Well, I have been looking forward to write blogs on the sport that I have played, loved and adored my whole life. I am a fan of the game and not a team per se. I do have a few favorite players but not just from India. Finally, with the help of my friend I now will be able to express my views in this world of blogs.
Let me start with the current series between England and the New Zealand. England has been the team of not so great players, that you are made to believe are or were great players. May be it has to do with them being the "originators" of the game. New Zealand on the other hand is a nation that loves sports, be it Cricket, Hockey or Rugby (Not necessarily in the same order). Despite having a really small population and an even smaller pool of players to choose from it is quite amazing the standard of cricket that has been on display by their team for the past decade or two.
Enough, about the history, lets focus on the current series where NZ have, once again, shown great character, a great fight in the second test but all being too flattering to deceive at the end. A lot was expected from Daniel Vettori on the final day of the test, with the ball spinning and gripping the surface. And with England needing a target of over 250, it should have been a good target to defend. Traditionally, Old Trafford has been the favorite hunting ground for Monty Panesar. And he once again proved that he is the best in England when it comes to spin bowling. He bamboozled the NZ top order and stopped them from getting an unassailable lead. This should have given the NZ captain a lot of confidence to win the game for his team on the final day of a test match. He had claimed a five for in the first innings stamping his authority on the English batsmen, but could not do much when a big effort was required from him on the final day.
For England, Andrew Strauss had a good game after a long time spent in the wilderness. He has at least managed to save his position at the top for a few tests. Ryan Sidebottom has been a revelation for England and has been rewarded for his untiring efforts last season with the Player of the Year award for England. Overall, it was an evenly contested test match that went to the last day and had all the attributes of being a humdinger but the expectations were too much and the pressure showed on Vettori and his men.
Looking forward to the 3rd test, England will be very confident with the win but would be looking forward to Kevin Petersen to score some runs as he has been out of form for a while. Also Paul Collingwood will be coming back from an injury and should be fresh and ready for the final test. England have found another prospective all rounder in Stuart Broad who has been successfully able to fill in the void created by Flintoff's absence. On the other hand, NZ have plenty to worry about, their batting has be erratic, James Marshall who was the most in form batsman during the warm up games has not been able to produce the same at the highest level, Ross Taylor needs to be a lot more consistent to do justice to his immense talent. The biggest worry for NZ will be the form of Jacob Oram, particularly his struggle against Sidebottom and the short ball. He did produce a great hundred under pressure in the first test but he has openly admitted of his problems against Sidebottom. One can only wish that he stands up to the challenge and raises his game to give NZ a chance at leveling the series.
As is the case in most of the matches that they play in, NZ will go into the third test as the underdogs (which they admit is a tag which they enjoy as it takes the pressure off their team) and England with a resounding win at Old Trafford, will be the favorites to win the series. So will it be another occasion where the Kiwis will fight hard but will still be short of pulling up a win or will the momentum take to a series clinching victory? Only time will tell.
Let me start with the current series between England and the New Zealand. England has been the team of not so great players, that you are made to believe are or were great players. May be it has to do with them being the "originators" of the game. New Zealand on the other hand is a nation that loves sports, be it Cricket, Hockey or Rugby (Not necessarily in the same order). Despite having a really small population and an even smaller pool of players to choose from it is quite amazing the standard of cricket that has been on display by their team for the past decade or two.
Enough, about the history, lets focus on the current series where NZ have, once again, shown great character, a great fight in the second test but all being too flattering to deceive at the end. A lot was expected from Daniel Vettori on the final day of the test, with the ball spinning and gripping the surface. And with England needing a target of over 250, it should have been a good target to defend. Traditionally, Old Trafford has been the favorite hunting ground for Monty Panesar. And he once again proved that he is the best in England when it comes to spin bowling. He bamboozled the NZ top order and stopped them from getting an unassailable lead. This should have given the NZ captain a lot of confidence to win the game for his team on the final day of a test match. He had claimed a five for in the first innings stamping his authority on the English batsmen, but could not do much when a big effort was required from him on the final day.
For England, Andrew Strauss had a good game after a long time spent in the wilderness. He has at least managed to save his position at the top for a few tests. Ryan Sidebottom has been a revelation for England and has been rewarded for his untiring efforts last season with the Player of the Year award for England. Overall, it was an evenly contested test match that went to the last day and had all the attributes of being a humdinger but the expectations were too much and the pressure showed on Vettori and his men.
Looking forward to the 3rd test, England will be very confident with the win but would be looking forward to Kevin Petersen to score some runs as he has been out of form for a while. Also Paul Collingwood will be coming back from an injury and should be fresh and ready for the final test. England have found another prospective all rounder in Stuart Broad who has been successfully able to fill in the void created by Flintoff's absence. On the other hand, NZ have plenty to worry about, their batting has be erratic, James Marshall who was the most in form batsman during the warm up games has not been able to produce the same at the highest level, Ross Taylor needs to be a lot more consistent to do justice to his immense talent. The biggest worry for NZ will be the form of Jacob Oram, particularly his struggle against Sidebottom and the short ball. He did produce a great hundred under pressure in the first test but he has openly admitted of his problems against Sidebottom. One can only wish that he stands up to the challenge and raises his game to give NZ a chance at leveling the series.
As is the case in most of the matches that they play in, NZ will go into the third test as the underdogs (which they admit is a tag which they enjoy as it takes the pressure off their team) and England with a resounding win at Old Trafford, will be the favorites to win the series. So will it be another occasion where the Kiwis will fight hard but will still be short of pulling up a win or will the momentum take to a series clinching victory? Only time will tell.
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