NZ under GrahamB (story)

[GrahamB]

WINDIES v NZ (1st Test 2012)

Grrrr!
Chasing down a huge total on a pitch taking sharp turn and with uneven bounce should be a rarity, not the norm!
This needs fixing.

[shaynedear]

Keep up good work Graham I too will be starting NZ story

[GrahamB]

Keep up good work Graham I too will be starting NZ story

Looking forward to it.

[GrahamB]

Teams for the 2nd Test

WINDIES
C.Gayle
X.Marshall
S.Chanderpaul
K.Edwards
Darren Bravo
R.Sarwan
D.Ramdin (wk)
D.Sammy
R.Rampaul
D.Bishoo
F.Edwards

NZ
M.Sinclair
S.Murdoch
D.Brownlie
K.Williamson
J.Ryder
R.Taylor (capt)
D.de Boorder (wk)
J.Franklin
M.Henry
M.Mason
T.Boult

The Windies linep remains the same, but we've left out Vettori in favour of an extra seamer, the veteran Michael Mason.

[Alrounder80]

WINDIES v NZ (1st Test 2012)

Grrrr!
Chasing down a huge total on a pitch taking sharp turn and with uneven bounce should be a rarity, not the norm!
This needs fixing.

This keeps happening to everyone in ICC2012! Chris really needs to fix this for the next patch.

[GrahamB]

WINDIES v NZ (2ndTest 2012)

We got ourselves into a strong position to level the series, but several long weather interruptions on the fourth day ruined any faint hopes that we had of dismissing the Windies and chasing down a target.



And so a disappointing tour comes to an end. Next up is a short tour to India, before the 20/20 World Cup.

[kc_law]

WINDIES v NZ (1st Test 2012)

Grrrr!
Chasing down a huge total on a pitch taking sharp turn and with uneven bounce should be a rarity, not the norm!
This needs fixing.

To be fair... there were a lot of runs scored in the match. What the pitch is looking like not ignored... you scored a heap of runs in your second innings too which suggest that there might be something more going on then a dodgy game engine. I don't know though, just a thought. Haven't got to the game yet.

[GrahamB]

INDIA v NZ (1st Test 2012)

INDIA
V.Sehwag
G.Gambhir
S.Tendulkar
V.Laxman
A.Rahane
R.Sharma
M.Dhoni (wk)
P.Kumar
Z.Khan
U.Yadav
P.Ohja

NZ
M.Sinclair
S.Murdoch
D.Brownlie
K.Williamson
J.Ryder
R.Taylor
D.de Boorder (wk)
D.Vettori
M.Henry
N.Wagner
T.Boult

Unusual to see an Indian lineup with only one spinner, especially considering that the pitch is going to take turn early.
Of course, we have no useful options at all in the spin department, with Vettori not really being a strike bowler.

We stuck with the same batting lineup that toured the Windies. All had shown form there except Jesse Ryder, so this would be an important series for him.
It was felt that it would be best to go in with three specialist pacemen, so James Franklin made way for Neil Wagner.

The Indians at home are a tough challenge and as we feared, it was their strong batting lineup that was the difference in the 1st Test.
Sehwag scored a scintillating triple ton and set his side up for an emphatic victory. The home batsmen were particularly savage on Wagner, who went for plenty with little reward in return.
Jesse Ryder's visit ended in heartbreak when a vicious Kumar bounced shattered his forearm. He'll be out of both this series, plus the upcoming 20/20 World Cup.

[GrahamB]

INDIA v NZ (2nd Test 2012)

The Indians made one change to their side, with Kohli replacing Sharma in the batting lineup.
We made two changes, one enforced with Tim Weston taking Ryder's spot. After his absolute mauling in the 1st Test, Wagner was dropped in favour of the experienced Warren McSkimming.

Dean Brownlie set us up for a big first innings score with a magnificent 170, but the Indians matched us, taking a small first innings lead.
With the pitch now turning, the home fans must have been licking their lips at the prospect of a clean sweep, but classy opener Stephen Murdoch and captain Ross Taylor had other ideas. We were never in a position to declare and have a serious attempt at bowling the home side out, but we did give our opening bowlers a go at them for the final hour.

[GrahamB]

INDIA v NZ (20/20 Internationals)

Before the 20/20 World Cup, we had two hit outs against the Indians.
I took the chance to try out all 15 players selected and also to try different tactics.

The first match was played on a good pitch and we racked up a competitive total, thanks largely to Guptill and Taylor.
However, again the Indian batting was up to the task.



I rested both Guptill and Taylor for the second match, which was played on a very slow pitch.
We did our best, but our score of 118/7 was never going to threaten the Indians.



And so the book closes on another disappointing tour.

[GrahamB]

NZ Squad - 2012 20/20 World Cup in Sri Lanka

M.Guptill
B.MacCullum (wk)
R.Nicol (OS)
T.Latham (wk)
R.Taylor (capt)
C.Munro
B.Diamanti (RM)
A.Kitchen (SLA)
D.Brownlie
N.MacCullum (OS)
B.Scott (LFM)
D.Vettori (SLA)
M.Henry (RFM)
J.Patel (OS)
M.Mason (RFM)

[GrahamB]

20/20 WORLD CUP (2012 in Sri Lanka)

Our first match in the group stage was Bangladesh, a side that the pundits had rated more highly than us.
We got off to a great start, with Diamanti bowling Iqbal with the first ball of the match.
However, Hom strode to the crease and proceded to smash our bowlers all around the park. Although he fell short of a half century, the momentum had been set and the Bangladeshis put together a formidable 164/4.
In reply, Rob Nicol held our innings together, but got little support from the other batsmen. With the Bangladeshi spinners weaving their magic, we fell well short of victory. E.Sunny was particularly impressive, finishing with 2/15 from his four overs.



Our match against Pakistan now became a must win and the NZ side duly delivered. However, it was a real nailbiter, as we got home with just a ball to spare!
Vettori did well with the ball, conceding just 17 runs from his four overs, while Guptill led the way with the bat in our victory chase.

And so, we made it through to the Super Eight stage, thanks to the Bangladeshis also beating the Pakistanis.

[GrahamB]

Our first Super Eight match was against the mighty South Africans and we were well and truly put to the sword.
None of our batsmen were able to establish an innings of note, as Kallis (4-0-15-4) and McLaren (4-0-36-3) wreaked havoc.
To add insult to injury, Smith and Amla took their side through to victory without a wicket being lost!



Next were the powerful Indian side, who had whipped us in the two 20/20s prior to the tournament.
Batting first, we really struggled to get things moving as we could only muster a poor 121/7.
Then our bowlers were again made to look like amateurs, as Sehwag and Singh laid into them big time, achieving victory in just the 14th over without the loss of a wicket!



Our final match against the Aussies was now just a "save some face" affair.
However, it was a further rude awakening for us as the Hussey duo put on an absolutely awesome display of power hitting to lead their side to a massive 210/7.
Although we went at things full tit right from the get go, we just don't have seem to have the ability/firepower to match things with the top sides.
It was good to see Tom Latham again showing some promise though.

The Aussies and Indians met in the final, after comfortably knocking out Bangladesh and England respectively in the semi-finals.
The final was a close affair, with the Indians getting home by 12 runs to become the 20/20 World Champions.

[habib]

Nice story so far
Indian team is too strong in this game. I played few seasons and noticed that India is getting the best youth players as well ( may be due to IPL)
Any ways
Boult and Henry are good seamers and you probably can trust them for few more years.

[cricfan1]

Good Story , I like your some funny quotes also

Can you also mention T-20 points table and Highest wkt taker , highest runs

One more thing What changes in gameplay are you noticing after the patch for new AI