ICCCT2006: 1st Semi Final - Aus v NZ

[aussie1st]

1st Semi Final - Aus v NZ

1st Semi-final: Aus v NZ, Mohali - 1 Nov

Should be a ripper as usual, Bond should at last face the Aussies, it's been a long time since we played against him.

 

[ZexyZahid]

Apart from Styris, New Zealand will be with their full squad now and getting now results against big teams. So the match against Australia will be worth watching.

 

[irottev]

I think our best chance is to put Aussies into bat and chase. Thats the way we did well in the two last Chappell Hadlee matches. The Aussies batting is so strong, if you look at the India scorecard. They all score quick too.

This should be the final but it won't take any excitement away. The Aussies might lift their game more for a final.

Can't wait!

My team.
Lou Vincent
Stephen Fleming
Nathan Astle
Scott Styris
Hamish Marshall (if he is well, otherwise Peter Fulton)
Jacob Oram
Brenden McCullum
Daniel Vettori
James Franklin/Jeetan Patel (depending on conditions)
Kyle Mills
Shane Bond

I have the feeling Marshall will finally come right in this match with the bat. I want to see him bat after Styris though. He is good in the period with the field back. He has a good record against Australia from memory. Fulton is due though, 2 harsh calls have ruined his Champions Trophy so far.

If the pitch looks like it is going to be spinning I would think we should take Patel. Franklin was expensive last time vs Aussies, he has improved ten-fold but still. The combo with him and Vettori will really pile on the pressure.

I am glad we are facing the Aussies. If we lose, we lost to the best and if we win, we will have beaten the best. The trophy would mean more to have beaten Australia.

 

[ZexyZahid]

Is Styris fit to play? I really would like to see Bond bowling against the Australian attack.

 

[aussie1st]

This would be the first express paceman we have faced this series, assuming Bond doesn't find an injury.

Our bowling really seems to have clicked, Lee started to find some form late in the inns against India which hopefully carries on for this clash. Johnson with that pace and swing will always be lethal, Bracken is causing problems, and Watson is causing problems with his bouncers when they aren't wides.

 

[kodos]

Certainly going to be an intriguing contest. I will be great again to see Bond in full action against the Aussies and his record against Australia speaks for itself. Interesting will the Aussie batsmans will have a counter measure against Bond who has troubled the consistently in the past. NZ's bowlers need to go well if they are going to win. Vetorri and Patel may be a handful if the pitches are turning and if those two can get wickets and be economical I back them to win. Another advantage that NZ have is that they have a lengthy batting lineup which is always an advantage. Also the fact that their record against Australia is pretty decent in the past 3-4 years.

 

[sifter132]

I've just been looking at Shane Bond's record v Australia in ODI's. He has played 6 games against us and in every single game he has got Pontings wicket for scores of 45,11,0,8,37 & 6. That was back in 2002 and Ponting has since risen to be one of the best batsmen in the world - and it will be interesting to see if he can handle Bond this time around.

Apart from Bond - I would be more scared if NZ played 2 spinners as we can sometimes collapse/bog down against accurate spinners.

 

[Inbox24]

Damn Bond is playing, i think even as an aussie supporter smart money would be on him.

 

[irottev]

It will be interesting to see the Vettori vs Australia battle continue as well as the Bong thing.

If the Australians can keep Bond from getting wickets and play Vettori out they

I am pretty confident in our bowling attack to keep Australia from posting a total beyond when we can chase. My main concern is that one of our batsmen are going to need a hundred. I hope Astle can stand up. He is our best ODI batsman for hundreds. He has had a great year and we need him to come to the party.

Basicly, batting up front is going to be tough, McGrath won't be giving anything away. He showed that today. We need to play him responsibly. Lee will go for some runs, it's just preventing him taking wickets which we will need to be careful about because he will attack. Bracken will probably open with Lee. He should be quite economical but Vincent will be going after him. Then there could be anyone after that.

 

[Gibbsrules]

Should be a great game,all depending on which Bond arrives at the stadium,you feel he will need to fire to get through the strong Aussie batting line-up.Should be close.I don't really care who wins,if SA make it through their match it would be good to see an Aussie/SA final but if New Zealand make it through,we can then try get revenge for the group match.May the best team win

 

[irottev]

Which Bond?

There is only 1 Bond, and that is one with pinpoint accuracy and who takes wickets. Unless you can give me an example of where he has been carted around the park?

 

[aussie1st]

I reckon McGrath will open, we are more than likely going to get the same pitch as yesterday so no way we would change a winning formula. Also McGrath at first change hasn't worked out too well.

 

[irottev]

McGrath opening the bowling is a good idea in my opinion because chances are he will end up getting Vincent out early.

 

[Iron-Haggis]

I've just been looking at Shane Bond's record v Australia in ODI's. He has played 6 games against us and in every single game he has got Pontings wicket for scores of 45,11,0,8,37 & 6. That was back in 2002 and Ponting has since risen to be one of the best batsmen in the world - and it will be interesting to see if he can handle Bond this time around.

Apart from Bond - I would be more scared if NZ played 2 spinners as we can sometimes collapse/bog down against accurate spinners.

I think thats a very interesting statistic indeed. The Bond factor is going to be crucial in this match. Bond seems to rise against the Aussies, but then again it seems it's a Kiwi trait. They always lift to another level when playing the Aussies. But even back in 2002 and 2003 Ponting was still a class act and I think it shows how good Bond is. Such a shame he has had so many injuries.

 

[Octavius]

When Bond is at his best there is noone better, and hes been blowing the rust off the last few games. He can swing the ball late with accuracy and pace, has an accurate bouncer and is lethal against right handed batsmen, mills bowls well to lefties, so those two could be key. But Lee bowls well against the Blackcaps, getting up to 157+ in the last series here. If he cant find his length early he could go for a few but our late order might struggle when he comes back. IMO McGrath is just starting to hit his straps as Bond is..its going to be great! Just wish Vincent didnt look so hopelessly out of form. Astle is looking on the verge of a big one and Fleming will look to anchor the innings.

But I think NZ's best chance to win is Patel..i rate this kid as good as Vettori was when he was young. This kid's got something special, he should be a regular figure in the side.

It will be a mistake to play Franklin who only does well on seaming nightmares, if this looks a little dry the aussies willhave there hands full.

my blackcaps team is

Fleming
Astle
Fulton
Marshall
Taylor (assuming Styris is out)
Oram
McCullum
Vettori
Mills
Patel
Bond

but im not the coach or selector!