Black Caps in India
-
Was listening to the radio this morning and apparently the last time we had the opportunity to win a series of some sort in India (Never previously been done by Black Caps) Glen Turner was coach and his pre match gee up was "You can't beat them today" Hoping for a bit of fire to start up in the bellies of the Kiwis. They got pumped.
-
2-2 motherfuckers. That's a great effort, Guppy MOTM which is probably deserved given how tough it was to score, the way he took toll in the first 10 set the game up for us.
This quote sums it up well
This win has "New Zealand" written all over it. They are technically not as good as India in these conditions, but what they do well is read the conditions excellently and have the tactics spot on. They saw a dry pitch, picked three spinners, batted first despite the prospect of dew, and went hammer and tongs in the first 10 overs knowing the spinners would be very difficult to get away once the balls grow older. Their start was perhaps a bit better than even they would have expected, which is what would have left them disappointed with just 260 on board, but once they crossed 230 you knew this was going to be a tight chase
Very astute from Kane and Hess. Credit where it's due.
-
With the benefit of hindsight, Cricinfo makes somewhat amusing reading around overs 18-19 of India's chase - Kohli going well and it's done and dusted! Even though, actually, at a comparative stage NZ was about 20 runs ahead in the game.
Those first 10 overs were crucial - got our noses in front and in the run chase we were never headed (other than over no. 1). Pretty good effort really, though an even better effort would have added another 30 runs off the final 15 overs.
-
While Guptill's runs were critical and he gave is a great start - the phrase "riding your luck" comes to mind. He really did look scratchy and about to get out at any point but didn't - which makes a change from looking like a million bucks and edging to slip in the 3rd over.
Good win, looking forward to the highlights tonight as I bailed at almost half-way, confident that we would get to 330 ....