Daniel Vettori, the New Zealand captain, is not impressed with the use of the same pitch for Tuesday's semi-final as the one that was used for the quarter-final against England on Saturday. "They've told us we're playing on the same one as England, which is very surprising for us," Vettori said on the eve of the first semi-final against Sri Lanka. "Playing a World Cup semi-final on a used wicket; we would have thought it would be mandatory to prepare a fresh wicket, but obviously not." Sri Lanka won their quarter-final easily, strangulating England's scoring through clever use of slow bowlers and Lasith Malinga at the death, and went on to win comfortably by 10 wickets.
Now, from the outset, we can clarify that it is not mandatory to play World Cup matches on a fresh surface. This decision though, made by Sri Lanka's head groundsman and rubber-stamped by the ICC smacks of being a home-town one.
It would seem that the ICC is determined to have the final of a World Cuop in the sub-continent contested by teams from the sub-continent, and preferably the remaining hosts, India and Sri Lanka. Conditions in Sri Lanka are sufficienty in favour of the home team that any additional "tweaking" by the ICC should be superfluous.
Of course, cricket's power base has changed in the last 10 years. The game is no longer run by the English; it is controlled by the ICC from its Dubai offices, and the playing schedule and Future Tours Programme has been built around the lucrative Indian Premier League T-20 competition. It should not surprise that the ICC is setting up for the final suggested above. Ironically though, this World Cup has been a shot in the arm for the 50-over version of the game.
Realistically, the Black Caps have only an outsider's chance of winning tonight. But that is when they play their best cricket. Their best hope is to win the toss and bat first, taking advantage of any early life in the pitch, then strangling the Sri Lankan batsmen, who have been known to coke, although not as often as other teams. The chances of them chasing down a big total against what is likely to be a five-pronged spin attack are not great.
Regardless, we'll be watching the first couple of hours at least, and letting MySky take care of the rest. Even as well sleep, our sub-conscious support will be with the Black Caps, even though this is likely to be a step too far for them, dodgy pitch or otherwise. We wish Dan Vettori and the team all the very best for this match, and hope that whatever the final result, they give a strong account of themselves. They have defied the odds to make it this far in the tournament; let's hope that they can defy the odds one more time tonight!
23 comments:
You are bang on Inv. The toss is vital - win it and a score of 230 could be a winning one. The NZ bowling attack is much better suited to a low slow wicket than Englands was.
On that can anyone tell me why Styrus did not bowl against SA - the track seemed made for him.
I can only guess that the five front-line bowlers did the job that Vettori required of them pdm. Styrus may have come into contention had the Black Caps not broken through Kallis and the middle order when they did, but in the end he was superfluous. It's a while since New Zealand last used only five bowlers in an innings.
Really sad that in all liklyhood the "toss" will decide the outcome, how do the "bookies" factor that in.
I guess the current leadership of the ICC are so deeply entrenched in their naval gazing view of world cricket that the unfortunate fact that The Deshis are the only sub continent team to miss out is of no matter. It would be seen as kama that the non asian countries that developed the game are now effectively shut out of this tournament by pitch quality and the vaguaries of the toss.
Big, no, enormous task for the kiwis but how sweet the rewards should they do the impossible.
Agreed on the toss thing.
However, If the bowlers do their job with discipline and the fielders perform as they did on Saturday night then meight restrict the Sri-Lankans.
What give me the yps is our batting lineup. Baz has been a flat track bully, and apart from Pakistan so has Taylor. Pig has performed and so has Nathan. But they have been doing rescue jobs which is not what is wanted.
If they can set up a decent platform we are in with a shout but past history suggests that may not happen.
New Zealand Cricket (including its fan base) need to get over it. The pitch is fair and legal and both teams will play on the same track. The Sri Lankan groundsman gets to do his job as he sees fit as long as the pitch is up to standard.
Personally, I think the last two press releases from Dan have been red herrings. There's no way Luke Woodcock will play and Dan doesn't give a monkey's which pitch is used.
It's either that or he is running scared and we're gonna get steamrolled. Again.
Obviously, I disagree Stripe. The pitch on which Sri Lanka played England was already slow and low, and won't be any better for tonight's match. Despite that, I remain hopeful that the Black Caps will give a good account of themselves.
Actually, weren't you an umpire at the U20 Tournament in Chch a few years back INV2? I remember that tournament well. The penny drops!
You disagree with what? Is the pitch not up to standard?
@ Anon; Christchurch? No, sorry; never had that pleasure.
@ Stripe - I disagree that the pitch will be fair and legal. Legal, perhaps, but a dry, used pitch in Colombo fair for a match of this moment? I don't think so.
The year prior in Auckland then? The one shared between Colin Maiden and Lloyd Elsmore parks. It was a wonderful tournament. Heath Davis played for Wellington that year I believe. Or was it the year before that? I may have you confused with another gentleman.
@ Anon; and a young SP Fleming captained Canterbury? Were you there?
Feel free to e-mail ...
Perhaps you're right. But worrying about the fairness isn't going to win us anything, right. :)
Quite so Stripe; all that matters is what happens on the pitch (whether dodgy or not) between 10pm tonight and around 6am tomorrow.
No-one would be more delighted than this blogger if the Black Caps went a round further than any previous NZ team has at a World Cup. But I have a feeling that they played their World Cup final on Friday. I'll be delighted to be proved wrong though!
This is what I think. :)
Cheers for that Stripe - great link
Off the The Sports Cafe next to NZ House at Haymarket for a look at the side batting first. Poor timing gives me an eye test at 1.45pm which means I will miss most of the run chase.
...and your wish is granted I2! Now the BCs just need to be switched for BOTH innings.
=)
As this particular blog seems to be a "Robert Guyton free zone" I will hereby say good luck to the Black Caps.
You know I2, if you turn this into a sports blog you could possibly increase the traffic and see off Mr Guyton at the same time.
Otherwise you need to deal with the trolls.
Good site. But shame about the trolls.
Oi! Taxcut!
How's the hairs on your chinny chin chin you old goat?
INV2, ban that fool for not understanding how the internet works. Must be a conservative eh?
Black caps completely lost their way from 40 overs onwards.
Simon Doole says outstanding Sri Lankan effort. Rubbish.
Good night.
Anon @ 9.52pm up yours.
SMTC - I watched until the 37th over then had to leave only to wait for over an hour from my appointment time to be seen. Talk about a third world country.
Let me guess what happened - a `cow shot' from wannabe captain strted the deluge of wickets and a class batsman like Oram had to slog from ball one.
BTW I am with you on getting reig of RG aka greenfly, blowfly etc.
We blew it with the bat. Batting out and getting 230 might well have made the difference. They'll be gutted, on reflection, that they had the game and threw it away.
NZC needs to smarten up. They have the talent to compete and stuff all this rubbish about us being a small nation and having few players. If they play with a little character they can learn to win.
And after 70-odd years of cricket at the top level, one would think it's about time!
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