to get a little more interesting.  Until then, England and New Zealand are predicted to score comfortable wins in Hamilton and Sydney respectively.

Check out our review of today’s actions and the most pertinent questions heading into it:

The Three Big Questions?

Should Ireland be playing test cricket?

Ireland have again led the way of associate nations in this World Cup with a string of decent performances and three wins.  They’ll be pushing for a quarterfinal spot when they meet Pakistan on Sunday.  Whether they make the knockout stage or not they deserve to press their case for test status.  They certainly have the experience, the facilities and the talent to compete in the shorter format, but questions remain about their ability to last five days.  All but three of their squad have played for English counties.  Heck, even their number 11 averages 31.25 in first class cricket.  We support their inclusion on the basis that they start in a second tier comp and are not subject to top team humiliation (even though that’s how every team starts their test journey).

Are New Zealand disadvantaged having every pool game at home?

It sounds silly, but some commenters have argued that New Zealand will struggle with the bigger grounds and different surfaces in Australia if they reach the World Cup final.  Stepping out to a packed MCG could be overwhelming if they haven’t had to experience defending a total on the big ground, or been subjected to the inevitable sheep shagging jokes on the boundary.  Luckily, the conditions won’t be too dissimilar, and home advantage when the public is riding such a wave is more advantageous than not.

Shane Watson or Mitchell Marsh?

Watto will rightly play in the middle order for the rest of the tournament barring injury.  His experience is worth more than Marsh and offers a better bowling option.  Marsh did take five wickets in Australia’s opener but has since been ineffective with the ball in hand.  He must make way for Watson who revived his career with his knock against Sri Lanka.

Today’s Matchups

1. New Zealand v Bangladesh, Seddon Park (Hamilton – fine weather all day), starts 2:00pm local time

New Zealand – $1.12

Bangladesh – $6.25

You might not believe this but Bangladesh have won all of the last seven completed one day internationals against New Zealand.  Granted all of them were in Bangladesh, and when New Zealand were not at home, unbeaten in a World Cup. It’s still a damn fine record and will actually take some good cricket to put a stop to.  Shakib Al Hasan is the key to Bangladesh hopes.  He has an excellent record against the Black Caps and was surprisingly quiet against England.  Expect him to open the bowling to counteract the threat of Brendon McCullum.

Adam Milne is the only injury concern for New Zealand.  He may be replaced by Mitchell McClenaghan.

2. England v Afghanistan, Sydney Cricket Ground (Sydney – cloudy with chance of rain), starts 2:30pm local time

England – $7.00

Afghanistan – $1.10

Home-bound England must conjure up the energy to see off Afghanistan to end their World Cup campaign in style.  The English selectors may be tempted to usher in a host of new faces to plan for a post-enquiry future. That could mean more game time for Alex Hales and Chris Jordan.  James Tredwell could also feature on the traditionally turning Sydney pitch.

Afghanistan will also want to finish strongly.  Their quicks provide their best chance of springing a surprise, but they may be nullified by an unhelpful wicket.

Today’s Multi

The Shock “Bangladesh and Afghanistan Will Win” Mutli

Bangladesh outright at $6.25 + Afghanistan to Win (the toss) at $1.91 = $11.94

Odds available at William Hill Australia.

 

Cricket World Cup: Day 22 Recap

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The tournament co-hosts both got the w on day 22 of the Cricket World Cup.  Read our match repots on both of yesterday’s games below:

Day 22 Results

1. New Zealand v Afghanistan

Five from five and guaranteed top spot in Pool A for the Black Caps after their comfortable win against Afghanistan in Napier yesterday.

The win looked relatively comfortable on paper but was a little more protracted in reality.  New Zealand, and many of their fans would have been hoping to bat first and give crease time to Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor and Grant Elliot.  However, Afghanistan were probably reluctant to subject their bowlers to another possible 400 run humiliation, and batted first.

Immediately forced to regret the decision, Afghanistan were under all sorts of pressure at 59/6.  Daniel Vettori and Trent Boult doing the bulk of the damage.  Rather than collapsing in an almighty heap, Najibullah and Shenwari put together the only praetorship of note – one of 86.  The two went about their work in different fashion.  Najibullah was aggressive, a little lucky, but showed his potential by depositing Southee into the stands on two occasions.  Whereas, Shenwari was calm and composed.  He survived a nasty blow to the helmet to register a patient fifty.

Afghanistan kept New Zealand in the field for 47.3 overs – the longest of any side in the World Cup thus far.  They also forced McCullum to bowl Elliot, something neither Australia nor England could do.

In reply, the Black Caps got to the target 4 down.  Mccallum provided the usual powerplay aggression, and Martin Guptill made a much needed half century before being run out.  Taylor and Elliot also got to the crease, but question marks will remain over Taylor’s form and mindset (he’s incredibly cautious at the moment) heading in to the rest of the tournament.

New Zealand 188 for 4 (Guptill 57, McCullum 42) beat Afghanistan 186 (Najibullah 56, Shenwari 54, Vettori 4-18, Boult 3-34) by six wickets

2. Australia v Sri Lanka

Glenn Maxwell was the difference between the two sides in an absorbing Sydney encounter.  His hundred – coming from just 51 balls – trumped Kumar Sangakkara’s third consecutive hundred, to help Australia to a 64 run win.

Australia changed their side again, dropping Mitchell Marsh for Shane Watson, and brining in Xavier Doherty for his first run of the tournament.  The changes did not affect the momentum as Steven Smith settled in to his work at number three again and captain, Michael Clarke retuned to Sydney in style.  Smith made 72, Clarke 68; together they laid the platform for the likes of Maxwell Watson and Haddin to flourish.  Maxwell reaffirmed his importance to Australia, and outline his billing as the most dangerous player in the tournament with a sublime hundred.  He added 160 with Watson in just 13.4 overs to drive the total to 376.

Sri Lanka looked good for parts of the case.  Dilshan and Sangakkara put together an excellent counter-attack to send them on their way, but clumps of wickets in the middle overs when the asking rate was all a bit too much stifled the chase.

Both teams will make the quarterfinals and both have match-winning individuals, therefore it will be interesting to see who goes further.

Australia 376 for 9 (Maxwell 102, Smith 72, Clarke 68, Watson 67) beat Sri Lanka 312 (Sangakkara 104, Dilshan 62, Chandimal 52 retired hurt, Faulkner 3-48) by 64 runs

Cricket World Cup: Day 15 Recap

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A match between two top tier sides finally went down to the wire in the Cricket World Cup yesterday.  Kane Williamson’s maximum ensuring New Zealand shocked the world best Australians by one wicket in a low scoring but highly entertaining affair at Eden Park.

Keep reading for more details on New Zealand’s one wicket win.

Day 15 Results

1. Australia v New Zealand

The talk of theoretical three hundred strong totals was quickly cast aside as New Zealand and Australia collectively struggled to score 300 runs between them.  The sub par batting performances from both sides, however, didn’t detract from the incredible spectacle that left everyone in attendance satisfied, if a little surprised their day had ended two hours ahead of schedule.  New Zealand got by by one wicket thanks to a nerveless Kane Williamson six off Pat Cummins, despite the bowling heroics of Mitchell Starc at the other end.

Australia’s fast start against a nervous Tim Southee gave no indication of the inept display that was to follow.  At 30-0 off just 2.1 overs, Australia looked destined for a sizeable total.  Even after Aaron Finch was  removed the next ball, they still managed to get to 80-1 with Shane Watson and David Warner going along nicely.  Southee had proven expensive in his opening spell in a display that highlighted the small margin for error at Auckland’s concrete jungle.  But as Australia looked to heap more misery on the Kiwi bowlers, Brendon McCullum pulled a masterstroke by introducing the left arm spin of Daniel Vettori in just the seventh over.  His introduction stifled the scoring rate and caused Shane Watson to err and throw away his wicket, pulling him straight to deep square leg for 23.

Tim Southee removed Davey Warney (as he is affectionately known by all Australian commentators) next ball, an then Trent Boult returned the remarkable second spell bowling figures of 5/1 to see Australia slump to 106/9.  While the bowling was accurate, the batting was horrendous.  Four players getting bowled is disappointing at international level (FYI, New Zealand had the same number later in the night).  Brad Haddin and Pat Cummins managed to add some respect to the total; Haddin made 43 and if he had eked out a few more might have done enough to get his side home.

New Zealand’s pursuit of the small total started off without a hitch.  A Mitchell Johnson no-ball resulted in a free-hit six to Martin Nuptial and the Black Caps were on their way.  McCullum continued his free scoring approach to small targets.  The swing from the hip mentality served him well only until Mitchell Johnson landed a nasty blow on his forearm that upset some of his momentum, but he still managed a 24 ball fifty.  From there New Zealand lost wickets in clumps to accurate, fast insignia of Mitchell Starc.  Starc took the wickets of Taylor and Elliot either side of the lunch interval, and then another two in two when he dismissed Milne and Southee to set-up the thrilling finish.  Australia needed one wicket for a famous comeback victory.  New Zealand needed six runs to win the Chappell-Hadley Trophy.  Mitchell Starc had two balls at number 11 Trent Boult.  Boult survived and Williamson deposited Cummins into the stand to seal a famous win and all but ensure New Zealand a home quarterfinal.

New Zealand 152 for 9 (McCullum 50, Williamson 45*, Starc 6-28) beat Australia 151 (Haddin 43, Boult 5-27, Southee 2-65, Vettori 2-41) by one wicket

2. India v UAE

The second match of the day was a disappointing dull affair as the UAE failed to match their more experienced opponents in all aspects of the game.  Betting first the minnows only mustered 103.  All out in 31.3 overs, without any threat of putting together a useful total.  India’s bowling is on the improve, but it shouldn’t strike any fear into teams, and certainly not all out for 103 type fear.  Nevertheless, that is what transpired.  Ravi Ashwin the star of the show, picking up four cheap wickets and providing the perfect support to Yadava and Kumar who had earlier taken wickets in their opening spells.

The target was knocked off with consulate ease.  Rohit Sharma made an unbeaten half century and Virat Kohli added 33 unbeaten runs to wrap things up with little fuss, little energy exhausted, and no injuries.  The perfect result for the Indians who appear to be getting stronger and stronger.

India 104 for 1 (Rohit 57*) beat UAE 102 (Anwar 35, Ashwin 4-25) by 9 wickets

Cricket World Cup: Day 15 Preview

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Four hundred was scored at the Cricket World Cup yesterday and it is conceivable it could occur again today at the tiny Eden Park ground.  But will it be Australia or New Zealand threatening the record book.

Check out the preview of the action below:

The One Most Important Question

Who wins in Auckland today?

The comments from Craig McDermott about the Australia squad having the equivalent four Brendon McCullums was right on point.  The Australian squad is perfectly suited for the way one-day cricket is played at the moment; aggressive fast bowlers who take wickets to stifle opposition momentum, destructive batsman that case boundaries at every moment of the game, and a brilliant fielding unit with confidence beyond belief.  That’s why we’re picking the older Trans-tasman brother to get one up over their hosts.  New Zealand still have a soft underbelly and we’re worried how they will respond.

Today’s Matchup

1. Australia v New Zealand, Eden Park (Auckland – sunny skies predicted), starts 2:00pm local time

Australia – $1.60

New Zealand – $2.35

Eden Park’s postage stamp dimensions provides the major challenge for bowlers in the early match of Day 15 of the Cricket World Cup.  The two favourites come together in a pool game of significant interest, that many are predicting to be a precursor to the World Cup final.  Both teams are unbeaten in the tournament thus fa, however, Australia have only got through the one match so far and haven’t played for two weeks due to a Cyclone washout in Brisbane.  Their’s been plenty of confrontational talk in the lead up to this one, and Eden Park is expected to be at capacity for the famous trans-tasman duel.

2. India v UAE, WACA (Perth – hot and humid), starts 2:30pm local time

India – $1.02

UAE – $14.00

India can firm their chances of the top qualifying spot in Pool B with a win over associate UAE in Perth today.  The Indian’s have shown considerable promise in their opening two encounters and are again expected to be too strong for the UAE today.  Of most interest will be whether Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli can score more runs and make a play to be the tournaments top run scorer.  That of course may be dependent on whether they bowl first or bat first.

No surprises expected in this one.  India should get by pretty comfortably.

Today’s Multi

Williamson to Top Score and New Zealand to Win – $7.50 + Virat Kohli to Score 50 – $2.20

= $15.75

Cricket World Cup odds courtesy of Ladbrokes Australia.

Cricket World Cup: Day 7 Recap

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We genuinely thought New Zealand’s third pool game against England could be a nervy one.  Then we started watching and 55 minutes later (including 40 for a ridiculous tea break) it was over.  It wasn’t nervy. The confidence of the English batsman was shot, even before this game, we just didn’t realise.  Hopefully you disregarded our advice to back England (or at the least also backed Joe Root to top score and came out even).  See a quick review of the action below – and it has to be quick because the game didn’t even last 50 overs.

Day 7 Result

A day night match finished before the lights came on.

An England bowler who went for 0-49 from two overs (including half of his balls going for six).  Compare that with New Zealand’s man of the match who took 7-33.  Those points highlight the gulf between the two sides in what was arguably one of the most one sided World Cup contests of all time.  The scorers were kept unbelievably busy filling in wickets and recording sixes, mainly in the columns of Tim Southee and Brendon McCullum.

After winning the toss on a nice looking Wellington surface England’s under fire captain, Eoin Morgan, opted to set New Zealand a total.  What he didn’t account for was Southee and the late movement he was able to generate that perplexed the England batsman and eventually saw them shot out for just 123.  Southee was a marvel, especially in his second spell of 5-10, where he used the crease to excellent effect to take regular wickets.  His 7-33 was the third best bowling figures at a Cricket World cup and he was on track for becoming the first man to take 8 World Cup wickets in an innings before Adam Milne joined the party and took the wicket of Joe Root, for 46, to finish things off.

For the second game in a row New Zealand had to come out and bat before the tea break.  Brendon McCullum was clearly fine with that and even threatened to finish the entire match before the 40-minute break, despite only having time for 9 overs.  McCullum smashed it to all parts and scored his 77 off just 25 balls.  He cut, slashed and ramped his way to the fastest World Cup fifty (breaking his own record in the process).  McCullum dented pride, sponsors cars that were on display and the plans for hundreds of fans that hadn’t even left work to get down to the game.

We mentioned that the English media have a story angle in Eoin Morgan’s poor form – they have a new one now.

New Zealand 125 for 2 (McCullum 77) beat England 123 (Root 46, Southee 7-33) by eight wickets