World Cup Final: Australia v New Zealand

[Ghost Dog]

Re: World Cup Final: Australia v New Zealand

No, sorry. It could, but I don't have the time to do it. It's the 12th Man from before the last Aussie World Cup.

Now and then, people infect Wikiquote with a bit of humor.Ah 12th man. Takes me back.

[Greystache]

Re: World Cup Final: Australia v New Zealand

The Windies had a pretty long winning streak. Not sure I ever remember them doing the whole send off thing.But... I can imagine a Joel Garner send off would have been pretty terrifying.

They did it as much if not more than any team does now, the only difference was the lack of scrutiny on the players back then and the number of cameras to actually capture it.

I'm not a fan of the send off, prior to taking the wicket I firmly believe anything goes, but afterwards it's just petty unless the batsman has been a douchebag (insert Kholi for example). What really annoys me is the way sections of the media and social media, more often than not non-cricket followers, search for anything negative about Australia and then try to make it the primary focus. The Australian players cop every bit as much as they give, but the one sided reporting makes it sound like every player to never have pulled on an Australia shirt are angels sent from heaven. It makes me sick.

[Sedat]

Re: World Cup Final: Australia v New Zealand

What really annoys me is the way sections of the media and social media, more often than not non-cricket followers, search for anything negative about Australia and then try to make it the primary focus.

Not limited to cricket, although cricketers do cop their fair share of judgement. Insert Hewitt, Phillippoussis, even Kyrgios at the Aus Open this year. In this world of instant media, there are very few 100% universally loved Australian sportspeople that don't piss at least some sections of the public and media off, no matter how successful they are in their sport.

Nobody can or should take away from the brilliance of the Aus cricket team in this world cup. The bowling unit is comfortably the best in the world, 2-3 key batsmen made consistent contributions throughout the tournament and the all-rounders all made telling contributions throughout with both bat and ball. Scary that we should improve as our batting line-up never really fired all together in the one match, with Smith especially papering over the cracks.

[jeemak]

Re: World Cup Final: Australia v New Zealand

Not limited to cricket, although cricketers do cop their fair share of judgement. Insert Hewitt, Phillippoussis, even Kyrgios at the Aus Open this year. In this world of instant media, there are very few 100% universally loved Australian sportspeople that don't piss at least some sections of the public and media off, no matter how successful they are in their sport.

Nobody can or should take away from the brilliance of the Aus cricket team in this world cup. The bowling unit is comfortably the best in the world, 2-3 key batsmen made consistent contributions throughout the tournament and the all-rounders all made telling contributions throughout with both bat and ball. Scary that we should improve as our batting line-up never really fired all together in the one match, with Smith especially papering over the cracks.

Could certainly have expected more from our opening partnership than what was delivered, and I see this as one of the only areas where we were exposed during the Cup. For whatever reason, irrespective of some of the individual performances across the tournament, Finch and Warner didn't seem to gel.

[Greystache]

Re: World Cup Final: Australia v New Zealand

Could certainly have expected more from our opening partnership than what was delivered, and I see this as one of the only areas where we were exposed during the Cup. For whatever reason, irrespective of some of the individual performances across the tournament, Finch and Warner didn't seem to gel.

Finch in particular never looked like it. His 80 in the semi was full of grit, but it was the innings of a player in terrible form. It was his only score since his hundred in the first game, and let's not forget he was dropped on 0 in the simplest of fashion in that game.

[Ozza]

Re: World Cup Final: Australia v New Zealand

Finch in particular never looked like it. His 80 in the semi was full of grit, but it was the innings of a player in terrible form. It was his only score since his hundred in the first game, and let's not forget he was dropped on 0 in the simplest of fashion in that game.

For me, Finch isn't up to it against the best teams in the world. He rode a wave of some good form 12-18 months ago - but I personally don't rate him all that highly. My (unpopular) preference is for Watson to open the batting. Watson has an average of over 45 opening the batting in ODI's, at a strike rate of around 91.5.

His career average drops down when you factor in his batting at other positions - but its still just over 40 at a S/R of 90.

Throw in his bowling (ave. 30) - and Watson has been one of our best ever limited overs players.

[Topdog]

Re: World Cup Final: Australia v New Zealand

Yep, same as Johnson and Warner. 3 really ugly cricketers.

Don't mind Johnson too much. Haddin and Warner are grade A wankers though.

[lemmon]

Re: World Cup Final: Australia v New Zealand

For me, Finch isn't up to it against the best teams in the world. He rode a wave of some good form 12-18 months ago - but I personally don't rate him all that highly. My (unpopular) preference is for Watson to open the batting. Watson has an average of over 45 opening the batting in ODI's, at a strike rate of around 91.5.

His career average drops down when you factor in his batting at other positions - but its still just over 40 at a S/R of 90.

Throw in his bowling (ave. 30) - and Watson has been one of our best ever limited overs players.

Will he be at the next World Cup though? I don't mind Watson in the side purely because it would do more harm than good to throw all the experience out rapidly but we do need to bed down an opening combination fairly shortly. Bare in mind Warner hasn't exactly set the world on fire at the top of the order either. If Haddin goes, could we revert to opening with a Matthew Wade perhaps?

[GVGjr]

Re: World Cup Final: Australia v New Zealand

Will he be at the next World Cup though? I don't mind Watson in the side purely because it would do more harm than good to throw all the experience out rapidly but we do need to bed down an opening combination fairly shortly. Bare in mind Warner hasn't exactly set the world on fire at the top of the order either. If Haddin goes, could we revert to opening with a Matthew Wade perhaps?

With Marsh having some legitimate claims to the all-rounders spot the pressure will be on Watson to maintain his form. This can only be a good thing. I'm not confident his form can hold up for a long period but maybe he needs to choose if he is either a test cricketer or ODI/T20 player.

[lemmon]

Re: World Cup Final: Australia v New Zealand

With Marsh having some legitimate claims to the all-rounders spot the pressure will be on Watson to maintain his form. This can only be a good thing. I'm not confident his form can hold up for a long period but maybe he needs to choose if he is either a test cricketer or ODI/T20 player.

Who else goes though? Haddin is probably finished and the batting starts looking seriously young. Will something like:
Warner
Finch
Smith
???
Maxwell
Marsh
Wade

be able to hold things together in the short to medium term? If Bailey slots into Clarke's spot it does help admittedly

[GVGjr]

Re: World Cup Final: Australia v New Zealand

Who else goes though? Haddin is probably finished and the batting starts looking seriously young. Will something like:
Warner
Finch
Smith
???
Maxwell
Marsh
Wade

be able to hold things together in the short to medium term? If Bailey slots into Clarke's spot it does help admittedly

Players tend to emerge when we cycle through some established players. While one doesn't spring to mind in 12 months time there will probably be 2 players competing for a spot. Maybe Shaun Marsh if you want experience or Chris Lynn on potential.

Just some other observations and questions:
There has to be a question mark on Finch but if he recovers form then he will be hard to replace.
We have been batting Haddin at 8 for this tournament so it could be anyone of the current keepers that replaces him.
Does Faulkner finally get his chance to move to the number 6 spot? Risky especially if Maxwell is at 5.

[lemmon]

Re: World Cup Final: Australia v New Zealand

Just some other observations and questions:
There has to be a question mark on Finch but if he recovers form then he will be hard to replace.
We have been batting Haddin at 8 for this tournament so it could be anyone of the current keepers that replaces him.
Does Faulkner finally get his chance to move to the number 6 spot? Risky especially if Maxwell is at 5.

I'd go even further and suggest the question mark on Warner as a One Day player hasn't fully resolved itself. An average of 34 with a strike rate of 85 from 62 ODI's doesn't quite do it for me and he was quite easily the worst of our batsman in the World Cup if you take away that 170 against Afghanistan. I'd like to see him dominate for a little while to be fully convinced.

I think we are wasting the keeper at 8, I like Nevill for tests and Wade for ODI's. Wade has looked most comfortable the earlier he has come in. He's not a late order hitter so if he is the next guy they are going to have to manufacture a spot for him.

No reason to move Faulkner from 7/8. If he does move up does it mean there's no place for Marsh and we play an extra bowler? That's far too light on in the batting in my mind.

[boydogs]

Re: World Cup Final: Australia v New Zealand

Happy to give them a bit of leeway with the wicket celebrations & send-offs in a final. I don't think there is any doubt our fast bowlers got into their heads and made them retreat into their shells