NZ under GrahamB (story)

[GrahamB]

NZ v ENGLAND (4th ODI 2013)

Success at last!

[GrahamB]

NZ v ENGLAND (5th ODI 2013)

England are just too strong for us. They win the ODI series 4-1.

[GrahamB]

NZ v ENGLAND (1st 20/20 International 2013)

Although our batting failed to fire and it was a crime to be dismissed with balls to spare, our bowling strangled the visitors out. A remarkable win.

[GrahamB]

NZ v ENGLAND (2nd 20/20 International 2013)

Stung by the new found competitiveness of the Nzers, the English hit back to level the series with a dogged performance.

[GrahamB]

And so the 2012-13 season comes to an end.

Looking forward to better things in our second season, especially on the bowling front in the tests and with our batting in the shorter form of the game.

[GrahamB]

NZ Test Squad to England 2013

S.Murdoch
J.Raval
BJ Watling (wk)
D.Hunt
D.Brownlie
K.Williamson
J.Ryder
R.Taylor (capt)
D.de Boorder (wk)
T.Weston
J.Franklin
M.Henry
W.Collin
T.Southee
W.McSkimming
N.Wagner
J.Donnelly
T.Nethula

Jeet Raval has cemented an opening spot alongside Stephen Murdoch.
BJ Watling is unlikely to be used, but doubles as an emergency keeper.

The top order batsmen were the easiest selections.
The newbie is 18 year old Dean Hunt, an exciting prospect for the future. He is an all-rounder, but his bowling needs a lot of work.

Derek de Boorder is a no-brainer as our first choice keeper, also doubling as a very successful batsman.

Jimmy Franklin has emerged as our number one allrounder, especially when his bowling is compared to others such as Colin de Grandhomme and young Harry Boam.

We've gone for a good selection of pacemen.
23 year old William Collin is new onto the first class scene, but has impressed with his wicket taking ability plus his accuracy.
Matt Henry is due to deliver on his undoubted ability in the test arena. Easily our most impressive bowler.
Neil Wagner gets another go. His superb domestic form couldn't be ignored.
Tim Southee and Warren McSkimming get the other two spots, with Trent Boult the unlucky one to be omitted.

Tim Astle has been surpassed in the spinners' ranks by slow left armer Jim Donnelly and leg spinner Tarun Nethula.
Nethula is likely to get the nod as first choice.

[Alrounder80]

And so the 2012-13 season comes to an end.

Looking forward to better things in our second season, especially on the bowling front in the tests and with our batting in the shorter form of the game.

Ah no one can be expected to win against the mighty England, so wouldn't worry about that series!

[GrahamB]

Ah no one can be expected to win against the mighty England, so wouldn't worry about that series!

Let's see how we go in the return series. I'll be experimenting with new bowling tactics in the tests.

[GrahamB]

SUSSEX v NZ (Three Day Match)

This wasn't really the warm up we'd hoped for.

Things were looking rosy early on when we reduced the locals to 84/6, but they fought back well to score 249.

Our first batting effort raised concerns though, as Panesar made a late bid for England selection with a tremendous spell of 6/51 on the turning wicket. None of our batsmen reached 50.

Now brimming with renewed hope, the Sussex batsmen came out with the intention of setting their side up for a possible win. Led by Joyce, who scored a commanding century, they raced through to 274/5 before declaring an hour into the final day.

We played it safe in our second dig, determined not to be dominated again. There were a few flutters when Anyon took two quick wickets to have us at 122/4, but Raval and Taylor guided us safely through to a draw.

[GrahamB]

MCC v NZ (Three Day Match 2013)

Whereas Brownlie and Ryder made a welcome return to form with the bat, there are concerns about Murdoch and Williamson heading into the 1st Test.
Wagner and Collin both had success with the ball, while Nathula tidily churned out a good number of overs.

[GrahamB]

Both sides have announced their sides for the 1st Test.

We decided to leave out a batsman (Ryder) in favour of an all-rounder (Franklin).
This meant that we have plenty of bowling firepower, with four seamers (including Collin on debut) plus leg spinner Nethula.

In contrast, England have gone with just three genuine pacemen, plus Swann.

It should be an interesting contest.

NZ
S.Murdoch
J.Raval
D.Brownlie
K.Williamson
R.Taylor
D.de Boorder (wk)
J.Franklin
W.Collin
M.Henry
N.Wagner
T.Nethula

ENGLAND
A.Cook
A.Strauss
K.Pietersen
J.Trott
I.Bell
M.Prior (wk)
E.Morgan
S.Broad
G.Swann
J.Anderson
S.Finn

[GrahamB]

ENGLAND v NZ (1st Test 2013)

Who needs a fourth seamer when your pace trio consistently knocks the top off the opposition batting with the new ball?
In both of our innings, we were three wickets down with less than 30 runs on the board (and a fourth followed reasonably quickly) and that makes it difficult to build a big score.
Franklin had a horror test with the bat, notching a pair, so going in a batsman short didn't pay off for us.
Two positives for us were the solid all round performance of debutante pace bowler William Collin, and two fine knocks with the bat from Derek de Boorder, even though he was cruelly denied his maiden test century.

Back to the drawing board! Still can't get the bowling tactics right against this mighty England side.

[GrahamB]

Each side has made just one change for the 2nd Test.

England has left out Swann and gone in with a fourth seamer, Tim Bresnan.

We've left out the erratic and expensive Wagner and strengthened the batting with 18 year old all-rounder Dean Hunt.
Franklin retains his spot on his bowling alone, but has a handy record with the bat too, so fingers crossed!

Looking forward to better batting against the new ball. Stephen Murdoch's test place is now in real jeopardy, with a poor run of form in the past few series and a perceived loss of confidence.

NZ
S.Murdoch
J.Raval
D.Brownlie
D.Hunt
K.Williamson
R.Taylor
D.de Boorder (wk)
J.Franklin
W.Collin
M.Henry
T.Nethula

ENGLAND
A.Cook
A.Strauss
K.Pietersen
J.Trott
I.Bell
M.Prior (wk)
E.Morgan
T.Bresnan
S.Broad
J.Anderson
S.Finn

[GrahamB]

ENGLAND v NZ (2nd Test 2013)

Batting first, we recovered from 46/2 to score a competitive 348, thanks largely to an impressive century on debut from 18 year old Dean Hunt.
Brownlie provided good support with a dogged half century, while both Taylor and Franklin scored 44.
Stuart Broad was the pick of the English bowlers, grabbing 5/83.

However, England aren't the number one team for no reason, and they replied with 408.
Strauss was the orchestrator, with a commanding 170, but Pietersen (79), Bell (50) and Bresnan (49) all contributed as the home side gained a first innings lead.
Franklin, Henry and Nethula took three wickets each.

Brownlie (49), Hunt (42) and Williamson (44) all established themselves at the crease second time round, but we needed more from them.
At 197/6, we looked dead and buried, but De Boorder (89) and Franklin (36) put together a century stand to take us through to 312/6. Unfortunately though, both fell in quick succession and the innings folded rather meekly at 320.
Andersen and Broad took four wickets each.

Regardless, England needed 261 for victory and that's usually an awkward ask.
But this English side oozes class and it was again their skipper, Strauss, who led the way with his second century of the match. Pietersen again chimed in with 70, while Trott finished unbeaten on 51.

Grrrr!
Of course, the positive is that in Dean Hunt, the NZ press are already making comparisons with the great Martin Crowe. The young man certainly has the weight of expectations on his shoulders now!

[cricfan1]

Finally NZ find new Talent Lets see the progress of this 18 Year old boy

Keep defensive field when in final session when opponent require runs at good RR