It's been a big sporting weekend, and there are a few matters worthy of comment, so let's wrap the weekend up. Who knows; this could become a Keeping Stock feature!
We reckon that the ICC anti-corruption geezers will be taking a very close look at last night's England vs South Africa World Cup match. Having dismissed the English for 171, the Saffers were cruising at 124 for three when the wheels fell of the ox-wagon. South Africa was dismissed for 165, and South Africa B's chances of making the World Cup quarter-finals were resurrected from the dead. Hmmmmm ....
And the Black Caps did as well as they could against Zimbabwe on Friday night. It was a match where they were on a hiding to nothing; anything less than a convincing win would be unacceptable. To their credit, the Black Caps delivered; the bowling was disciplined; the fielding was good (with the exception of Dan Vettori's howler), and you can't bat much better than McCullum and Guptill did. The match against Pakistan tomorrow night is now eagerly awaited.
Super Rugby is well and truly underway, and the conditions at the weekend were decidedly rugby-like. It was a cracking weekend for the New Zealand teams; all four teams in action had wins. Especially noteworthy were the Crusaders' win over the Waratahs in Nelson and the Blues' win over the Cats in Jo'burg, but there was only one contender for the performance of the round; the Highlanders remain unbeaten after snapping the Bulls' 18-match unbeaten home run. Jamie Joseph has the Southern Men playing some great rugby, and it's great to see!
And last, but by no means least, it's game on in the English Premiership. Arsenal seemed to have squandered a chance to put the pressure on Manchester United by drawing with lowly Sunderland until Liverpool thrashed The Scum this morning, 3-1. "King Kenny" Dalgleish has done wonders with the Merseysiders, who have powered from the relegation zone to sixth on the table in the space of a couple of months. In the meantime, Arsenal is now only three points behind Man U with a game in hand, and we reckon that 2011 could be the Year of the Arse!
So that's our wrap on the sporting weekend; care to share yours?
Footnote: Let's keep this post to sport, ok?
13 comments:
NZ's win over Zimbabwe is hardly a good guide to their future prospects. Still the wickets have to be taken and the runs scored - but why wasn't Oram playing? He has to be better value than either Franklin or Mills in all three disciplines of the game.
As I said pdm, the BC's were on a hiding to nothing, but they did the job efficiently.
I would have had Oram in for Bennett on that slow dung-heap. Mills bowled well, and at least has experience on his side. It's hard to rate Franklin given that he has only batted once in the World Cup so far, but he was our best batsmen in the ODI's in India prior to Christmas.
Still struggling pre-coffee this morning, so until my brain boots up properly, I have two small observations:
1) There's no "e" in Dalglish.
2) Adam Thomson is knocking very very hard on the door of world cup selection.
Fortunately the new ground-based alarm clock I have installed in the garden got me up in time to see the Blues beat the Lions on Saturday morning, although I have been quite impressed by the Lions so far. Who'd have thought Carlos Spencer would ever be a coach?
JS- Thomson should have been there last year.
Looks like Freuan will be pushing hard too.
And West Ham won 3-0. maybe Avram gant may crack a smile int he next millenium!
What about the Whopper? He's playing well too.
@pdm - Thomson had some injury problems last year didn't he? A McCaw, Read, Thomson back row would be my starting choice and given he can cover all three positions it's hard to see how he could be left out...but it wouldn't be the first inexplicable decision I would have seen from GH.
I agree re: Freuan as well, looked a very promising partnership with SBW even if I think Smith edges the defencinve nouse.
One more for the your consideration: Rene Ranger, the ouside positions are looking congested for sure, but RR seems to have that priceless ability to just make stuff happen. Probably not a starter, but covering centre and wing I'd have him in the squad.
@Mighty I thought Mitchell was now coaching the Lions
Mikey - Carlos is the backs coach or attack coach or somesuch.
@James Stephenson
That was kinda my point, Meateater teams only have a backs coach to help carry the bags.
JS 10.04am.
I agree with you regarding that loose forward combination but Kaino did have his best ever game for the AB's at Cardiff and Henry does like him. However, Thomson is streets ahead of Messem, Vito and Braid the other pretenders.
Inv - I haven't seen Bennett but he does seem to take the big wickets - the guys at CRICINFO report well on him. Mills is a trundler past his use by dates and will go for as many as Bennett without taking wickets in big games.
@ pdm - I feel a lot more positive about the depth of loose forward talent after watching Matt Todd's performance for the Crusaders on Friday night. Right now, I would have him in ahead of Braid as cover for McCaw. Thompson has been in great form, but I still rate Vito, and he should only improve with more games under his belt. My top six at the moment would be McCaw, Reid, Kaino, Thompson, Todd and Vito.
As for Bennett; inexperience was costly against Australia. There's a big difference between knocking over Kenyans and knocking over guys from the top teams. Mills is, as you say, a trundler, but on the slow decks in the sub-continent, that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Inv - can you have Reid and Read in the same team lol.
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