NEW ZEALAND vs ZIMBABWE SERIES (1 Test, 3 ODIs, 2 T20)

[the 5th wiggle]

There's no such thing as a great innings against the Zimbots; even Hayden's 380, nobody really cares about it too much.

They aren't up to scratch, and shouldn't be playing against Test nations.

Bangladesh aren't much better, if they are at all.

All this talk of 'expanding the game' is all well and good but all it does is lower the standard of cricket overall, and the quality of the game suffers.

When New Zealand makes 370+ and a guy like Nicol makes such a big score you know the game isn't at 100%.

fair enough pal,i still like him as a batsman and we will see if he can produce against south africa later this month.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

fair enough pal,i still like him as a batsman and we will see if he can produce against south africa later this month.

I guess so mate!

I miss the days where at least Zimbabwe had the Flower brothers and Heath Streak playing...a few talented boys there.

Now they have Taylor and besides that diddly squat. Their spinners are a little overhyped for mine and Taibu is majorly inconsistent.

 

[The Speaker]

They aren't up to scratch, and shouldn't be playing against Test nations.

What were you expecting from their first overseas tour in, what, six or seven years?

 

[aidancdaman]

Exactly. Considering how benign the pitches are in Zimbabwe it was always going to be a hell of an adjustment. I'd have expected better from Brendan Taylor than what he's shown though, considering he's had 3 months here already.

And none of the "when New Zealand does ___ against you, you're crap" lines being trotted out. We just beat you in a test before you went to roll India (admittedly, they're good on paper, sh*t on grass ), so we can't be in a position that low you can treat us like we're the West Indies .

 

[XFactor1979]

Its going to be quite some time before Zimbabwe are competitive in any form of cricket against any of the 8 test nations that arent Bangladesh

1 off test matches at home is the way to go, or just mere Zimbabwe A tour matches will hopefully bring them up to speed over time

 

[XFactor1979]

For some Lulz on the cricinfo website - 150 Runs needed off the last over

 

[Kram]

Well I guess at least they fought this match out a bit in the end.. was looking to be very embarrassing there at one stage.

 

[Drummond]

I watched most of the NZ innings, Zimbabwe's fielding was atrocious. Like, seriously bad, how are these blokes playing international cricket?

Another cool ground though, I love these obscure, intimate NZ grounds.

 

[XFactor1979]

I watched most of the NZ innings, Zimbabwe's fielding was atrocious. Like, seriously bad, how are these blokes playing international cricket?

Another cool ground though, I love these obscure, intimate NZ grounds.

^ This

 

[ioppolo]

Awesome scenery, could easily distract me from the cricket.

 

[DrVanNostrand]

Another good win - but of course anything less would be a bad result against this Zimbabwe side in these conditions (which were very flat, although still a bit too much bounce for them).

South Africa will be an almighty task though. If Oram gets caught on 20 and Latham gets caught early on, it can be a much different story against top sides. I hope Nethula gets another oportunity in the 3rd match. He didn't bowl as poorly as his figures suggest, beat the edge a few times and had some inside edges trickle down to fine leg. Would love to see a little more flight against a side that really isn't going to tear you apart.

Good to see another international venue broken in as well. Beautiful ground and surroundings. For a place with a population of about 50k I think, it was a fantastic crowd. Obviously well promoted by NDCA.

 

[KiwiRoo]

Pukekura park..my favourite ground. Small boundaries with high grass terraces..always lots of runs scored

 

[XFactor1979]

Awesome scenery, could easily distract me from the cricket.

Thats the loss of Australian sport playing games in the big cities

You dont see anything outside from the concrete jungles

I think Cairns and Darwin hosting top end test matches in winter provided some good scenery

 

[KiwiRoo]

Southee's going to have to start taking a hell of a lot of wickets to down that shocking average of 41. Hasn't had a real good showing with the ball since his debut seemingly, and with the likes of Neil Wagner, Adam Milne and Matt Henry performing in the Plunket Shield, he's got to step up.

Did you see McClenaghan bowling against CD ?. Hes very rapid for a left armer. I wish they had a speed radar on as both he & milne were getting it through. The keeper was standing miles back

With as you say Wagner, Milne & Henry also coming through, NZ cricket has a pretty promising set of quicks in the wings.

I agree re Southee too..hes had a long enough apprenticeship now, its time for some results to come through.He's shows glimpses of it, but no consistency.

 

[aidancdaman]

On the grounds subject, we are blessed with boutique grounds from top to bottom. Cricket is as ingrained in New Zealand's culture as rugby is, so wherever New Zealand play people will come and watch, except perhaps tests . Queenstown's ground....You need to go there to take in the surroundings and the cricket. Pictures cannot do it justice. As a resident of Wanaka (Queenstowns little brother type town of 7000, 60km up the road on the shores of another lake) every summer for 16 years, I say that begrudgingly .

Did you see McClenaghan bowling against CD ?. Hes very rapid for a left armer. I wish they had a speed radar on as both he & milne were getting it through. The keeper was standing miles back.

McClenaghan did look rapid. Shame he's an Aucklander. As a Cantabrian I'm not going to say nice things .

 

[KiwiRoo]

McClenaghan did look rapid. Shame he's an Aucklander. As a Cantabrian I'm not going to say nice things .[/quote]

no wonder you go for the red & blacks in the AFL too !

He played for CD a year or so ago too didnt he ?. then had a bad injury. If he stays fit he could be anything ..

 

[DrVanNostrand]

Mills, Southee, Browlie out
Bates, N. McCullum, Bracewell in

Happy to see the two spinners play now that the series is wrapped-up. Plenty of opportunities with the bat for guys like Latham at 5.

 

[Drummond]

NZ to make 400 here.

Zimbabwe shouldn't be playing international cricket. No where near it.

 

[ioppolo]

One bowler is going at 3 an over while the other goes at almost 12...

 

[Drummond]

Far out how good was that flick off the legs for six?

 

[Stig O'Hara]

NZ to make 400 here.

Zimbabwe shouldn't be playing international cricket. No where near it.

Yes, yes and yes.

Thought I was watching a T20 'til I turned the sound up.

 

[Kram]

Another 400+ total coming up.

 

[Cotchin 9]

Stream please.

 

[DrVanNostrand]

Loving these dropkicks over the midwicket fence. Savouring this with a long and challenging year of cricket coming up for NZ.

5th consecutive ODI fifty for Guptill, unbelievable form he's in.

Damn, Nicol out...

 

[Kram]

lol, that's **** ing hilarious.