1st Semi-Final: New Zealand v South Africa at Auckland Mar 24, 2015

[KeepingTheFaith]

If we get past India and have play South Africa its almost like its destined for South Africa to win,what better way for South Africa to get back at Australia for all previous WC heartaches than to beat us in our own backyard in front of 90K,that is the perfect revenge.

That would be perfect - they'll f**k it up.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Steyn looks fired up.

 

[Iafeta]

Shot of the tournament?

 

[shiznit]

For all the records, and all the individual achievements (Guppy's 200, McCullum's innings v England, Southee v England, Boult's spell v Australia), IMO this tournament both from a New Zealand performance level and a tournament level is significant down on delivering on hype compared to 1992. In 1992 every game was against full test playing nations, half edges went to slip not into the stand for 6, and captains generally had a chance in the last 10 rather than be absolute cannon fodder. Cricket for mine is too easy for batsmen in ODI's these days. I think you almost now get to a point where you know by the time innings 1 is over who will win.

Meh... 92 was overrated....

We just strangled teams to death on our slow pitches with our slow bowlers...

This team is far, far better.

 

[Iafeta]

I mean by hype though shiznit.. overall performance, yes I think its comparable.. NZ '92 the team had no hype, no stars aside from Martin Crowe who was in fairly ordinary form in the home summer against England. Agree, the only downside of that tournament was that we almost had doctored wickets in terms of being slow and low for the dibbly dobblys

McCullum is on the tonk.

 

[yobbo84]

Good batting but if he tries this at the MCG he's going to be out very early...

 

[Iafeta]

Depends where he places it yobbo. He's done it in Australia, admittedly down the order, before.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

It's fun to watch while it's happening, but we need more than a quickfire 20-40 cameo.

 

[Iafeta]

Agree. We need to be 150 for 2 down at worst to chase this down I feel.

 

[Iafeta]

Great stroke, because thats using his brain and placing the ball rather than just outright flogging it.

 

[yobbo84]

Depends where he places it yobbo. He's done it in Australia, admittedly down the order, before.

As long as he sticks to cricket shots, like that last one. If he's doing his charge-at-the-bowler-and-swing-as-hard-as-I-can routine he'll be out quickly.

 

[Iafeta]

I think he's a bit better than that. Generally he's picking a vacant spot in the first 10 overs to play his strokes towards. After he gets to 50 he often holes out unfortuantely.

 

[Iafeta]

That one was a bit streaky...

 

[WaznTheGreat]

I mean by hype though shiznit.. overall performance, yes I think its comparable.. NZ '92 the team had no hype, no stars aside from Martin Crowe who was in fairly ordinary form in the home summer against England. Agree, the only downside of that tournament was that we almost had doctored wickets in terms of being slow and low for the dibbly dobblys

McCullum is on the tonk.

NZ have had better teams then this current one,Shane Bond,Daniel Vettori,Brendan Mcullum all in the same team in there prime,Chris Cairns a better allrounder than Corey Anderson,Stephen Fleming,Nathan Astle and Craig Mcmillian better than Martin Gumby and Grant Elliot(stats may not say so but they played in way better era than these donkeys)

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

I think he's a bit better than that. Generally he's picking a vacant spot in the first 10 overs to play his strokes towards. After he gets to 50 he often holes out unfortuantely.

That's the problem. You can only ride your luck for so long, especially after you've got a bit of fatigue to your body.

If he gets a quick 40 and then gets a great ball you can live with it. If he gets a quick 40 and then throws his wicket away it's almost a waste of that quick 40.

 

[Iafeta]

Morkel is the threat for mine because of his bounce. McCullum trying to hit over the field may find that difficult to control.

 

[Iafeta]

Bowlers... who'd be one. Absolute toe end, four through wide mid on.

 

[Iafeta]

Excellent stroke from Guptill. Earlier in the summer he was falling over those deliveries, there his balance was perfect and subsequently he got the middle of the bat on it.

 

[Iafeta]

That ball is in Lake Taupo.

 

[lockyno1]

I'm surprised Pielander didn't pull a heart muscle and not bowl