Well what a god awful test - The NZRU wanted you to pay at least $40 to sit in the freezing cold and watch that, when earlier in the day, when the sun was out, you could have ducked down to Hagley Park and caught some better quality rugby as the under 10's battled it out.
The Anthem
The All Blacks looked liek little kids whod been told to sing the anthem. Their poor attitude was apparant. Managment claims that they are to focused on the game to sing...These guys don't have the mental abilites to sing their national anthem while simultanosly rembering their roles for the game?? I'm sure these guys aren't rocket surgeons, but I'm sure they could handle this - after all, every single other team seems to handle it OK. The truth is, they don't want to sing, but why not? who knows, maybe singing is to gay a way for them to show emotion and pride in their country and they prefer to show this in the Haka??? They need to grow up, fucking sing it without pouting
Ratings
1 Wyatt Crockett - Pretty solid first test, scrummed well and got around. Unfortunate first test for his resume however, 6/10
2 Keven Mealamu - Was a solid performer as always, nothign spectacular, 6.6/10
3 John Afoa - meh 5.5/10
4 Brad Thorn - Hits the rucks hard, plays with good passion, has been solid through the 3 tests 6.8/10
5 Isaac Ross - The star of the early season tests, what a success story, really played well again, scored a much deserved try, 7.2/10
6 Jerome Kaino - Physical, about all you can usually say about him...Oh yea, right before half time tackled an Italian defender while All Blacks were on attack. Masaga sailed through a gap to score a certain try, the interference was unneccesary, really stupid and capped off an awful half of rugby, 5/10
7 Tanerau Latimer - Average, I rember one turnover, certainly isnt guranted to be the Robin to Richies Batman 5.9/10
8 Kieran Read - Another solid game from the future AB captain 6.4/10
9 Brendan leonard - mmmmmm, looked rusty, is always injured, look disorganised, ran into people, and was stuck with Lucky Luke at 1st 5 which was no help. 4/10
10 Luke McAlister - Awful, just awful. fast-tracked into the team after bailign NZ rugby, and showing we havnt missed anything. His first 20minuets was actually the worst rugby seen in this country by an All Blacks since.....His last apperance 1/10 (The 1 is for gol kicking)
11 Joe Rokocoko - scored a try!!! no way, after that his confidence was up and he played solidly-ish.....still needs to be dropped to rediscover some form, its a bit sad watching such a great player perform so badly 5.5/10
12 Ma'a Nonu - Average. I miss the AB's having a 2nd 5 that can kick. 5/10
13 Isaia Toeva - Absent for 72 mins, before knocking on in his own 22. Worst centre option in the squad, the pass from Toeva to his winger IS A MYTH! they guy takes the worst opitons, has terrible hands, and is not upto international standard. Adam Whitelock would be a better option at centre. When Kahui and Conrad are healthy, this guy needs to be removed from the squad before his shittiness rubs onto his fellow squad members. Same for lucky Luke. 2/10
14 Lelia Masaga - Should have had a try on debut, looked dangerous, hope to see alot more of him, 6/10
15 Mils Muliana - The poor bastard who had to captain this shit show. Was easily the best back, worked hard, you have to feel a bit sorry for him, 7.5/10
16 Aled De Malmanche - deserved more minutes after his solid S14. Not enough time to rate
17 Tony Woodcock - Came on and scrummed well 6/10
18 Owen Franks - Awesome debut, scrummed well, and set up a try with some deft footwork and a nice pass. Could be around the AB's for the next decade 6.5/10
19 Bryn Evans - did he come on?
20 Georger Whitelock - Was awesome in his time on the field, secured a turnover and scored a try. 6.49/10
21 Piri Weepu - Looked good, should have come on at 10. 6.5/10
22 Corey Jane - dont think he touched the ball
The Test Itself
4/10. Fuck these ABs are sucking, if they played anything like that against Aust or SA.....sweet Jesus.....Although missing Hore, Ali, Richie, DC, Sivi, Kahui, Conrad means the team is pretty second rate
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
NZ vs South Africa
I don't really want to say much. It was sad. NZ had NO SHOTS ON GOAL. theyll be gutted, but the real test is the game vs. Iraq, a great preview for the world cup qualifiers to be played later this year, so still hold out hope.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Luke McAlister is a bum, Game 2 preview
Luke McAlister was crap at the 07 World Cup in his last game before leaving NZ for the money, in a poor effort in an upset lose to the French - flash forward to 09, he still sucks.
When the international season starts the All Blacks are always hampered by having to remeber the rules of rugby, given the bastardised version of 'ELV' rugby played in the Super 14, and struggled. HOWEVER a win was still on the cards, if Lucky Luke hadnt thrown that pass to a Frenchman, with an overlap out wide. If he'd just held it even we would have been great.
The French fully deserved their win. Defense is attitude - the French had a better attidue.
The Side for game 2
1 - Tony Woodcock - pretty quiet game, but still New Zealands number one no.1. Look for him to improve in the scrums
2 - Kevin Mealamu - sure, best hooker available, also look for him to step up
3 - Neemia Tialata - was awesome for the AB's in his first season, but since then has been decidly average. Needs to get his shit together. Could Wyatt play 3? he needs to make his way into this squad somehow, and with Woodcock holding mortgage over the loosehead, Tighthead is probably the answer....
4 - Brad Thorn - was alright in game 1
5 - Isaac Ross - was great in debut, calling the line outs, look for him to continue from there
6 - Jerome Kaino - made great strides in the last season with the All Blacks, really looked to belong and scored that vital try vs. Aust in Brisbane in the 08 Tri-nations and Bledisloe decider
7 - Tanerau Latimer - Exciting prospect. Selectors eyes have been on him since he played at Crusdaers a couple of years ago below McCaw. Fast, good tackler, big chance for him to take over as McCaws long term back up
8 - Kieran Read - such a consistant performer, the second coming of Reuben Thorne
9 - Jimmy Cowan - Piri is breathing down his neck, but a fierce competitior
10 - Steven Donald - gotta get his shit together, had a great S14 but didnt fire any shots. Given Lucky Luke is the only other no.10 in the squad however, there is little pressure for him to perform from within the squad
11 - Corey Jane - sure, id rather see Lelia Masaga get some game time, but Corey is a solid player so no beef. Why is he on the left and joe the right? just seems weird
12 - Ma'a Nonu - shoud be a bit more settled with Conrad outside him
13 - Conrad Smith - a welcome return, should solidify the midfield D and also brings with him a pair of hands
14 - Joe Rokocoko - when was the last time he played well at any level? hopefully he can get his try on
15 - Mils Muliana - hopfully there will be better things for him in his 2nd test as captain.
16 - Aled de Malmanche - exciting selection, has been going great guns for Waikato and the Chiefs.
17 - John Afoa - sure, but wheres Wyatt? we want Wyatt
18 - Brynn Evans - who? seems to have leapfrogged Eaton and Thrush without really standing out
19 - George Whitelock - Wearing the jeresy thanks to a solid season with the Crusaders...and injuries to McCaw, Waldrom and Thomson.
20 - Piri Weepu - deserves a start, steps up his game big time for the AB's. would be a better option at 10 than lucky Luke
21 - Luke McAlister - see above comment
22 - Isaia Toeava - probably his best positon, not a bad man to bring on when the game is in the bag.
Look for the AB's to be alot better in game 2, Conrad Smith in for Isiaia 'my handling has definitivly been proved to not be up to scratch, and I'm only in the team because Graham 'judge me on the world cup' Henry decided my performances at U19 level warrant my All Black jersey' Toeva which is fantastic, and Latimer in for an injured Thompson is an exciting prospect. Only his 2nd test, but an out and out number 7, where Thompson really is a no.6 and playing him at 7 should be reserved for games against the likes of the Italians.
When the international season starts the All Blacks are always hampered by having to remeber the rules of rugby, given the bastardised version of 'ELV' rugby played in the Super 14, and struggled. HOWEVER a win was still on the cards, if Lucky Luke hadnt thrown that pass to a Frenchman, with an overlap out wide. If he'd just held it even we would have been great.
The French fully deserved their win. Defense is attitude - the French had a better attidue.
The Side for game 2
1 - Tony Woodcock - pretty quiet game, but still New Zealands number one no.1. Look for him to improve in the scrums
2 - Kevin Mealamu - sure, best hooker available, also look for him to step up
3 - Neemia Tialata - was awesome for the AB's in his first season, but since then has been decidly average. Needs to get his shit together. Could Wyatt play 3? he needs to make his way into this squad somehow, and with Woodcock holding mortgage over the loosehead, Tighthead is probably the answer....
4 - Brad Thorn - was alright in game 1
5 - Isaac Ross - was great in debut, calling the line outs, look for him to continue from there
6 - Jerome Kaino - made great strides in the last season with the All Blacks, really looked to belong and scored that vital try vs. Aust in Brisbane in the 08 Tri-nations and Bledisloe decider
7 - Tanerau Latimer - Exciting prospect. Selectors eyes have been on him since he played at Crusdaers a couple of years ago below McCaw. Fast, good tackler, big chance for him to take over as McCaws long term back up
8 - Kieran Read - such a consistant performer, the second coming of Reuben Thorne
9 - Jimmy Cowan - Piri is breathing down his neck, but a fierce competitior
10 - Steven Donald - gotta get his shit together, had a great S14 but didnt fire any shots. Given Lucky Luke is the only other no.10 in the squad however, there is little pressure for him to perform from within the squad
11 - Corey Jane - sure, id rather see Lelia Masaga get some game time, but Corey is a solid player so no beef. Why is he on the left and joe the right? just seems weird
12 - Ma'a Nonu - shoud be a bit more settled with Conrad outside him
13 - Conrad Smith - a welcome return, should solidify the midfield D and also brings with him a pair of hands
14 - Joe Rokocoko - when was the last time he played well at any level? hopefully he can get his try on
15 - Mils Muliana - hopfully there will be better things for him in his 2nd test as captain.
16 - Aled de Malmanche - exciting selection, has been going great guns for Waikato and the Chiefs.
17 - John Afoa - sure, but wheres Wyatt? we want Wyatt
18 - Brynn Evans - who? seems to have leapfrogged Eaton and Thrush without really standing out
19 - George Whitelock - Wearing the jeresy thanks to a solid season with the Crusaders...and injuries to McCaw, Waldrom and Thomson.
20 - Piri Weepu - deserves a start, steps up his game big time for the AB's. would be a better option at 10 than lucky Luke
21 - Luke McAlister - see above comment
22 - Isaia Toeava - probably his best positon, not a bad man to bring on when the game is in the bag.
Look for the AB's to be alot better in game 2, Conrad Smith in for Isiaia 'my handling has definitivly been proved to not be up to scratch, and I'm only in the team because Graham 'judge me on the world cup' Henry decided my performances at U19 level warrant my All Black jersey' Toeva which is fantastic, and Latimer in for an injured Thompson is an exciting prospect. Only his 2nd test, but an out and out number 7, where Thompson really is a no.6 and playing him at 7 should be reserved for games against the likes of the Italians.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Mark Gillespie’s 4/7 was the best bowling ever in a 20/20 international....
Until last night Umar Gul took 5/6 in 3 overs to finally put down a woeful Blackcaps team. The innings started poorly as Abdul ‘I bet you though I was retired’ Razzak took two early wickets. Aaron Redmond was unable to repeat his heroics from the other day and was out meekly. Scott Styris top scored with 22 (at a leisurely strike rate of 76). That was it, the next highest score was Aaron Redmond’s 15, then McCullum with 12 and he was out in the 2nd over. After Umar Gul gave a master class in bowling Full and straight, Vettori was the last man out with the score just 99.
There’s not much to say, Pakistan didn’t really struggle in chasing down the required 100 runs, achieving that on the first ball of the 14th over when Afridi skied the ball, and was dropped as two kiwi fielders collided, Brendon McCullum reeling away with what looked like a wrist injury. Vettori tool a couple of wickets and bowled well in his first game of the tournament, Ian Butler had his first poor performance of the tournament but was suffering from, a groin strain and was clearly struggling.
It was unfortunate for NZ that the Pakistani’s decided to play dynamite today, they are a little like the French rugby side, you don’t know which side to expect......But a really shit effort by NZ, who now must beat an impressive Sri Lankan effort if they want to make it to the semis. It was a terrible match for all the Kiwis, you might think it would be unfair to single out any individual, but I will. An individual, who has performed well in recent memory, is plagued by injuries, and only shot is to hit the ball straight up and hope like hell it gets dropped. I’m of course talking about ‘Big Jake’. This is not your big brothers Jacob Oram of yesteryear, moosing 6’s and bowling economic med-fast spells. The 2009 model Jacob Oram can’t score runs, concedes runs like its nobody’s business and doesn’t take wickets. In fact in 17 international 20/20 fixtures he has 3 wickets at a strike rate of 112.33. Awful.
There’s not much to say, Pakistan didn’t really struggle in chasing down the required 100 runs, achieving that on the first ball of the 14th over when Afridi skied the ball, and was dropped as two kiwi fielders collided, Brendon McCullum reeling away with what looked like a wrist injury. Vettori tool a couple of wickets and bowled well in his first game of the tournament, Ian Butler had his first poor performance of the tournament but was suffering from, a groin strain and was clearly struggling.
It was unfortunate for NZ that the Pakistani’s decided to play dynamite today, they are a little like the French rugby side, you don’t know which side to expect......But a really shit effort by NZ, who now must beat an impressive Sri Lankan effort if they want to make it to the semis. It was a terrible match for all the Kiwis, you might think it would be unfair to single out any individual, but I will. An individual, who has performed well in recent memory, is plagued by injuries, and only shot is to hit the ball straight up and hope like hell it gets dropped. I’m of course talking about ‘Big Jake’. This is not your big brothers Jacob Oram of yesteryear, moosing 6’s and bowling economic med-fast spells. The 2009 model Jacob Oram can’t score runs, concedes runs like its nobody’s business and doesn’t take wickets. In fact in 17 international 20/20 fixtures he has 3 wickets at a strike rate of 112.33. Awful.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Something you've probably never said before
"I hope McCullum gets the fuck off strike so I can see Redmond"
Aaron Redmond is a genius. Called into the NZ side (missing Vettori, Ryder and Taylor due to injuries) for the super 8s match against Ireland he smashed the equal fastest 50 of the tournament so far (just 23 balls). Redmond got New Zealand off to a flyer, literally hitting fours all around the ground as McCullum struggled at the other end. Apart from a Full Toss which he punished into the stands, McCullum was decidedly average, and fell for 14 in the 6th over. Guptill joined an onform Redmond at the crease and looked shakey early on, but redmond kept on rolling. In the 10th over, with the score on 91 Redmond was given out LBW by 'A-shocker' de Silva, the worst umpire in the world, to a ball that clearly hti outside the line of off-stump. In the comentary box Nasser Hussain also believed it was plum - he is on drugs. So with Redmond gone for 63 (30balls) Miley Styris joined Guptill at the crease. Styris batted pretty well, and was eventually out for 42 trying to go after the bowling late in the innings, This bought Oram to the crease....Oram is a joke. Cusak was bowling full and well outside the off stump to the big left hander. jacob continually tried to reach out and pull the ball to the on-side to no effect. Had he left any of the deliveries the probably wou;dl have been widend. That said he eventually figured out what was going on and hit a big 6 out throght the off-side, before skying the ball to deep cover to be out for 15. Jacob Oram is useless. McGlashan and Fraklin hat short at bats, neither was impressive, McGlashan out attempting a 'Dilshan' against Trent 'angry old man' Johnston. guptill wen ton to ammass 45 not out, including 4 6's and no 4's which was weird, and the Kiwis finished 198/5. The large was thanks to a really poor fielding effort by the Irish, who camped on the boundries and allowed NZ to run a heap of 2's.
The Irish batting effort never looked upto it, Wilson (23) and Botha (28) their best performed. The innings featured 4 run outs, including two to Brendan McCullum who was dyanamite in the field. His brother Nathan took 3/15 with his off-spin and was NZs best bowler as the Irish meacly surcame , all out for 115 in the 17th over.
Check out what cricinfo had to say at http://tinyurl.com/n566xq
"Shah got 38....."
Aaron Redmond is a genius. Called into the NZ side (missing Vettori, Ryder and Taylor due to injuries) for the super 8s match against Ireland he smashed the equal fastest 50 of the tournament so far (just 23 balls). Redmond got New Zealand off to a flyer, literally hitting fours all around the ground as McCullum struggled at the other end. Apart from a Full Toss which he punished into the stands, McCullum was decidedly average, and fell for 14 in the 6th over. Guptill joined an onform Redmond at the crease and looked shakey early on, but redmond kept on rolling. In the 10th over, with the score on 91 Redmond was given out LBW by 'A-shocker' de Silva, the worst umpire in the world, to a ball that clearly hti outside the line of off-stump. In the comentary box Nasser Hussain also believed it was plum - he is on drugs. So with Redmond gone for 63 (30balls) Miley Styris joined Guptill at the crease. Styris batted pretty well, and was eventually out for 42 trying to go after the bowling late in the innings, This bought Oram to the crease....Oram is a joke. Cusak was bowling full and well outside the off stump to the big left hander. jacob continually tried to reach out and pull the ball to the on-side to no effect. Had he left any of the deliveries the probably wou;dl have been widend. That said he eventually figured out what was going on and hit a big 6 out throght the off-side, before skying the ball to deep cover to be out for 15. Jacob Oram is useless. McGlashan and Fraklin hat short at bats, neither was impressive, McGlashan out attempting a 'Dilshan' against Trent 'angry old man' Johnston. guptill wen ton to ammass 45 not out, including 4 6's and no 4's which was weird, and the Kiwis finished 198/5. The large was thanks to a really poor fielding effort by the Irish, who camped on the boundries and allowed NZ to run a heap of 2's.
The Irish batting effort never looked upto it, Wilson (23) and Botha (28) their best performed. The innings featured 4 run outs, including two to Brendan McCullum who was dyanamite in the field. His brother Nathan took 3/15 with his off-spin and was NZs best bowler as the Irish meacly surcame , all out for 115 in the 17th over.
Check out what cricinfo had to say at http://tinyurl.com/n566xq
"Shah got 38....."
And that effort by Shah was the only of note by any of the English, the were bundled out for 111 in the final over. The South Africans were just too good, all of their bowlers took wickets, Parnell the best with 3/14. South Africa cruised to the win in the 19th over, Kallis making a casual 57 from 49 balls to take man of the match honors.
Cricinfo had this to say http://tinyurl.com/lnqso8
20/20 World Cup
So far...
The group stage of the tournament was rather pathetic. With only 3 teams in each of the 4 pools, and two progressing from each pool to the Super 8s stage meant that the majority of games played were either huge mismatches or totally unimportant, with a couple of notable exceptions.
Pool A:
Bangladesh were terrible, beaten by the Irish and Mauled by the Indians. The Indians also handled the Irish with ease. The most boring pool
Star Players:
Hard to single out anyone from the Indians, everyone performed solidly. Rohit Sharma looked solid at the top of the order, while Ojha took 4/21 on debut vs. Bangladesh, while Zaheer took 4/19 against a hapless Irish side. For Bangladesh everyone was terrible, Junaid Siddique scored 41 from 22 balls against Ireland and was really the only bright spot for them in what was a poor effort. For the mighty Irish, the O’Brien brothers were impressive in the run chase against the Bangers, Niall 40 from 25, while Kerry finished of the innings with a brisk unbeaten 39 from 17 balls.
Pool B:
The first game of the tournament was a huge boil-over as the Netherlands defeated the English at Lords – one of, if not the most, embarrassing moments the Poms have suffered at the ‘Home of Cricket’. Ultimately though it was the Dutch who failed to progress from group B after the English beat the Pakistanis, and Pakistan then mauled the Dutch to take 2nd spot thanks to a superior net run rate.
Star Players:
Luke Wright smashed 105 in his two matches for England, Derrick Nannes of the Netherlands bowled fast (150kph+).Tom de Groot and Peter Borren were the heroes of their successful run chase against England. None of the Pakistanis impressed, Afridi got 4/11 vs. the Dutch though.
Pool C
Great value for many cricket fans around the world as the Australians were dumped from the tournament after just 3 days. First they were blasted off the park by Chris Gayle (88 off 50 balls) and Andre Fletcher (53 off 32 balls) after setting 170 to win in their first game. In their next game against the Sri Lankans the Aussies again batted first and set 160 to win. Opening the batting Dilshan was fantastic. When he fell for 53 from 32 balls Sangakkara took over and put on a steady unbent 55 to see the Sri Lankans home and knock the Aussies out of the tournament. Sri Lanka played the West Indies in the final irrelevant pool fixture, and it was a blast from the past as Sanath Jayasuriya blasted 81 from just 47 delivers. Dilshan impressed again with 74 from 47 balls. Set 193 to win the Windies were never really in the contest, Bravo however scored an attractive 51 at the end of their innings.
Star Players:
Tillakaratne Dilshan was a revelation at the top of the order for the Sri Lankans blasting 127 runs in his two innings, while Mendis looked dangerous, and was too good for the Aussies dismissing Ponting, Watson and Mike Hussey. David Warner scored an un-characteristically quiet 63 of 53 against the Windies, with just one 6, although it was hit out of the oval and into the neighbouring school. Chris Gayle was impressive in the Australia game, but with him sitting out the second game vs. Sri Lanka the team looked terrible, and fielded terribly.
Pool D:
Went as expected, NZ and South Africa both beating Scotland handily and South Africa defeating NZ by 1 run in the final pool match which was largely irrelevant. It was a bizarre chase for NZ who only lost 5 wickets in total, including a suicide run out on the final ball, but failed to reach a pedestrian 129 to win. The end loss by 1-run was also somewhat misleading, with Jacob Oram edging us towards the total but never looking capable of actually hitting any runs, and with 4 runs needed of the final ball he failed miserably
Star Players:
For New Zealand Brendan McCullum scored 75 runs, including a measured 57 against South Africa and Ian Butler was impressive, taking 5/32 in the two pool matches, including 3/19 in 2 overs during a 7over a side affair with the Scots. For South Africa, van der Merwe bowled well against NZ (2/14 in 4 overs) while AB de Villiers hit a sparkling 79 not out of 34 balls against the Scots. For Scotland Ryan Watson moosed an exciting 27 from 10 balls against NZ while Lyle Coetzer scored 75 runs in two games.
Super 8’s
The teams are now regrouped into Group E (India, England, West Indies and South Africa) and Group F (Pakistan, Ireland, Sri Lanka and New Zealand). The teams now start with a clean slate (NO points are carried forward form the group stage) and play the three other teams in their group once. After this round the top two in each group qualify for the Semi Finals. I’m picking India and South Africa to advance from group E, while Sri Lanka and New Zealand look the best in group F.
Super 8 games start tonight with a double header at Trent Bridge -NZ vs. Ireland (I’m backing the kiwis by a lot) and England vs. South Africa (SA should be to good for a shoddy English outfit) although the forecast suggestes weather may be the winner tonight
The group stage of the tournament was rather pathetic. With only 3 teams in each of the 4 pools, and two progressing from each pool to the Super 8s stage meant that the majority of games played were either huge mismatches or totally unimportant, with a couple of notable exceptions.
Pool A:
Bangladesh were terrible, beaten by the Irish and Mauled by the Indians. The Indians also handled the Irish with ease. The most boring pool
Star Players:
Hard to single out anyone from the Indians, everyone performed solidly. Rohit Sharma looked solid at the top of the order, while Ojha took 4/21 on debut vs. Bangladesh, while Zaheer took 4/19 against a hapless Irish side. For Bangladesh everyone was terrible, Junaid Siddique scored 41 from 22 balls against Ireland and was really the only bright spot for them in what was a poor effort. For the mighty Irish, the O’Brien brothers were impressive in the run chase against the Bangers, Niall 40 from 25, while Kerry finished of the innings with a brisk unbeaten 39 from 17 balls.
Pool B:
The first game of the tournament was a huge boil-over as the Netherlands defeated the English at Lords – one of, if not the most, embarrassing moments the Poms have suffered at the ‘Home of Cricket’. Ultimately though it was the Dutch who failed to progress from group B after the English beat the Pakistanis, and Pakistan then mauled the Dutch to take 2nd spot thanks to a superior net run rate.
Star Players:
Luke Wright smashed 105 in his two matches for England, Derrick Nannes of the Netherlands bowled fast (150kph+).Tom de Groot and Peter Borren were the heroes of their successful run chase against England. None of the Pakistanis impressed, Afridi got 4/11 vs. the Dutch though.
Pool C
Great value for many cricket fans around the world as the Australians were dumped from the tournament after just 3 days. First they were blasted off the park by Chris Gayle (88 off 50 balls) and Andre Fletcher (53 off 32 balls) after setting 170 to win in their first game. In their next game against the Sri Lankans the Aussies again batted first and set 160 to win. Opening the batting Dilshan was fantastic. When he fell for 53 from 32 balls Sangakkara took over and put on a steady unbent 55 to see the Sri Lankans home and knock the Aussies out of the tournament. Sri Lanka played the West Indies in the final irrelevant pool fixture, and it was a blast from the past as Sanath Jayasuriya blasted 81 from just 47 delivers. Dilshan impressed again with 74 from 47 balls. Set 193 to win the Windies were never really in the contest, Bravo however scored an attractive 51 at the end of their innings.
Star Players:
Tillakaratne Dilshan was a revelation at the top of the order for the Sri Lankans blasting 127 runs in his two innings, while Mendis looked dangerous, and was too good for the Aussies dismissing Ponting, Watson and Mike Hussey. David Warner scored an un-characteristically quiet 63 of 53 against the Windies, with just one 6, although it was hit out of the oval and into the neighbouring school. Chris Gayle was impressive in the Australia game, but with him sitting out the second game vs. Sri Lanka the team looked terrible, and fielded terribly.
Pool D:
Went as expected, NZ and South Africa both beating Scotland handily and South Africa defeating NZ by 1 run in the final pool match which was largely irrelevant. It was a bizarre chase for NZ who only lost 5 wickets in total, including a suicide run out on the final ball, but failed to reach a pedestrian 129 to win. The end loss by 1-run was also somewhat misleading, with Jacob Oram edging us towards the total but never looking capable of actually hitting any runs, and with 4 runs needed of the final ball he failed miserably
Star Players:
For New Zealand Brendan McCullum scored 75 runs, including a measured 57 against South Africa and Ian Butler was impressive, taking 5/32 in the two pool matches, including 3/19 in 2 overs during a 7over a side affair with the Scots. For South Africa, van der Merwe bowled well against NZ (2/14 in 4 overs) while AB de Villiers hit a sparkling 79 not out of 34 balls against the Scots. For Scotland Ryan Watson moosed an exciting 27 from 10 balls against NZ while Lyle Coetzer scored 75 runs in two games.
Super 8’s
The teams are now regrouped into Group E (India, England, West Indies and South Africa) and Group F (Pakistan, Ireland, Sri Lanka and New Zealand). The teams now start with a clean slate (NO points are carried forward form the group stage) and play the three other teams in their group once. After this round the top two in each group qualify for the Semi Finals. I’m picking India and South Africa to advance from group E, while Sri Lanka and New Zealand look the best in group F.
Super 8 games start tonight with a double header at Trent Bridge -NZ vs. Ireland (I’m backing the kiwis by a lot) and England vs. South Africa (SA should be to good for a shoddy English outfit) although the forecast suggestes weather may be the winner tonight
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Confederations Cup - New Zealand Preview
New Zealand vs. Italy in a warm up match for the confederations cup. What a huge mismatch – the World Champion and 4th ranked Italians vs. The Oceania champion (fending off New Caledonia, Fiji and Vanuatu for the title) and 82nd ranked Kiwis. And what a great effort by the kiwis who thrice took the lead, thanks to great headers by Smeltz and Killen (Killen’s thundering into the net) and a Killen penalty. At 3-2 down Italy brought on the big guns (Luca Toni etc) and a Vincenzo Iaquinta double ended what the Kiwis dream (full story at http://tinyurl.com/lzjznv). Given the kiwis last 3 matches were losses to Fiji and Tanzania and a nil all draw with Botswana, all teams whose world cup dreams have already ended, this was a really good effort.
This was about the best team the New Zealanders could field, really only minus their captain and best player Ryan Nelson. Smeltz and Killen upfront were dynamite, and about the best striking combination the All Whites have been able to field for some time. It may have been a 2nd string Italy side, but NZ can take a lot of positives away, especially that it required the introduction of Italy’s top line players to finally put them down. This is the equivalent to a 2nd string All Blacks side beating their Italian counter parts 34-27 thanks to a late Muliana double, almost unthinkable.
As well as the forwards played, putting 3 past the world champs and forcing over 10 corners, the NZ was pretty average, and looked tired late in the game, the equaliser and winner being scored pretty weakly and with an air of inevitability.
Game one for the Kiwis at the Confederations Cup will be even tougher, as they take on Spain. The Euro champions and world number 1 side boast a galaxy of stars and will be looking to impress in their first game in a major tournament since winning Euro. Another great effort up front, and plugging some of the holes at the back is needed from NZ to keep this game close. It would be a monumental effort if the All Whites could knock of the world champs, and not very realistic, but another great effort upfront and an improved effort on D could see this game be a great springboard for NZ to launch into its 2nd game vs. South Africa, and then what will likely be the All Whites most important game of the tournament against Iraq.
The game vs. Iraq will most likely be NZs last game of the tournament and they should treat it as a final. With the just the 5th placed Asian side standing in the way of the All Whites and their 2nd ever world cup finals, this will be a chance to get a taste of the style of play by an Asian side. Iraq are ranked number 77 in the world, and the most likely teams NZ will have to play off with are all ranked higher (Iran 52nd, Saudi Arabia 56th and Bahrain 70th) so this will be an excellent opportunity to get an idea of where the NZers are at in their preparations to the qualifiers in October/November.
This was about the best team the New Zealanders could field, really only minus their captain and best player Ryan Nelson. Smeltz and Killen upfront were dynamite, and about the best striking combination the All Whites have been able to field for some time. It may have been a 2nd string Italy side, but NZ can take a lot of positives away, especially that it required the introduction of Italy’s top line players to finally put them down. This is the equivalent to a 2nd string All Blacks side beating their Italian counter parts 34-27 thanks to a late Muliana double, almost unthinkable.
As well as the forwards played, putting 3 past the world champs and forcing over 10 corners, the NZ was pretty average, and looked tired late in the game, the equaliser and winner being scored pretty weakly and with an air of inevitability.
Game one for the Kiwis at the Confederations Cup will be even tougher, as they take on Spain. The Euro champions and world number 1 side boast a galaxy of stars and will be looking to impress in their first game in a major tournament since winning Euro. Another great effort up front, and plugging some of the holes at the back is needed from NZ to keep this game close. It would be a monumental effort if the All Whites could knock of the world champs, and not very realistic, but another great effort upfront and an improved effort on D could see this game be a great springboard for NZ to launch into its 2nd game vs. South Africa, and then what will likely be the All Whites most important game of the tournament against Iraq.
The game vs. Iraq will most likely be NZs last game of the tournament and they should treat it as a final. With the just the 5th placed Asian side standing in the way of the All Whites and their 2nd ever world cup finals, this will be a chance to get a taste of the style of play by an Asian side. Iraq are ranked number 77 in the world, and the most likely teams NZ will have to play off with are all ranked higher (Iran 52nd, Saudi Arabia 56th and Bahrain 70th) so this will be an excellent opportunity to get an idea of where the NZers are at in their preparations to the qualifiers in October/November.
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