The Ascent of NZ Cricket

[TheDevil666]

ODI Series Preview

After the defeats in the tests we turn our attention to the 3 match ODI series against SL. This is our last batch of ODI games before the World Cup. On paper, we're the better team, our ranking is 4 theirs is 6. Below is our 15 man squad for the series.

[TheDevil666]

First ODI

Here are the teams for the first ODI against Sri Lanka.



As you can see we have 3 players making their debuts but I hope they can rise to the challenge. We lost the toss and were put into bat. If I won the toss I would have done this anyway so I'm not too disappointed.

NZ Innings

First ball of the series Brendon McCullum whacked the ball for 4. He couldn't continue that though as he was out LBW to Malinga in the very next over. Malinga swiftly removed the other opener as well to leave us 20/2 off 4 overs. McIntosh and Guptill both got starts but were removed soon after. Then Taylor was bowled so we were 80-5. Thankfully, Jesse Ryder and James Franklin steadied the ship. Franklin was doing very well until he nicked one behind and was caught by the wicket keeper. Malinga yorked Ryder on 60 odd and it was thanks to some late hitting by Daniel Vettori that NZ posted a score of 243-7.



SL Innings

One thing about Sri Lanka is they have a long tail. So long in fact that if you take 5 wickets you expose it. Arnel and Southee kept it tight at the start. Just 34 runs were conceded in the opening 10 overs, admittedly for no wickets. Vettori could have changed that but he dropped a caught and bowled chance. He made up for that in the next over though when he caught Tharanga out off a Franklin delivery. By the 20 over stage SL were 87-1. Tuffey bowled Sangakarra on 55 just when he was beginning to hit out. He did even better to bowl Mathews who was on 46 off 41. Tuffey and Franklin took a wicet apiece and SL were on 157-5 but more importantly we were into the tail. By the time 40 overs had gone SL were 197-6 needing just 47 off 10 overs. Kapudgera (the last recognised batsman) hit a run-a-ball 43 to move them within 8 runs of victory but then he edged one to the keeper. SL needed 8 runs off 3 overs with one wicket left. Murali hit a four then saw out the rest of the over. Malinga hit a single to move them to 3 runs but it was Southee who would prove to be the hero as he bowled Murali to seal victory by an incredible 2 runs!





This is my first victory for NZ since I beat SL in the World Twenty20. Who would have thought victory would be possible at 80-5?

[TheDevil666]

Second ODI

We know that a win would seal the series and give us a world rating points boost of 1. Now that might not sound like a lot but that would move us joint 3rd with India!



I won the toss and invited SL to bat first.

SL Innings

Tim Southee took the only wicket of the first 10 overs and SL strolled to 37-1. Tharanga was upping the tempo for SL and we were very glad when James Franklin knocked out his off stump. In the next over Vettori trapped Mathews LBW and SL were 95-3 off 21 overs. SL moved along steadily to 188-4 off 40 overs, Vettori being expensive. Southee then took a flurry of wickets (6 in total) but SL completed a total of 247 all out. I believe we can chase that down.



NZ Innings

We needed to make a good start and that we did getting to 25 without loss after 5 overs. Sadly we lost McCullum in the next over. 29-1. SL kept trying to chip away with wickets and at the 15 over stage the game was interestingly poised with the score at 88-3. Guptill brought up his half century shortly after and it came off just 30 balls. Guptill just kept going along with Ryder. Ryder went after getting a good start. Guptill departed not long after for 98 off 66 balls a phenomenal effort. By that time we were 187-5 off just 32 overs. We were surely there. But you can never predict anything in this sport. Franklin went early and Taylor and Vettori were out there and the only recognised batsman left. They were being choked by SLs bowlers. We needed 24 off the last 3 overs. We looked dead and buried when Taylor was out but Tuffey (of all people) hit two fours in the penultimate over. We needed 9 off the last over.

49.1:Mendis to Vettori, OUT, New Zealand's last recognised batsman goes and that is surely that. 9 to get off just 5 balls, 2 wickets left.

49.2:Mendis to Southee, no run, Southeetakes a massive swing and misses. 9 needed off 4.

49.3:Mendis to Southee, no run, Southeetakes a massive swing and misses. 9 needed off 3.

49.4:Mendis to Southee, OUT, Southee hits one straight back to Mendis ad is caught.

49.5:Mendis to Arnel, no run, Arnel connects but can only find the fielder.

49.6:Mendis to Arnel, OUT, Amazing bowling by Mendis to trap Arnel in front. Sri Lanka win by 8 runs.





What can I say? We were going at a canter when it all fell apart. One more to play, the decider!

[TheDevil666]

3rd ODI

Just the one change for us then. Daniel Flynn comes in for McCullum. Watling takes the gloves.



I win the toss and decide to field first.

SL Innings

What a start! Southee strikes in the first over. 1/1! After that it all goes wrong. SL move along at 7 an over. By the 20 over stage they are 138-2. We try, unsuccesfully to apply the brakes. Watling (our new WK) drops 6 catches! SL post 304-6 in the end. It looks like the series has got away from us.



NZ Innings

Well we were never going to do it, were we? We lost by 70 runs but gave it a good go. Daniel Flynn and Daniel Vettori both hit half-centuries but it wasn't enough. we lost the series, 2-1.

[TheDevil666]

Twenty20 International

One more game before the World Cup. A Twenty20 against Sri Lanka. I've already beaten them once before at this form of the game, I'm confident I can do it again. Brendon McCullum is WK, before anyone asks.



I win the toss and bat first hoping to get a score of 170.

NZ Innings

The openers put on a stand of 38 in 6 overs before McIntosh is bowled for 15. We needed to up the tempo. McCullum brought up his 50 as we got to 82-2 off 12 overs. We just couldn't get the tempo up and we lost regular wickets which didn't help. We limped to an uninspiring 136-5.



SL Innings

We took a wicket in the very 1st over but after that Tharanga hit 71 to see SL home easily.

[ab5ides1]

Fantastic story, but one piece of advice. Never ever ever use Tim McIntosh in a t20.

[TheDevil666]

Review of games vs Sri Lanka 2010

No other way of looking at this other than a disaster.

Tests, Lost 0-2. Lost 1 World Ratings Point.

ODIs, Lost 1-2. Lost 1 World Ratings Point.

T20, Lost 0-1.

Next Up

The World Cup! Hopefully we will get some success in this competition. Below is our group.



I feel if we play to our best we could win 5 games out of 6 from that group. My target is to get to the Semi Final Stage as on paper we are the 4th best team at ODI cricket in the world.

[TheDevil666]

World Cup Preview

This is our squad for the World Cup. Just one change from the previous ODI squad with Jacob Oram coming in for Patel.



Our first game is against USA, and I will be using this game as a chance to get some players into form (hopefully).

[TheDevil666]

1st Game, VS USA

Here we go then, our World Cup begins and we should definitely win.



I won the toss and elected to field. Do you think USA have enough bowlers?

USA Innings

It was Tim Southee who took the first wicket in just the 3rd over. USA 5-1. USA seemed happy just not to lose wickets and by the 20 over stage, were 66-3. Lampard brought up his half century in what must have been the finest moment of his career. In the end Lampard was out for 55 and Tuffey took 3 wickets plus Ryder was stranded on a hat trick that would never be and the USA were bowled out for a respectable score of 171.



NZ Innings

Of course that total was never going to be enough. We romped home by 9 wickets and hit 172 in just 26.1 overs. McCullum was the unlucky man out towards the end when he was run out on 86. At the other end McIntosh made a fine 78*.

[TheDevil666]

2nd Game, VS Canada

Next up, a game against a slightly more formidable Canadian outfit. We go with an unchanged team.



I lose the toss and am put into bat.

NZ Innings

Canada suprised us with their good bowling. We lost both openers in 9 overs, the score 35-2. Ryder and Ingram steadied the ship with a 52 partnership before Ryder edged one behind when he was looking set on 33. Many batsmen got starts but couldn't turn it into a big total. It was mainly down to Daniel Flynn (63) who got us to a total of 230-7. That total was below par but should be enough.



Canada Innings

Their openers put on a stand of 87 in 20 overs before Vettori took a wicket. Canada's no. 3, interestingly enough, was a bowler and had no pretences to be a batsman. He didn't last long. 92-2. Vettori then got rid of the other opener, Barnett (49). The Canada innings was collasping quickly and they fell to 124-6 including Arnel taking 2 wickets in one over. Canada kept fighting but were bowled out for 191. Much closer than it should have been but a win is a win and we'll take that anyday.



It is also interesting to note our Group Table at this time.

[TheDevil666]

3rd Game, VS Zimbabwe

Well our 3rd game is again gradually harder. One change for us, Oram comes in for Tuffey.



I won the toss and decided to bowl first.

Zim Innings

Franklin took the only wicket in the first 10 overs, as Zimbabwe limped to 30-1. Vettori then took a wicket with his very first ball of the innings. Oram and Vettori took further wickets to land Zimbabwe in trouble at 62-5. Williams and Meth ruthlessy upped the tempo and hit 50s and with them leading Zimbabwe out of immediate danger, Zimbabwe posted a total of 223 all out. We shouldn't of let them get that many.



NZ Innings

We lost both openers cheaply and were in trouble at 18-2. By the 10 over stage we were 40-2. The recovery was going well as Ingram hit a run-a-ball 50. He couldn't turn it into a hundred however, he was bowled on 56. Jesse Ryder also made 50 and was out on 50. We were nearly there. Ross Taylor cracked an unbeaten 57* and although Flynn and Oram were out cheaply we got home by 4 wickets and 9 overs to spare.

[TheDevil666]

Game 4, VS South Africa

Only one change for this game. Guptill in for McIntosh. This will be a measure of how far we have come. It wasn't too long ago that we were whitewashed 3-0 in an ODI series by South Africa.



I lost the toss and was put into bat.

NZ Innings

We tried to get off to a good start but again lost both openers cheaply. 44-2 at the 10 over stage. We tried not to lose too many wickets and were 124-4 after 30 overs. Sadly we then had a batting collapse to 168-8. We were bowled out for 189 which I knew would be nowhere near good enough.



SA Innings

The South African openers made a stand of 70 in just 14 overs before Smith was run out. It was the other opener though, Hashim Amla who was South Africa's star of the show as he whacked an unbeaten hundred to see South Africa home by 9 wickets and 11.4 overs to spare. We were never in it.



Despite that defeat we still look certain to qualify with 2 games left. Next up is the West Indies who are yet to lose a game.

[TheDevil666]

Game 5, VS West Indies

Tuffey comes in for Arnel is the only change we make.



I win the toss and decide to be positive, and bat first.

NZ Innings

Making a good start seemed essential. We crossed the 50 mark in the thirteenth over but for the loss of two wickets, Guptill and Ingram. McCullum went for just 17 as his run of poor scores continued. At the halfway point we were 108-4 with Jesse Ryder on 32*. As is so often the way Ryder went just after getting a good start. Suddenly we were 6 down as Daniel Flynn went cheaply. That was the start of another batting collaspe aw we posted a disappointing 190-9. Our bowlers would have to bowl well to defend the target.



WI Innings

Tuffey started brilliantly, removing Chris Gayle in his 1st over. 5-1. Vettori then removed Chanderpaul and the West Indie were 48-2 off 12. Later on a couple more quick wickets fell and WI were 115-5. We needed just one more to get into their tail. Some more good bowling by Tuffey put them on the ropes at 135-8. But the Windies were fighters and they got to within 13 runs of victory when Ryder took the next wicket. But it was the Windies who would celebrate as they snuck home by one wicket. A few more runs for us would have done it. Make no mistake our batsmen have failed again.

[TheDevil666]

Game 6, VS Sri Lanka

Here we go then our final group game. Even if we lose we will still get through unless Canada beat the in-form West Indies. We go with an unchanged XI and I hope our batting lineup can fire.



I lost the toss and SL wanted to bat first. I would have sent them into bat as well so we're both happy.

SL Innings

I wanted to keep them below 225 and after 6 overs the score was 17-1. A good start for us with Tuffey picking up the wicket. SL find it hard going and were only 22-1 after 10 overs. Mathews hit a half-century and upped the run rate as SL moved to 110-2 off 30 overs. Oram removed him a few overs later, LBW for 58. At the other end Jayawardene made 56 when he was bowled. Samarweera was their top scorer on 66* as SL made 245-9. Franklin was our top wicket taker with 3 but they came at a cost, 60 runs.



NZ Innings

This chase would be a good test for our batsmen. After 10 overs we were 31-1, McCullum the man out and in horrible form. Again our batting line up didn't look up to it, we collasped to 61-4. This quickly became 90-6. With 10 overs left we were 176-7 and Daniel Flynn was 60*. The dream comeback didn't materalise however. Franklin was soon dismissed and Flynn was stumped on 76. 205 all out.

[TheDevil666]

World Cup Quarter Finals

I'm so happy right now. After we finished 4th in the group, I was visualizing that we would play India maybe Australia. In a quite incredible turn of luck we play Bangladesh. Yes Bangladesh, who topped Group A somehow plus England got knocked out.



Our group shows that we beat the 3 minnows but didn't beat any of the big nations.



So the full Quarter-Final lineup is:

Bangladesh VS New Zealand
India VS South Africa
Australia VS Sri Lanka
Pakistan VS West Indies