Its Summer! - the Fever Cricket Thread. (Part 2)

How are the likes of Henry and Milne coming along? Heard that Henry is the better bowler? Sod I'd trade this WC for a couple of 5 match test series- one at home against Aussie would be mint...Or perhaps England...

I'm interested in Jeffs desire for consistency? Do you mean consistency of performance or consistency of results? I guess the two are linked.

In Test Cricket at the moment, there isn't a single team who puts out consistent results. Every team go through some pretty massive swings and roundabouts. South Africa get humped by Australia. Australia get humped away and are unbeatable at home. India can win at Lords and then don't look like they want to be in England after that. Pakistan are great at home but still can't win away. England are good at home and garbage away. Sri Lanka vary wildly home and away and within a series.

As I said in a post a page or two back, World Cricket doesn't have a stand out test side at the moment so there is bound to be inconsistency as everyone can beat everyone else on any given day.

what annoys me from a fans point of view about the black caps is that they have batters that are as good as anyone in world cricket in hitting a boundary but when we have to rotate the strike and work singles (which should be the easier of those two skills) we are found lacking, it's great to watch as almost the entire batting lineup are boom or bust and it does allow scores like this one - but if we get bowled out for 200 something in our next innings i won't be surprised.

Wellington playing Auckland in T20 final today

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/63909952/auckland-aces-through-to-domestic-t20-final-after-beating-knights

Well done the Firebirds.

No Jesse in the WC squad...

Yeah. Apparently he injured himself "at the gym"

Close finish to the odi at the moment. Should test our death bowling.

They sell beers at the gym?

Maybe "the gym" is the name of a nightclub?

Anyway, watched the last 20 overs of the ODI this morning. Pretty disappointing finish from our lads - had them 6 down with plenty to go but never really put any pressure on. 15 years ago needing more than a run a ball for 20 overs might seem like a big ask but with T20 and all it's really not much these days

really strange game. Out of it with the bat, Ross pulls us back. Get on top completely with the ball and then let it slip. Alderson in the Herald said that neither team would be unhappy with the whole situation as it got to test them in a few areas.

What are your guys thoughts on the final bowling group for WC? Can we take McLenaghan and Milne or just one of them?

I'd like to see them both there but if I had to choose I'd take Milne just for that extra pace, it adds another dimension to our attack

Didn't watch it. Just followed commentary online, but it seems our death bowling could have been better. Neesham with a couple of wides in the last 5 overs in particular was pretty average. Wonder if they thought about using N McCullum at the death instead?

Afridi is such a dangerous player though. One of those players that you'd never put money on, but can also take apart anyone on his day.

Mills couldn't hit his line at the death which is unusual for him.

I'd like to see Milne in the side, lack of genuine pace around the World at the moment (Johnson, Anderson and Steyne only?) and could catch a few people out on our wickets.

My World Cup XV

1. Guptil
2. Latham
3. Williamson
4. Taylor
5. B McCullum
6. Ronchi
7. Anderson
8. N McCullum
9. Southee
10. Mills
11. McClenaghan

Also: Vettori, Neesham, Elliot, Milen

Being home sick from work has given me the chance to watch some of the Aussie/India test. Looks like Michael Clarke has busted his back again. commentators seem to think it's pretty serious

Given the news about Williamson bowling today, I think Vettori will probably get the nod ahead of McCullum. Isn't most of the noise coming out of the camp suggesting that Baz will open? If that's the case I could see them swapping Latham and McCullum over, I quite like the idea of Grant Elliot but would be equally happy with a BJ Waitling in there as well at the 5 spot. I like the idea of an 'accumulator' in the middle of the Taylor/McCullum/Anderson/Ronchi aggression.

I seem to remember Elliot with a couple of performances in important games. A big match player is something we need even if he's out there having a chat while carrying the water. They seem keen on Guptil keeping that opening spot and playing the anchor but I think he's at his worst when not playing his shots. I'd really like to see Nathan McCullum in the side, I think he's been a top performer for NZ and adds the extra batting power and brilliant fielding inside the ring. Would be tough to leave him out. 

Epic innings from Clarke in the end. I'm no fan of the Aussies but these sort of narratives are what make test cricket such a great sport

Warne was harping on about what a great captain Clarke is and that he is the best in the world. Recent show of character aside, I think he's a very average Captain and think for tactics, use of resources and stepping up when needed you can't go past McCullum especially given he and MSD are the only captains who take care of all 3 formats of the game. At times MSD is very good as well but I think his captaincy suffers when his big guns don't come off. 

Warner is such a dick.

Healy too.  Big time.

I tried to base my batting technique on Martin Crowe.  This Aussie Smith guy has a technique that makes me want to throw up.

Warner's doing quite ok though!

Baz named the NZ Herald's Person of the Year.

Was thinking the other day, where would he rate on our all time batsmen now, considering his record in the last year especially? must be in the top bracket, behind Crowe, Turner, Sutcliffe etc. 

I think with Roscos record he now has a case to be placed next to the above group? 

If Smith's technique makes me puke...Kohli's technique is sick.  Potentially one of the greats.  Hope he can do this.

Dam it.

This is insufferable India, you chokers.

Decent win by BCs this morning. Good knock by Kane, and a few of the young bowlers (Milne especially) putting their hands up. Good to see.

So, why is this year's Boxing Day test in Christchurch? Hagley Park looks like a great cricket ground, but Boxing Day tests should be in Wellington! 

McCullum is fast turning into my 2nd favourite cricketer of all time.

Great knock from Baz so far. What a year he's had - first kiwi to 1000 test runs in a calendar year, first kiwi to a triple century, the two fastest test centuries by a kiwi, not to mention the other two double tons

Still doesn't win the toss enough.

I guess it is a test (pun not intended) to see how smoothly the game goes for 5 day in preparation for the CWC? That is my assumption but I do agree that the boxing day test should be in Wellington!