Tri-Series 2007 Game 9: New Zealand win in scrappy match

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I generally don't pay that much attention to the games without Australia. However, I confess a morbid curiosity to watching England play, like gawking at a car crash as you drive past. And the agony continued as New Zealand defeated England by 58 runs.

You knew England were going to have a poor day when they began with the news that injuries had ruled out James Anderson and Jon Lewis. The remaining bowlers sprayed the ball around, conceding 20 wides. The fielders dropped numerous chances. Even when they got it right such as Nixon stumping Taylor, the umpire neglected to go to the 3rd umpire - replays showed Taylor was out. The cricketing gods have truly turned their back on England.

As for New Zealand, their batting is clicking nicely with everyone pitching in. Stephen Fleming failed to contribute with the bat but at least he helped drive the team to the ground (read the comments). Lou Vincent continues his good start to the tour and Ross Taylor is developing some good form, scoring 71.

Apparently Stephen Fleming is right - Jacob Oram really is bullet proof. When New Zealand's innings began to stutter towards the end, he smashed 54 from 33 delivers - a strike rate even faster than his hundred against Australia. Oram's batting since he arrived in Australia has been Husseyesque - 241 runs off 3 innings with 1 dismissal and a strike rate well over 100. A handy guy to join the team mid-series (with Styris still to come). He helped New Zealand post 318, a score you'd have to think well beyond England's reach.

And so it was. England showed hints of good form. Ed Joyce scored his first substantial innings of the summer (indeed of his ODI career). Nixon contributed more than just cheerleading, scoring a quick fire 49. And most of the batsmen got starts. Unfortunately none of them could go on with it which was essential for victory. They fell short by 58 runs and yet 260 is their highest ODI score of the summer. It would've been a lot less if the Kiwis had held their catches - their fielding was diabolical tonight. Stephen Fleming seriously needs to address their catching problems - they could've been on top of the Tri-series table if they'd held all their catches against Australia.

Still, at least England didn't humiliate themselves like last week. I don't quite understand why the UK media committed collective hari-kari when they lost to New Zealand. The Black Caps are ranked #4, well above England. At least tonight England have already taken a first step on their goal of "improving". They've progressed from shambolic to merely insipid. They have to be happy about that.

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Posted by JC on Tue 30 Jan

6 comments

Your blog is getting popular! Number of comments has been on the increase. But you are a good writer australian bias notwithstanding: simple yet amusing.

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Posted by Amar on 2007-01-31 03:10:49

Watching the paint dry was boring and predictable. Seems the cricket was the same. Bet Nixon's innings was a little cameo when all was a lost cause.

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Posted by Dan Tas on 2007-01-31 08:26:12

"Simple yet amusing"... maybe that should be my slogan in the header :-)

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Posted by JC on 2007-01-31 09:13:20

Agreed, NZ need serious help with their catching and fielding. Maybe we should lend them Mike Young?? NAH. :)

Although the Joyce run-out was pretty neat.

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Posted by Timbo on 2007-01-31 10:14:59

I wonder if NZ do have a fielding coach. If so, dude should be sacked.

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Posted by JC on 2007-01-31 10:53:41

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