Group C - Canada, England, Kenya, New Zealand

[aussie1st]

Styris is a handy enough bowler, he should do much better in the Caribbean conditions. But if it's a flat pitch they will have problems, they could probably chase it down if there is much assistance for Murali.

 

[irottev]

Styris is in bad form with the ball and also with the bat it seems, hopefully the tour games will warm him up by the finals. I wouldn't like our chances defending a total with 1 bowling slot filled with parttimers. I mean, we beat Australia without Bond, Vettori and Oram, though we may not of if we were defending instead of chasing.

I do agree though, Oram takes a lot out of the batting and bowling, just like any all-rounder would.

 

[Cricketman]

If Bond can just cut down the pace a bit and become more like a Pollock-type line-and- length bowler I think it would benifit the Kiwi's to a great extent. After the WC in 03 (forgive me if i'm wrong) Bond left and barley came back into the team until now, 4 years later! Of course he came back off and on only to be pegged back by injuries once again.
I think if he cuts back the pace to 130-ish mark (still quite fast!) and unleashes maybe 2-3 150+ deliveries a game, it would help his health and the team with him being in there.

 

[aussie1st]

TBH Bond is actually a pretty accurate bowler already especially at his pace. He doesn't really look like he pushing it either, more holding back but still he bowls really well. He should be able to be around 140km/h if his back will allow it.

 

[icyman]

I think if he cuts back the pace to 130-ish mark (still quite fast!) and unleashes maybe 2-3 150+ deliveries a game, it would help his health and the team with him being in there.

Had you seen the India-West Indies series,you would have observed that the Windies don't have any express pace bowlers.Infatc mthey have Bradshaw,Bravo who bowl medium-ish and tend to get wickets.I believe thats the key behind the success in the Carribbean.

 

[cric_craze]

bond will destroy the english batting line up

 

[irottev]

bond will destroy the english batting line up

That would be nice. He really could do with a nice haul against them to better his vs England stats.

 

[evertonfan]

bond will destroy the english batting line up

Is a possibility but it's also as likely that he will be injured again.

 

[Sureshot]

bond will destroy the english batting line up

Against England he averages 23, his career average is 19.90. Okay, it's not alot and he has only played 4 games. Bond is an exceptional bowler, I'd be gobsmacked if he got through this tournament without getting injured.

 

[irottev]

Bond hasn't been injured for a while now. He's been rested, sure. Expect him to be rested the odd game, but injury, well his back seems to be going well at the moment so lets think positively.

 

[manee]

New Zealand should really be looking for final four as they are looking very strong recently.

Their target setting/defending abilities are yet to be heavily tested though.

 

[aussie1st]

Well NZ do have two good spin bowlers if these pitches take spin, the problem comes when it doesn't take spin. Then you move over to the pacemen where apart from Bond they look hittable.

 

[kodos]

Bond certainly is there strike bowler but they do have very handy seamers such as Gillespie who looks the goods for me, Franklin who can swing the ball a fair but, Mason looks steady and Oram if he does bowl again is another good option. Also even if Vetorri was bowling on a road he will always keep it tight and chip in with a wicket or two. He is what you call a ODI specialist bowler.

 

[aussie_ben91]

Maybe Kevin Pietersen will be the batsman that decimates Shane Bond once and for all.

He has a nack for destroying irrotev's favourite players. Just look what happened to Jason Gillespie. He single-handedly destroyed his career.

 

[irottev]

lol. Thats 1 of my favourite players he did that too. How does he suddenly have a nack for it?

Good luck to Pieterson. And then we would need to have 2 quick wickets or else Pieterson would need to survive til Bond's mid innings burst or until the end to have a crack. It's all very well Pieterson targetting Gillespie at 130's, but if he wants to come down the track and play aggressive shots to someone of Bond's pace and accuracy, he'll get out eventually or else get hurt, like against McGrath. I wonder if that hit will make him more cautious.

Theres a lot of talking up of Pieterson, he;s been out for a wee while. Whats to say he doesn't start a little rusty?