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

I like the romance of an ANZAC final - especially this year.

Then, we dick them.

Thought's on Matthew Hayden's comments about the MCG being too big for NZ?

• Aussie seem to think they are already in the final. I think India will beat them.
• NZ will adapt to the MCG boundaries. I don't see any Aussie batsmen who are significantly bigger hitters than the Black Caps. McCullum can out hit Warner, Anderson can out hit Maxwell, Ronchi can out hit Haddin.
• NZers have played a lot on small grounds recently, sure, but enough of them play in the IPL/Big Bash etc to know what they are walking into.

Hayden has an opinion just like everyone else. From the people I have met this week, not one has thought that they will beat India. You are just getting sucked in my one newspaper hype.

Not sure I mentioned any other media, player or commentator in relations to points 2 or 3.

Point 1 was my own opinion leading into the points he discussed. 

Hayden also said that the South African bowlers would have posed more of a threat to Australia than our attack. Short memory he's got...

lol... troll be trolling - bait be baited.

Unless he believes Morkel along with a crocked Steyn and Philander would have skittled them for under 100. Which would be piss funny if i'm honest.

Meh...genuine interest in people's opinion on Hayden's comments. Not sure if you're referring to Hayden or Leggy being the troll here but either way, their points are...off the mark.

#MCGsobig. Best thing i've seen on Twitter in ages.

Yup, got about 7 or 8 in myself so far. Excellent fun.

Apparently 70% of the tickets to this game went to Indians. Warner got booed as the teams were announced. Lol

Have you guys heard Hayden's commentary?  

Aussie boofhead bogan!

Anyone got a stream for the AUS v IND game?

Top innings from Steve Smith.

Karl Stefanovic, what a cock.

Great news report from halfway through our semi. 

Looks like we're versing OZ in the final.

Big momentum shift comrade

And bring back the cheese, please

...and this collapse from Aussie is exactly why it's stupid that people were claiming that D/L system screwed the Saffers the other night. Just because a team is going well at one point doesn't mean they will definitely get a huge score. 

Indians need a ton from Sharma, Kohli etc...Could be a cracking run-chase !!

I'm amazed by this. Probably a stupid question but how is this possible?

Think India will win this.

I'm picking you've changed your mind already.

Max Walker re-incarnated? (The 12th Man version)

Two best teams are in the final. Bring on Sunday!!!

Please Lord,

Allow NZ victory this Holy Sunday.  You answered my Bahrain prayers.  Please answer them again for a sweet success.

Amen.

'STRAYA!!!

Looking forward to a great final... hoping the Aussies don't bottle it and get rolled for 1-fiddy odd (lol).

We have the entire cricketing world behind us against those pricks on Sunday. No-one wants to see them win.

Few tickets for sale through the official resale website (means you'll pay face value too). Probably be more up for grabs over the next couple of days from Indian fans who don't want to go anymore.

Ha ha Buffy. Doubt that comment is completely correct. Most people are not as bigoted as you towards Australia.

I'm with Buffy, I think pretty much every cricket fan outside Australia will be rooting for us. Not necessarily because the Aussies are pricks (although if you read the comments under cricket stories in different parts of the web I think you'll find a lot of dislike for the Aussie team) but because we're the underdogs and we've never won the cup before.

NZ vs AUS Man for Man match ups (this isn't a Tinder thing...)

Aware Maxwell/Watson/Clarke float...just comparing like for like players as best i can.

1. McCullum vs Warner - on form and destruction, McCullum takes out this one. The start he got us vs RSA was as matchwinning as Elliott's efforts.
2. Guptill vs Finch - again, based on form, easy to pick Guppy. If not for Taylor he was just getting into his work vs RSA onthe back of two centuries, one of course a double.
3. Williamson vs Smith - I'll go with Smith winning this contest based on the fact NZ bowlers may struggle with his 'unique' batting style. Kane is due though so it's a slim win by Smith.
4. Taylor vs Clarke - haven't seen much from either of them. Taylor is out of touch but working hard and Clarek hasn;t had to add much this World Cup. If early wickets fall, I'd pick Clarke over Taylor at the moment.
5. Elliott vs Watson - Watson has found some form of late as well as some power hitting but riding the crest of reaching cult status in NZ, Elliott will win this contest. Seems to have a knack for the big occassions (CWC Semi, Champs League Semi, Firebirds T20 win)
6. Anderson vs Maxwell - tough one here. Maxwell may edge it on the batting at the moment but Anderson edges it on the bowling and he's developing maturity game by game. Calling this one for Maxwell based on his current confidence.
7. Ronchi vs Haddin - Ronchi was in imperious pre-World Cup form but hasn't really fired yet and both Haddin and Ronchi haven't been in the best keeping form, although not awful form either. Both are great finishers on their day but I think Haddin edges this one.
8. Vettori vs Faulkner - on the "huge" MCG boundaries Vettori's bowling and unique brand of batting could prove to be immensely useful. Faulkner is a big hitter and a potential game winning but hasn't had enough game time to really make a difference. Win to Vettori.
9. Southee vs Johnson - both angry, both talented and both playing second fiddle in the bowling line up which they may not like. The pace of Johnson won't trouble the NZers who seem to enjoy that ball onto the bat BUT his in your face style may rattle some cages. Likewise Southee who may get a bit of swing at the MCG to aid his case. A tie here.
10. Henry vs Hazlewood - don't know enough to make an educated call here but I'm going to say Henry will have a Beaver moment and prove to be a brilliant call to arms for Hesson.
11. Boult vs Starc - against any other bowler, these two would walk a win. The two form bowlers of the tournament separated by just 1 wicket. A tie.

Cap: McCullum vs Clarke - Clarke knows how to win and win a lot. McCullum is just getting used to that but has superior tactics so far, McCullum also have the undivided attention of the dressing room whereas you get the feeling Australia are just one bit of pressure away from internal meltdown. McCullum takes this battle.

Only Australians will be supporting Australia. Nobody else likes the Australian cricket team, and we are everyone's second team. It's good vs evil.

I just hope it's 'Return of the Jedi' and not 'Empire Strikes Back'

LOL

• Steve Smith has played against NZ twice and has an average of 4.00
• David Warner vs NZ 3 times and has an average of 14.33
• Michael Clarke vs NZ 11 times and has an average of 58.78
• Glenn Maxwell vs NZ 2 times and has an average of 30.00 thanks to a not out
• Aaron Finch vs NZ 1 time and has an average of 14.00
• Shane Watson vs NZ 17 times and has an average of 45.83
• Brad Haddin vs NZ 16 times and has an average of 46.13

• Mitchell Johnson vs NZ 21 times 31 wickets @ 29.70
• Mitchell Starc vs NZ 1 time 6 wickets @ 4.66

That's a parody account. Actually quite a funny one though (which is unusual).