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Showing posts with label Kiwis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kiwis. Show all posts

Tuesday 25 October 2016

Ind v NEw Zealand ODI Series: Virat Masterclass Sinks Kiwis

#IndvNZ #ODI Series 2016
#Mohali, #Punjab

India Beat New Zealand by 7 Wickets in the 3rd #ODI #Match to take a 2-1 lead in the 5 match series.

Powered by #JimmyNeessham's super hitting in the final overs to sail New Zealand from a precarious 199 for 8 to 285 all out in 49.4 overs, the #Kiwis fancied their chances bowling under lights on a lively Mohali pitch.

They snuffed #AjinkyaRahane and #RohitSharma cheaply as well leaving India struggling at 52 for 2. In walked #Skipper #MSDhoni to join #ViratKohli. Slowly and steadily they began to maneuver the ship in direction safety. The no. 4 slot seems perfect for #MS since he can stablize and take the bowlers to the cleaners in the latter part of the #Innings. he did exactly that and added a valuable 150 partnership with Virat before being dismissed softly off Henry for a well made 80.

Virat on the other hand is increasing his #Chase reputation by the day. Cant remember India failing to chase a score when he has scored above 50. He is the bankable star for India in #Runchases and he did just that smashing his 26th ODI #Ton. A true masterclass to steer India to victory by 7 wickets.

All in all, a clinical victory for India as they head into the 4th ODI attempting to wrap the series.
The #BlackCaps need to find in all their reserves and assist their #Captain #KaneWilliamson salvage something from this horror tour for them.

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Sunday 9 October 2016

Ind v NZ Test Series - Kohli Double, Rahane Tons Flatten Kiwis On Day 2

#IndvNZ #TestSeries
#Indore
#TestMatch

Day 2: Stumps - New Zealand, 29 for 0 (9 overs) trail by 529 runs

Rahane and Kohli put India in control at the end of the first day of the third Test.
Rahane and Kohli put India in control at the end of the second day of the third Test. 

Day two of the third Test in Indore was studded with centuries from #Virat #Kohli and #Ajinkya #Rahane. The pair added 365 for the fourth wicket and en route broke a series of record, both personal and partnership ones. It was indeed a day to remember for the pair as India went through two sessions without losing a wicket.

The tiring New Zealand bowlers were punished as the duo kept collecting runs before Kohli fell in the first over after Tea for 211 while Rahane departed after for 188. Rohit Sharma then carted the bowlers away for a quick-fire half-century after which India soon declared for 557/5.

#Martin #Guptill and Tom Latham have started their innings strongly, seeing out the nine overs unscathed. New Zealand end with 28/0, with Guptill on 17 and Latham on 6.

#Rohit #Sharma came out all guns blazing with the intent of scoring quick runs. With #Jadeja, he added 53 runs in 59 balls before reaching his fifty in the bargain. India have done enough to last them across both innings.

Penalty: 
Ravindra Jadeja runs straight down the wicket. That, after a prior warning. A five-run penalty has been levied. 

Records tumbling: 
Kohli's 193* is the second highest by an Indian captain against New Zealand in Tests. Only Sachin Tendulkar's 217 in Ahmedabad in 1999 is higher.

New best scores: 
Kohli now has his second-best Test score, surpassing 169. Rahane, too, crosses his previous-best Test score of 147, getting to a score of 150-plus for the first time in Test cricket.

The last time two non-openers scored 150-plus in the same innings for India was Ganguly (239) & Yuvraj (165) vs Pakistan in Bangalore in 2007.

Kohli and Rahane surpass the Ganguly-Tendulkar stand of 281 to now being the second-highest against New Zealand in Tests. 

Century twins: 
After Kohli got to his century yesterday, Ajinkya Rahane scored his eighth Test century, his third at home, on the second day. Albeit increasing trouble against the short ball, he has emerged a winner. 

#LIVE #Score
India 557 for 5 decl
New Zealand 28/0 (9.0 Ovs)
Guptill  17 (30)

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Tuesday 15 March 2016

#WT20 - Ind v NZ - Group 2 Opener pits heartthrobs vs favorites

#WT20
#Ind v #NZ
Group 2 Match
VCA Ground, Nagpur
15th Mar 2016

The serious end of #WT20 starts today with hearthobs Kiwis take on tournament favorites India in a Group 2 game at Nagpur. The odds are heavily stocked in favor of India with their form, balance and spin. They are the team to beat at this T20 World Cup.

Having said that, the Kiwis have come on the back of some really excellent performances vs Australia and will look to surprise the hosts with a mighty challenge. Their batting has the firepower to blast bowling attacks away and bowlers can run through batting lineups. Coupled to that their fielding is exemplary and could eventually be the deciding factor in this game.

Captain Kane Williamson will need to lead their team from the front to tackle the Indian spinners (Ashwin, Jadeja, Harchajan, etc). There in lies their Achilles Heel and India will look to take full advantage on that front. In absence of the just retired great Brendon McCullum (#Baz), Guptill, Taylor, Anderson, Elliott will have to bat out of their skin to pose challenge to this renewed India bowling lineup led by veteran Ashish Nehra and slinger boy Jasprit Bumrah (who has pleasantly surprised everyone with his yorkers and death bowling).

India on the other hand look balanced both with the ball and bat. The batting top order has been batting like a dream (Dhawan, Rohit and Virat) and thats helping build or chase large totals easily. The middle order (though low on practice due to the top order show) including Yuvraj, Raina, Dhoni can single handedly win games for their side. Rahane's solidity and Jadeja's all round ability make this a very formidable unit.

So, what will happen at Nagpur?
India's spin or Kiws' agility
India's top order or NZ middle order?

Looks interesting.
Let the #Wt20 begin!!

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Sunday 29 March 2015

LIVE - Australia Cruising To 5th World Cup Crown

#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015

#MichaelClarke and #StevenSmith have strung a calm and steady partnership to surge ahead in this #CWC15 Final at the #MCG.

Looks like the inevitable is round the corner.

Clarke, under immense pressure, when he came in, soaked in tidy bowling and then opened up to deliver a superb innings. Fitting for grand finale to end a grand ODI career in style.

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
NZ: 183 all out
AUS: 152 for 2, 30 overs

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LIVE - Great Start For Aus, Kiwis Show Intensity

#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015

After a minor hiccup upfront (#AaronFinch spooned c and b Boult), #DavidWarner has decided to run riot in this chase smashing boundaries and taking the Kiwi bowlers ON.

Kiwis tried everything to break his partnership with #StevenSmith but he raced away hitting boundaries to Boult, Southee and Henry.

He edged one to second slip but it was just removed a ball earlier and he scored a boundary there. It was all going for him, but #MarkHenry induced a false pull shot to claim his wicket at a time when the game was beginning to slip away.

NZ have regrouped again and put fierce pressure on #MichaelClarke with a 7-2 field.
His edge flew through the two short covers.

SteveSmith was even luckier. His inside edge hit the stumps but didn't dislodge the bails. 

A lot happening at the MCG. But, still Asutralia's game to win.
Kiwis are going to need something special to pull back this one!

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
NZ: 183 all out
Aus: 69 for 2, 15 overs

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LIVE - Clinical Aussies Decimate Kiwis - 183 All Out

#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015

From a seemingly good position, NZ slumped from 150 for 3 in 30 overs to 183 all out in 44.5 overs.
Australian bowlers and fielders stepped up the plate and produced fantastic spells to blow the Kiwi middle and lower orders.

The bowling spells by the Australians speak for themselves
#MitchellStarc - 2 wickets
#MitchellJohnson - 3 wickets
#JamesFaulkner - 3 wickets
#GlennMaxwell - 1 wickets

#GrantElliott was the only NZ batsman that put up a brave show with 83 off 82 balls.

Can the Kiwis defend this? They have the fire power but do they have the intent now after this poor batting show. Did they crack under the occasion? or the Aussies were just too good?

The next one hour will be an indicator of how the match goes.
Just feel, there is another twist somewhere. Dont count these Kiwis out, just yet! 

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
NZ: 183 all out, 44.5 overs

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LIVE - Quick Wickets In Powerplay Put Australia On Top Again

#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015

#JamesFaulkner has turned the game back in Australia's favor in the batting powerplay.

After 35 overs, NZ were comfortably placed at 150 for 3 and looking to unleash in the last 15.
Taylor and Elliott looking good and established would have hoped to push on but Faulkner had different plans.

35.1 - A slower one outside off, Taylor stretching to push it through cover, takes an edge and caught behind. There was some confusion whether the ball bounced off the bat or went to Haddin's gloves on the bounce? The third umpire confirmed, it was a valid catch.

35.2 - #CoreyAnderson blocked his first delivery.

35.3 - Ball swings outside Anderson's edge and knocks off stump out of the ground.

Then #MitchellStarc got into action and got another one

36.2 - Outside off, fish and catch at first slip.

From 150 for 3, NZ slumped to 151 for 6.
Extraordinary comeback from Australia.

#GrantElliott has to herald this NZ innings now with help of the bowlers starting with #DanielVettori. Exciting last 10 overs to start now.

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
NZ: 165 for 6, 40 overs

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LIVE - Kiwis Fightback Through Elliott Taylor Partnership

#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015

#GrantElliott has walked in with purpose and continued from his amazing performance vs SA in the semi final. He has brought life back into this deflated NZ innings and taking the attack to the Australians.

A moment spurred that intent.
#GlennMaxwell spun a delivery, rapped him on the pads, appealed and was given out by umpire Dharmasena. He and Taylor consulted, took the umpire's review and won it in his favour Decision reversed. 

Since then he has relaxed and playing very freely rubbing that attitude on the struggling Taylor too. He's just completed his 50 and the partnership seems to be gaining momentum. 

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
121 for 3 in 30 overs

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LIVE - Australia All Over New Zealand 55 for 3 in 17 overs

#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015

Australia well and truly on top here at the MCG in the big #CWC15 final 
They have NZ in all kinds of trouble.

After Starc castled McCullum in the very first over for nought, the pressure has never relented.

#GlennMaxwell bowled #MartinGuptill with an innocuous delivery.
Bad shot selection after he had done all the hard work of seeing the new ball away and getting himself in.

#MitchellJohnson, not to be left behind, caught and bowled the struggling #KaneWilliamson to put Australia well and truly on top.

#RossTaylor and #GrantElliott at the crease and they need to rebuild. 

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
NZ: 70 for 3, 21 overs

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LIVE - Starc Wins Battle Vs McCullum, Bowled For Nought

#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015

What a start to this BIG #CWC15 final!!

Battle within battle - #Starc vs #McCullum upfront.
McCullum decides to attack Starc from ball 1
Swing and a miss
Swing and a miss
Bowled 'im - Off stump castled by a peach of a yorker.

McCullum out for nought, facing just three balls.
Starc's stunning consistency with the ball continues.
He is ecstatic, his team is jubilliant, the #MCG erupts.

Huge blow for New Zealand.
They have to quickly regroup and start over again.

#MartinGuptill and #KaneWilliamson at the crease.
#Starc on the move. He's probing and probing for wickets.

#LIVE #CRICKET #SCORE
NZ: 22 for 1, 6 overs

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LIVE - New Zealand Win Toss, Bat First In the Big Final vs Australia

#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015

What a day!
What a huge toss in the BIG final...

.... and New Zealand have won it.
#BrendonMcCullum called "Heads" and the coin spun to "Heads" and without hesitation he decided to bat first. A good wicket, get runs on the board and put Australia under pressure under lights in a run chase. WOW! This is amazing..

Aussie skipper, #MichaelClarke, who just announced his retirement from ODIs after this world cup will look to make this a memorable last hurrah. His team owes him one! And if there is one team that can chase wonderfully, its Australia. So, its a great toss for NZ to win and bat first.

Both teams going with unchanged squads for this game.

Look forward to the Starc vs McCullum and Johnson vs Guptill duel upfront.
No rain threats, beautiful weather ,,. Lets rock n roll!

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Final - Man to Man Comparison Between Aus And NZ

#New Zealand vs #Australia
#MCG
29th Mar 2015

Very little to choose from when you compare the probable 11 players from each side, man to man.
Take a look

Aus v NZ

Batsmen
David Warner vs Brendon McCullum (Explosive openers both. McCullum has edge on form)
Aaron Finch vs Martin Guptill (Attacking openers. Guptill ahead on form)
Steven Smith vs  Kane Williamson (both vice captains and solid technique. Smith ahead on form)
Michael Clarke vs Ross Taylor (Clarke far ahead in terms of technique, but same levels on form) 
Shane Watson vs Grant Elliott (Struggled earlier in the tournament but getting their bearings and acts at the right moment now. Even out each other)
Glenn Maxwell vs Corey Anderson (Explosion guaranteed. Maxwell destructive but Anderson is constructive. Even out each other)

Wicketkeeper/Batsmen
Brad Haddin vs Luke Ronchi (Can tonk the ball around, not much ooportunities for both so far, Haddin slightly ahead on experience)

Bowlers/Allrounders
Josh Hazlewood v  Mark Henry (Newcomers - even out each other)
MitchellJohnson vs Tim Southee (Speedy with the ball, Handy with the bat - Johnson slightly ahead)
Mitchell Starc vs Trent Boult (Super speed, swing and control - Even out each other)
James Faulkner vs Daniel Vettori (Cannot compare but Vettori way ahead in that spin department and can be the difference in NZ winning or losing this final)

Its amazing how close this is man to man.
Nothing much to choose from. Its all to play for at the #MCG.
Let the Trans-Tasman war begin...

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Saturday 28 March 2015

The Big Day - Aus v NZ - Who Will Win The World Cup?

Battle of the hosts for the coveted ‪#‎CWC15‬ crown

Who will prevail? 


Australia led by Pup Michael Clarke and formidable batting/bowling side 
OR 
New Zealand led by the charismatic Brendon McCullum and his pack of hungry tigers?

How does it look?
- Home advantage to Aus while form advantage to NZ
- Bowling - NZ superior due to overall balance (spin + seam)

- Batting - Australia slightly superior overall
- Fielding - At par, 
- Match winners - at par
- Captains - McCullum slight edge over Clarke on individual form

Will the #MCG pose a big challenge to the Kiwis? Remember they are the only team that has not played on Australian grounds in this #CWC15. Could that bring about their downfall? The New Zealand grounds are pale shadow of the Australian grounds in terms of their size, magnitude and imposing presence on the players. Kiwis have to contend with that on the biggest day of their cricketing careers. If they overcome that, they are in for a bull fight with the Aussies.

Will lack of quality spin hurt Australia? Remember, Australia were brilliantly thwarted at Eden Park by that magical spell from #DanielVettori when they seemed settled for a big one! #TrentBoult just nailed them later to dismiss them for 151. #RaviAshwin troubled them in the semis as well. This could just be Dan "the man" Vettori's day and his last hurrah for New Zealand. 

WOW.. the margins are so close! 


WHO WILL WIN THE CUP?

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Saturday 21 March 2015

CWC15 - Can Windies Stop The Kiwi Juggernaut?

#NewZealand vs #WestIndies
#Wellington
21st Mar 2015

After three quarterfinals going according to predictions made, and fairly easy wins for South Africa, India and Australia, New Zealand look to seal their berth for a semi final against the Proteas at Eden Park in Auckland on 25th Mar 2015.

The Kiwis have been on a roll, winning all their matches in Pool A and topping it.
Their batsmen are in good shape , fielding as always electric but its their bowling that has undone most teams at this #CWC15 including the mighty Australians. They will look to carry forward their good form into the quarters and win this game easily against a side that can be best described as mercurial.

West Indies have been scratchy, shoddy at times (Ireland beat them), and just about managed to scrape through to the next stage courtesy a good game against UAE and yet had to wait for the outcome of the IRL v Pak match to decide whether they go through?

While Brendon McCullum has been in supreme attacking form for the Kiwis, Chris Gayle has struggled big time for the West Indies. Kiwi bowling has been terrific and all round, WI have been patchy at best.

The other day Windies captain #JasonHolder commented "if we play 25% better cricket than now, we will beat New Zealand". When is that performance coming Jason? and 25% better play isnt good enough against this NZ side. You need to play 200% better to defeat them.

All in all, a one sided affair in the offing, unless Gayle pulls out a rabbit out of the hat or Holder-Taylor bowl out of their skins to destroy the Kiwi batting.

Game starts shortly. 

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Saturday 28 February 2015

CWC 2015 - NZ Win But Australia Take Bow - What A Fightback

#NZ v #Aus
#LIVE #Cricket #Score
28th Feb 2015

#EdenPark, #Auckland

You DO NOT take Australia lightly. You cannot nail them all the way in both innings of a one day match. They will not lose their belief. They will fight hard until the last ball.

Well, New Zealand just found that out today in the biggest Pool A match here at Eden Park, Auckland. 

Earlier in the day, the Kiwis had steamrolled the Aussies in an amazing burst of speed and spin bowling by #TrentBoult and #DanielVettori. Australia bundled out for 151. From 80 for 1, they slipped to 106 for 9 before #BradHaddin and #PatCummins hung around to take the score to something they could bowl at.

Boy, did they bowl well? and how well did #MitchellStarc bowl? 
NZ kickstarted their batting with #MartinGuptill smashing 11 runs of the first legitimate ball of their run chase. A boundary off the hip off a no-ball. The proceeding #Freehit was dispateched over long on fence for a towering six. #MitchellJohnson, the hapless bowler. 

#BrendonMcCullum continued in the same vein of form he has brought into this #CWC15 with a blistering 50 off 24 balls. His fall led to a mini collapse for the Kiwis triggered by #MitchellStarc.

Suddenly from 78 for 1, they were 79 for 4. Taylor and Elliot out off consecutive Starc deliveries.
#CoreyAnderson survived the hattrick ball but Australia sensed they could push through this Kiwi middle and lower order.

Anderson and #KaneWilliamson ensured there was no further damage and carried the score past 130 without too many hiccups. NZ victory in sight. 22 runs to win. 

Just as everyone looked relaxed and yet another big-team game going down a one-sided path, drama began to unfold. This is where the Aussies are so proficient and their tenacity and ability to bounce back from hopeless situations comes to the fore. 

A bowling change accounted for Corey. #GlennMaxwell got his man with his dibbly spinners.
131 for 5. Easy victory still in sight with Williamson settling down at the other end.

But, Starc had different ideas.

To begin with, he induced an edge from #LukeRochi
139 for 6

#PatCummins chipped in with the wicket of #Vettori shortly,
145 for 7

Things beginning to get uncomfortable for the Kiwis given their tail didnt have to bat much in this World Cup so far. In walked #AdamMilne to a crowded Australian field. They hustled up to the NZ batsmen knowing pressure was on.

Starc cashed in on that big time uprooting Milne's stumps for a blob.
146 for 8

The very next ball, #TimSouthee got a taste of his own medicine when his wickets were broken by a scorching Starc delivery for nought.
146 for 9

Dear o dear ....

Can New Zealand lose this one now?
Had Australia completed their Houdini escape?

Kane Williamson stranded at the other end watching  #TrentBoult walking in with the weight of the world on his shoulders (he had bowled beautifully for his 5-For to set up this easy run chase and now here he was needing to score 5 runs or atleast block a couple of deliveries from the rampaging Starc)  

Starc steamed in for a second time in the game on a #hattrick, but Boult survived pretty comfortably. Huge roar from the crowd. Another ball to survive though. 

#MichaelClarke made field changes for the last ball of Starc's over to avoid a boundary. Plan was set to trap Boult through a full ball but he sprayed the ball wide, a wasted delivery and chance to seal a famous win for Aus.

Over changed and so did NZ fortunes.
For starters, the well set Williamson was on strike but 5 runs was still an ask. He needed to farm the strike well. Pat Cummins the bowler. Field set inside out to avoid boundaries and doubles. Kane had a plan and Pat's inexperience at the death showed as he bowled a full length delivery. Williamson freed himself of the wickets, created room and smashed the bowl over the bowler's head straight down the ground for a SIX!

The Eden Park erupted, NZ batsmen ecstatic while Aussies disappointed. Amazing scenes.
NZ won by 1 wicket in hand and 161 balls to spare (just goes to show if Australia had scored another 15-20 runs more, the story could have been different)

Good game ... made extraordinary by Australia and their never-say-die spirit.
Take a bow! This is how you defend low scores. This is how you fight when the chips are down.
You may lose but you walk off head held high. This is the ultimate sports team!

Man of the Match: Trent Boult for his 5-For. If he had scored those 5 runs, am sure he'd have ranked them above the five wickets he took :)

NZ - 4 wins from 4 games - 8 points
Aus - 1 win from 3 games - 3 points

Opens up Pool A beautifully now.
Things hotting up for the QF berths at the #CWC15.

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CWC 2015 LIVE - Feeling the Buzz Already - Aus v NZ

#Aus v #NZ , #EdenPark, #Auckland
28th Feb 2015

The Australia v NewZealand game looks to be living to its reputation.
The game has just started but you can feel the buzz ... an intensity at a different level.
Hope it remains that way and match lives up to its huge billing.

Australia have won the toss and elected to bat first.

After 11 overs, they are 70 for 1.
#DavidWarner and #ShaneWatson at the crease just getting their eyes in.

#AaronFinch bowled by #TimSouthee.

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Friday 20 February 2015

CWC 2015 LIVE - Tim Southee Rips Through England

#England v #New Zealand, #Wellington

#TimSouthee has caused mayhem in the English ranks.

He is ripping into England middle order in an inspired spell of #swingbowling. (7 For 35 in 10 overs)
and he's not finished yet. England look finished though ... All out for 123


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Thursday 19 February 2015

CWC 2015 - Biggest Match For England At The World Cup

#England v #NewZealand at #Wellington, 20th Feb 2015


Its been 32 years since England defeated New Zealand in a World Cup game.
That goes back to 1983 edition when they won a group match against the Kiwis.
Since then, they have been at the receiving end in 1992, 1996 and 2007.

Having lost to #Australia at the #MCG in their first game of the tournament, and pretty convincingly to say the least, the Englishmen have their task cut out. They have run into the other co-host of this tournament early in the competition, NZ are top form and their batting is on fire, the conditions will suit the home team and bowling looks equally balanced too. On the fielding front lets put both teams at par.

Given this situation, they have to really perform very well and win this game to entertain qualifying for the quarter finals with a high position in the group. Remember the lower you finish in your group, you would need to face a top team from the other!

England's batting seems to be their biggest problem at the moment. The bowlers are doing OK. Neither have they been able to chase well nor set competitive totals for their bowlers to defend.

#EoinMorgan needs to get his playing eleven and batting line-up sorted out immediately. #Ballance for #Bopara in the previous game was a good choice? Maybe .. maybe not!

#IanBell at the top needs to do bulk of the scoring to set foundation for an English win. #JamesTaylor seems to be the only one who is prepared to work it out and play a long innings. #Butler, #Root, Morgan all need to pull up their socks.

For the #Kiwis, their batting looks really solid.
#Mccullum and #Guptill at the top can be devastating. If not, #Williamson can dig deep and build the long innings. #RossTaylor, #CoreyAnderson and #LukeRonchi can tonk the ball all over the place if the game is in their zone! Very solid stuff this. This type of a lineup should score 300+ in almost every game unless they decide to throw things away (like they almost did in that game against #Scotland)

In the bowling department, its #JamesAnderson, #StuartBroad and #StevenFinn vs #TrentBoult, #AlanMilne, #TimSouthee and #KyleMills.

It all starts in a few hours at the #Westpac Staudium in #Hamilton...
May the best team win!

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Tuesday 3 February 2015

Australia vs New Zealand 1996 World Cup Quarter Final

Defining Moments of #ICCWorldCup

Aus v NZ , 1996, Quarterfinal (Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai)

Traditional rivals and battle of the Trans Tasmanians.

In the sweltering heat of Chennai, the two teams clashed for a place in the semifinals against the West Indies. Australia were the clear favorites to go through to the next round. But the Kiwis had different ideas. 

From a shaky start, the Kiwis plundered the Aussie attack to all parts of the park  through captain #LeeGermon and #ChrisHarris (who played the innings of his international career that day). They crossed the 200 mark undr 35 overs and it looked like they would easily cross 300.

Thats when Germon holed out in the deep, Harris followed suit and the innings derailed. In the end, NZ scored 288 in their stipulated 50 overs. A challenging score nonetheless.

In reply, the Aussies started very cautiously trying to hold wickets but lost Taylor in the process.
#RickyPonting and #MarkWaugh progressed steadily to 80 before Ponting was caught the deep in the 20th over. This meant the required scoring rate had gone very high (around 7 runs for per over!)

This is when Australia threw their first dice.
#ShaneWarne promoted up the order as a pinch hitter to get the momentum going.
And he did just that. He scored 26 rapid fire runs and got the innings going again before getting out to #DionNash. Yet, Australia were far from safety and looking down the barrel.

In walked the other twin, #SteveWaugh. He along with Mark staged an unbelievable come back in the game. Steve at his dogged best and Mark at his fluidic best launched into the Kiwi bowling. A lot of evening dew didn't help the Kiwis either. Am sure they rued scoring atleast 30 runs less on that track and the position they were in!   

Mark Waugh completed a wonderful century (110) to sniff  out the Kiwi challenge. One of the best one day knocks chasing a big total! StuartLaw and Steve completed the formalities and Australia chased down the score with an over to spare!

Turning points:
 - Lee Germon's wicket in the Kiwi innings derailed their progress
 - Shane Warne's counter attacking innings got Australia much needed momentum
 - Mark Waugh took the cake by producing one the best one day knocks of all time!

Full highlights of the game here...