31st Match, Pool A: New Zealand v Afghanistan - NEW ZEALAND WON BY 6 WICKETS

[TheParraboy]

Starts 9am AEDT SUNDAY

Could get ugly for Afghanistan. Youd imagine if NZ were going (or needed) to rest a player or two it would be in this game

 

[Meth]

I wish we would. We haven't looked like resting a player so far.

I'd love to see;

Guptill
Latham
Williamson
Taylor
Elliott
Anderson
Ronchi
Mills
N. McCullum
Milne
McClenaghan

Rest B. Mac, Southee, Vettori and Boult

 

[vvvrulz]

With a week off, what more rest do they need?
Keep the momentum rolling imo.

 

[Meth]

Yeah, but what happens if one of the key players drop and these 4 are short of game time?

 

[vvvrulz]

Yeah, but what happens if one of the key players drop and these 4 are short of game time?

Just have to accept the risk I reckon.

BMac, Southee and Boult are thriving on the momentum and form, I don't want them to sit it out and come back out of touch when it really matters.

I'd back NMac and Mills to be experienced and skilled enough to perform in a comeback.
Latham is going to struggle in the playoffs even if he gets a couple of 'soft' games.

I wouldn't underestimate Afghanistan either, esp if those big four are missing.
Afghanistan are capable of punishing a poor showing.

 

[ozbash]

Where would it leave aussie if we "lost" this game ?

 

[JJ]

Milne still worries me a little, surprised all the eggs are in that basket tbh - especially when Mills is such a classy odi bowler, and every time they put up a fastest to 50 wickets, or best strike rate list Mitch is near the top - the Aussie commentators don't notice and just wank on about Johnson though...

 

[yobbo84]

If NZ bat first, 500 could be on the cards.

 

[jargan83]

Where would it leave aussie if we "lost" this game ?

Still first unless Bangladesh knock you guys off. (Provided we beat Sri Lanka on Sunday)

 

[Scott]

Milne still worries me a little, surprised all the eggs are in that basket tbh - especially when Mills is such a classy odi bowler, and every time they put up a fastest to 50 wickets, or best strike rate list Mitch is near the top - the Aussie commentators don't notice and just wank on about Johnson though...

I agree. I'd be very tempted to open with Mills & Boult and have Southee on in the middle overs. He proven as a wicket taking option, which is the way we are winning. Not restricting through the middle, but taking wickets.

 

[Meth]

Where would it leave aussie if we "lost" this game ?

Don't even joke

 

[WaznTheGreat]

NZ will win this by the length of the straight

 

[vvvrulz]

Afganistan are not a team to mess around with.
They get a couple of our key batsmen and anything can happen.

 

[JJ]

I'd have been tempted to rest Southee, Boult and perhaps Dan... I have no doubts about Mills, Mitch and N Mac, but would like to see Milne have to bowl more

 

[vvvrulz]

Unchanged, Afghanistan to bat first.
Need at least 200 you'd think to trigger a potential upset.

 

[JJ]

Bangladesh is the banana skin game... the worry remains the batting outside of McCullum and Williamson - would have been much better to bat first

 

[shiznit]

Seeing as they are playing the same team again...

Id give the new ball to Milne... Tell the kid he's going spearhead the attack today.

Go as quick as you can son...

 

[vvvrulz]

Bangladesh is the banana skin game...

I wouldn't take the trio of Shapoor-Dawlat-Hamid lightly.
The trick for Afghanistan is to get the runs to defend.

 

[vvvrulz]

One down! Boult strikes

Don't understand why we're seeing so many reviews for millimetres calls.
It's not what DRS is for

 

[vvvrulz]

Vettori comes on early and strikes immediately, 6-2.

Southee goes for a ridiculous review and that's DRS gone either way for this innings.
Total misuse of the system.