Stephen Fleming = master captain

[ScouseCat]

Stephen Fleming is the best tactical captain going around in world cricket today. His performance so far against Australia has been nothing short of sensational. He has obviously put a hell of a lot of planning and effort into working out fielding positions for the different batsman and so far, Australia are struggling on a damp pitch at 6 for 80.

New Zealand may still lose from here, but regardless of the result, this man deserves to be recognised for the great captain he is.

 

[Diego]

Yeah a lot of planning has gone into beating Australia. NZ is the only team who could beat Australia and win the world cup.

Struggle street 7-84.

Bonds ball to Harvey was a ripper.

I have faith in Bichel.

 

[Desredandwhite]

"This was the loss we had to have"

Still, you never know, McGrath might pick up another 7-15 type performance in the second innings Okay, okay, I'm delusional...

 

[Diego]

hehe thats exactly what i was thinking. Get a loss out of the way or else it might come at the wrong time!

We need McGrath and Bichel to bowl record spells.

 

[Desredandwhite]

McGrath and Bichel to open the bowling, BRett Lee as first change - is it just me, or does he seem to bowl better as the 3rd bowler used? Concentrates more on l&l rather than trying to knock heads off.

 

[lufc618]

I have to agree scouse cat. I believe at present Stephen Fleming is the best captain in the world. He is doing very well.

 

[lamby29]

I don't think he should have bowled Bond out.

 

[ScouseCat]

Australia did extremely well to get to 9 for 208 off their 50 overs after at one stage being 7 for 84. Stephen Fleming took the risk and bowled out Shane Bond and he didn't disappoint, taking the best ever figures for a Kiwi in a ome-day international... 6 for 23 off his 10 overs.

England all but restricted Australia to 205 just 9 days ago on this pitch. The Aussies would have learnt where to bowl after the first 10 overs of that match, this should be a good run chase for New Zealand.

 

[dr nick]

i would say NZ have much better arsenal than the english attack, yet england restricted them to 205. master capatin??? stand up nasser.

 

[ScouseCat]

Originally posted by nicko18
i would say NZ have much better arsenal than the english attack, yet england restricted them to 205. master capatin??? stand up nasser.

Stephen Fleming is 10 times a better captain then Nasser Hussain for his planning alone, let alone the fact his players believe in what he wants them to do.

 

[BT]

Originally posted by Frosties_Flank
I have faith in Bichel.

Well said that man!

Great effort, he's all courage & composure.

Oh & btw I'd have bowled Bond out 1 more wicket & we wouldn'tve gotten to 100.

Fleming had to go for it.

 

[ScouseCat]

Originally posted by BT
Oh & btw I'd have bowled Bond out 1 more wicket & we wouldn'tve gotten to 100.

Fleming had to go for it.

Absolutely, you have to back your best bowler in that situation... the Aussies did well to keep Bond out.

The only thing I would have done is bowl Chris Cairns for a couple of overs if he was fit instead of Nathan Astle, who looked like he didn't expect to be called on to role the arm over.

 

[Renegade]

haha opening the batting with Vettori is just stupid, like to see the reasoning behind that.

 

[dr nick]

Originally posted by Renegade
haha opening the batting with Vettori is just stupid, like to see the reasoning behind that.

good call. brain explosion there i think.

 

[grayham]

Originally posted by Renegade
haha opening the batting with Vettori is just stupid, like to see the reasoning behind that.

I can think of two reasons:

1) They wanted to get to 0/50 in 5 overs and put the game heavily in their favour early on.

2) They wanted to try and see out the McGrath/Lee overs with a type of "nigh****chman" becuase they saw how successful Bond was.



What NZ really needed was Carins bowling. They were just one quality bowler away from knocking Australia out for less than 150, which would have made things a lot easier.

 

[grayham]

Originally posted by grayham

2) They wanted to try and see out the McGrath/Lee overs with a type of "nigh****chman" becuase they saw how successful Bond was.

.

ha ha. night-watchman has got t-w-a-t in it!

 

[Foxtrot]

Originally posted by grayham
I can think of two reasons:

1) They wanted to get to 0/50 in 5 overs and put the game heavily in their favour early on.

2) They wanted to try and see out the McGrath/Lee overs with a type of "nigh****chman" becuase they saw how successful Bond was.

I can see the logic if Vettori could bat. What is his record in ODIs? I've never viewed him as much above a bunny.

To his credit, Stephen "think outside the square" Fleming isn't afraid to try something new.

 

[sandeano]

I'm really hoping that India do a number a number on the Kiwis later this week. For some reason New Zealand are always able to rattle the Australian team, especially in one dayers, probably because they are liable to try a number of unorthodox ideas and even if they don't work, they very act of trying them seems to throw the Aussies off the boil.

Remember a few World Cups back when the Kiwis decided to open the bowling with offspin? That worked.

But opening the batting with an offspinner didn't.

But I do love the sheer audacity of the Kiwi thinking.

 

[Foxtrot]

Originally posted by sandeano
Remember a few World Cups back when the Kiwis decided to open the bowling with offspin? That worked.

The immortal Dipak Patel!

Good point though - the kiwis were pulling things out of left field long before Fleming came along.

 

[dr nick]

Originally posted by Foxtrot
The immortal Dipak Patel!

Good point though - the kiwis were pulling things out of left field long before Fleming came along.

you could say that about sri lanka when their approach changed the way the game is played.

 

[Davo75]

Originally posted by lamby29
I don't think he should have bowled Bond out.

I wouldnt have thought twice about bowling Shane Bond out when he did!

We were in more trouble than the early settlers, Fleming did the right thing going for the jugular, it didnt come off, at least he didnt die wondering!!!! He is a wonderful captain and the only batsman who showed any resistance to our attack.
However, bad move to open with Vettori, it wasnt like they were chasing an impossible target, they needed to get off to a steady start to calm the nerves as I am sure they would have been absolutely gutted that we were able to bat out the 50 and make such a competitive score and Bingers performance off the last two balls of the innings would have really put the ****s up them!

Doesnt Bevo thrive under pressure and an admirable knock from Andy, not even a crack behind the ear could wipe the smile off his face, his gesture towards Adams while rubbing his head was one of true class, I dont think anyone enjoys life as much as Andy Bichel right now!!!!!

 

[Kenny_01]

NZ would have been better off opening with Andre Adams.