History Shows You Can Never Write Off The Efficient Kiwis
The Cricket Paper|July 14, 2019

Derek Pringle dissects the New Zealand side and picks out the threat that the Black Caps may pose Eoin Morgan’s men at Lord’s today

History Shows You Can Never Write Off The Efficient Kiwis

You cannot out-psyche New Zealand with words as they have heard it all before. Perennially underestimated, they have, over the years consistently outperformed their ranking, their strength on paper and even the expectations of their mothers.

Yet their achievements should be more respected. After all, this is the second World Cup final they have reached in succession, a feat only managed this century by Australia, their noisy neighbours across the Tasman Sea.

An inspired semi-final win against India is what brings them to today’s final against England at Lord’s, though in truth they have reached the pinnacle firing on two cylinders at least with the bat. This makes them dangerous opponents as they have capacity to improve, such as getting their destructive opening batsman Martin Guptill into form.

Although still contributing in the field, it was Guptill’s wonderful direct hit to run out MS Dhoni that ended India’s hopes in the semi-final, he has had a stinker with the bat. In his last eight innings in the World Cup he has scored 104 runs at 13, not the numbers you want from a batsman whose career average in the 50-over game is 42.3.

But how do they get him right so he gives England’s trident of pace bowlers, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer and Mark Wood their own hurry up? Under the enlightened captaincy of someone like Jeremy Coney, busy commentating at this World Cup, he have been sent not into the nets but the fleshpots of Soho for a massage with a happy ending. The modern way though is to hit balls, endless buckets of them via a bowling machine, grooving the shot and the mind and then hoping the opposition bowlers are as predictable.

Esta historia es de la edición July 14, 2019 de The Cricket Paper.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición July 14, 2019 de The Cricket Paper.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE CRICKET PAPERVer todo
Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win
The Cricket Paper

Kohli leads RCB to much-needed win

VIRAT KOHLI returned to top form with 72 not out to lead RCB to an eight-wicket victory over the Royals in Abu Dhabi.

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL
The Cricket Paper

TEWATIA HAS SPARKED MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE IPL

James Wallace admits he has been surprisingly taken in by the IPL so far – and, in particular, the performance of a new Royal renegade

time-read
4 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley
The Cricket Paper

Whitewash victory is just the T20 tonic for Keightley

A SERIES that few thought would come to fruition ended in triumph for England who completed a 5-0 whitewash of the West Indies in Derby.

time-read
4 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY
The Cricket Paper

TEN OUT OF TEN! RYAN IS BASKING IN MORE GLORY

Chris Stocks catches up with Ryan ten Doeschate, who has plotted Essex’s recent county domination every step of the way

time-read
5 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo
The Cricket Paper

Surrey have the Will to end hoodoo

WILL Jacks may be a hot batting prospect but he’s relished the added responsibility with the ball in Surrey’s charge to T20 Finals Day.

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS
The Cricket Paper

NOW IT'S OUR TIME TO HELP OTHERS

Chris Stocks catches up with England’s director of cricket and discusses the need for the ECB to help boards around the world

time-read
4 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE
The Cricket Paper

IT'S OFTEN DOWN TO A THROW OF THE DICE

Garfield Robinson explains just how big a part luck plays in determining success or failure in sport

time-read
6 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF
The Cricket Paper

FINDING TALENTS LIKE TOM IS A GAIN IN ITSELF

One of the unexpected highlights to emerge from English cricket’s Covid-attenuated season was the chance given to young players to strut their stuff. With many overseas players and Kolpaks affected by travel restrictions many counties looked instead to the young talent on their staffs with gratifying results.

time-read
5 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger
The Cricket Paper

Future looks bright for the Ohio Slinger

ALI Khan is earning his stars and stripes in the Indian Premier League, with the first American to play in the tournament breaking down barriers in every sense.

time-read
3 minutos  |
October 04, 2020
Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat
The Cricket Paper

Spin trio put squeeze on after Glenn shows off skill with the bat

SARAH GLENN helped England spin it to win it after proving she can make an all-round contribution.

time-read
2 minutos  |
September 27, 2020