5th Match - Australia v New Zealand (18th March)

[Zinzan]

Fri Mar 18 (20 ovs) 15:00 local (09:30 GMT | 22:30 NZDT)

17th Match, Super 10 Group 2 - Australia v New Zealand Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala

Getting in early before the Afghanistan v Sri Lanka match as there should be a bit more pre-match comment on this one.



NZ have yet to beat Australia in a T20 (well officially speaking since their super over win in 2010 is considered a tie in head-head records).

Watson was quite correct in saying Australia so often smash NZ in important games,

Anyone locals able to comment on the wicket? if it's likely to be slow and take turn, that should swing it a little more towards NZ.

Current Bet365 odds: Aust $1.57 NZ $2.37

 

[Zinzan]

Ahh could a mod please add a poll, cheers.

 

[Moss]

Dharmashala is up in the hills and can get quite chilly. Somebody in the Ind-NZ match thread (I forget who) commented that the wicket's been playing slow and low of late but nothing like a square turner, so would not play a third spinner unless NZ genuinely feel that is their best option against the Aussies.

The other thing to consider is it's been raining quite a bit there and (correct me if wrong) all of the qualifying round games at this venue were shortened.

 

[Zinzan]

Yeah I see the forecast is a 90% chance of rain, but is likely to clear in the afternoon around 4-5pm local time, so hopefully we get a game.

 

[Spikey]

oh cool aus are gonna over-think this and throw agar in there

 

[Gob]

Pretty sure BMac won't win the toss

 

[hendrix]

Pretty sure BMac won't win the toss

it's almost guaranteed

 

[Top_Cat]

Oz should monster this one.

 

[Gob]

Oz should monster this one.

Unless it rains out of course

 

[Top_Cat]

Cheers for your thoughts.

 

[straw man]

Oz should monster this one.

In the foothills of the Himalayas anything is possible

 

[Athlai]

New and interesting myth calls coming through.

 

[Burgey]

Oh god, imagine the wailing and gnashing of teeth if an umpiring decision costs the Kiwahs this game. Discussion will ensue past the tournament final.

 

[Spikey]

really hope arun finch plays. he's good against new zealand

 

[Athlai]

really hope arun finch plays. he's good against new zealand

To be perfectly fair, we did lose the toss.

 

[Black_Warrior]

Oh god, imagine the wailing and gnashing of teeth if an umpiring decision costs the Kiwahs this game. Discussion will ensue past the tournament final.

Depends. Did your money transfer to the umpires go through? Heard paypal was having some issues due to overloading.

 

[Rippin n Tearin]

Any update on the weather over there? I'm pretty keen to watch this one, but last I heard it was unlikely to go ahead.

 

[Rippin n Tearin]

Any update on the weather over there? I'm pretty keen to watch this one, but last I heard it was unlikely to go ahead.

From stuff.co.nz:

Forecast gives hope for play in World T20

"Although showers were still blanketing Dharamsala seven hours before the toss, the weather is predicted to clear shortly before the start time."

 

[Burgey]

really hope arun finch plays. he's good against new zealand

You mean former T20 skipper and noted test aspirant Arun Finch.

 

[Zinzan]

Depending on the drainage we might just get luck here chaps, Hourly forecast for Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India

And from cricinfo; "1:00pm: Good afternoon, everyone. An early weather update from our man Sidharth Monga in Dharamsala: "We have passed the worst hours of the forecast without any rain. It is quite bright right now. Even the sun is out."