QUICK. Find us something to worry about
0
We are worrying about running out of things to worry about. The batting form concerns are largely resolved, runs have come from all parts of the order. There may be doubts raised about the quality of the opposition, but you can only play against who is in front of you. And 119 runs is another large margin
There was much relief about Guptill’s form after Wellington, but this was his best innings of the summer once he got going. Williamson took his game to a new level, and remember when people were concerned about Ross Taylor’s form? Their consistency is becoming Crowe 1992-like, and this time there are two of them doing it.
Regardless of the ground you’re playing at, 369 is a very good ODI score.
If the target had been 300 it would have been a really interesting chase. Pakistan batted well too, getting to 100 quickly without losing a wicket, but scoreboard pressure was always going to be New Zealand’s weapon. Once the rate got to around 10, and the wickets started falling it was all over.
The highlight was Vettori’s bowling to Boom Boom in the Power Play. It is interesting how Vettori is being used more in the Power Plays since his return. Admit it; that’s the benefit of T20 cricket.
All the bowlers chipped in at different times. Milne, Nathan McCullum and Elliott all went for a few, but they all got wickets. That is how it tends to go when you are defending a large score.
With Anderson coming back for Nathan McCullum we have probably settled on the playing XI for Christchurch.
#Statchat
That was the fifth time that New Zealand had two century makers in the same ODI. It comes 12 days after it happened for the fourth time
In 2015, in all forms. Williamson has a double century, 2 centuries, that time he was hung out to dry on 97, and 3 games off
In his last 16 ODI innings, Williamson has passed fifty on 12 occasions…
New Zealand already have three 300-plus scores in 2015. That’s more than they managed in each of the last 3 years.
And there is more.
Now for the MVP points, and it was a batsmen’s game.
- Martin Guptill. Back to form, and he helped set up what was to follow.
- Ross Taylor. It is his ground, and his fastest ODI century.
- Kane Williamson. What can you say? Struck it at a SR of over 100 throughout. World class.
| Williamson | 18 |
| Ronchi | 14 |
| Henry | 11 |
| Anderson | 9 |
| Taylor | 8 |
| McClenaghan | 5 |
| Vettori | 5 |
| Elliott | 5 |
| McCullum B | 3 |
| Boult | 3 |
| Milne | 2 |
| Southee | 2 |
| Mills | 2 |
| Guptill | 2 |
| Latham | 1 |