An interesting point from Rob: "This is a very impressive performance from New Zealand considering how inexperienced they are compared to the Zimbabweans who should have a huge advantage considerng they have 7 players who have played 100 ODI's (Masakadza, Matsikenyeri, Taylor, Taibu, Chigumbura, Utseya, Price) while New Zealand only have 3 (McCullum, Oram, Mills)."
The Zimbabweans could do with a drink after being completely dismantled by Jacob Oram who was surprisingly promoted to 3. The move paid off and New Zealand are heading for at least 310, if not more.
Luke replies to Rob: "Rob has a point but it's not a particularly well thought out one (and no need for a NZ'der to do so) ... I'm not sure NZ FC cricket have closed down for a season, or are struggling - hard - to keep people playing. Almost all those who have experience should not have been playing when they were...Ray is the only exception, Sibanda made his debut 10 years ago (roughly) but his breakthrough season was last year. They're performing well because they have a nuturing FC system to develop in."
Mark responds to his critics: "Boy some people need to seriously chill out. No one is being arrogant or getting ahead of themselves. I said it was early days and I have been an NZ fan who has known plenty of disappointments in recent years. What I am saying is that teams like NZ and Pakistan have been starting to address long-standing flaws in their cricket and are now exhibiting a freshness and self-belief that has been lacking and they are beginning to reap the rewards of that. Some other teams have just carried on with their heads in the sand and their results are showing the effects of that inaction. It's not arrogance at all, merely a reflection of where different cricket boards and teams are at. Now count to 10 slowly people!"
Talor: "Okay, so i'm a Kiwi and i would love to see young players being bred onto the international scene, instead of starting players like Jacob Oram, Rob Nicol, and Andy Ellis- all are great players!- but bring in the likes of the Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, that's all that i can think of off the top of my head... But try get players like this prepared for tougher internationals when you get a series against Zimbabwe..." Boult and de Grandhomme have both been selected at some stage, bit harsh on Nicol and Ellis who aren't that old and have performed very well domestically
Few of you asking about speeds, generally the fastest is 135kph from the Zimbabwean bowlers, they tend to be in the 120s range
Nathan McCullum, the New Zealand 12th man, in the commentary box. What do you think of players doing commentary stints while they're still playing? We saw it recently in Australia as well with Steve O'Keefe and James Pattinson for the India T20Is
Daniel: "The 12th Man is doing commentary? Sounds like a good idea for a series of comedy albums! Oh hang on, missed the boat on that one!" Haha, nicely done
Mr Hickenshire once more: "RE: N McCullum in the commentary box - This is a fresh initiative. The fans want to know as much about the inner workings of the team as possible, and hearing the point of view from a current player is fantastic. But like Mark, Nathan McCullum should not get too ahead of himself! Hehe."
Reminds me of AC in the commentary box. My only problem is that they would play it too safe and would end up being boring.
Brendan Taylor's birthday today, incidentally. Not getting the present he would have wanted so far
Ben: "How good is Martin Guptill at the moment? Averaging 96 in all forms this year. 7 T20s, 1 test innings and 2 ODIs. Super stuff!"
Hamilton in (Over 23) Score Line 122/0 - goes for 9 runs and is taken off.
Hamilton Masakadza into the attack, seems to be used whenever Zimbabwe need a choke on the run flow
Well well, this is a surprise. Jacob Oram comes in at 3
NZ already experimenting and they haven't sealed the series yet thats how much they have Zimbabwe's number.
Batting Powerplay taken, Baz springing a few surprises as skipper Many comments coming through about Ben's comments on Guptill. Consensus seems to be that he has performed only against the lesser teams and has not done as well against the heavyweights
Hamilton comes on for his second over, goes for 4 runs in over 31, 189/1 Current partnership Nicol & Oram is 58. Maskadza bowls his 3rd over goes for 4 and gets Orams wicket.
Pathetic cricket from Zimbabwe in that over, dropped catch, two sixes, two wides, bad fielding, you name it, they mucked it up in that over
Mark writes in with a hint of triumphalism: "I think my point at the start of this innings is being proved. You can only play what is in front of you and NZ are displaying a self-belief and ruthlessness that has long been absent. A year ago I would have given Zimbabwe a 50/50 chance of beating NZ. Unfortunately for them they are striking a team that seems to be on the rise. The big test of Zimbabwes character will be how they go batting. I really hope they have the fortitude to put in a good showing, even if in a losing cause, rather than just capitulate."
This match is over as a contest after New Zealand absolutely destroyed and decimated a completely off-colour Zimbabwe. It's amazing to think they started the innings with two maidens! Guptill set the tone early before Oram pulverised the bowling, then it was Nicol's turn to take over with some assistance from Latham as the death overs saw plundering and pillaging that the Somalian pirates would be proud of. Zimbabwe now have to make a score more than twice their highest total on this tour if they are to somehow pull off a miracle. Join us at 3.40pm to see whether the tourists can leave Whangarei with at least something to be proud of.