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This is going to be a shocker for my NZ friends

Started by clevermike5 REPLIES1,213 VIEWS· 18 Mar 2015, 20:38
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clevermike
Coach57,555 posts
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clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
18 Mar 2015, 20:38
#1
18 Mar 2015, 20:38#1

New Zealand is playing the Windies on Saturday in Wellington and if they beat them - which would be probable but not entirely certain - they will face SA in the semi-final ar\t Eden park on Tuesday next week.


NZ did very well in the Round-Robin phase of the WC  winning all their games.  Much was made of their win at Eden Park against Australia.   The fact is that aside from the SriLanka score this morning - that was the lowest score put up by ranked teams in the WC.   Admittedly the NZ bowlers did very well in that game - while the Aussie batsmen - the real weak link in their team - failed miserably.


Now lets look at the broader perspective.   New Zealand lost rather badly against SA when they played them in October last year in New Zealand.  On the other hand all seven top SA batsmen bar De Kock (this morning De Kock was well on his way to make one, but SriLanka scored too few runs) made centuries in round-robin WC matches and two of them are ranked as number 1 and 3 in the world rankings.


Even if the Eden Park pitch is treated to make it bowler-friendly - I am afraid  there still is a problem for the NZ team - SA has an exceptionally strong bowling line-up.  


All-in-all I foresee that New Zealand has a very small chance of winning that semi-final.               

3K
3ku1
Pro2,580 posts
3K
3ku1Pro2,580 posts
18 Mar 2015, 21:29
#2
18 Mar 2015, 21:29#2
 Yeah Yeah keep it coming Mike, we know your running scared of the Black Caps . SA played very well but I am still picking NZ to win this world cup, I can't explain it just a feeling . NZ has the best bowling attack in the world cup. But I think its smart not to make any predictions on the game until NZ win their QF. 
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clevermike
Coach57,555 posts
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clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
19 Mar 2015, 02:13
#3
19 Mar 2015, 02:13#3
 Luke
I am disputing two allegations: -
*   NZ has the best bowling attack in the WC - sorry my friend,  NZ has two good fast bowlers and an average spinner, the rest of the attack comprises of bit-bowlers; and
*   And you have two class batsmen - the rest are plain average.
NZ is a good side - but seriously vulnerable inasmuch as their top/good players are too limited.   
  
BL
bluebok
Pro3,977 posts
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bluebokPro3,977 posts
19 Mar 2015, 09:03
#4
19 Mar 2015, 09:03#4
Mike, you are forgetting one very important thing. Our boys seriously lack consistency! That is our biggest problem! On a good day our bowling attack can match New Zealand's, and our batting line-up is arguably the best in the world, but it is our consistency and our ability to win when it counts that is our biggest barrier. 
NZ does not have the best record against us, but they are the team to beat at the moment. I reckon a semi-final between RSA and NZ would be 50/50.
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clevermike
Coach57,555 posts
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clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
19 Mar 2015, 09:48
#5
19 Mar 2015, 09:48#5
 bluebok
There is one item that can play a massive role in the outcome and that is the pitch.  Pitches in NZ are specially prepared to fut their bowling attack and that si a problem for all teams - the Aussies found it out already.
I am not as worried as you are about the outcome of this match.   There are two things that would help in this regard, namely -
*  lasting longer as an opening batsman by Amla than he did in the last two matches; and
*  the maintenance of the form De Kock showed in the SriLanka match.
That would mean an acceptable or even high run rate and remove pressure from the middle order - where collapses have happened in the past because of an initial slow   run rate.   That has been the problem in both the 2007 and 2011 WC and has raised its head in the two matches we lost as well.
The key player in the latter regard is De Kock.  If he comes off and score a half-century or more - the game will inevitably be won by the Proteas.  De Kock had serious timing problems in the tournament thus far and overcame those yesterday.  Once he hits form - he is consistent and I am sure he will be again Tuesday what he was in the quarterfinal.            
BE
Beeno1
Captain40,032 posts
BE
Beeno1Captain40,032 posts
20 Mar 2015, 09:27
#6
20 Mar 2015, 09:27#6
 As long as the umpire is not a kiwi we are in with a decent chance. We dont want guys being given lbw off wides etc. Bwahahhahahahahahaha
But  Gayle may scupper nz dreams. NZ could crack under quarter finals pressure. Odds must beon kiwis beating WI but mental fragility may prove problematic.




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