View Full Version : Cricket: 2006 Commonwealth Bank ODI Series
Titanium_BD1103
05-01-07, 04:16 PM
2006 Commonwealth Bank ODI Series
Please post all information involving Australia, NZ and England ODI Teams here... ;)
Commonwealth Bank Series Draw:
Fri 12 Jan Australia v England, Melbourne
Sun 14 Jan Australia v New Zealand, Hobart
Tues 16 Jan England v New Zealand, Hobart
Fri 19 Jan Australia v England, Brisbane
Sun 21 Jan Australia v New Zealand, Sydney
Tues 23 Jan England v New Zealand, Adelaide
Fri 26 Jan Australia v England, Adelaide
Sun 28 Jan Australia v New Zealand, Perth
Tues 30 Jan England v New Zealand, Perth
Fri 2 Feb Australia v England, Sydney
Sun 4 Feb Australia v New Zealand, Melbourne
Tues 6 Feb England v New Zealand, Brisbane
Fri 9 Feb First Final, Melbourne
Sun 11 Feb Second Final, Sydney
Tues 13 Feb Third Final, (if required) Adelaide
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From: www.cricket.com.au
5 January, 2007
Squads for Commonwealth Bank Series and 2007 ICC World Cup
Cricket Australia?s National Selection Panel (NSP) today announced a 13-player squad for the Commonwealth Bank Series beginning next week and a preliminary squad of 30 for the 2007 ICC World Cup in the West Indies beginning in March.
The Commonwealth Bank Series squad, which will play against England and New Zealand and plays its first game in Melbourne on Friday 12 January, is as follows:
Ricky Ponting (c) TAS 32
Adam Gilchrist (vc) WA 35
Nathan Bracken NSW 29
Stuart Clark NSW 31
Michael Clarke NSW 25
Matthew Hayden QLD 35
Brad Hogg WA 35
Michael Hussey WA 31
Mitchell Johnson QLD 25
Brett Lee NSW 30
Glenn McGrath NSW 36
Andrew Symonds QLD 31
Cameron White VIC 23
NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said selection of the squad for the Commonwealth Bank Series was an important step in Australia?s preparation for the 2007 ICC World Cup.
?We have been very happy with the form of the one-day side since its World Cup victory in 2003 and we have again had an ideal preparation for this series with victories in the DLF Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy late last year.
Hilditch said two forced changes had been made to the team that claimed the ICC Champions Trophy due to the retirement of Damien Martyn and the hamstring injury of Shane Watson, however these changes had provided opportunities to other players.
?There is no doubt we will miss Damien, he was a great player in both forms of the game for Australia over a long period of time and was instrumental in our ICC Champions Trophy victory. However, this provides Ricky with an opportunity if he chooses to elevate Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey in the batting order and to bring back into the squad Matthew Hayden and Cameron White.
?While we have been very pleased with Shane Watson?s recent performance at the top of the order, his injury provides a well deserved opportunity for Matthew Hayden. Matthew has performed well in the DLF Cup, has been in terrific form in the Ford Ranger Cup and the 3 mobile Ashes series and this gives him another chance to press his claims prior to the World Cup.
?Cameron White has been in great form with the bat and has had some terrific performances with the ball. He richly deserves this opportunity. He adds depth to the batting and balance to the bowling and hopefully we can see him seize his chance.?
In regards to Shane Watson?s injury, Hilditch said his recovery continued.
?A program for Shane has been agreed with his physiotherapists and medical staff to bring him back gradually through a series of Pura Cup games where we will continue to monitor his fitness.
The preliminary squad of 30 for the ICC World Cup, which will be shortened to 15 players before the 13 February deadline, is as follows:
State Age
Ricky Ponting TAS 32
Adam Gilchrist WA 35
Andrew Symonds QLD 31
Brett Lee NSW 30
Glenn McGrath NSW 36
Michael Hussey WA 31
Michael Clarke NSW 25
Stuart Clark NSW 31
Brad Hogg WA 35
Shane Watson QLD 25
Simon Katich NSW 31
Brad Haddin NSW 29
Phil Jaques NSW 27
Mitchell Johnson QLD 25
Adam Voges WA 27
Marcus North WA 27
Daniel Cullen SA 22
Shaun Tait SA 23
Nathan Hauritz NSW 25
Shane Harwood VIC 32
Matthew Hayden QLD 35
James Hopes QLD 28
Nathan Bracken NSW 29
Andrew McDonald VIC 25
Brad Hodge VIC 32
Mark Cosgrove SA 22
Ben Hilfenhaus TAS 23
Travis Birt TAS 25
Shaun Marsh WA 23
Cameron White VIC 23
Of the 30 players selected in the preliminary squad for the ICC World Cup Hilditch said a balanced squad of players had been selected from which the final 15 will be chosen.
?In picking the 30 players who are available to play we have had regard to the outstanding performance of several young fast bowlers and batsmen and two further specialist spinners who have all been performing extremely well in domestic cricket this season.
?The final selection of the 15 players will take into account performances during the Commonwealth Bank Series and the performance of players during domestic cricket. Given the outstanding recent performances of our one-day squad, this gives us further opportunities to build upon our strength in this form of the game.
?This is a great reward for these players and holds the future of Australian cricket at both levels in great stead.?
That is a good side... very strong from the Australians and it's good to see Haydos back in the one day squad... well deserved after the sensational efforts of the Ashes Series.
I am a bit surprised to see Hogg still there... considering that White is a useful spinner and Symonds can bowl spin along with M Clarke, I would have chosen a younger paceman who can swing the ball like a Ben Hilfenhaus to test the stocks we have over this series and to prepare for the future.
I would also have liked to have seen Adam Voges get a run in that squad, he deserves it and would have been a handy asset to have in the World Cup squad, where he is most likely to be picked, with that added experience.
HOWEVER this is a good side, and it will do well. Will be interesting to see the English side when it comes out, considering Hoggard is injured, Harmison retired and only Panasar, Mahmood, Flintoff and Anderson as real options, with none besides Monty really standing out ATM.
Robbie_Dee
05-01-07, 04:20 PM
It's good to see Hayden has finally been included in limited overs cricket! he's so strong, and has always deserved a spot in the side!!!:D
~Wild Child~
05-01-07, 04:47 PM
It's good to see Hayden has finally been included in limited overs cricket! he's so strong, and has always deserved a spot in the side!!!:DYeah..Hayden deserves his spot :)..and it is one hot looking team that has been selected..GO AUSSIES...Can't wait until the commencement of this series...I only hope that England supplies us with a lil bit more of a competition..than their dismal attempts in the Ashes series :D
Steelers
08-01-07, 11:02 PM
Source: www.cricinfo.com
Vaughan's return will boost England - Fleming
Stephen Fleming, New Zealand's captain, believes Michael Vaughan's return to the helm will make England a stronger team as they prepare for the ODI tri-series in Australia.
"It's just how they start and what sort of confidence they get," Fleming told reporters. "They get their skipper back who'll make a pretty big difference and they've got players, the Pietersens and the Flintoffs, who can certainly turn a one-day game on their own."
Vaughan, 32, returns from an 18-month lay off due a knee injury. Although he has recovered from knee surgery, he is yet to prove his effectiveness in the field and with running between wickets. And despite a 5-0 beating in the Ashes, Fleming felt England could still be dangerous.
New Zealand, the third team in the series, would benefit from the competition ahead of the World Cup, Fleming said - "beating Australia in its own backyard is very tough," - but added that they were not invincible. The absence of Shane Watson, injured, and a quality spinner were two key factors, though Australia were "pretty well-rounded and it's a side that's performed under pressure, so there's not too many chinks in their armour."
New Zealand have their own problems going into the series, particularly their poorly performing batting lineup, having suffered their worst-ever ODI defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka on Saturday.
The tri-series opens with an Australia-England clash on 12 January at Melbourne
Steelers
08-01-07, 11:13 PM
ENGLISH ODI SQUAD
Courtesy of www.cricinfo.com
1. JM Anderson
2. IR Bell
3. PD Collingwood
4. JWM Dalrymple
5. A Flintoff
6. EC Joyce
7. J Lewis
8. SI Mahmood
9. PA Nixon (wicketkeeper)
10. MS Panesar
11. KP Pietersen
12. LE Plunkett
13. CMW Read (wicketkeeper)
14. AJ Strauss
15. CT Tremlett
16. MP Vaughan
NEW ZEALAND ODI SQUAD
Courtesy of www.cricinfo.com
1. SP Fleming (captain)
2. AR Adams
3. NJ Astle
4. SE Bond
5. JEC Franklin
6. PG Fulton
7. MR Gillespie
8. BB McCullum (wicketkeeper)
9. CD McMillan
10. HJH Marshall
11. MJ Mason
12. JS Patel
13. RL Taylor
14. DL Vettori
Steelers
11-01-07, 10:37 PM
Source: www.cricinfo.com
AUSTRALIA VS ENGLAND GAME 1 PREVIEW
With only two months until the World Cup each team's preparations should be ready for the final polish. However, the three sides contesting the month-long CB Series, which starts with Australia facing England at the MCG on Friday, still have many experiments to complete as they countdown to the Caribbean.
Australia seem to have less to worry about than England or New Zealand and they already benefit from the momentum built from the Ashes whitewash and the rust-shaking limited-overs win in Tuesday's Twenty20. Despite the smooth progression through the first half of the season, Ricky Ponting's outfit is still tinkering with its bowling attack and the No. 4 spot while Matthew Hayden is due to return to the unstable opening slot opposite Adam Gilchrist.
Michael Clarke will nestle into the spot behind Ricky Ponting following the retirement of Damien Martyn and the move will be crucial in giving him more time in the middle following shifts lower down the order. "We think that's a really well-balanced side then with Clarke at four, Andrew Symonds five, Michael Hussey six, that sort of line-up," Ponting told AAP. "[Clarke] has been dying to get a chance up the order, his chance has come now." In this team of powerbrokers he must perform almost immediately or risk being shifted by the might of Symonds or Hussey.
Brett Lee has a chest problem and will miss his second match in a row, giving some of his younger rivals a chance to settle. Ben Hilfenhaus, the swing bowler, has joined the squad but Ponting said he would miss the opening affair along with Brad Hogg, allowing Mitchell Johnson and Cameron White opportunities alongside Glenn McGrath and Stuart Clark.
Ponting has outlined his starting plans but the tactics of his initial opponents are in such doubt even the team management must be unsure of their preferred line-up. Michael Vaughan is back as captain and trying to lift a squad that has struggled for the past two months.
"That's our biggest challenge - to make sure we get them in a good mental state for Friday," Vaughan said in the Sydney Morning Herald. "We realise it's going to be tough but when tough times come about you need tough people, and that's what we need from all the players."
Questions remain over Vaughan's recovery from a knee injury and there are doubts over whether to choose Paul Nixon or Chris Read as wicketkeeper. Andrew Flintoff is also a concern as he attempts to recapture the all-round form that deserted him when he led the Test side to a 5-0 loss. The batting order is noticeably stronger with Vaughan at the top, but the bowling is less assured even if Monty Panesar gets a chance to prove himself in what should be his debut series.
England have 16 players in their squad but the options don't drip with class and if they reach the three-match finals they should be considered a success. They managed only five wins in 20 ODIs last year and one of those was against Ireland. Australia succeeded in 20 of 29 games in 2006, including the Champions Trophy final, while New Zealand started the year by drawing a five-match series with Sri Lanka.
New Zealand enter the tournament on Sunday against Australia at Hobart and they will try out a squad without three of their regulars. Stephen Fleming's side, which was dismissed for 73 on Saturday, has landed in Tasmania missing Scott Styris, Jacob Oram and Kyle Mills, who may appear in the squad if they recover.
However, they do have Shane Bond, who has 24 wickets against Australia in seven games, and he will attempt to scare the local batsmen during the four preliminary encounters. Each team plays eight matches in the qualifying round before two progress to the finals in what could be the last season of the three-team format.
Squads
Australia Adam Gilchrist (wk), Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Cameron White, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn McGrath.
England: Michael Vaughan (capt), Andrew Strauss, Ian Bell, Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Flintoff, Paul Collingwood, Jamie Dalrymple, Ed Joyce, Paul Nixon (wk), Chris Read (wk), Jon Lewis, Sajid Mahmood, Monty Panesar, James Anderson, Liam Plunkett, Chris Tremlett.
New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (capt), Nathan Astle, Peter Fulton, Hamish Marshall, Craig McMillan, Brendon McCullum (wk), Andre Adams, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, James Franklin, Mark Gillespie, Jeetan Patel, Michael Mason.
Steelers
11-01-07, 10:44 PM
Source: www.foxsports.com.au
Vettori plays down tough tour
IT'S been described as the toughest tour in international cricket, but New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori doesn't know what all the fuss is about.
"It's not tough at all," Vettori said of touring Australia today as the Black Caps began preparations in Hobart for the one-day cricket tri-series against the world champions and England.
"Who can complain about coming to Australia, it's great. You have great facilities, everyone looks after you exceptionally well. We love coming here.
"We don't see it as a challenge. We see it as an enjoyable experience, and something that the last time we came here (for the tri-series) we did very well in."
While Australia has won 15 of the last 17 trans-Tasman one-day meetings, New Zealand carry happy memories from their last significant limited-overs tour of Australia.
In 2002, both New Zealand and South Africa shocked the hosts by playing in the tri-series final - only the third time in the competition's 27-year history Australia has failed to contest the tournament decider.
It was a result which cost Steve Waugh the one-day captaincy.
And while hard to imagine this time around in a tournament featuring a downtrodden England - ranked a lowly eighth in the world one-day rankings - New Zealand, despite recent patchy form, has arrived in Australia with high expectations.
"It's important that we win every game that we play," said coach John Bracewell, who's side drew 2-2 with Sri Lanka in its recent one-day series - including being bowled out for only 73 in the final completed match.
"(The players) know this is a great build up towards the World Cup (starting in March).
"We always watch in New Zealand, the tri-series over here. It's something that we (follow) as part of our summer. And to be invited to it is a really exciting time.
"I think that everybody has an Everest, and at the moment in world cricket Australia is the Everest... and everybody is trying to scale it."
New Zealand will start the series without three key players - all rounders Scott Styris (back injury) and Jacob Oram (hamstring), and quick bowler Kyle Mills (knee) - but Bracewell is hopeful the trio will be fit to join the squad by the time the tour hits Adelaide in 12 days.
The visitors, though, do have pace spearhead Shane Bond for his first tour of Australia since 2002 - although Vettori believes Bond's inclusion may see the spinner become a bigger target for Australia's big hitters.
"They're probably going to look to attack me a little bit more than they have in the past," said Vettori, who has always been held in high esteem by Australia.
"I think with Shane in the side, particularly with his record against Australia, they'll be wary of him."
The Black Caps play Australia in the series opener at Bellerive Oval on Sunday.
Steelers
11-01-07, 10:46 PM
Tues 13 Feb Third Final, (if required) Brisbane
Is this really the case? I remember reading somewhere that we had lost the Third Final due to 'crowd behaviour' at the game last year. I shall do some research :p
EDIT: According to the Cricket Australia website, the Third Final is in Adelaide :(
Cant wait for first game :D:D:D
We will kick ass :D:D
Titanium_BD1103
11-01-07, 11:26 PM
Is this really the case? I remember reading somewhere that we had lost the Third Final due to 'crowd behaviour' at the game last year. I shall do some research :p
EDIT: According to the Cricket Australia website, the Third Final is in Adelaide :(
Yes the Third Final is in Adelaide... I read that when the thread about the team was posted up.. however the schedule was added into the article later... I did not post it, and therefore was unaware it says Brisbane... ;)
Besides I would worry, I think we'll be done by the first 2... :lol!:
Same Paddy, can't wait, will be awesome to see the team run out in that green uniform and it will be super cool to see them give another England hiding.... ;)
Go_The_Doggies
12-01-07, 09:25 AM
Black Caps get serious in Aust
By JONATHAN MILLMOW - The Dominion Post | Friday, 12 January 2007
You can tell when the stakes are high.
The information dries up and players start doing things they have not done for years.
Coach John Bracewell is refusing to offer the slightest hint about his plans for New Zealand's opening match against Australia in Hobart on Sunday but for head-turning action yesterday look no further than Hamish Marshall.
The struggling New Zealand middle-order batsman returned to the practice nets at Bellerive Oval, dispensing with his two-year fascination with throw-downs from 15 paces by assistant coach Bob Carter.
It is sink or swim time for Marshall in the Commonwealth Bank one-day series and on the hottest day of the summer in Tasmania where the mercury rose to 35deg there was the twin training his eyes to watch the ball from the bowler's hand like any right-minded batsman does before a crunch match.
Marshall handled a cruising Shane Bond and some of the state's promising quick bowlers with comfort. Now it remains to be seen whether his change of heart earns him a start at this picturesque venue on Sunday or two days later against England.
The last time Marshall was sighted in the nets was in Australia two years ago. Ever since he has claimed the practice surfaces in New Zealand hinder rather than help his confidence and throw-downs are the way forward for him.
Bracewell played down the change, saying Marshall was happy to bat in the nets if the surfaces were up to a high standard.
"You always get good net bowlers in Australia and good surfaces so it encourages guys to get in there," Bracewell said.
"The nets at home are sometimes a bit dodgy, but they have improved."
New Zealand trained lightly yesterday and apart from Bracewell, one voice was heard more than any other. Craig McMillan is back in town, a smile on his face and into everything.
He cursed himself for dropping a boundary catch but was still going at end of training when everybody else had ducked inside for shade.
Bracewell has noted the change as well.
"He's had a hard look at the other side of the fence and thought `gee I could be working, I better give it another crack'," Bracewell said of McMillan's failed attempts to secure work as a salesman.
"He seems a lot more contented, which is great for us because when his attitude is positive he can be pretty dynamic."
There was good news for New Zealand yesterday with Brett Lee rated a doubtful starter for tonight's series opener against England in Melbourne and for Sunday because of a chest infection.
It would seem a significant boost to a batting line-up rolled in its previous outing for 73 but Bracewell is passing off the Eden Park disaster as a "glitch".
"It was a glitch that happened. The guys are determined to put that right and I don't see it any deeper than that," the coach said.
Nathan Astle will return to the line-up, possibly in place of Marshall or Peter Fulton, not that Bracewell was giving anything away. He's in game mode three days out and will not have a bar of suggestions escaping from Hobart with one win would be a satisfactory start to the series.
"We will be content to leave here with two wins. That is why we are here."
Titanium_BD1103
12-01-07, 06:42 PM
Been a good game so far... we have seen some good cricket for Australia... but ENGLAND are going to lose on wides... :laugh:.... they have only scored 2 runs off the bat and 13 from extras... England have found a new way to lose a match.... ;)
Go_The_Doggies
12-01-07, 07:08 PM
FFS their bowling is disgusting atm.
Casey's Angel27
12-01-07, 07:20 PM
FFS their bowling is disgusting atm.
england... Yeah they suck crap... :p
Go_The_Doggies
12-01-07, 07:37 PM
Tony Greig hasnt commentated today :\ .. has he? :| im too tired to remememememeber.
Casey's Angel27
12-01-07, 07:50 PM
I think he has... not too sure... been playing Halo 2 on the xbox and just flicking over for updates... :)
Go_The_Doggies
12-01-07, 07:51 PM
i've been watching it all day..well watching and listening..but i can't remember.
Steelers
13-01-07, 01:00 AM
Source: www.cricinfo.com
Pietersen out of tour with fractured rib
If England thought their tour could not get any worse after two months without a victory, they were wrong. Kevin Pietersen, the one batsman who had challenged the Australia bowlers throughout the Ashes and in the first one-day match, is flying home with a broken rib, further reducing England's chances of breaking their winless streak.
Pietersen was on 73 when he advanced down the wicket to a short ball from Glenn McGrath and missed his attempted pull. The ball cannoned into his ribs and after a couple of minutes of regaining his breath and attention from the physiotherapist, he batted on to reach 82.
But in one last show of determination, a clearly uncomfortable Pietersen fought the pain to face questions about his tour-ending injury. Sitting in an awkward, rigidly upright position and speaking softly, Pietersen described his feelings at missing out on the chance to help England fight back in the CB Series. "Distraught. Absolutely distraught," Pietersen said. "It's not how I planned it out. I'm just distraught to be leaving this trip without any victories."
Although the official word was the fracture would keep him out for five to six weeks, Pietersen was hopeful of recovering faster and insisted there was no chance it would keep from playing in the World Cup. "I just have to bide my time," he said, "but I'm a pretty quick healer and I'll get myself as fit as I can as quick as I can."
Pietersen added that, although he had been hit several times in the ribs, this parting shot from McGrath hurt the most. "When it hit me I couldn't breathe for a couple of minutes and I knew it was a little bit more serious than the previous times. It restricted my breathing and strokeplay."
But asked the injury might prompt him to rethink his tactic of charging fast bowlers, Pietersen's reply was blunt and emphatic. "I don't think it'll stop me in the future." He even spoke to McGrath on the field at the end of the game to thank him for the challenge he had presented during the Ashes.
Although Pietersen's part in the England show is over for now, he was confident the team could push on without him and even had the temerity to suggest England would be a threat to Australia in the World Cup. "It's not a one-dimensional team at all and I'm sure the guys who take my spot will do a great job," he said. "If we can pick up little key things that improve our game 10, 15, 20% ... the World Cup is a knockout competition."
Steelers
13-01-07, 01:02 AM
Source: www.cricinfo.com
Australia seal another easy win
Australia 2 for 243 (Ponting 82*, Gilchrist 60, Clarke 54*) beat England 8 for 242 (Pietersen 82, Flintoff 47*, Bracken 3-46) by 8 wickets
Australia's perfect home summer continued with England's tour of woe as Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting set up a crushing eight-wicket victory in the opening CB Series game. If England expected any relief after the Ashes whitewash and the Twenty20 demolition they were severely disappointed and they managed to leave the MCG with more severe bruises.
Kevin Pietersen felt the most pain after receiving a cracked rib from Glenn McGrath, which ruled him out of the rest of the series, and Andrew Flintoff suffered further on a demoralising trip by giving up 11 runs of wides in the opening over of their defence.
The Australian team does not need such generous donations and Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden piled on the misery during a 101-run opening stand that ended in the 16th over. Despite picking up both openers quickly, England barely had time to celebrate their minor achievements before Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke fulfilled their roles in an unbeaten 125-run partnership that earned the success with 4.4 overs remaining. The result continues their impressive winning streak over the past two months and gives Michael Vaughan an understanding of what lies ahead.
Vaughan won the toss in his first ODI for 18 months as he returned from a serious knee injury, but it was one of the few highs during a disappointing contest. "When it rains it pours," Vaughan said. Pietersen made a courageous half-century and England reached 8 for 242 with help from Flintoff, who returned to form to belt 47 from 38 balls. England's best player of the Test series continued his strong performances, but Pietersen's desire to dominate McGrath led to the end of his tour.
Attempting to force the pace, Pietersen was on 73 when he charged the bowler - it was a popular tactic during the Ashes - and attempted to swivel the ball to the legside. He missed, was almost bent in half by the impact and collapsed to the ground out of his crease. He returned to safety swiftly, spent a couple of minutes with the team medical staff and was taken for a scan after his dismissal that revealed more bad news.
The blow troubled him as he continued his innings and he fell to a slightly mistimed heave to deep mid-on for 82 from 91 balls. Pietersen arrived with England needing a boost after Vaughan's departure for an encouraging 26 and he provided it once he settled. He registered his fifty with a six over mid-off from White, who he later pounded for two rope clearances in consecutive balls, and combined with Paul Collingwood (43) for a crucial 95-run partnership from the discomfort of 3 for 73.
Flintoff built on their gains with a bright contribution after struggling during the Tests. With Vaughan in charge he was able to relax with the bat, although he did not enjoy the same feeling with the ball. While Nathan Bracken's three wickets and two each to McGrath and Mitchell Johnson combined for a fine home-team performance, England struggled from the opening exchanges.
It was Flintoff who had a strong say in his side's early lack of direction when he started the second innings with a spray of 11 runs, none of which came from the bat. His first ball was a wide and another two went for five wides when they were not intercepted by Paul Nixon, the debutant wicketkeeper.
Australia were showing off a new uniform in baggy-green colours and the opening batsmen made sure the first outing was as successful as the previous five Tests under the famous cap. Gilchrist and Hayden sped away during the stand that quickly downgraded England's total from testing to easy.
Gilchrist pounded a string of boundaries in front of the wicket during his 60 - the six he launched over long-on off Flintoff was the best - as England's hopes of a first win drowned. Benefiting from sloppy early bowling, Gilchrist took advantage while the start was slower for Hayden, who returned to the team after missing the Champions Trophy when Shane Watson was preferred.
Hayden edged Monty Panesar on 28 and Gilchrist finished with seven fours from his 61 balls in an innings that ended when he nicked Jamie Dalrymple. Ponting made sure the loss of his two frontmen was barely a blip and he eased the side to victory with an impressive 82 off 96 balls. Clarke's 54 not out was a useful contribution alongside his captain as a new tournament started with an old result.
Steelers
13-01-07, 01:05 AM
Source: www.cricinfo.com
Gilchrist - England's first over was telling
It was not quite a Steve Harmison wide-to-second-slip moment, but Andrew Flintoff's first over of the opening CB Series match at the MCG was an embarrassing start to England's limited-overs bowling efforts. A wide outside off stump, a leg-side wide that went for four and another that went to the boundary outside off gave Australia 11 from the first over - and none off the bat.
It was a clear indication that not all the demons England carried through the Ashes series had been exorcised and Australia were keen to continue hurting the tourists as much as possible. Adam Gilchrist, who faced Flintoff's wayward deliveries, said Australia would aim to use England's weaknesses to further humiliate them.
"That first over was quite telling of maybe their mindset at the moment," Gilchrist said. "That's a big bonus for us, a little launching pad to work from. They're relatively inexperienced in comparison to a lot of teams around the world at the moment. They didn't quite get it right and they allowed us a little bit of freedom to free our arms up and hit over the top a little bit."
In comparison to some Gilchrist innings, his "little bit" of hitting over the top was just that; seven fours and one six helped him to 60 from 61 balls. But Australia required only four batsmen to reel in England's 242 and it rarely looked like wickets were around the corner, further evidence that England lacked the killer instinct required to challenge Australia.
"Any team that's been on the receiving end of losses like they have, their confidence is going to be dented and morale is probably a bit low," Gilchrist said. "Their body language probably shows that. The challenge for us is not to let them come out of that and it can happen in an instant, particularly in one-day cricket, so there's still plenty of motivation and incentive for us."
But Kevin Pietersen's tour-ending rib fracture will almost certainly lessen the chances of England breaking their two-month winless streak in Australia. Ricky Ponting said although England's other top-order batsmen were capable of making a big score "on their day" the injury to Pietersen, who top-scored for England with 82, was a massive boost to Australia.
"That's a really big blow to them," Ponting said. "He looked really good today. He has been right through the summer their best batsman and looked very comfortable today. I think a lot of their one-day cricket's based around him so they'll miss him a lot."
Ponting was keen for Australia to keep improving ahead of the World Cup, but he admitted there was little more his fast bowlers could have done to restrict England further. "Our bowling in particular was excellent," he said. "It was a really good wicket, probably one of the fastest outfields I've seen at the MCG for quite some time. It was pretty conducive to high-scoring."
After all the praise lavished on him - justifiably - during the Ashes, Stuart Clark was the one fast man who proved costly. His ten overs went for 58 and it was the newest face in the attack, Mitchell Johnson, who impressed the most with 2 for 34. England will not take heart from the fact that after such a strong bowling performance, they still have Brett Lee to worry about, when he recovers from the chest infection that kept him out of the CB Series opener.
Steelers
13-01-07, 01:40 AM
Source: www.foxsports.com.au
KP distraught over injury
http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/imagedata/0,5001,5358593,00.jpg
Going home... Pietersen's injury puts him out of the series
STAR England batsman Kevin Pietersen is "absolutely distraught" to be leaving Australia without a win and with a series-ending fractured rib.
England's terrible tour of Australia continued when Pietersen was struck in the right ribcage while charging Glenn McGrath during Australia's eight-wicket win in the tri-series opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground last night.
Pietersen had trouble breathing after the knock and will fly home most likely over the weekend after being advised to rest for between three and five weeks.
The injury to its best batsman leaves a massive hole in England's plans at trying to mix it with Australia and New Zealand over the next month, especially after he made a fine 82 yesterday and starred during the Ashes series despite Australia's 5-0 clean sweep.
Although he remains confident of playing in the World Cup in the Caribbean, which starts in March, Pietersen was devastated at being forced out of the tri-series prematurely.
"Distraught. Absolutely distraught," he said.
"It's not how I planned it out. I planned it out to give it a real good go and to draw a line after what happened after the Ashes and to play as best as I can for this team to try to take positives and ... assist us taking home some victories."
Pietersen was injured when struck in the midriff while charging McGrath when on 73.
He was clearly hampered by the blow and after receiving some on-field treatment, batted under duress until he was caught on the boundary.
The 26-year-old said he was "pretty sore", but knew immediately this blow was more serious than previous ones he had endured through his career.
"I've been hit a few times and I've gone 'Oh yeah, that will be all right with a bit of ice', but when this one hit me I couldn't breathe for a few minutes and I knew it was a little bit more serious than the other ones," he said.
"It did restrict my breathing and my strokeplay, which was frustrating because I wanted to get a hundred out here at the MCG."
Pietersen has regularly charged McGrath this summer in an attempt to break the veteran's line but had no plans to change his aggressive approach.
He was also confident he would recover in time to play in the World Cup.
"I'll be getting myself as fit as I can. I've never played in the World Cup before so I'll be in the Caribbean if selected," he said.
"I'll just have to bide my time but I'm a pretty quick healer, so I'll get myself as fit as I can as quick as I can and I'll be champing at the bit to get out to the Caribbean."
England selectors will decide over the next day whether to replace the hard-hitting batsman for the tri-series.
Potential replacements include Vikram Solanki and Ravi Bopara, while Paul Collingwood appears likely to move to No.4.
Chairman of selectors David Graveney is scheduled to hold a press conference tomorrow to announce England's preliminary 30-man squad for the World Cup.
Pietersen's absence this series robs England of one of its few strong assets in limited overs cricket, as he and all rounder Andrew Flintoff are the only genuine match-winners in Michael Vaughan's side.
Pietersen is easily England's most accomplished batsman in one-day internationals, with 1,582 runs from 42 matches at an average of 56.50 and a strike-rate of over 95.
He also scored 490 runs in the recent Ashes series, at an average of 54.44.
"I would have preferred to have scored half the runs and to have had a load of victories under my belt," he said.
"I'm just distraught leaving the tour without any victories."
The injury is also another dreadful blow for England's one-day side, which has lost 20 of its last 27 matches.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting and his players thought Pietersen was just winded when he was hit.
"He looked really good throughout today and has been right through the summer their best batsman," Ponting said.
"A lot of their one-day cricket is based around his batting, so they'll miss him a lot."
Go_The_Doggies
13-01-07, 07:26 AM
Poor guy. I thought he might be injured for the game against us on tuesday..and then when 1 of the commentators said hes out for the who series I was like :O
I feel quite sorry for him tbh.
Future Star
13-01-07, 10:21 AM
Poor KP...
But, Glenn McGrath should be assured a spot in the World Cup team now, lol.
Titanium_BD1103
13-01-07, 11:59 AM
Indeed... and yes it's a shame we lose KP because of competition purposes, and his game style, but TBH... if he wants to charge at a great bowler like Pigeon, you are going to have to pay the consequences... ;)
GREAT WORK by the Aussies last night, good strong batting, and a nice cameo by Gilchrist once again... I can't believe I was even listening to those questioning him when he was getting ducks at the start of the summer, I hope they are eating humble pie now... I told them he'd be back.. :)
As for England, that was pathetic... no not the bowling, the fielding was... I mean if you dive, you shouldn't dive over the ball, if you try to field, then at least aim the ball, and if you throw and can't throw well... use the relay throw.. all very simple things, but it seems England have lost the plot.
With no KP and continual disappointment, they look in for a very long summer, with the only saving grace being Vaughan starting to make some moves and Monty showing continual consistent skill and enthusiasm... the rest should go home now and not come back if they keep playing the way they are.
Lets hope NZ is more of a contest tomorrow... Vettori and Bond against our boys... I can't wait... :)
SuperCliffy#01
13-01-07, 12:33 PM
Yeah bad luck to KP but that is cricket, but i don't feel sorry for the poms, as far as i am concerned it is a thing of beauty when we smack them any tim any day.cya. :fence:
Gilly I hope can maintain the form he has at the moment.
Good win but was too easy:)
~Wild Child~
13-01-07, 12:51 PM
[QUOTE=Paddy]Gilly I hope can maintain the form he has at the moment.
Good win but was too easy:)[/QUOTE
Hope Pieterson has a quick recovery :)
Paddy, I agree...it seems to take all the excitement out of the game..when there is little or no competition. Hope the other teams step up. It will make for a better Series :)
[QUOTE=Paddy]Gilly I hope can maintain the form he has at the moment.
Good win but was too easy:)[/QUOTE
Hope Pieterson has a quick recovery :)
Paddy, I agree...it seems to take all the excitement out of the game..when there is little or no competition. Hope the other teams step up. It will make for a better Series :)
Yeah the test series i had same view on but 5-0 is rare to achieve.
Competition is what One dayers should be about.
Steelers
13-01-07, 06:35 PM
Source: www.cricinfo.com
Bopara to replace injured Pietersen
Ravinder Bopara, the Essex batsman, has been called up to the England squad for the Commonwealth Bank Series as a replacement for the injured Kevin Pietersen.
Pietersen broke a rib while batting during England's eight-wicket defeat in the first ODI of the CB series against Australia at the MCG. He was on 73 when he advanced down the wicket to a short ball from Glenn McGrath and missed his attempted pull. The ball cannoned into his ribs and after a couple of minutes of regaining his breath and attention from the physiotherapist, he batted on to reach 82. The injury was expected to sideline him for five to six weeks. Ed Joyce was tipped to take Pietersen's spot in the XI.
"Ravi has been brought in because he is a middle-order batsman who impressed in his time with the Academy in Perth earlier in the winter," David Graveney, England's chairman of selectors, told Reuters. "He has also been a regular with Essex during their one-day successes in recent years and we decided that he was the best option available.
"We are happy with the top order of Strauss, Vaughan and Bell and we also see the injury to Kevin Pietersen, while unfortunate, as offering a great chance for Ed Joyce to stake his claim for a place in the ICC World Cup."
Future Star
13-01-07, 06:55 PM
Bopara?
Never heard of him.
Titanium_BD1103
14-01-07, 10:57 AM
Bopara is a good player who has impressed in County cricket... but who I reckon might find it tough in the big game being thrown in so soon... lets hope he can give England something... they truly need it.... ;)
Well it seem NZ and Australia are having a nice little match today... Australia is carting at the moment, the NZ quicks were too wayward and gave away too many runs in the first 10 overs.
Kimmy will like me saying this, but I like the look of Jeetan Patel... he looks good and has dried the runs for the Aussies, whether that is because Hayden and Gilly have decided to take the foot of the peddle or not... but he looks good... :D :D
Australia currently 0/75 off 11.1 overs... :)
Well the Kiwis are proving a real contest:D:D:D
:( Ponting did get out though.
Go_The_Doggies
14-01-07, 11:58 AM
W00T FOR US.
W00T FOR JEETAN.
W00T FOR MG [Mark Gillespie ffs]
W00T FOR DAN-VAN-TORRI.
W00T FOR FLEMO.
W00T FOR ROSS TAYLOR.
W00000000T FOR EVERYONE. <3
I like Vetorri. He really causes trouble for our top order.
hes a great finger spinner
Now with White and Symonds we should see some big hitting :D:D:D:D
Lol White flogged the ball out of the ground.
Queenslander
14-01-07, 01:33 PM
Bond gets a hatrick off the last over, good bowling :D
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: To Shane Bond hatrick.
Great deliveries.
Great innings as well by White and Symonds
Steelers
14-01-07, 01:45 PM
New Zealand really didn't start too well, but they really fought back well and bowled superbly. It was a shame to see them throw it away in the last 6 overs. After 44 overs it looked like they would restrict Australia to something under 250-odd, instead they are chasing 290. Although congratulations to Shane Bond on the hatrick, it's always great to see a bowler get one :D
Robbie_Dee
14-01-07, 02:00 PM
I am pissed we didn't get 300! god damn it! White and Symonds should have started their hitting spree one or two overs earlier than they did IMO. But fantastic job by them! I'm also pissed that Bond got that hat trick! Got belted for heaps the last over, and only got the hat trick coz we were just tryin to make 300 in the last 4 balls! I think if australia bowl well, NZ won't make the total!
I am pissed we didn't get 300! god damn it! White and Symonds should have started their hitting spree one or two overs earlier than they did IMO. But fantastic job by them! I'm also pissed that Bond got that hat trick! Got belted for heaps the last over, and only got the hat trick coz we were just tryin to make 300 in the last 4 balls! I think if australia bowl well, NZ won't make the total!
But the hatrick deserves to be applauded it was a very good one from bond.
Aussies dont need 300 to win.
Aussies will defend it well.
Astle got out in what I think unlucky circumstances.
I personally dont think the ball carried.
Robbie_Dee
14-01-07, 02:56 PM
I personally dont think the ball carried.nah it carried no doubt about it, slow mo showed that, right into his gloves, but damn it was close, and damn it was a good pick up from Gilly!
nah it carried no doubt about it, slow mo showed that, right into his gloves, but damn it was close, and damn it was a good pick up from Gilly!
Yeah Im still a little skeptical. I looked more at the grass i guess.
Steelers
14-01-07, 03:13 PM
I think it hit some grass, Gilly's gloves were kinda split at the fingers, tough call, probably should have went to the 3rd umpire.
Go_The_Doggies
14-01-07, 03:46 PM
nah it was a catch.
GO ROSSCO TAYLOR
Go_The_Doggies
14-01-07, 03:49 PM
ROSS TAYLOR JUST GOT HIS 50!!
w00t w00t.
man i love him :p
Taylor caught Gilly bowled Johnson .
Steelers
14-01-07, 04:57 PM
New Zealand collapsing now, pretty unfortunate really. I hope Ross Taylor hasn't done any serious damage to himself, hopefully he is ok and will be right for Tuesday's game.
Go_The_Doggies
14-01-07, 06:35 PM
We lost..ohwell.
I'm not too worried. As a)Flem has abit of form *keyword abit* b) Fulton is building on his form c) Bondy got a hattrick..and our bowling was pretty good *bar Franklin..but he had a migrane* and d) Ross Taylor got 84. :D
I hope Ross Taylor hasn't done any serious damage to himself, hopefully he is ok and will be right for Tuesday's game.
Oh god me too! I was gutted when he got hurt :( he showed great courage to carry on :)..hey hes had cramp and hasnt yelled and screamed like a certain Mark Richardson once did..so he can put up with anything :p
Supergoose
14-01-07, 08:45 PM
I reckon the Aussie selectors should move away from Stuart Clark as a one-day bowler, especially once Lee is back. He is too one-dimensional for ODI's. I like the Bracken, Lee, Johnson set-up. I think they need to use Hogg as well - at least until Watson is back. We With that line-up we'd bat to 10 not 8.
Titanium_BD1103
14-01-07, 10:39 PM
I think when Clark has a good day, he has a good day... when he has a bad day, it's there for all to see, in both forms of the game... but in time, he will be very useful... :)
As for today, well done to NZ for fighting till the end, much better than England has done this summer.... for a while there when Taylor was batting, I thought we might have a contest, but in the end it wasn't to be.
Taylor is a great player, and as Kim has said, one to look out for in the future, he is a true talent indeed... and tough as nails... :)
Shame that NZ only have a batting line up to 7 and Vettori and McMillan are only really part time batsman these days... and shame that Australia can field so well... then again Symonds and Clarke and geniuses at that... :D :D
Another Aussie win, but the Kiwis shouldn't be too disappointed, you gave us a contest, and that deserves some kudos... and will sit you well for Tuesday.... ;)
Robbie_Dee
15-01-07, 12:05 PM
Kiwi's are kinda like the Poms, a pretty crap team, with one batting super star (KP, and Ross Tayloer, and I'd just like to point out, it's pretty ironic that they both got Injured when batting against australia :rotflmao: ), and a good bowler (Hoggard and Vettori). Other than that they are a pretty ordinary team, but they have a decent bowling attack, that even slowed down Australia for 10 overs! Much more of a contest there yesterday, but, It would have been good if their tale didn't collapse :dead:
Kiwi's are kinda like the Poms, a pretty crap team, with one batting super star (KP, and Ross Tayloer, and I'd just like to point out, it's pretty ironic that they both got Injured when batting against australia :rotflmao: ), and a good bowler (Hoggard and Vettori). Other than that they are a pretty ordinary team, but they have a decent bowling attack, that even slowed down Australia for 10 overs! Much more of a contest there yesterday, but, It would have been good if their tale didn't collapse :dead:
Lol I reckon the Kiwis are a far better team who look like doing better in the next encounter.
Go_The_Doggies
15-01-07, 02:09 PM
Oh yes were such a crap team.
GOSH WE DONT EVEN HAVE A FULL STRENGTH SIDE!!!
Incase you hadnt noticed we do have players out due to injury.
God i'm not even this ****y about the All Blacks..sheesh.
Steelers
15-01-07, 04:45 PM
GTD is right, NZ are suffering alot of injuries. I think they would really give Australia a run for their money with a full-strength side.
Supergoose
15-01-07, 05:19 PM
NZ would indeed give Australia a run with their full-strength side and that's the problem. While Australia are searching for their what constitutes their full-strength side with a plethora of options, the NZ side is pretty definitive. There are only 8 or 9 top flight players in NZ - and yes, I agree there are a few of them out of the side due to injury. Australia has injuries too - but is able to cover them from their pool of 25-30 top flight one-day players. At least NZ has more top flighters than England who are surfing on about 4/5 top flighters.
Go_The_Doggies
15-01-07, 06:13 PM
NZ would indeed give Australia a run with their full-strength side and that's the problem. While Australia are searching for their what constitutes their full-strength side with a plethora of options, the NZ side is pretty definitive. There are only 8 or 9 top flight players in NZ - and yes, I agree there are a few of them out of the side due to injury. Australia has injuries too - but is able to cover them from their pool of 25-30 top flight one-day players. At least NZ has more top flighters than England who are surfing on about 4/5 top flighters.
GTD is right, NZ are suffering alot of injuries. I think they would really give Australia a run for their money with a full-strength side.
Thank you both!..atleast you people can take your green and gold glasses off for one minute lol.
May I just add. We have quite a few options. I mean when Millsy, Scotty Styris and Oram join the Black Caps later on in the CB series. We are going to have headaches who to leave out. Tbh we have headaches of who to put in, and who to leave out at the moment. The players just need to get their confidence up with the batting.
Lol I reckon the Kiwis are a far better team who look like doing better in the next encounter.
Go the Doggies I did say The Kiwis look like doing better.:)
Go_The_Doggies
15-01-07, 06:28 PM
Go the Doggies I did say The Kiwis look like doing better.:)
Oh yes and you..i forgot. :?)
I just get heaps angry at people who say we are ****. We are not ****. So what we have a few batting difficulties..we're not the first team to have problems..and its not like Australia have never had trouble before.
Oh yes and you..i forgot. :?)
I just get heaps angry at people who say we are ****. We are not ****. So what we have a few batting difficulties..we're not the first team to have problems..and its not like Australia have never had trouble before.
Yeah fair enough. I think the Kiwis will put Aussies under real pressure.
You guys I reckon are a force to be reckoned with.
Steelers
15-01-07, 07:01 PM
Thank you both!..atleast you people can take your green and gold glasses off for one minute lol.
LOL ask around, and you will find out my glasses are as clear as clear :p
Steelers
15-01-07, 07:03 PM
I just get heaps angry at people who say we are ****. We are not ****. So what we have a few batting difficulties..we're not the first team to have problems..and its not like Australia have never had trouble before.
And compare the fact that your country has a few million people, and India has over a billion people (all cricket mad I may add), and yet your ODI team is currently better than them. Every team has up and down form (except for Australia it seems :p), usually because of injuries and the like.
Go_The_Doggies
15-01-07, 07:45 PM
Anxious wait for Taylor after all clear
By MARK GEENTY - NZPA | Monday, 15 January 2007
Ross Taylor has an anxious wait until after tomorrow's tri-series cricket match against England to find out whether his debilitating leg cramps are simply due to dehydration or a more serious health problem.
The young New Zealand batsman, who defied the pain to flay 84 off 82 deliveries during the 105-run loss to Australia yesterday, was put through nearly three hours of muscle and neurological tests by a specialist in Hobart today.
Initial fears that it could be diabetes were partially averted, but Taylor will not know the full story until medical staff get all the results tomorrow.
"They thought that (diabetes) could be an option but it's unlikely. It's just probably a combination of what happened in Napier, more dehydration and nerves," Taylor said.
"It's a mystery, I've never got this cramp before. It's just come on twice in a couple of weeks and hopefully I can get on top of it."
The problem first surfaced last month against Sri Lanka in Napier when he had to be put on a drip in hospital after scoring 128 not out.
Yesterday, Taylor required a runner and was clearly in pain as he suffered cramps to his calf, thigh and groin soon after reaching his half-century, then in his hamstring an hour after the match ended.
He said he felt like a broken down fast bowler today, but after a massage Taylor was given the all clear to play England at Bellerive Oval, along with paceman James Franklin, who has recovered from a migraine.
Pre-match nerves mean Taylor has no appetite but he said he would have to force down some breakfast tomorrow and load up on fluids.
"After I fielded (yesterday) I just couldn't eat. I didn't feel like eating and I had to force feed myself.
"I only had two weetbix before the Napier game, and this time it was a combination of nerves and hydration.
"It's just getting the balance between good nerves and the need to eat and hydrate well."
Taylor was bombarded with advice from family and friends in New Zealand via text message today.
He vowed to try his grandparents' anti-cramping remedy of drinking tonic water because of its quinine content.
Meanwhile, Taylor has to focus on trying to repeat his heroics against struggling England as New Zealand look to bounce back quickly.
"There's nerves because I've never played England before but at the same time I'm excited and I understand how the pitch will play a little bit better tomorrow.
"England have seen me bat a little bit, but never bowled to me and at the same time I've never faced their bowlers before."
It's difficult to know who's under the more pressure going into tomorrow's first neutral game of the series.
New Zealand have specialised in batting collapses of late but are desperate to prove they can be a World Cup force while England have not won a game all tour, were hammered by eight wickets by the hosts last Friday and lost their star batsman Kevin Pietersen with a broken rib.
New South Wales' TAB Sportsbet had New Zealand as $1.62 favourites tonight but had not written England off, posting them at $2.20.
On more recent form New Zealand deserve favouritism. They are ranked fourth in the world to England's eighth, and have won the last three one-day matches between the sides.
England's one-day form is worse than their test efforts. They have won just four of their last 15 matches and that included one victory over Ireland.
England coach Duncan Fletcher said it had been tough dealing with Pietersen's absence, which will see Ed Joyce replace him in the batting lineup for just his fourth one-day international.
"It's very difficult to cover his loss. You don't find players like that every day. He can change a game very quickly and it's going to be a huge loss," Fletcher said, insisting morale remained high with captain Michael Vaughan's return.
"New Zealand's one-day cricket's very good, they've got some experienced players and a very good captain.
"It's going to be a difficult game but I believe we can go in there and beat them."
Go_The_Doggies
15-01-07, 07:46 PM
I'm so nervous for him :|
I don't know whether its cos I feel sick or what. But it feels like I have butterflies :confused:
I'M NOT OBSESSED FFS :p
Supergoose
16-01-07, 12:41 AM
Thank you both!..atleast you people can take your green and gold glasses off for one minute lol.
May I just add. We have quite a few options. I mean when Millsy, Scotty Styris and Oram join the Black Caps later on in the CB series. We are going to have headaches who to leave out. Tbh we have headaches of who to put in, and who to leave out at the moment. The players just need to get their confidence up with the batting.
Whilst there are headaches about who to leave in and who to leave out, it's not because players are beating down the door but rather because NZ are not sure whether to bank on youth or experience against the powerful Australians. I look forward to Mills, Styris and Oram coming back in as it will correct the lack of depth in the batting shown in Tassie. The opening batting spots looked less than convincing also. Hope McCullum can come up with the goods as this improves the balance of the side.
Go_The_Doggies
16-01-07, 08:55 AM
Tbh I hope McCullum gets moved DOWN back to number 6. He needs to have a steady and long succesfull innings to convince me he is an international opener. [he opens for his state team Canterbury]
Because when Vettori..or Franklin gets out. We just colapse like flies..and lately with Vettori's lack of batting form we have been colapsing before then.
Robbie_Dee
16-01-07, 01:53 PM
My power's been out all morning, and havn't heard the score, and atm its a lunch break, what did NZ make?
9/205 after 50 overs.
England look set for first win this Summer.
Go_The_Doggies
16-01-07, 02:54 PM
we can still win.
Robbie_Dee
16-01-07, 02:59 PM
we can still win.bloody oath ya's can, and you's will! no doubt about it! At Englands rate, they will fall short.
Go_The_Doggies
16-01-07, 03:00 PM
ffs dan vettori wasnt even out:(
bloody oath ya's can, and you's will! no doubt about it! At Englands rate, they will fall short.
At Englands rate they look like putting 250 on, Kiwis need wickets and now.
Go_The_Doggies
16-01-07, 03:01 PM
and ffs my dads crictical. he only saw astle's innings when he got out..called him a useless so and so..and then he just said about our bowlers "get some decent bowlers"
*sigh*
Btw I agree vetorri wasnt out but not because of that crappy hawkeye.
That is the worst piece of technology they could use. They use them to criticise wrong decisions even if theyre a little astray.
If it looks out then give it out in terms of LBW.
Go_The_Doggies
16-01-07, 03:08 PM
yieww we got a wicket.
but i missed it.
cos my bro was watching something else.
who was the bowler?..franklin?
**EDIT**
GO ROSSCO..he caught it. :peace: he is an excellent fielder.
Robbie_Dee
16-01-07, 06:17 PM
Talk about a cliff hanger!!! I first thought England would have it for sure, with Flintoff and Nixon at the crease, then Nixon got out, but i still thought England could handle it, then when it was 5 runs needed off 8 balls, i thought NZ may just hang onto it, when it was 1 run needed off 2 balls, Flintoff On strike, i was doubtful about who would win! In the end well done to England! Great Ending, but not all that exciting during the day, I would have liked to see a little more than 400 runs scored the whole day! :dead:
ps; don't know id that made any sense :dead: :dead: :dead:
Steelers
16-01-07, 07:00 PM
I missed most of the match, saw the final 30 balls, funny how the closest match all summer is the first match of the summer that didn't involve Australia :p
Lol they almost had Flintoff if only it wasnt a beamer
Titanium_BD1103
16-01-07, 07:33 PM
What can be said about that, but YAY for England getting a win... ;)
In all honesty, that match was very much a match that England should have won, but almost lost.... and it's a credit to the NZ team that they were able to hold in there and get a win they never deserved to have.
But England won, and credit to them and their order for finally going somewhere... maybe things will be alright for England now... it will make it interesting to see who gets to the finals.
Go_The_Doggies
16-01-07, 08:37 PM
Pfft about the loss.
But i'm not too bothered tbh..well I am. But i'm still heaps proud of my boys. That game could have so easily been won alot sooner then it finished. And we made England really fight for their 4 points.
JOHN BRACEWELL YOU TOOL!!! how many times does Brendon McCullum have to get out quickly [and most times playing un nesseccary shots] before you realise he is not an International opener. For Canterbury yes. But not for NZ.
P.S JEETS CAN FLY!! :D
Go_The_Doggies
16-01-07, 08:39 PM
Lol they almost had Flintoff if only it wasnt a beamer
The only thing I wasnt happy about with that was that the umpires didnt call it a no-ball until Flintoff complained. That really annoyed me. Lol I was abusing everyone and anything at that point.
Steelers
16-01-07, 08:43 PM
The only thing I wasnt happy about with that was that the umpires didnt call it a no-ball until Flintoff complained. That really annoyed me. Lol I was abusing everyone and anything at that point.
Same here. The square leg umpire should have called it as soon as he saw it was above the waist. Although the right decision was made, so thats good, but it wasn't good umpiring at all.
Steelers
16-01-07, 08:45 PM
ffs dan vettori wasnt even out:(
I just saw the replay on the news, it was a terrible decision! But not as bad as the one Strauss copped! He has had a very harsh summer :(
The only thing I wasnt happy about with that was that the umpires didnt call it a no-ball until Flintoff complained. That really annoyed me. Lol I was abusing everyone and anything at that point.
To be honest the umpires shouldnt make a decision from the influence of a player.If he missed it then he missed the no-ball.
Go_The_Doggies
16-01-07, 08:46 PM
I just saw the replay on the news, it was a terrible decision! But not as bad as the one Strauss copped! He has had a very harsh summer :(
Ummmm..i've forgotten any words i was gunna write.
Well its all good then isnt it :p..dan-van-torri got out when he wasnt even..and so did strauss.
Steelers
16-01-07, 08:46 PM
JOHN BRACEWELL YOU TOOL!!! how many times does Brendon McCullum have to get out quickly [and most times playing un nesseccary shots] before you realise he is not an International opener. For Canterbury yes. But not for NZ.
[/U][/B]
I agree. It worked for the Twenty20 matches against Sr Lanka, but it hasn't really worked for them in the ODI's. They should have Astle and Fleming at the top I reckon.
Steelers
16-01-07, 08:48 PM
Ummmm..i've forgotten any words i was gunna write.
Well its all good then isnt it :p..dan-van-torri got out when he wasnt even..and so did strauss.
It wasn't good, but I suppose it evened it out a bit. The umpires should have made 2 right decisions, not 2 terribly wrong decisions :p
Steelers
16-01-07, 08:50 PM
To be honest the umpires shouldnt make a decision from the influence of a player.If he missed it then he missed the no-ball.
Well it depends if the umpire saw it or not. I would hope that the umpire didn't just take Flintoff's word for it... :/
Go_The_Doggies
16-01-07, 08:50 PM
It wasn't good, but I suppose it evened it out a bit. The umpires should have made 2 right decisions, not 2 terribly wrong decisions :p
Yeah...
But I wasnt too bothered about the Strauss decision.. :?)
But it was pretty bad.
Well it depends if the umpire saw it or not. I would hope that the umpire didn't just take Flintoff's word for it... :/
From what I saw Flintoff signaled the ball was high and then was given No ball.
Thats the bit i found ridiculous. I mean it was no ball but it can or should only be called if the unpires see it.
Cant be done by influence of a player.
Steelers
16-01-07, 08:53 PM
Yeah...
But I wasnt too bothered about the Strauss decision.. :?)
But it was pretty bad.
LOL of course you weren't too bothered by it :p And it was absolutely terrible, he hit it from the middle of his bat into his pad basically and his bat was about a foot from his pad.
Go_The_Doggies
16-01-07, 08:53 PM
To be honest the umpires shouldnt make a decision from the influence of a player.If he missed it then he missed the no-ball.
Exactly..thats what im so angry about.
Who's to say he just didn't take Flintoff's word for it. [Although replay's show it was above the waste]
Steelers
16-01-07, 08:54 PM
From what I saw Flintoff signaled the ball was high and then was given No ball.
Thats the bit i found ridiculous. I mean it was no ball but it can or should only be called if the unpires see it.
Cant be done by influence of a player.
Yeah I saw that, but we don't know whether the umpire saw it and just didn't call it until he realised he had to because of the wicket, or whether he was just delaying the call, or whether he didn't see it and just took Flintoff's word from it. If he just took his word for it, then he shouldn't even be umpiring local division 6th grade, let alone an ODI.
Go_The_Doggies
16-01-07, 08:59 PM
Yeah I saw that, but we don't know whether the umpire saw it and just didn't call it until he realised he had to because of the wicket, or whether he was just delaying the call, or whether he didn't see it and just took Flintoff's word from it. If he just took his word for it, then he shouldn't even be umpiring local division 6th grade, let alone an ODI.
He should have called it regardless of whether a wicket fell or not..
Yeah I saw that, but we don't know whether the umpire saw it and just didn't call it until he realised he had to because of the wicket, or whether he was just delaying the call, or whether he didn't see it and just took Flintoff's word from it. If he just took his word for it, then he shouldn't even be umpiring local division 6th grade, let alone an ODI.
When the catch was taken it wasnt called straightaway like it normally would. I then saw flintoffs action then suddenly it was called.
The ball was a no ball but gees umpires must use discretion. The ball shouldve been called as soon as the batsman hit it as it was easy to spot.
Steelers
16-01-07, 09:10 PM
He should have called it regardless of whether a wicket fell or not..
Exactly, which is why it all seems a bit iffy...
The ball shouldve been called as soon as the batsman hit it as it was easy to spot.
Once again... Exactly :p
Go_The_Doggies
16-01-07, 09:26 PM
LETS ALL GO KILL STEVE DAVIS!!
I believe it was him who gave Ross Taylor out in the Sri Lankan series when it wasnt even a catch ffs.
Go_The_Doggies
16-01-07, 09:42 PM
Bond injury another blow for NZ
By Philip Henderson
January 16, 2007
SHANE Bond's shocking run of back injuries continued today as the injury-marred pace bowler left the field late in New Zealand's three-wicket tri-series loss to England at Bellerive Oval.
Bond took 0-29 from eight overs, but was forced off after the end of his second spell as England successfully chased down New Zealand's 9-205.
"We think it is just muscular and we will see how he scrubs up tomorrow, and if (it's sore) he'll have a scan," said captain Stephen Fleming.
"It's been around for a while (the injury), so it just gets a bit stiff.
"And two games in three days has probably brought that on. But fingers crossed it is just that.
"We were probably pushing him to bowl those three (overs in Bond's second spell).
"It was a case of if he could bowl, we'd get as many as we could out of him.
"It's always a little bit of a worry. He's such an important part of the side and we know how much better we are when he's in the side, so when he's not quite right it sends a shiver through the camp, but we're just hoping for this week we'll manage him through and it's not serious."
Bond has an amazing one-day record, taking 99 wickets at just 19.77, but has played just 53 games since making his international debut in early 2002 because of a succession of back problems.
The Black Caps next play Australia in Sydney on Sunday.
AAP
Titanium_BD1103
17-01-07, 07:16 PM
LETS ALL GO KILL STEVE DAVIS!!
I believe it was him who gave Ross Taylor out in the Sri Lankan series when it wasnt even a catch ffs.
Kim, I don't suggest you wish death on anyone, let alone call for everyone to do it, you just don't know who might be reading.... ;)
As for this, well who cares, what is done is done, go to the next game, I am sure if NZ can perform like that and almost win, they will win the next time these two sides meet... ;)
Go_The_Doggies
17-01-07, 07:33 PM
I think Bracewell is starting to get the message about McCullum. As he said something on the news along the lines of "he needs to get a move on"...well thats the way I saw it.
Go_The_Doggies
18-01-07, 02:26 PM
Bond staying on tour
By JONATHAN MILLMOW and Stuff.co.nz - Fairfax Media | Thursday, 18 January 2007
BREAKING NEWS: Shane Bond has been cleared of a stress fracture in his back and will stay with the Black Caps in Australia.
New Zealand's star fast bowler visited a Sydney doctor this morning and then had an MRI scan at 11am local time (1pm NZT).
The results have not yet been fully revealed but New Zealand team management said this afternoon that Bond had not suffered a feared stress fracture.
The news will be a huge relief for the injury-dogged player as well as the rest of the team and fans.
His loss would have been a massive blow to the Black Caps' chances of reaching the finals of the tri-series they are currently in against Australia and England but, more importantly, Bond is vital to Kiwi chances at the World Cup in March.
He has a history of back problems and had said if this latest comeback fails he will retire.
The New Zealand fast bowler did not complete the match against England in Hobart on Tuesday because of soreness in the back.
Coach John Bracewell earlier said a replacement for Bond was not being sought but his interchange players Jacob Oram, Scott Styris and Kyle Mills were being considered on an individual basis as candidates to join the side for Tuesday's match against England in Adelaide.
"I'm not going to rush them back because we've had a loss."
Aussies are on fire
England 5-70.:D:D:D:D
Hoppy2007Dragons
19-01-07, 03:55 PM
cleaning them up, but i did like the look of Loye i think he is a future opener for Engalnd till a youngster comes through.
Go_The_Doggies
19-01-07, 04:22 PM
hm well i cant talk abut england can i :p
but my mum pointed out..that ummm it would be better for us if australia win. and then i pointed out every time i've gone for england this summer they've lost. so ima keep going for england. :)
Hoppy2007Dragons
19-01-07, 04:49 PM
OMG, how tall is that chris tremlet. :roll:
Go_The_Doggies
19-01-07, 04:52 PM
19 Jan 2007
Oram to join BLACKCAPS
State Central Stags all-rounder Jacob Oram will fly to Adelaide on Sunday to join the BLACKCAPS.
Injured during the second National Bank Test against Sri Lanka in early December, Oram has been back playing for his province for the last two weeks, first as a batsman only and more recently as an all-rounder.
Oram rejoins the BLACKCAPS when they arrive in South Australia on Monday, following their day-night match against Australia in Sydney on Sunday.
BLACKCAPS manager Lindsay Crocker said that Kyle Mills could also be on the same flight.
?Mills is playing today and if the New Zealand selectors are satisfied with his fitness and form he will also head to Adelaide,? Crocker explained.
The make-up of the BLACKCAPS squad may be reassessed in Adelaide, depending on the fitness of Shane Bond and if both Oram and Mills cross the Tasman.
?Shane Bond had an MRI scan this afternoon in Sydney in an attempt to pinpoint his back problems. The results should be known later this afternoon Australian time. He will not play on Sunday and is in doubt for Tuesday in Adelaide as well,? he said.
Scott Styris stood down from State Auckland Aces? State Shield match in Christchurch with a strained calf muscle.
He expects to be back running again on Saturday and his availability for Auckland?s next match will be monitored daily.
Go_The_Doggies
19-01-07, 04:54 PM
W00000000000000000T :D
Much <3 to O-ram. :p
He will boost us soo much.
Dummy Half
19-01-07, 05:01 PM
every time i've gone for england this summer they've lost.
Every time anybody goes for England they Lose! :rotflmao:
-
Robbie_Dee
19-01-07, 05:11 PM
Jeez Australia better watch out coz once again England are in Blistering form!!!! They are absolutely smashing Australia out of the park!
Capital_Shark
19-01-07, 05:11 PM
How tall is that bloody pom!?
Robbie_Dee
19-01-07, 05:12 PM
How tall is that bloody pom!?6'8"!!! FFS that's big
Capital_Shark
19-01-07, 05:16 PM
6'8"!!! FFS that's big
Far out. I was watching NBA before I turned on the cricket and he still looked huge. I thought he'd run the wicket quicker, then I realised he probably has to minimise his stride so he doesn't lap the other bloke. Big fella isn't too bad though. I'd bowl long and at his heels I reckon he'd have trouble getting around to that.
Go_The_Doggies
19-01-07, 05:23 PM
Is he taller then Jacob Oram or 2 Meter Peter [Peter Fulton]
Titanium_BD1103
20-01-07, 11:48 AM
Well last night was about as dour as it gets... a pitch with a fair bit for the bowlers and the batsman, made Australia go into go slow mode... along with some nice English bowling.... FINALLY... :laugh:
Congrats to England for making a match of it... they didn't bat well, however Loye is a good sort, will be useful if he can continue on like that... but at least they showed some fight with a seaming ball.
Well done to Hussey, Clarke and Lee steered the ship to victory, especially Hussey... we farewelled one of the great finishers in M Bevan on Thursday... we have the next one in M Hussey.... :)
Off to Sydney and to take on NZ, where I am sure the Australians will want to break the shackles and show some fancy stuff... ;)
Go_The_Doggies
20-01-07, 11:52 AM
Last night..I was torn into 2 lol. Cos since i've gone for England all summer whenever they're playing Australia I have to go for England..its my gut instint. But last night. I didn't know who I wanted to win, cos as I said i've gone for England all summer, but it would benifit NZ if Australia won. So i'd cheer for England and be like "oh wait im not meant to be going for them" lol.
Australia batted pretty bad except Hussey and were lucky to win.
Aussies have to stop being so arrogant and take even little targets seriously.
Jeez Australia better watch out coz once again England are in Blistering form!!!! They are absolutely smashing Australia out of the park!
:lol!: What blistering form. It didnt last .
Robbie_Dee
20-01-07, 03:20 PM
:lol!: What blistering form. It didnt last .ever heard of sarcasm? :laugh:
Capital_Shark
20-01-07, 03:21 PM
All hail Mike Hussy, our saviour!
He's a sh!thouse actor (re: when he got out but didn't get out) but he's a bloody great cricketer!
I actually got SLIGHTLY worried we might not pull it off yesterday, somewhat of a turn around to when we got them all out and I was laughing and saying "Australia racked up 220 in a 20/20 match ffs, 156 in 50 overs, tell batsmen 5 through 11 to knock off early."
Some good bowling from the poms though, especially Lewis (I think) that took 4 wickets.
Speaking of wickets, how 'bout that run out from White? haha that was all ass!
Go_The_Doggies
20-01-07, 03:37 PM
LOL @ Hussey's face when we was out but he wasnt given out..and he didnt walk. Lmao he like hardout pulled out the innocent face. Bahah.
LOL @ Hussey's face when we was out but he wasnt given out..and he didnt walk. Lmao he like hardout pulled out the innocent face. Bahah.
I wasnt happy when he was out. He shouldve done a gilly and walked.
Poor sportsmanship
ever heard of sarcasm? :laugh:
Lol was joking and yes im one of the majorly sarcastic types.
Capital_Shark
20-01-07, 05:50 PM
I wasnt happy when he was out. He shouldve done a gilly and walked.
Poor sportsmanship
BS! There is 2 umpires out there and a video umpire, its not the batsmans' job to declare himself out.
If I were a selector, coach, captain etc I would have the head of any player who walked. Your out there to put runs on the board. Simple as that. What's next, an alls fair rule like 'you can't get out first ball"?
Not BS. No need to totally flame my opinion.
Btw yes they do go out to score but if they know theyre out my opinion is they should walk.
They obviously dont have to but I personally like when batsmen walk. It shows character.
It doesnt like anger me if they dont walk but I like when batsmen like Gilly do walk. Its just how I see it ok?
Batsmen are entitled and should always be entitled to declare themselves out.
Go_The_Doggies
20-01-07, 06:11 PM
Tbh .. Its up to the indivudal player. Mike Hussey said he doesnt walk, so thats fair enough I guess. He isnt a walker, so why should he have started last night?
Capital_Shark
20-01-07, 06:12 PM
Hopefully this walking crap is one legacy of the game Gilly takes into retirement with him.
Tbh .. Its up to the indivudal player. Mike Hussey said he doesnt walk, so thats fair enough I guess. He isnt a walker, so why should he have started last night?
Yeah I guess thats true. If they dont or do wanna walk they can do what they want. I personally see walking as great sportsmanship and honesty.
Not to put anything on players who dont Im just giving credit to those who do.
Go_The_Doggies
20-01-07, 06:18 PM
Hopefully this walking crap is one legacy of the game Gilly takes into retirement with him.
LOL
I'm a fence sitter with this walking thing.
I mean it shows good sportsmanship. But as Tana Umaga once said. "We're not here to play tiddly winks" :laugh:
I guess its fair enough if they dont walk from a tiny nick they most likely wouldnt have felt but if they really thick edge then no need to hang around.
Capital_Shark
20-01-07, 06:24 PM
LOL
I'm a fence sitter with this walking thing.
I mean it shows good sportsmanship. But as Tana Umaga once said. "We're not here to play tiddly winks" :laugh:
lol there ya go. While that match, win or lose, didn't matter to Australia, if it was the deciding test match of an Ashes series, we're chasing down the poms in the last innings, our last decent batsman takes a walk and leave the bloody Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath out there to salvage a win.
Good sportsmanship, showed consideration for the other team, what about his own team and country?
You league team is in the grand final, half back chips and the fullback flies through to collect it and run 80m untouched to score on the siren to win, the video evidence couldn't catch whether he was onside or not, but the fullback, in a show of sportsmanship, informs the ref he was infact offside, game over, you lose, but atleast your fullback is an honest bloke.
lol there ya go. While that match, win or lose, didn't matter to Australia, if it was the deciding test match of an Ashes series, we're chasing down the poms in the last innings, our last decent batsman takes a walk and leave the bloody Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath out there to salvage a win.
Good sportsmanship, showed consideration for the other team, what about his own team and country?
You league team is in the grand final, half back chips and the fullback flies through to collect it and run 80m untouched to score on the siren to win, the video evidence couldn't catch whether he was onside or not, but the fullback, in a show of sportsmanship, informs the ref he was infact offside, game over, you lose, but atleast your fullback is an honest bloke.
You make a valid point there it does kinda destroy the spirit of the game but if the opener walks or anyone who walks and the team is in a strong position is fair enough too.
Go_The_Doggies
20-01-07, 06:30 PM
lol there ya go. While that match, win or lose, didn't matter to Australia, if it was the deciding test match of an Ashes series, we're chasing down the poms in the last innings, our last decent batsman takes a walk and leave the bloody Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath out there to salvage a win.
Good sportsmanship, showed consideration for the other team, what about his own team and country?
You league team is in the grand final, half back chips and the fullback flies through to collect it and run 80m untouched to score on the siren to win, the video evidence couldn't catch whether he was onside or not, but the fullback, in a show of sportsmanship, informs the ref he was infact offside, game over, you lose, but atleast your fullback is an honest bloke.
C'mon Sharkie..as if anyones gunna do that in a grand final. :rotflmao:
Capital_Shark
20-01-07, 06:33 PM
C'mon Sharkie..as if anyones gunna do that in a grand final. :rotflmao:
lol just a hypothetical to put another spin on the point I was making.
Knowing my luck it'd be my bloody team to do it on their maiden premiership lol
But in league there is another 12 blokes out there to shut up the one honest bloke.
Go_The_Doggies
20-01-07, 06:36 PM
And in league you have another shot (providing its not the last minute)
In cricket you have only 1 chance.
Go_The_Doggies
20-01-07, 06:45 PM
Mad scientist Bracewell creates monster
The Dominion Post | Friday, 19 January 2007
By SPIRO ZAVOS
Why was James Franklin given the responsibility of opening the New Zealand bowling in the one-day international against Australia?
Another one of John Bracewell's experiments, presumably.
Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist promptly belted 12 runs off the Franklin over and the game was almost over before it had started.
As Franklin trundled warily in to bowl, the thought came to me: why didn't Stephen Fleming open up with Shane Bond? Bond is the best of the Black Caps' bowlers and the one most likely to take a vital wicket in the opening over. The psychological effect of a wicket or a probing over first up might have changed the course of the game.
Then a couple of days later, Bond, with his history of back injuries, was required to play again against England.
It's history now that he had to leave the field and was not available to bowl out the last couple of overs of a match that should not have been lost.
From this side of the ditch it seems obvious that the coach of the Black Caps is not delivering for his team, on or off the field.
Compare the handling of Bond and the aging Glenn McGrath. The Australian played the opening match of the tournament against England and then was rested two days later for the match against New Zealand. In the field, McGrath was taken off boundary running duties in the latter overs.
Younger players were given the task of racing around the field when the slog was on.
Bracewell's controversial rotation policy has clearly not worked with Fleming. This is another area where the coach has got it wrong.
Instead of the captain taking time out, he should have been playing all the tests and one-dayers in New Zealand. Fleming looks to be under-done in terms of matchplay. His batting is tentative. And so is his captaincy.
Compare Bracewell's treatment of Fleming with the way Ricky Ponting has been handled by coach John Buchanan and the Australian selectors. Ponting misses his first game for the season today when Australia play England. He has played the Champions Trophy tournament, the Ashes series, Twenty20 matches and the first two ODIs. Ponting is rested, though, when Australia have won two games out of two and are certainties for a finals berth. He has earned his break.
The case for Fleming having a break after the Champions Trophy and tests against Sri Lanka was always weak. Fleming needed more cricket, not less.
The senseless rotation policy (when there are not enough class players to rotate) is one of several crazy Bracewell experiments:
Daniel Vettori has been turned into a (failed) batsman;
Brendon McCullum sacrificed as an opener;
Craig McMillan played as an allrounder;
Hamish Marshall being allowed to forgo net practice.
You can't help thinking that everything is going to end in tears in Australia and at the World Cup in the West Indies while Bracewell continues his mad scientist regime with the Black Caps.
Go_The_Doggies
21-01-07, 06:12 PM
GO MACCA YOU LARD **** YOU!! :lol!:
I was very shiitty this afternoon.
And Tony Greig wasnt making it any better. Keeping on going on about how macca shoulda been out, ffs you south african wannabe pom..its no different to Hussey the other night!!
I don't think we shop drop Macca, cos he has stepped up right when we've needed him, ie: tuesday, today, against Sri Lanka in Auckland. To make room for Oram maybe we could drop Franklin :?) his bowling is quite inconsistint, saying that he goes alright with the bat.
BTW did you guys know macca is a diabetic, i forgot until this afternoon when my mum reminded me.
GO MACCA YOU LARD **** YOU!! :lol!:
I was very shiitty this afternoon.
And Tony Greig wasnt making it any better. Keeping on going on about how macca shoulda been out, ffs you south african wannabe pom..its no different to Hussey the other night!!
I don't think we shop drop Macca, cos he has stepped up right when we've needed him, ie: tuesday, today, against Sri Lanka in Auckland. To make room for Oram maybe we could drop Franklin :?) his bowling is quite inconsistint, saying that he goes alright with the bat.
BTW did you guys know macca is a diabetic, i forgot until this afternoon when my mum reminded me.
Hey that reminds me.....
Did they have a look at hotspot on Hussey's appeal. I know that they looked at snicko, but that didn't prove it cause his bat could have hit his pad at the same time as the ball going past his bat........
I read his article in the 'Sunday Mail' today, he didn't give much away, he avoided the point of saying whether he actually hit it or not.
Steelers
21-01-07, 07:07 PM
Hey that reminds me.....
Did they have a look at hotspot on Hussey's appeal. I know that they looked at snicko, but that didn't prove it cause his bat could have hit his pad at the same time as the ball going past his bat........
I read his article in the 'Sunday Mail' today, he didn't give much away, he avoided the point of saying whether he actually hit it or not.
Didn't need to use hot-spot, because it was obviously out. No chance that his bat hit the pad.
Hoppy2007Dragons
21-01-07, 07:07 PM
Again Australia faulting during a run chase. 3/21
Steelers
21-01-07, 07:12 PM
GO MACCA YOU LARD **** YOU!! :lol!:
I was very shiitty this afternoon.
And Tony Greig wasnt making it any better. Keeping on going on about how macca shoulda been out, ffs you south african wannabe pom..its no different to Hussey the other night!!
I don't think we shop drop Macca, cos he has stepped up right when we've needed him, ie: tuesday, today, against Sri Lanka in Auckland. To make room for Oram maybe we could drop Franklin :?) his bowling is quite inconsistint, saying that he goes alright with the bat.
BTW did you guys know macca is a diabetic, i forgot until this afternoon when my mum reminded me.
Less than 3 weeks ago you said this :rotflmao:
I'm not happy..why is Macca (Craig McMillan) in the side, he sucks!!
And Franklin is bowling well today so far, which is definately a plus for NZ.
Didn't need to use hot-spot, because it was obviously out. No chance that his bat hit the pad.
What do you mean no chance? And it wasn't obviously out, cause he didn't get given out.......
One of the commentators picked this up too. The bottom edge of his bat was on his pad at the same time the ball was going past his bat. This could explain the sound on snicko. If they had of used 'hotspot', it may have proved whether the ball hit the bat or not.
I wreckon it's a high chance that he did hit the ball with his bat, just by his facial expressions at the time and by the article he wrote in the Sunday mail today. My point is, this is a classic example where the 3rd umpire could have been used, and technology like snicko and hotspot may have been useful. I believe it was a crucial call in the game that should have been given more thought......
Big deal if Aussies lose.
I wont mind if the kiwis win.
What do you mean no chance? And it wasn't obviously out, cause he didn't get given out.......
One of the commentators picked this up too. The bottom edge of his bat was on his pad at the same time the ball was going past his bat. This could explain the sound on snicko. If they had of used 'hotspot', it may have proved whether the ball hit the bat or not.
I wreckon it's a high chance that he did hit the ball with his bat, just by his facial expressions at the time and by the article he wrote in the Sunday mail today. My point is, this is a classic example where the 3rd umpire could have been used, and technology like snicko and hotspot may have been useful. I believe it was a crucial call in the game that should have been given more thought......
Umpires do make mistakes. They made one today with mcmillan
Umpires do make mistakes. They made one today with mcmillan
Whether the umpires made a mistake or not is beyond the point.
I get the impression that Steelers is making out it was 'Black & White' definantly out. There was enough evidence in the camera footage to suggest that it might not have been out. That's why I originally posted "Did they use go to hotspot" cause it may have proved either way.
Go_The_Doggies
21-01-07, 07:40 PM
Less than 3 weeks ago you said this :rotflmao:
And Franklin is bowling well today so far, which is definately a plus for NZ.
Yeh but at the time I wasnt happy with him in the side, as he had only scored about 4 runs in 2 games.
And yeh I have no idea who to take out of the side for oram and millsy. Im glad im not the coach :D
Our 3 wickets we've got so far have been great :D .. ffs at Jimmy Franklin dropping a catch :') but ohwell..ya get that.
And we need to get out Symonds..FAST.
Go_The_Doggies
21-01-07, 07:40 PM
Big deal if Aussies lose.
I wont mind if the kiwis win.
Aww thanks Paddy :D
Your one of the few aussies like this :p :)
Whether the umpires made a mistake or not is beyond the point.
I get the impression that Steelers is making out it was 'Black & White' definantly out. There was enough evidence in the camera footage to suggest that it might not have been out. That's why I originally posted "Did they use go to hotspot" cause it may have proved either way.
I saw the hotspot and Hussey clearly nicked it
Aww thanks Paddy :D
Your one of the few aussies like this :p :)
Hehe Youre welcome.
Aussies are bound to lose one. They really should so they dont let being unbeaten get to their heads anymore than it starting to.
I saw the hotspot and Hussey clearly nicked it
Oh ok Thanx Paddy, so they they did go to hotspot, I didn't see it - thats all I was asking............
Go_The_Doggies
21-01-07, 08:04 PM
**** YES DAN VETTORI :D
Wow that was awesome!!
I'm so pumped up right now :p
Oh ok Thanx Paddy, so they they did go to hotspot, I didn't see it - thats all I was asking............
Fair enough
Robbie_Dee
21-01-07, 08:10 PM
Well another easy total for the Aussies to chase down, but once again proving quite difficult! I thought there when Symonds and Clarke starting going for the ding, we would make it easily, but, now symonds is out, and once again it's up to Hussey to save us!
Go_The_Doggies
21-01-07, 08:13 PM
You guys wuold be buggered without Hussey sometimes!!
The Sunday Mail 21/01/07
WHY I DON'T WALK
By Mike Hussey,
To walk or not to walk? As far as I'm concerned, there's a simple solution to the debate that has raged ever since W.G. Grace first donned creams: If you're not given out, you're not out. The umpires are out there to officiate. It's their job to call whether a batsman is in or out. And that is why I will never walk. There was some contention on Friday night over whether I nicked a James Anderson Ball that shaped away to the wicketkeeper Paul Nixon when I was on 19. The fact is that I was given not out by umpire Daryl Harper. Did I hit it? It was a very close call. Yes there were words exchanged between the bowler and yours truly. What did I say to Anderson? "I don't walk mate".
Why are the umpires there if we take the job out of there hands? My dad taught me very early on that the man in white is always right. It might be a cliche, but it's a good one. I have always had to accept their decision good or bad. I have always played the game as hard as I can. I yearn for success and want to be out there as long as I can. If you look back on career when you retire and weigh it up, there will be times it works in your favour and times when it doesn't.
It's strange when it seems to go your way if you are in a rich vein of form and the other way, when you are not. Adam Gilchrist has been quite public in his willingness to walk. I have huge admiration for Gilly ofr taking that stand. But it's not me. The umpires in general do a fantastic job under difficult circumstances so I put my full trust in their ability to call it as they see it from their end.
AT 5-103 in the 30th over, chasing 155, it was important to build a patient partnership. We couldn't afford to lose wickets. While our patient run chase was on, there was plenty of banter coming at me from behind the stumps. The wicketkeeper, Nixon, likes to have a chat. To be honest, the Gabba crowd was so vocal I couldn't hear alot of what Nixon was saying. But most of it wasn't complimentary. I've played against him in county cricket in England and he's one of those players who says plenty out on the field.
So it was certainly nice to have the last word - at least on Friday night.
Steelers
21-01-07, 09:20 PM
Michael Clarke out - Australia need 52 from 77
What about Ross Taylor's face after he caught that catch! :laugh: classic!
Steelers
21-01-07, 09:34 PM
Cameron White out COME ON KIWIS!
Though they should be worried about the fact that they have to bowl 7 overs from Astle and McMillan (or someone else)
Steelers
21-01-07, 10:13 PM
How exciting... another Australian victory... :dead:
Go_The_Doggies
21-01-07, 10:15 PM
:(
if onyl we took our chances..but ohwell..enough of it "if only"
um yeh kinda disappointed tbh.
btw thanks for bracken for the "both teams bowled well" bit :p
Robbie_Dee
21-01-07, 10:18 PM
NZ would have won it maybe if they got all the simple things right, like catching sitters, and making piss easy run outs that i could have done. :ok:
Hussey, you are a legend!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go_The_Doggies
21-01-07, 10:19 PM
NZ would have won it maybe if they got all the simple things right, like catching sitters, and making piss easy run outs that i could have done. :ok:
Hussey, you are a legend!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well go out there and do it then!!
No offence but it ****s me off when people say that..i mean the players are under pressure..esp when wicket keepers are running at you trying to get the catch also. :mad:
Robbie_Dee
21-01-07, 10:21 PM
Well go out there and do it then!!
No offence but it ****s me off when people say that..i mean the players are under pressure..esp when wicket keepers are running at you trying to get the catch also. :mad:yea i understand all that, but thats the difference between a top class side, and a not so top class side. NZ did bloody good, but, i feel if they accomplished the small things, the result may have been different.
Steelers
21-01-07, 10:22 PM
Every team in the world makes mistakes, they have for years and years, it just so happens the Australian team for the past 15 years hasn't, which IMO has meant cricket has got kinda boring (like when Ferrari and Michael Schumacher were dominating F1, it got boring).
Go_The_Doggies
21-01-07, 10:23 PM
Uhhhm. I hope Aussie go through a slump soon. Cos ffs it is getting boring. I said earlier tonight to my mum "man it'd be boring being australia..always winning..atleast with the all blacks we lost a game last year" lol :)
Uhhhm. I hope Aussie go through a slump soon. Cos ffs it is getting boring. I said earlier tonight to my mum "man it'd be boring being australia..always winning..atleast with the all blacks we lost a game last year" lol :)
Yeah, it sure does suck being at the top of the ladder for so long :noidea:
Can't wait for our next loss :nope:
Go_The_Doggies
21-01-07, 10:26 PM
Yeah, it sure does suck being at the top of the ladder for so long :noidea:
Can't wait for our next loss :nope:
I hope its next time we play you's :)
Cos we'll have Oram and Millsy then :D :box:
Steelers
21-01-07, 10:26 PM
Yeah, it sure does suck being at the top of the ladder for so long :noidea:
Can't wait for our next loss :nope:
It doesn't suck if you are an Australian fan, but it sucks alot if you are a 'cricket' fan, or a fan from another country.
Go_The_Doggies
21-01-07, 10:27 PM
Im sick of losing..Now I know how Souths fans feel LOL
But ima stick it out :) im still proud of my boys. Esp Macca.
Capital_Shark
21-01-07, 10:31 PM
Yeah, it sure does suck being at the top of the ladder for so long :noidea:
Can't wait for our next loss :nope:
hahaha yeah winning isn't in the spirit of the game ffs, damn Aussies, what a useless pack of bloody winners. A yr6 Kanga Cup side could lose better than these morons. Thank god for the Wallabies and Socceroos!
It doesn't suck if you are an Australian fan, but it sucks alot if you are a 'cricket' fan, or a fan from another country.
Well that just sounds like sour grapes to me.
The Australian cricket team is one the rest of the world can aspire to, give them the respect they deserve - The respect they've earnt!
Take the loss in your stride 'Go_The_Doggies' at least the match went down to the wire. Despite a few mistakes it was a good game on the Kiwis behalf, kept everyone watching right up to the end ;)
Capital_Shark
21-01-07, 10:44 PM
They're buggered either way. If Australia hadn't won a trophy in 5 years people would be turned off cricket. Australia pretty much win every time they take the field and people are turned off cricket. Make up your mind ffs. If I had a choice I'd rather know there is a stronger chance of my country winning rather than losing.
They're buggered either way. If Australia hadn't won a trophy in 5 years people would be turned off cricket. Australia pretty much win every time they take the field and people are turned off cricket. Make up your mind ffs. If I had a choice I'd rather know there is a stronger chance of my country winning rather than losing.
Agreed
I always thought that the idea of sport\competition is that the best man\team wins. If that means one man\team should win for 15yrs then so be it, the rest of the competition can up the anti!
It's not like winning is on a rotating schedule where everybody gets a turn :noidea:
Why turn your back on a team thats so successful?
:guit: "TEAM AUSTRALIA - F#@K YEAH!" :guit:
~Wild Child~
22-01-07, 02:07 AM
Monday January 22, 12:47 AM New Zealand fumble chance to beat Australia in one dayer
SYDNEY (AFP) - New Zealand blew a golden opportunity to upset Australia when the home side won their triangular series one-day international by two wickets at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Michael Clarke's 75, batting at number three, and Mike Hussey's cool head (65 not out) at the finish, enabled Australia to scramble to victory with eight balls to spare and remain unbeaten in the series, making 8-224 from 48.4 overs in reply to New Zealand's 218 on Sunday.
New Zealand had a great chance to finally break the shackles of recent Australian tion when they had the home side 3-17 early in their chase.
But three horrible fielding blunders cost them dearly as they squandered their earlier good work with the ball and batting heroics of veteran Craig McMillan.
Opening bowler James Franklin committed the first fielding sin, dropping an absolute sitter at fine leg when Clarke was on just 17.
Australia was 59 for three when Clarke skied a pull shot from the bowling of Mark Gillespie, who bowled superbly with 2-34 from 10 overs, but Franklin muffed it.
The normally reliable Daniel Vettori was the next offender, losing control of the ball when he tried to break the stumps to run out Hussey as the Kiwis made a total hash of what should have been a certain wicket.
Hussey, who was 18, was well short of his ground when the stumps were broken, but was given not out by the third umpire.
Clarke then had another life on 42, Franklin the frustrated bowler this time as wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum could not hang onto an inside edge standing up to the stumps.
Those crucial errors enabled Australia to recover from 77 for four, with Clarke and Hussey putting on 90 for the fifth wicket to put their side within reach of victory.
When Clarke and Cameron White went in quick succession, Kiwis hopes were briefly revived.
But once again the unflappable Hussey did the job for Australia in the final overs as the Black Caps paid the price for dropping a specialist bowler to strengthen their batting.
With one run needed to win and two wickets left, Hussey coolly lifted Nathan Astle over square leg for six to seal the victory in the penultimate over.
The victory meant Australia has won 18 of its last 20 limited-overs matches against New Zealand.
The Kiwis were themselves in great trouble after winning the toss and electing to bat, but McMillan rode his luck and came to the rescue.
McMillan's y 89 enabled his side to recover from 136 for seven to post a competitive total despite only lasting 47.4 overs.
The 30-year-old McMillan, who is batting for a place at the upcoming World Cup in the West Indies, was at his feisty best as he frustrated the Australian attack after benefiting from an early umpiring error.
McMillan was just one, and the score 59 for four, when he clearly edged a Glenn McGrath delivery through to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, but was given not out.
He made the most of the early life, facing just 87 balls and producing a mixture of quality shots and extravagant swings, hitting three sixes.
His ultimate dismissal, when he top-edged an attempted pull shot, was as unlucky as his early reprieve was fortunate.
He was caught and bowled by McGrath from a full-toss that was above waist height and should have been called a no-ball.
The Australians were well on top early, their four-pronged pace attack slicing through the Black Caps' top order.
Opener Nathan Astle and the recalled Hamish Marshall both fell for ducks as speedster Lee (2-43) produced a quality opening spell that saw him swing the ball at high pace.
Stuart Clark three times claimed a wicket in the first over of a spell and finished with 4-54.
The evergreen McGrath chimed in with 3-24 from 10 overs.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/070121/19/1258e.html
Go_The_Doggies
22-01-07, 09:01 AM
Theres only so much taking in my stride I can do! :\ .. i've been doing it all summer and ffs im just getting my hopes dashed every game. FFS I hope we hammer England, cos Oram and possibly Mills will be back!
I wasnt that happy when Aussies won.
i hoped the Kiwis would win.
Aussies can afford to lose one or two.
Robbie_Dee
23-01-07, 07:20 PM
Damn, that's one way to turn a Sh** total into something defendable!!!!! :clap: With 210 runs on the board, they should be able to keep England under that quite easily.
Go_The_Doggies
23-01-07, 08:39 PM
Jacob Oram <3 <3 what a legend!! in his comeback game scoring 86. <3
Bondy has been bowling like a champ, as has Franklin.
Dan Vettori <3. No wonder hes my favourite cricketer.
We have England on the ropes. :)
Wow, England should get on the next plane out. How disgraceful. And the worst part is they are supposed to represent the best of their country.
Robbie_Dee
23-01-07, 09:34 PM
hah! England are a joke! :laugh: They only managed to make 120 runs :mine:
yea Aspher, it aint sayin much for England right now eh? :laugh:
Go_The_Doggies
23-01-07, 09:35 PM
OMG WE WON!!!!!!!!!! :D
Wow im sooo happy right now!!
I actually forgot what it felt like to win a International cricket game :?)
Man im sooooooooo proud of my boys right now :D..Gillespie's catch omfg that was awesome..and he landed soooo awarkdly.
It looks sooo good not being at the bottom of the table :p
Titanium_BD1103
23-01-07, 10:37 PM
Good to see NZ win... nice work by Oram today and well supported by McCullum... and good to see some real venom in the bowling... all goes well for the future... :)
Great to see England at the bottom of the ladder again... :laugh:
Lets hope this win gives NZ the confidence it needs to challenge Australia, as a good tight fight with plenty of hitting is what I'd be happy to see.
~Wild Child~
24-01-07, 12:38 AM
Nixon will continue to talk the talk
Chloe Saltau
January 24, 2007
ENGLAND'S self-confessed "Badger" of a wicketkeeper, Paul Nixon, has made no apology for sledging Michael Hussey over his refusal to walk, despite the Australian match-winner's assertion the outburst had spurred him towards victory.
The hyperactive 36-year-old, drafted into the limited-overs team as much for his energy as his glovework, pointed out that he, like Hussey, was not a walker. But Nixon said the Australians would have reacted the same way if the roles had been reversed.
Nixon gave Hussey a mouthful when he stood his ground after getting a thin edge off James Anderson during last Friday's tense run chase at the Gabba.
"It's his choice not to walk," Nixon said in an interview with the English press. "In the heat of the battle he wants to win the game and that is exactly what I want to do. If I feel strongly that he's nicked it and not walked I will give him a bit of stick and rightly so. The Aussies would be exactly the same if it was the other way around.
"I am not a walker. You get the rough with the smooth. But if you don't walk you're going to cop a bit of stick and that is fair enough. If I get under other people's skin then that's their prerogative. It is easy for Huss to say that it spurs him on because he won the game. If he had nicked off and been given it's a very different story."
The ageing wicketkeeper, picked ahead of virtuoso gloveman Chris Read and the hapless Geraint Jones, is nicknamed Badger and is in the team largely because he is seen as someone who can gee up his teammates as England's catastrophic tour wears on.
"Sometimes they call me The Badger, because I'm mad for it, but I take that as a compliment. I'd rather I was getting the stick than someone else, who can't take it," he said. "I've got broad shoulders, a lot of passion for the game and it spills out in various areas. I want to win for the guys so much. There are a lot of guys working so hard they deserve some goodness and if I can make that happen then I will."
Hussey's stance, and the reaction to it, demonstrated what a divisive issue walking is; even his younger brother, Victorian batsman David, later said he should have gone despite being let off by the umpire. Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist and West Indian Brian Lara are among the few walkers in world cricket.
The national selectors are yet to announce whether Gilchrist will be rested for the Australia Day clash with England in Adelaide, where the Australians will gather tonight. All-rounder Shane Watson was yesterday named to make his comeback from a hamstring injury for Queensland against WA in a one-day match tomorrow. Spinner Brad Hogg, who has been 12th man for Australia's first four matches, has been temporarily released from the squad so he can play for WA tomorrow.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/nixon-will-continue-to-talk-the-talk/2007/01/23/1169518710321.html
~Wild Child~
24-01-07, 12:41 AM
Oram back with a bang for Kiwis
Chloe Saltau
January 24, 2007
IN THE uninspiring battle to play Australia in the finals of the one-day series, we have a new leader. Daniel Vettori last night spun New Zealand to the first victory of their otherwise wretched tour, while England's tour simply reached new levels of wretchedness.
The Black Caps inflicted on dismal England a 90-run defeat at the Adelaide Oval, clinching a bonus point to edge ahead of them on the points table.
New Zealand, with the exception of returning all-rounder Jacob Oram, batted badly on a deceptive, two-paced pitch. But the English were much worse, losing their last five wickets for 13 runs to be bowled out for a pitiful 120 in the 38th over.
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming was "delighted, but massively surprised" by the size of the victory and hinted at England's increasing demoralisation.
"When you have been through a tough Test summer as England have, any bit of momentum you can grab, in those close games if you can get across the line, if you can scrape some results together, is going to help to build that momentum you need to keep your tour alive," he said. "Being away [on tour] for so long, I'm sure it's going to have its effects."
Vettori dislodged England's top-scorer, Irishman Ed Joyce, for 47 with the help of a brilliant outfield catch by Mark Gillespie. The classy left-arm spinner took care of the middle order and finished with 4-24, while Oram was judged man of the match for his 86 runs from 89 balls to rescue his team from another top-order collapse.
Fleming, who took four catches, said the win was something from which to build some momentum. "It's been tough, we've been frustrated, and we're not out of it," he said. "It's only one win and it was a scrappy win. It hasn't solved any problems, certainly with the bat."
Oram, who joined the squad on Sunday after missing a month with hamstring trouble, combined with Brendon McCullum (30) to lift New Zealand to a modest total of 210 in 50 overs. He played himself in sensibly before expanding to club Monty Panesar and Jamie Dalrymple for sixes.
He was caught at backward square leg by Andrew Strauss, and Andrew Flintoff redeemed himself after fluffing a catch with 4-21 from 10 overs. After this latest collapse, Flintoff must now steel himself and his team for the Australia Day clash with the world champions, who bowled the tourists out cheaply in Brisbane last week. "Every game we play now is big. Friday is a huge game for us in the context of the competition and we've got to start performing with both bat and ball. I thought we bowled well tonight but we've got to start scoring runs," said Flintoff after Kiwi paceman James Franklin tore through the top three.
"The pitch was a little bit tricky but you can't put it down to that, it wasn't a 120 all-out [pitch]."
Despite the repeated misfires of their own top order, particularly out-of-form opener Nathan Astle, New Zealand's spirits were lifted by the successful return from back soreness of fast bowler Shane Bond, who generated excellent pace and polished off the last two wickets in consecutive balls.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/news/oram-back-with-a-bang-for-kiwis/2007/01/23/1169518713307.html
Go_The_Doggies
24-01-07, 09:04 AM
I hate that Paul NIxon. I mean he is sooo loud as a wicket keeper. I thought Brendon McCullum is loud, well he is, but this guy is louder, and he say more gay things imo.
Dummy Half
27-01-07, 11:24 PM
In case anyone didnt know....
WE BEAT ENGLAND!!!!..........again.
Eng - All out for 110 Aus -1 for 112
Now at the start of the summer, when the ashes began, i couldnt wait to smash England
"How dare England believe they are good at sport!!!... and better than us too!!!:mad:" i said after the 2005 loss
"we cant have that!!"
Then we won 5-0, and it was sweeet revenge! Pure satisfaction! :D
But now, after they continue to fall over and die, game after game.
Im starting to get mad again.
I mean how long can you laugh at the same joke!
The people want to see at game of cricket!! Not a farce that lasts only half a game!!!
So what do i suggest? That England put up a fight? That they challenge us somehow?
Nope.
Just let us bat first. :D
(Remember i still hate them! ;))
Go_The_Doggies
28-01-07, 09:46 AM
England are pathetic. And I can say that cos even we havent been hammered like that in this series.
I'm so glad i'm not an english person.
England are pathetic. And I can say that cos even we havent been hammered like that in this series.
I'm so glad i'm not an english person.
I reckon your mob will give us a proper match :)
In a way I hope the Kiwis win.
Australia can afford to drop one game at least.
Go_The_Doggies
28-01-07, 11:00 AM
Taylor-made Poly power
By JONATHAN MILLMOW - Sunday Star Times | Sunday, 28 January 2007
Ross Taylor is a modest young man making a lot of people happy, especially those in the Samoan community.
Only the other day his uncle subscribed to Sky Television for the first time in his life so he could watch the Commonwealth Bank one-day series in Australia.
The Polynesian magazines want a piece of him and his extended family and friends are spending their Sunday and Tuesday evenings glued to the TV screen hoping for more boundaries and fewer leg cramps.
Taylor is the second Samoan to play for New Zealand after Murphy Su'a in the early 1990s. Su'a was a left-arm bowler who had the odd good day before switching to golf.
"I don't see myself as a role model, but hopefully there is some 6ft 4in all-rounder in Porirua or Auckland, who could probably be an All Black, but may decide to have a crack at cricket after watching some of this," Taylor said in the team's Perth hotel yesterday.
"It's surprising how many Polynesian kids haven't been exposed to cricket and if they can, you never know, five or 10 years down the track there could be two or three good ones come through.
"I know I've got a lot of support back home and it's a pretty good feeling when you get texts from family and friends, not only saying well done but the proud thing. The proud thing means a lot."
Taylor's Samoan heritage comes from his mother Anne. His passion for cricket comes from his father Neil, a European, who played at representative level for Wairarapa.
He was born in Lower Hutt, raised in Masterton and did his secondary schooling at Palmerston North Boys' High School.
By a twist of fate, Taylor's two room-mates at boarding school have also gone on to represent New Zealand at sport. Jarrod Smith, son of former test wicketkeeper Ian Smith, has played for the All Whites, and Marcus Emery is a New Zealand development hockey player.
Taylor makes batting seem as natural as breathing. He starts slowly and sometimes finds the fielders, but he makes up for it later with a stream of boundaries. He hits in all directions, has a lightning pair of hands and his square drives against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground last Sunday made astute judges put their pens down and raise their binoculars.
Taylor, 22, is quietly spoken but extremely streetwise, not just in a cricket sense but in life as well. He has only ever held down one job, that was for a month with Ezibuy before Central Districts promoted him to their first-class side in 2002 as an 18-year-old..
"I wasn't a scholar at school but I did OK.
"This is the life I want to live, playing cricket, I'm very fortunate, so far any way."
Taylor is satisfied with his progress at the halfway stage of the CB series. He began with a head-turning 84 against Australia and has followed it up with 1, 26 and 15.
"I'm doing well and not doing well so I'm learning a lot that way," he said. "Batting at No 3 or No 4 - there is a lot of responsibility there and if you lose early wickets you have to weigh up whether to play your natural game or not to.
"In the last game (against England at Adelaide), I had to pull back a bit. I got through the hard time, and then when the spinners came on I got out. That annoyed me a bit."
New Zealand's campaign continues today when they clash with Australia at the WACA Ground in Perth. Taylor admits playing the world champions requires a strong mental approach.
"You have to pinch yourself early doors when you play against your childhood heroes but at the end of the day they are just another cricketer that you are trying to beat.
"Before Glenn McGrath bowled to me at the SCG, I thought `Glenn McGrath's bowling to me'. I'd faced Vaas, Murali and Brett Lee - but McGrath was a bit weird.
"It was only for the first ball, then after the game you look back and reflect on clashing with one of the world's greatest players."
Then there is the gamesmanship side of playing Australia.
"You hear a lot about Australia and how they sledge, but there wasn't as much as I thought there would be and the people who did give you the words were the ones you didn't expect.
"In the first game I didn't know what to expect - I didn't put any expectation upon myself - and you hear from past cricketers about what they got up to in their first game or what they had said to them. I thought I was all right.
"I think I got off lightly. Whether it was because I was playing my shots, I don't know."
Taylor's challenge in Australia has been as much the bowling as his health.
He underwent a series of tests after he cramped severely in Hobart.
But fears he may be diabetic have been allayed. He is on magnesium tablets to iron out a deficiency.
"I find day-night games much easier, because you can have lunch and then go and play.
"The day games when you start at 10am, you have to eat breakfast at 8am, and I struggle with that. I just neck it down, I have to force myself.
"It was a relief after all those tests that there wasn't anything serious. I've played some age group cricket in Hawke's Bay when it has been 36 degrees, but it's different over here.
"It gets so hot in the stadiums and you add the black uniform."
Away from cricket, Taylor likes to watch movies or play golf.
BrisbaneBroncosRule
28-01-07, 11:21 AM
I reckon your mob will give us a proper match :)
In a way I hope the Kiwis win.
Australia can afford to drop one game at least.
I dont, i want Australia to stay unbeaten these series'
~Wild Child~
28-01-07, 11:22 AM
I dont, i want Australia to stay unbeaten these series':hi: :)
For the sake of a bit of competition..I'd like to see one team challenge us.
I dont, i want Australia to stay unbeaten these series'
Yeah but what kind of contest is that if Aussies dont lose.
Robbie_Dee
28-01-07, 11:25 AM
Yeah but what kind of contest is that if Aussies dont lose.A contest for 2nd and 3rd :win: :lol!: :whatd:
Titanium_BD1103
28-01-07, 11:25 AM
I reckon your mob will give us a proper match :)
In a way I hope the Kiwis win.
Australia can afford to drop one game at least.
I reckon a full strength Kiwis could give us a run for our money... that would be a good game and hopefully we can have a good contest today in Perth.
A full strength England though would struggle to beat Bangladesh ATM... they are horrible, their structure is aweful and their idea of how to build a cricket side is somewhere between not there and insane asylum.... :p
I do hope someone can fix English cricket soon, but considering they have a winning percentage of that of a wartorn, player exodus country like Zimbabwe, it will be a long walk before that occurs.
I just hope Australia can get some competition because no competition is not good for our World Cup preparation... :(
A contest for 2nd and 2rd :win: :lol!: :whatd:
Meh still not great cricket to watch by my standards
Im sick of no contest wins .
Go_The_Doggies
28-01-07, 11:44 AM
It has been shown before that a full strength NZ side can beat Australia.
I'm still getting my head around the whole "Nathan Astle wont be playing for us" thing, I keep thinking that he really will play for us, hes just saying hes retired lol :?)
Lou Vincent likes Perth so I hope he does well. :). Providing he plays today.
Robbie_Dee
28-01-07, 04:05 PM
LMAO AT NZ'S FIELDING!!!!!!!! :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :mine:
Steelers
28-01-07, 04:30 PM
England are missing a few names, Hoggard (is he still injured?), Harmison (retired from ODI's), Simon Jones (one of the key men to the 2005 Ashes victory), Pietersen, so a full strength team in form would definately give teams a run for their money. Unfortunately nothing has gone their way this summer, their form is lacking because of it, and they are missing a few vital elements of the team.
1/100 plus australia:(
im sick of these one sided contests
Go_The_Doggies
28-01-07, 05:07 PM
this is gay.
im sad.
i miss astle the pastle :( not that he would make a difference..but idc.
I assume Aussies got at least 350 or something.
I know this games gonna be a big Aussie win.
If Kiwis win then good on them :)
Robbie_Dee
28-01-07, 07:22 PM
Damn, what a performance by Australia! ALL my prayers were answered! Finally Australia won a damn toss!!!!!!!!!! I was waiting for that the wholes series!
Welcome back Haydon, you champ! Well deserved century, as was Pontings! Such class Australia ALL over!!!! was it 143 they ended up on :dizzy: whatever it was, smashed the highest score on record for the WACA!!!!!
Try chase that down NZ:p
Damn, what a performance by Australia! ALL my prayers were answered! Finally Australia won a damn toss!!!!!!!!!! I was waiting for that the wholes series!
Welcome back Haydon, you champ! Well deserved century, as was Pontings! Such class Australia ALL over!!!! was it 143 they ended up on :dizzy: whatever it was, smashed the highest score on record for the WACA!!!!!
Try chase that down NZ:p
The game is over before NZ even get to bat. Again, dropped catches and silly mistakes. I may have to eat my own words here but i doubt it - the game is done and dusted......
Capital_Shark
28-01-07, 07:38 PM
I may have to eat my own words here but i doubt it - the game is done and dusted......
haha don't worry mate I'm sure you won't be ruining your dinner. Kiwis are gone before they even got going.
Robbie_Dee
28-01-07, 08:05 PM
Yea there's no hope for NZ now, Ever since they made those stupid dropped catches, gave Haydon another chance, he took the most of it and went out and made a century :lol!:
Pretty Dodgy bowling as well, gave Ponting WAY too many straight balls that he could hit for 4 down the leg side! NZ didn't turn up to play, but then again, Australia probably made them look like they were dodgy!
gave Haydon another chance, !
I think he got few chances, they dropped him 3 times didn't they? :clap:
Steelers
28-01-07, 10:48 PM
Well NZ have been fighting well, would have been fighting alot better if Vincent wasn't robbed of his wicket. FFS how many times has poor umpiring decisions altered the course of the game for the team playing against Australia? And now they are off because of rain, which is really disappointing, because NZ had a good chance to win this game. If it isn't poor opposition giving Australia wins, it is the umpires, it if ain't the umpires, it's the Aussie weather.
Well NZ have been fighting well, would have been fighting alot better if Vincent wasn't robbed of his wicket. FFS how many times has poor umpiring decisions altered the course of the game for the team playing against Australia? And now they are off because of rain, which is really disappointing, because NZ had a good chance to win this game. If it isn't poor opposition giving Australia wins, it is the umpires, it if ain't the umpires, it's the Aussie weather.
Boo-Frigity-Hoo :')
NZ have made more mistakes in this game than the umpires :nope:
NZ have batted well 2nite, but don't take this win away from Australia, the umpires didn't make the 340 runs for them!
EDIT: Their chances of winning are slim anyway, don't they need to maintain 11runs\over to be in with a chance. One more wicket drops, it's all over..........
The game is over before NZ even get to bat. Again, dropped catches and silly mistakes. I may have to eat my own words here but i doubt it - the game is done and dusted......
Well I was almost eating my own words :rolleyes: Took me by surprise :eek:
Jacob Oram was a saving grace for NZ 2nite........Excellent innings :win:
Batted well under pressure, fastest 100 for a kiwi :win:
The better team still won though :p
Dummy Half
29-01-07, 12:37 AM
The better team still won though :p
No doubt about it!
but some of that rubbish bowling we did at the end has got me worried bout the future (*cough* world cup *cough*)
lets hope we dont let another team get 330+ :( , not good!
-
SOLIOLA
29-01-07, 07:30 AM
I think this is a very good lead up going into the WC the aussies needed a very close game and got 1. Nz not too far away from beating aus i reckon played well in the conditions they had to face and oram stepped up very nicely.
335 against us doesn't usually happen but they can't hold there heads too high when there on streaks like this cause 1 bad game can just turn it around so quickly.
Let's just see for tuesday's game when england and new zealand belt each other.
Go_The_Doggies
29-01-07, 09:23 AM
JACOB ORAM!! <3 <3 <3
MAN HE IS A LEGEND!!
I wanted McCullum to get a 50..but it was impossible..unless there were a few no balls at the end lol.
Hahaha didn't he and mitchell johnson have words, I think that was 1 of my fav parts of the game. LMAO. There were a few f off's and f up's in that convo..tehehe.
All in all im not gutted. I'm happy with our batting performance, I mean we got to 330 or something and still had 5 wickets to spear!!..it was deffo our best batting performance all summer.
I have a feeling we might smash England. Maybe.
~Wild Child~
29-01-07, 03:15 PM
Kiwi gaffes help Hayden
January 29, 2007 12:00
Article from: http://www.news.com.au/images/sources/h14_dailytelegraph.gif (http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/?from=ni_story)
NEW Zealand's shocking case of the fumbles yet again let Australia ? and Matt Hayden ? off the hook yesterday as the dominant hosts powered on with the bat in Perth.
The Kiwis' plague of dropped catches in the one-day series continued at great cost after dropping Hayden three times ? twice on single figures ? before the opener posted a drought-breaking 117 off 111 balls. In stifling heat at the WACA, the Black Caps faced another daunting run chase as Australia powered to 5-343 off their 50 overs.
It was a sorely needed score for Hayden, who had scored just 104 runs in his previous five one-day innings for Australia.
But Hayden, a devout Christian who crosses himself upon scoring a century, might have considered a quick gaze of thanks upwards after surviving the early overs.
The burly Queenslander has been struggling for form since being recalled to the one-day side this summer, and was chasing a big score in Perth to cement a World Cup berth.
But facing just his second ball Hayden looked to have thrown it away when he attempted to blast his way off the mark against the bowling of Mark Gillespie.
Lofting a drive to mid-off, Black Caps spinner Daniel Vettori dived to his left in a relatively simple grab but grassed the chance.
Hayden's luck continued just three overs later. Having progressed to four, he again looked to play aggressively but skied a pull shot off the bowling of Kyle Mills.
Kiwi fielder Ross Taylor ran backwards to get under the ball and Hayden dropped his head in resignation, but Taylor inexplicably failed to even get a hand on the ball on a windless day.
The dropped catches were the latest in a string of missed opportunities for New Zealand, particularly against Australia.
In their last one-day clash in Sydney, the Kiwis dropped two vital catches and watched as Australia then pulled off a gutsy victory with a tight run-chase.
The Aussies again made their visitors pay in Perth, pushing on toward a huge total and with no further chances offered.
Adam Gilchrist (13) was his usual combustible presence early in the innings, smacking three rollicking boundaries, but paid the price for his aggression when he holed out to Jeetan Patel at mid-on.
Ponting joined Hayden and the pair settled in, but the latter still looked to be undecided about how to re-discover his best form.
The Australian captain powered his way to 111 off 122 balls with eight fours and a six.
Hayden has redefined his batting in recent seasons, moving away from the blazing strokeplay and audacious power-hitting that was his trademark in the early stages of the decade.
India's tactics of allowing Hayden to get himself out ? bowling wide and packing the off-side field ? was a turning point from which the left-hander moved into a more patient, cautious phase.
In Test cricket it has proved incredibly successful but Hayden has appeared to struggle re-discovering the best approach to powerful one-day hitting since being reinstated in the 50-over team.
Even yesterday's innings was a mixture of brilliance and chance, with several clean boundaries followed by a scratchy pull into the dirt, a bottom edge or an unorthodox sweep.
Regardless of how they were achieved, Hayden's runs yesterday were a perfect antidote to doubts over his place at the World Cup.
The 35-year-old had averaged a meagre 25 runs in the series, posing questions as to whether Hayden was the man to fill the unsettled second opener's position next to Gilchrist.
Simon Katich had been trialled extensively and discarded before Queensland all-rounder Shane Watson filled the role capably in the Champions Trophy.
But a hamstring injury to Watson saw Hayden called into the one-day side after an 18-month absence.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21132197-500
Robbie_Dee
29-01-07, 05:47 PM
All in all im not gutted. I'm happy with our batting performance, I mean we got to 330 or something and still had 5 wickets to spear!!Definitely, was an awesome performance by NZ, well with the bat anyway!
Titanium_BD1103
29-01-07, 06:31 PM
Now what did I tell you, NZ would get it right sooner or later... :)
Sure they didn't win, but that was a gallant performance and the NZ side and their fans should be mighty proud. Great to see Oram do such damage on a pitch where I thought there was plenty for the batsman.
Interesting quote today on Radio said that NZ are becoming the new Sri Lanka 96. I seriously believe that is the case, and if we don't win the World Cup, I'd be backing NZ as the next team likely to win it, real dark horses who when they are full strength, look very ominous indeed... :)
~Wild Child~
29-01-07, 06:50 PM
Monday Jan 29 18:45 AEDT
England undermanned for NZ one day match
Monday Jan 29 17:42 AEDT
England will again be without its two in-form bowlers - and possibly first choice captain - when it attempts to regain some one-day credibility against a strengthening New Zealand in Perth on Tuesday.
Despite the day night showdown at the WACA being a "must win" game by any measure, England is not prepared to risk the fitness of James Anderson and Jon Lewis, whose respective back and ankle injuries continue to be managed by fitness staff.
And with Michael Vaughan still some way from full fitness with a hamstring injury, Andrew Flintoff looks set to once again lead a team yet to win under his guidance.
After a frank assessment by Vaughan of his teammates' woes in the last three games - collapses he said were like a cancer spreading through the dressing room - Flintoff said the task to improve from totals of 155, 120 and 110 was simple."I think the one thing now is we can't dance around it, we have got to be honest with ourselves, and it sounds like Michael has been," Flintoff said.
"We have just got to stand up. I could sit here and tell you all types of different things - but we have got to score some runs."
Although moving more freely than on Sunday, when he suffered another twinge in the troublesome left hamstring, Vaughan was nowhere near full tilt in his running drills on Monday.
Flintoff said Vaughan would be given until the last minute to prove his fitness and remained doubtful to play - but his input was still very valued.
"Vaughanie is not on the outside, he is very much part of our squad. It is unfortunate he is injured, but he is the captain and someone we respect," Flintoff said.
With Australia seemingly untouchable this summer, the two remaining head-to-heads between England and New Zealand will decide the tri-series finals make up - with the Perth game followed by another at the Gabba next Tuesday.
After coming within eight runs of a remarkable victory against Australia on Sunday, Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming said switching focus from the world champions to the struggling English remained a challenge.
"The challenge of this series so far has been that the games against Australia have been pretty close apart from the first one," Fleming said.
"We have to make sure we very quickly switch on to the England game which is a must win."
For England, the challenge was more internal.
"I am feeling a group of players who really want to put it right, and I haven't heard any of them talking about the plane home or what they are going to do in February," Vaughan said.
"When you are getting beat up most days for the whole of the tour, it has to have some kind of effect."
One such consequence could be a shuffling of the batting order, or possible call-ups for Essex all-rounder Ravi Bopara and Test keeper Chris Read.
Vaughan also admitted the game was a key one for struggling Andrew Strauss and Paul Collingwood, who have a paltry 160 runs between them in ten innings during the tournament.
"It will be a really big game for those two, because so many people are talking about their form and when people start talking about your form it obviously becomes highlighted," Vaughan said.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=182092
Lol what were those saying who wrote the Kiwis off.
Go_The_Doggies
29-01-07, 09:12 PM
Haha take that stupid aussie coach!!..
We would have won if it didn't rain..we had the momentum, then the rain came and took it away, but ohwell..thats mother nature and cricket.
Haha take that stupid aussie coach!!..
We would have won if it didn't rain..we had the momentum, then the rain came and took it away, but ohwell..thats mother nature and cricket.
Kiwis deserved to win it more imo.
Aussies slackened off in the bowling and bowled crap.
But thats a game i missed and it happened to be the only good game this summer :(
Go_The_Doggies
29-01-07, 09:21 PM
Kiwis deserved to win it more imo.
Aussies slackened off in the bowling and bowled crap.
But thats a game i missed and it happened to be the only good game this summer :(
Oh it was a fantastic game!!
Man..I thought we were down and out at the end of the 1st innings.
But they proved me wrong. Soooo proud of them. Fleming had his best innings all series imo.
Jacob Oram hit like 5 brilliant 6's!!! McCullum hit a good one too :)
~Wild Child~
30-01-07, 10:40 AM
Tait on list of quick successes
By Malcolm Conn
January 30, 2007 SHAUN Tait has become a World Cup bolter after being added to Australia's limited-overs squad for the remaining two tri-series matches.
In a surprise move just a fortnight before Australia must name its final 15-man touring party for the World Cup in the Caribbean, the South Australia speedster will join the national team this week.
Tait is in line to play Australia's remaining two preliminary matches against England in Sydney on Friday night and New Zealand in Melbourne two nights later as part of an expanded 14-man squad.
When the 23 year old makes his limited-overs international debut he will bring to seven the number of fast bowlers Australia has used in this season's tri-series tournament.
The obsession with pace has seen Australia play four fast bowlers in all but one of its six matches, with all of them missing at least one match during the competition through illness, injury, or rest as part of a rotation policy.
Tait will become Australia's second limited-overs debutant this season behind Tasmania's Ben Hilfenhaus, the Pura Cup's leading wicket taker this season, as the selectors showcase Australia's embarrassment of riches in the pace bowling department.
They join another recent arrival in the team, Mitchell Johnson, who has made an almost immediate impact with his lively left armers.
The depth of Australia's fast bowling stocks puts all of the established pacemen on notice that they must perform or perish.
Tait's selection comes less than a day after New Zealand plundered Australia's pace attack in Perth, scoring 5-335 to come within nine runs of claiming a most improbable victory.
It was by far the highest score made by a visiting team in Perth and second behind Sri Lanka's 5-343 in Sydney four years ago as the highest score against Australia in Australia.
However, given Australia's domination of the series to date, it is no surprise that four of its fast bowlers are among the leading wicket takers in the competition.
The best performer has been the ageless Glenn McGrath (nine wickets at 17.78), followed by Johnson (nine at 20.67), Stuart Clark (eight at 21.63) and Nathan Bracken (eight at 25). Brett Lee has six wickets at 26.
Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch claimed the four-man panel was very pleased with the performance of the side and "pleased with the fast bowling group's results so far".
"We are taking the opportunity to add Shaun Tait with a view to looking at him ahead of the World Cup," Hilditch said yesterday.
"These next two games form the final opportunity to look at him ahead of World Cup squad selection.
"Ben Hilfenhaus performed well earlier in the series and at that point Shaun was injured. Shaun has made an impressive return from injury and we want to take a further look at him in the international environment."
Tait's previous international experience came from playing the last two Tests of Australia's ill-fated 2005 Ashes series, when he replaced fellow redbacks bowler Jason Gillespie, who faded badly on that tour.
Tait has been forced to battle serious back and should injuries since.
He started this season in spectacular fashion, demolishing England while playing for the Prime Minister's XI during the opening match of the Ashes tour in November.
However, he strained a hamstring before Christmas, which cost him a month and blunted any push towards national selection. Tait made a spectacular return for South Australia in a Twenty20 match against Queensland on January 11, ripping through the batting order to claim 4-14.
Although Twenty20 form usually counts for little, Tait received a ringing endorsement from acting Queensland captain James Hopes.
"If he can keep himself fit for an extended period of time, he'll do the business," Hopes said at the time.
"I've said heaps of times that I've faced him I'd pick him in any team I selected. He's a wicket taker and, mate, he bowls express. That's as quick as I've faced all season."
Despite his injury-marred season Tait remains one of the leading bowlers in the domestic four-day competition, although he claimed just two wickets against Victoria during South Australia's loss at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the match that ended yesterday.
Tait has eight wickets at an average of 27.6 from five one-day matches for South Australia this season.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,21137998-23212,00.htm
Go_The_Doggies
30-01-07, 01:59 PM
Oram spurred by Cairns reference
By Scott Coghlan
January 30, 2007
IF only the England cricket team had as much pride in its performance as New Zealand all rounder Jacob Oram.
Oram took offence at being labelled a "poor man's Chris Cairns" in a story in The Australian last week about him bolstering the New Zealand team after recovering from injury. He responded with the two best batting performances of his career.
His whirlwind century against Australia on Sunday night, which almost lifted New Zealand to an improbable win, has stamped him as a potential star at the upcoming World Cup.
While Andrew Flintoff is regarded as the best all rounder in world cricket, the giant Black Cap made a liar of his previous limited-overs batting average of 18 and showed he wasn't that far behind the Englishman with a fine double of 86, against England on Friday, and then 101 not out against Australia.
"He was irked by one of the press calling him a 'poor man's Chris Cairns'," New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said.
"That really spurred him, surprisingly because he is a fine player."
Oram, who averages just under 40 in Test cricket with the bat, reached his first one-day international century in just 71 balls, hitting six towering sixes in the process. The ton was the fastest by a New Zealand player and also the quickest against Australia.
The Black Caps' previous record (75) was previously held by Cairns, along with Oram's current teammate Craig McMillan.
Fleming said the Black Caps had no doubt about the value of Oram's all-round talents, especially with the World Cup looming.
"He can strike the ball as well as anyone in world cricket," Fleming said.
"To now be able to put it into play, and he has done it when he's been fit, consistently for us for the last 12 or 18 months with the bat."
Fleming conceded Oram was yet to regain his best form with the ball, after he conceded 50 runs from five overs against Australia on Sunday.
However, Oram has taken 100 one-day wickets in 89 matches and Fleming is confident he will improve with more games under his belt.
"We'd like a little more with the ball and that would give us more options in terms of the two spinners," Fleming said.
"But with the bat, and his off-field contribution, it is great to have him back."
Fleming said Oram's innings on Sunday deserved to be rated among the best produced by a New Zealander.
The Kiwis looked to have no chance of chasing down Australia's record WACA total of 5-343, until Oram and Brendon McCullum came together for a sixth-wicket stand of 145.
The pair might have stolen the win had an untimely rain delay not broken their momentum.
"It (Oram's innings) was right up there, considering the impact it had on the game. It took us to within eight runs of winning it," Fleming said.
"Also, the confidence of the guy to back up a good performance against England and believe he could have won the game."
Adam Gilchrist had the best seat in the house for the Oram onslaught and yesterday compared the New Zealander's powerful hitting to that of Australia team-mate Andrew Symonds.
"He is a very clean hitter and strong bloke," Gilchrist said. "It seems like his mis-hits go for six. He's in the same category as Andrew Symonds I think.
"Those two are probably the leaders in world cricket, in terms of how hard they hit and how far they hit it."
Fleming said Sunday's game was further evidence New Zealand was closing the gap on Australia in the one-day arena, despite losing 19 of its past 21 games against the World Cup holder.
"There is a massive desire to beat them and it is probably born from believing we are not too far away," Fleming said.
"Statistically, we are a long way away, something like 21 (losses) and two (wins) or 26 and five, but we think we are pretty close."
Capital_Shark
30-01-07, 04:11 PM
Kiwis to continue England's horrific summer. The way they played against Australia the other night, if they put in half the effort with the bat they'll most likely do it comfortably. And I'm sure they've done some fielding practice.
Robbie_Dee
30-01-07, 05:30 PM
NZ have already won it IMO, They've scored 143, with about 23 overs still to come, and 8 wickets in hand. England won't chase that down.
Capital_Shark
30-01-07, 05:46 PM
NZ have already won it IMO, They've scored 143, with about 23 overs still to come, and 8 wickets in hand. England won't chase that down.
Gotta agree with ya. Taylor lucky to still be there though. I dunno if Oram is even gonna get a chance to back up on the other nights performance.
Go_The_Doggies
30-01-07, 07:38 PM
JACOB ORAM POOR MAN'S CHRIS CAIRNS MY ****!!
52* off 30 balls!!..got his 50 with about 2 balls remaining!!
Bill Lawry is in loove with him :p
Pfft Jimmy Franklin..dented our scorecard..only 1 not to get into double figures :p..i was more peed off bout that them him getting out tbh.
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Capital_Shark
30-01-07, 07:48 PM
JACOB ORAM POOR MAN'S CHRIS CAIRNS MY ****!!
52* off 30 balls!!..got his 50 with about 2 balls remaining!!
Bill Lawry is in loove with him :p
Pfft Jimmy Franklin..dented our scorecard..only 1 not to get into double figures :p..i was more peed off bout that them him getting out tbh.
W0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000T
I had a feeling you'd be in a good mood.
Still some bowling to go for the Kiwis but I reckon the poms will play themselves out of it as usual. They have done nothing this summer to give them an ounce of confidence going into chase down 318 runs.
JACOB ORAM POOR MAN'S CHRIS CAIRNS MY ****!!
52* off 30 balls!!..got his 50 with about 2 balls remaining!!
Bill Lawry is in loove with him :p
Pfft Jimmy Franklin..dented our scorecard..only 1 not to get into double figures :p..i was more peed off bout that them him getting out tbh.
W0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000T
yeah Oram is a great player.
Love watching him bat.
Him and Cairns are my favourite Kiwis.
Kiwis are doing well.
Aussies I want to belt England but have a contest with the Kiwis.
England clearly dont look like showing anything good.
Go_The_Doggies
30-01-07, 09:19 PM
Man we need more wickets.
I have found a new rhyme/quote.
"Jeetan my man" teheheh. :p
Go_The_Doggies
31-01-07, 09:49 AM
Black Caps switch targets after easy win
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By JONATHAN MILLMOW in Perth - Fairfax Media | Wednesday, 31 January 2007
New Zealand have switched from target one to target two after thumping England with ridiculous ease in their one-day tri-series match in Perth last night.
All but assured of a finals spot after their 58 run victory, New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming wants to give Australia a shake in Melbourne on Sunday so they take some momentum into the business end of the tournament.
New Zealand have nine points and England four, a margin that keeps the door open with two games remaining each.
However, England's standards have slipped to such a degree that they are given no hope of beating Australia in Sydney on Friday or of beating New Zealand with a bonus point in Brisbane in the final round robin match next Tuesday.
Even if they manage the latter England's run rate differential is markedly inferior to New Zealand so Fleming can be excused for his confident frame of mind.
"We have a couple of games to go and we should be good enough to make the finals," he said.
"There is a goal to get to the finals but beating Australia is still pretty appealing.
"We have played some pretty good cricket this weekend (in Perth) but we would love to beat Australia and not only cement a finals spot but continue playing well and get some momentum."
Part of New Zealand's confidence stems from encouraging signs from their batsmen. For the second time in three days they passed the 300 mark (318-7) and had their standards in the field not slipped badly in the last 10 overs they would have picked up a bonus point.
Lou Vincent (76) and Ross Taylor (71) laid the foundation for a big total with a third wicket stand of 137 from 148 balls before man of the moment Jacob Oram slammed four sixes at the end on the way to an unbeaten 54 from 33 balls.
"We haven't scored over 200 in about eight games so it's good to get on a good surface and get a little bit of confidence going," Fleming said.
"It has been the major thing wrong with the side and I won't say it is out of the system yet but guys like Lou and Ross Taylor and Jacob have really stood up which makes a big difference."
Fleming was comfortable comparing Oram's hitting power in the same breath as Chris Cairns. Oram has scored 214 runs for once out over the past eight days and clubbed 12 sixes. Cairns may have been a more graceful striker but Oram loses nothing in the power stakes and certainly has an edge in consistency.
"He's always been able to hit the ball a long way, but not consistently so I'll say again who ever the Australian journalist was who wrote he was the poor man's Chris Cairns we are pretty happy," Fleming said.
New Zealand's prospects of toppling Australia later in the tournament were on tenterhooks midway through England's reply when Oram came up clutching his ribs after completing a sliding outfield catch from a no ball.
He spent 30 minutes off the park for ice treatment and never returned to the bowling crease. Fleming admitted he was worried about his star allrounder's wellbeing
"We were pretty happy to see him running around towards the end and we'll see how he is tomorrow.
"He might be a little bit sore and bruised but he's got a few days to recover and we are pretty confident it is nothing serious."
The only disappointing aspect of the night was the fielding lapses in the final 10 overs by James Franklin and Peter Fulton which let the bonus point slip and for the margin to flatter England.
"We set ourselves the target of 254 (bonus point) and once we got into the game and got a few wickets that was the main target, so that's why it might have gone a little bit flat."
England captain Andrew Flintoff refused to concede they were out of the finals race.
"We've got to concentrate on winning two games and we've not beaten Australia all summer so it would be nice to start on Friday. A few of us are due to fire," Flintoff said.
SCOREBOARD:
New Zealand
L Vincent c Dalrymple b Plunkett 76
S Fleming lbw b Plunkett 15
P Fulton c Nixon b Plunkett 15
R Taylor c Panesar b Collingwood 71
C McMillan st Nixon b Panesar 11
J Oram not out 54
B McCullum c Strauss b Panesar 19
J Franklin c Plunkett b Tremlett 9
D Vettori not out 11
Extras (12lb, 22w, 3nb) 37
Total (for 7 wkts, 50 overs) 318
Fall: 32 (Fleming), 53 (Fulton), 190 (Taylor), 213 (McMillan), 219 (Vincent), 246 (McCullum), 268 (Franklin).
Bowling: L Plunkett 9-0-54-3 (7w), C Tremlett 10-0-72-1 (3nb, 5w), A Flintoff 10-0-66-0 (2w), M Panesar 10-2-35-2 (1w), J Dalrymple 5-0-43-0 (6w), P Collingwood 6-0-36-1 (1w).
England
E Joyce run out 66
M Loye c Fleming b Franklin 15
I Bell c Fleming b Patel 31
A Strauss st McCullum b Vettori 12
P Collingwood c Fleming b McMillan 18
A Flintoff b Vettori 13
P Nixon c Oram b Bond 49
J Dalrymple c Franklin b McMillan 14
L Plunkett not out 25
Extras (1b, 2lb, 8w, 6nb) 17
Total (for 8 wkts, 50 overs) 260
Fall: 27 (Loye), 99 (Bell), 123 (Strauss), 136 (Joyce), 156 (Collingwood), 160 (Flintoff), 184 (Dalrymple), 260 (Nixon).
Bowling: J Franklin 8-1-45-1 (4nb), S Bond 10-0-58-1 (1nb, 1w), J Oram 5-0-23-0, J Patel 10-0-53-1 (1nb, 2w), D Vettori 10-0-40-2 (5w), C McMillan 7-1-38-2.
Go_The_Doggies
31-01-07, 09:50 AM
I'm happy with the win and all..
But I don't have that feeling you get when you win..mainly because of our fielding blunders....Peter Fulton can be excused..cause he doesnt drop many..but JAMES FRANKLIN!!..gosh..how hard is it to catch a ball consistenly!!..and as for Bill Lawry keeping on saying "Daniel Vettori should have caught that"..was abit hard to catch!!...
Louie Vincent and Jacob Oram..what stars!!
~Wild Child~
31-01-07, 11:35 AM
This story is from our news.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/) network Source: The Courier-Mail
Border ribs Kev's departure
By Ben Dorries
January 31, 2007
ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen has come under fire for fleeing Australia with a broken rib and deserting his teammates from FOX SPORTS cricket pundit Allan Border.
The former Australia skipper has questioned the courage of the charismatic Englishman who left for the Old Dart before his side had tasted victory in a summer of torment Down Under.
Pietersen was spotted sinking beers at a Melbourne nightclub only hours after the batting kingpin was struck in the ribs by a Glenn McGrath short ball at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 12.
"I've got to say, he was on the plane before the X-ray came back," Border needled.
"If he's got a broken rib, fair enough, but it wasn't displaced broken. It was just cracked and given two weeks break and he could be playing.
"With England a chance to scrape into the finals he (would have been) a key man. Too quick on to the plane for my liking."
Border's stinging rebuke - screened on Inside Cricket on FOX SPORTS - is a fair sledge from the man who was famously hard-edged throughout his 156-Test career.
Australia's ultimate batting warrior, he often played in pain with cracked or broken fingers.
Former England batsman Graham Thorpe also believes Pietersen let his country down in its hour of need, claiming: "He was out of Australia pretty quick."
Without their only genuine batting star England have plunged from hapless to hopeless in the limited-overs series, lambs to the slaughter for powerful Australia.
Many fans have demanded their money back after woefully one-sided matches where England has waved the white flag.
When Pietersen flew back to the UK, he opened a can of worms by admitting it was a "massive relief" to be out of Australia and he was glad to be home.
It said plenty about his mental state from a torrid summer of humiliation.
"Mentally, the boys will come back tougher because it is an extremely hard tour - but I was glad to get away," he said.
Pietersen, 26, who has since made a "strong recovery" from his injury, was the one genuine success of the Ashes whitewash, scoring 490 runs at 54.
His absence has left England desperately short of power hitters, as he and Andrew Flintoff appear to be the only batsmen able to clear the boundary.
There have been rumours he might make a surprise return to Australia if England can somehow find form and qualify for the finals of the one-day series.http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21145197-23212,00.html
~Wild Child~
31-01-07, 11:42 AM
This story is from our news.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/) network Source: The Australian
Lou blue over Aussie egos
By Malcolm Conn
January 31, 2007
<b>NEW Zealand opening batsman Lou Vincent claims Australia's cricketers are arrogant sledgers who believe they are bigger than the game.</b>
In a stinging attack on New Zealand radio yesterday, Vincent claimed that "humble" tennis champion Roger Federer was a complete contrast to those who make up Australia's most popular and successful sporting team.
Vincent's outburst was prompted by the treatment he claimed he received while scoring 66 against Australia in Perth on Sunday night, after being flown in as a last-minute replacement for the retired Nathan Astle.
"I watched Federer the other day and thought, 'What a true champion'. He's the sort of guy you want to watch because he plays the game well and he's humble about it," Vincent said.
"You watch Australia and just their egos, you know what I mean?
"Sure, you're talented, you've got great players and you win most of the time, but as blokes they've got no time for you. So to take them on and stick it to them a bit is my motivation."
Vincent said the Australians were "pretty fired up a couple of times" in Sunday's match and "it was just good to have a bit of luck and stick it to them - just to keep them quiet for a while".
"It's never-ending," he said. "They're very close-knit. They hunt like a pack of dogs. There's not just one guy going at you, there's a little bit here, a little bit there.
"I mean, I love that part of the game, I think it's brilliant but as soon as they start calling you all sorts of stuff it gets a bit tiring.
"I personally think that they think they're bigger than the game. It's all about standing up to them."
Vincent singled out feisty Black Caps wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum for the way he took on Australia.
"Baz (McCullum) does it well," he said. "We're not intimidated by them and that's the biggest thing. If you're intimidated by Australia, you're beaten. You've got to stand up to them.
"You might not be their friends but at the end of the day I don't care if I'm not friends with those guys. They're the enemy."
Vincent batted in last night's victory over England in Perth, where he scored 76.
Young does not expect the International Cricket Council to take any action against Vincent under its code of conduct for being critical of opponents.
"I don't think we're that delicate," Young said last night.
"What Lou Vincent is saying is not particularly different to what a lot of people say about competing against Australia. It's red-blooded competition.
"Our players in our view play very hard, and that's one reason that they're No.1 in the world in both forms of the game.
"But they understand the issue of playing fair.
"There's plenty of stuff said on the field. There has been for 100 years and there will be for as long as cricket's played. There's plenty said both ways whenever Australia and New Zealand play each other."
Far from being offended by Vincent's attack, Cricket Australia appeared delighted some spice had finally been injected into what has become a dreadfully lopsided limited-overs series, dominated by Australia from the outset.
CA spokesman Peter Young claimed it was an example of the fierce rivalry between the two countries and added further to the standing of the annual Chappell-Hadlee limited-overs series, to be played in New Zealand next month.
"We make no secret of the fact that we would like one day to see the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy up there with the Bledisloe Cup, partly because there is such an intense rivalry," Young said.
On Sunday night Vincent was unlucky to be given out leg before to Michael Clarke when he hit the ball sweeping.
The Black Caps were also hindered in their remarkable run chase by a rain break, failing by just nine runs to chase down Australia's record 5-343, with Jacob Oram scoring the fastest century by a Kiwi in one-day cricket: 101 not out from 72 balls.
Strangely this wonderful innings was not enough to win Oram the man of the match award. Instead it went to Ricky Ponting for another fine century, 111 from 122 balls.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21144685-23212,00.html
~Wild Child~
31-01-07, 11:43 AM
:(
LOL The Aussie's are not arrogant sledgers. :(
Go_The_Doggies
31-01-07, 12:53 PM
Lol..if lou vincent says they are..I shall take his word :)
I love how hes come out and said this, makes it all more interesting. I hope 2 players have words on Sunday night, like McCullum and Mitchell Johnson did on sunday night..call me weird but McCullum made me proud :D hahaha..tell Mitchell Johnson where to go :p
Capital_Shark
31-01-07, 05:51 PM
:(
LOL The Aussie's are not arrogant sledgers. :(
Even if the Aussies are sledgers, the other teams afford them the right to be arrogant about it. If the other countries got their cricket up to scratch and gave some competition, maybe even handed Australia a couple defeats, the Aussies would just be sledgers, and not so arrogant about it.
Its sport, sledging happens, don't like it, get a new job. And if the Poms don't learn to bat and Kiwis don't learn to catch, they might not have any choice about getting a new job.
I'm happy with the win and all..
But I don't have that feeling you get when you win..mainly because of our fielding blunders....Peter Fulton can be excused..cause he doesnt drop many..but JAMES FRANKLIN!!..gosh..how hard is it to catch a ball consistenly!!..and as for Bill Lawry keeping on saying "Daniel Vettori should have caught that"..was abit hard to catch!!...
Louie Vincent and Jacob Oram..what stars!!
Lol Bill Lawry doesnt know the difference between a wrongun and a legspinner.
Hes so annoying when he keeps saying its all happening
~Wild Child~
31-01-07, 07:02 PM
Vaughan 'could miss the rest of tour.
January 31, 2007 - 6:04PM
The immediate cricketing future of Michael Vaughan has again been thrown into doubt after wicketkeeper Paul Nixon let slip the injured England skipper was unlikely to play again on the tour of Australia.
Vaughan has missed the last four games of England's dismal one-day campaign with a hamstring injury, ironically suffered during England's only win of the tour in Hobart on January 16.
After aggravating the injury during batting practice in Perth on Sunday, Vaughan was forced to sit out England's 58-run defeat to the Kiwis at the WACA Ground on Tuesday night.
And with England's chances of reaching the tri-series final virtually nil - needing to win its next two games starting against Australia and New Zealand - Nixon said he fears Vaughan's tour could already be over.
"I actually had a bat with Michael in a centre wicket practice a few days ago, and his hamstring wasn't quite up to scratch," Nixon said.
"He struggled running, he is still having a lot of rehab work done, time in the swimming pool, a bit of acupuncture.
"But I don't think Vaughanie will be taking much part, I really don't, sadly. It is just too sore at the moment."
Although there is no official word from England's management on Vaughan's condition, the cautiousness with which James Anderson (back) and Jon Lewis (ankle) have been treated in the lead up to the World Cup could mean Vaughan leaving Australia without playing another game.
Speaking after scoring a career-best 49 in England's latest defeat, Nixon also defended another injury victim, Kevin Pietersen, who left the tour after breaking a rib in game one of the tri-series.
Former Australian captain and selector Allan Border criticised Pietersen for leaving too early, a claim that was refuted by Nixon.
"That is a big call from Mr Border... what more could he do?", Nixon said.
"He has got a broken rib, why aggravate that and make that even worse when you have got the World Cup coming up?
"Kevin has played very well out here, stood up and been counted and taken it to the Aussies and played beautifully. He was very keen to possibly get back for the finals."
And in an admission in contrast to his captain Andrew Flintoff, Nixon said England's fielding had not been up to scratch on the tour, highlighted on Tuesday by 22 wides and several misfields.
"The catching on the whole, has been slightly under par," Nixon said.
"The skies are very difficult out here, it is probably easier catching under lights, when it is dark, than it is in the sunshine.
"We have worked very hard on our fielding... we have gone through everything, but nothing is the same as the intensity of the game.
"They dipped (Tuesday) night in the first half-an-hour to 45 minutes, there were too many extras, there were too many wides, too many fumbled pick ups, too many overthrows."
? 2007 AAP (http://www.theage.com.au/notebn/aap.html)
http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Vaughan-could-miss-the-rest-of-tour/2007/01/31/1169919396533.html
Go_The_Doggies
31-01-07, 09:18 PM
I love Bill, him and Slats are the only commentators that don't **** me off, although the whole LOT annoyed me on sunday night, we soo showed them. <3
Slats is great cos he actually takes the time to come over here and commentate sometimes. :).
Steelers
31-01-07, 09:19 PM
Slats is great cos he actually takes the time to come over here and commentate sometimes. :).
Michael was actually commentating the Ashes in England and the Chappell-Hadlee in NZ before he got picked up by Channel 9 :p
Go_The_Doggies
31-01-07, 09:22 PM
Michael was actually commentating the Ashes in England and the Chappell-Hadlee in NZ before he got picked up by Channel 9 :p
Aww well there you go :p .. clearly we produce fine commentators :p bahaha..well..co-produce :p lmao.
Go_The_Doggies
01-02-07, 12:03 PM
tehehe its funny seeing and hearing all these people come out and talk about what lou vincent said..its like they're a wee bit scared its true :p
:(
LOL The Aussie's are not arrogant sledgers. :(
Haha I have to say to be honest they are a bit arrogant but like Capital Shark said its practically given to them to do that sledging.:D
~Wild Child~
01-02-07, 05:22 PM
Aussies flattered by Kiwi sledge
Robert Craddock
February 01, 2007 12:00am
Article from: Herald Sun
AUSTRALIAN cricketers are flattered by Kiwi opener Lou Vincent's claim that they hunt like a pack of dogs but don't believe they're bad sports with big egos.
Brett Lee and Matthew Hayden yesterday strongly challenged allegations Australia was ego-driven and above the game. But claims from New Zealand batsman Lou Vincent that "they are very close knit and hunt like a pack of dogs" caused less offence.
"Hearing that is almost a compliment because that is what we try and do," Lee said.
"One of the reasons we have played really well recently is that we have had a never-say-die attitude and sometimes other teams see that as a bit of ego. That is definitely not the case.
"People talk about our sledging and we play really tough cricket. We are renowned for that but we know there is a line. We are well aware of the boundaries.
"Things are not said in a bad way. There are no racial things said and nothing that represents a bad image for kids.
"Of course there are mind games. There is always going to be chat out there."
Vincent's stinging attack -- in which he claimed that "humble" tennis champion Roger Federer was a complete contrast to Australia's cricketers -- has fuelled tensions between the teams.
The Australians have been at pains to improve their image after last summer's tour by South Africa was tainted by controversy and several top players fined for disciplinary infringements.
Australia's reputation suffered another blow at the Champions Trophy in India in October when players were accused of snubbing India's top cricket official in front of millions of television viewers.
This summer has passed largely without incident and coach John Buchanan insisted his players could hold their heads high.
"We play the game hard, there is no doubt about that, but we play it fair and within the spirit of the game," Buchanan said.
Opening batsman Hayden rejected suggestions the Australians, unbeaten at home this summer, were unsportsmanlike toward opponents.
"Definitely not," Hayden said.
"If he (Vincent) considers that to be the case, I am not that unhappy about that, to be honest.
"We are in a position where we are playing very confidently but we are also very proud of the way we are playing. We have worked very hard at our behaviour on and off the field.
"One of the strategies of Australian cricket teams is to stick together.
"We have had that mentality for as long as I can ever remember playing cricket and it has stood us in good stead.
"We are very proud of the fact we stick by each other."
Former Test umpire Lou Rowan branded Test skipper Ricky Ponting a disgrace last summer for overseeing his side's bullying of umpires.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21150870-11088,00.html
Thats why I dont like Lee. He looks totally ego driven
Go_The_Doggies
01-02-07, 07:10 PM
Lol whenever I see Brett Leemus on tv..I tell him to go sing a song :p
But man it sooooooo fired me up last sunday seeing Brendon McCullum tell Mitchell Johnson where to go :p <3 tehehe.
Supergoose
01-02-07, 11:16 PM
I'm happy with the win and all..
But I don't have that feeling you get when you win..mainly because of our fielding blunders....Peter Fulton can be excused..cause he doesnt drop many..but JAMES FRANKLIN!!..gosh..how hard is it to catch a ball consistenly!!..and as for Bill Lawry keeping on saying "Daniel Vettori should have caught that"..was abit hard to catch!!...
Louie Vincent and Jacob Oram..what stars!!
The funny thing was that Lawry said that Ponting would've caught it and then Ponting went on to drop one almost identical to the one Vettori dropped.
Vettori has been ordinary in the field this series but it has been a poor fielding series in general - Australia is the exception but even they are showing vulnerability in the field.
Supergoose
01-02-07, 11:20 PM
Lol Bill Lawry doesnt know the difference between a wrongun and a legspinner.
Hes so annoying when he keeps saying its all happening
Lay off Bill, he tells it as he sees it. A lot of the commentators make excuses for players but not Bill he just gives it to them and I love it. I can't work out who Paul Nixon has crossed but nearly all the commentators lay into him. Lawry gives him the credit I reckon he deserves. As a bloke who has been plying his trade in County cricket as long as Nixon has and to finally get his chance in national colours I reckon he is going alright and as much as he can is lifting the English from down right dismal to just hopeless.
Go_The_Doggies
02-02-07, 09:10 AM
The funny thing was that Lawry said that Ponting would've caught it and then Ponting went on to drop one almost identical to the one Vettori dropped.
Vettori has been ordinary in the field this series but it has been a poor fielding series in general - Australia is the exception but even they are showing vulnerability in the field.
Yeh..John Bracewell has counted atleast 7 catches we have dropped..and I think it said in the article australia have dropped 6?? :sick:
But its weird cos usually our fielding is our strongest point..and this summer..well this series its been our most disappointing part.
I was gunna say something else but forgot what.
Go_The_Doggies
02-02-07, 09:12 AM
Lay off Bill, he tells it as he sees it. A lot of the commentators make excuses for players but not Bill he just gives it to them and I love it. I can't work out who Paul Nixon has crossed but nearly all the commentators lay into him. Lawry gives him the credit I reckon he deserves. As a bloke who has been plying his trade in County cricket as long as Nixon has and to finally get his chance in national colours I reckon he is going alright and as much as he can is lifting the English from down right dismal to just hopeless.
Yeh Paul Nixon is probably 1 of the better performing englishmen at the moment, but he is so god damn annoying when hes wicketkeeping!! I mean I thought McCullum was loud, but hes nothing compared to this guy!!
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