Tri-Series 2007 Game 3: Flintoff leads English victory with 1 ball to spare
Usually in Australian Tri-series, it's the games not involving Australia that attract little interest. Ironically in this series, the opposite is true as England and New Zealand appear to be evenly matched and their games likely to end in thrillers. As did today as England won by 3 wickets with only 1 ball to spare in the final over. I don't plan to cover the England/NZ games quite as extensively as I mainly listen to them on the radio (apart from the run chase in the final overs) but a few things I did notice:
- New Zealand's batting. Both teams lacked confidence - England after 2 months of caning at the hands of the Aussies and New Zealand's awareness of their frail batting line-up. New Zealand crawled to 205 although England bowled well to restrict the scoring.
- Michael Vaughan's injury. When Vaughan pulled up with a sore leg in the field and later called for a runner while batting, English hearts must have sunk. The good news is he didn't reinjure his bad right knee. The bad news is he may have injured his left leg!
- Shane Bond's migraine. This is the second game in a row that a Kiwi frontline bowler has left the field with a migraine and not completed his overs. In such a tight game, where New Zealand's no-balls proved the difference, it's a big loss. Maybe the players should take headache pills before fielding.
- Flintoff's innings. Finally, Freddie did what he's famous for - taking England to victory. It was the stand out innings of the match, the only half century from both sides and very cool under pressure. Getting caught out in the 2nd last over may have killed England but fortunately the umpire correctly called the full toss no-ball.
- English victory. I was actually hoping England would win despite my Unwinnables prediction - we don't need an Australia/New Zealand final followed by the Chappell/Hadlee series a few days later. The manner of their victory would hardly inspire confidence, barely chasing down 205, but I'm sure they'll take any win. New Zealand will be a tougher prospect when they regain players such as Styris and Oram though.
| Posted by JC on Tue 16 Jan |  3 comments |
I am not an England fan at all, I love seeing Australia thrashing the poms and every other country too. However I am happy that Freddy Flintoff had a successful innings in game 3. I think he is a good sport. Think about how hard it would be to even go out on the field in the fourth Ashes test after losing three in a row and the Ashes title! He kept his chin up and put on a brave face throughout England's entire disastorous campaign, now he has something to show for his hard work, congratulations Freddy.
Posted by Chris on 2007-01-17 12:41:02
Posted by Chris on 2007-01-17 12:41:02
About time England!
Posted by TA on 2007-01-17 12:46:26
Posted by TA on 2007-01-17 12:46:26
I wonder if Freddie will be captain again if Vaughan is unavailable due to injury on Friday. I expect so and if so, wonder how that will affect his performance.
Posted by JC on 2007-01-17 13:18:09
Posted by JC on 2007-01-17 13:18:09
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