Posted:
#1
Common sense would dictate that I learnt my lesson from yesterday's humiliation in the T20, but I just can't stay away from the chalk in this one.
The series is tied at 1-1, and each team will be hoping that rain stays away so there is a result in this one. There are showers forecast but it shouldn't hold proceedings up for too long.
Whilst rain washed out the first match, the Windies were in trouble at 5 / 129 after 35.4 overs. Not much can be taken from this match however, as rain was a constant feature and interestingly, the team batting first at that wicket in a ODI has never won per my records. In another rain shortened match, the Windies beat NZ in the 2nd ODI by 5 wickets off the final ball thanks to Sarwan's 67 from 65 balls. The NZ team fielded and bowled well, but batting was their problem in this one. They struggled to accelerate the scoring rate as a sluggish drop-in pitch, damp outfield and variably paced seam bowling conspired against them. On to the 3rd ODI, and the Black caps thrashed the Windies bowling them out for 128 with Vettori finishing with 4 / 20. NZ made the total chasing in just 20 overs.
After this demolition, it is hard to go past the Black caps. Whilst the Kiwi batting has failed to click for some time, the introduction of some fresh faces coming into the side should work in their favour, and hopefully Matthew Sinclair can maintain his recent domestic form for the National team. Nevertheless, the Windies batsmen haven't been any better and they will once again rely on Gayle, Sarwan and Shiv. I trust the NZ bowling to maintain its good form and trouble these 3, and without their contribution the Windies will find it hard to post a total.
NZ have not lost a ODI series for over a year now and whilst they have improved a little in recent times, the Windies did manage to win only 5 of their 20 ODI's last year. I don't expect NZ to endure their first series loss in a year at home, to this team.
Cricket really isn't my preferred sport to cap, far too unpredictable, but had some time to waste this morning and was hardly going to spend it in the NBA forum where I would be more respected if I pen a thread entitled "Game Fixed" midway through the first quarter of a match.
New Zealand ML (lets hope the rain gods stay away)
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