NZ under GrahamB (ICC 2005)

[thewizard1o1]

Great series wins in both forms, the Windies have the edge with the bat, but their bowling looks pretty poor on paper, only problem is that games arn't played on paper. 5 tests i assume? i'll tip a 3-2 win to NZ

 

[squiz]

Is that Hamish Marshall?

 

[Graham]

Thanks to you all for your interest and comments!

Yes, that's Hamish Marshall who's the keeper! As I've stated, I go by the game stats, taking no notice of the real life situation.
Even though he's a specialist keeper in the pre-patch game, his keeping stats aren't that marvellous, so I hope he doesn't put down any catches!

 

[Graham]

1st Test update later today as I'm currently updating my Crystal Palace TCM2005 diary.
Here's the link for anyone who's interested.
http://forum.easports.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=340

 

[Graham]

Well men. So much for the Windies bowlers being up to it!
The 1st Test ended in a humiliating defeat!

I'm actually wondering whether or not the international spinner problem has been completely fixed. Time will tell.
However it was Bravo who knocked the top off both NZ innings. In both innings we'd lost 3 wickets before we had 10 runs on the board!

 

[Graham]

The NZ team for the 2nd and final test!

Yes that's right - just two tests!

Test series and ODI series seem to have been reduced in length just as four day friendlies have become three day friendlies!
These are not changes that I'm happy with, but oh well! I guess somebody will say that that's the way things really are these days!

I suspected that I had played one bowler too many in the 1st Test with allrounder Kyle Mills in the side, so I've cut back to add more depth to the batting.
Out go bowlers A.Penn and M.Gillespie.
In come N.Astle as a batsman and M.Orchard.

 

[_Ed_]

Disappointing that there are only two tests, I thought having only two against Zimbabwe was realistic but NZ v West Indies really should be 3...oh well.

Good luck in the second test, hope the top order does a bit better for you this time!

 

[Graham]

Disappointing that there are only two tests, I thought having only two against Zimbabwe was realistic but NZ v West Indies really should be 3...oh well.

Good luck in the second test, hope the top order does a bit better for you this time!

Yeah. It's hard to see the batting failing that badly again considering that it's been our strong point to date!
The bowling worries me more though. But with Franklin and Orchard with test bowling averages in the 30s and with Walker in the 20s (this season), we'll see if we're any more successful this time round!

 

[Graham]

The test series drawn 1-1

Our leading test stats from the first season

Now onto the three ODIs to wrap up the season!

 

[Graham]

The NZ team for the first ODI v Windies

Captain Peter Fulton and allrounder Kyle Mills are in need of a rest, so Matthew Sinclair takes over the captaincy for today's game.

 

[chooka_nick]

Nice fightback mate (Y)

 

[thewizard1o1]

Nice win graham! Sinclair and Fulton had big test seasons for you, Nevin should get the sack for good lol...

 

[Graham]

Thanks fellas!

I think you've seen the last of Chris Nevin in NZ colours.

Hamish Marshall batted well and kept well. Fingers crossed it'll continue that way!

Matthew Sinclair and Peter Fulton were definitely the standout test batsmen for sure.

The bowling was an ongoing concern, but Kyle Mills, James Franklin and M.Orchard came through when it counted!

ICC2005 thoughts

In ICC2002, left arm quicks were always a lot more expensive giving away runs than right armers. Judging from Franklin's performance so far this is another thing that might have been fixed.
Still not 100% sure about the international spinner domination situation yet though. I guess when we face the Asian sides, I'll find out!
There is no longer a third umpire with the red/green lights. I'm happy about this because you used to wait for ages to get a decision.
"Close run out" commentary still seems to go in runs where you might get it three times in quick succession and it's not always appropriate!

 

[kears_falcon_9]

There was a third umpire in 2002? lol ive been playin that for ages and never noticed.

 

[Somerset]

Disappointing that there are only two tests, I thought having only two against Zimbabwe was realistic but NZ v West Indies really should be 3...oh well.

Good luck in the second test, hope the top order does a bit better for you this time!

Remember there were only two tests played when the West Indies last toured New Zealand in 1999 - not sure about this season as I haven't seen the confirmed schedule though.

 

[Somerset]

Thanks fellas!

I think you've seen the last of Chris Nevin in NZ colours.

Hamish Marshall batted well and kept well. Fingers crossed it'll continue that way!

Matthew Sinclair and Peter Fulton were definitely the standout test batsmen for sure.

Really realistic seeing Hamish Marshall wearing the gloves! Can't say I'm disappointed about Chris Nevin going though.

The bowling was an ongoing concern, but Kyle Mills, James Franklin and M.Orchard came through when it counted!

I still think you should use Bond, Tuffey and Vettori to solve the problem - I realise you go by stats in the game but in my trial they were all successful, particularly Tuffey and Bond. Jacob Oram was also very good.

ICC2005 thoughts

In ICC2002, left arm quicks were always a lot more expensive giving away runs than right armers. Judging from Franklin's performance so far this is another thing that might have been fixed.
Still not 100% sure about the international spinner domination situation yet though. I guess when we face the Asian sides, I'll find out!
There is no longer a third umpire with the red/green lights. I'm happy about this because you used to wait for ages to get a decision.
"Close run out" commentary still seems to go in runs where you might get it three times in quick succession and it's not always appropriate!

Good to see the old ICC 2002 third umpire gone - although personally I'd rather a more efficient third umpire in the game, rather than none at all. And hopefully for everyone's sake that spinners problem has been fixed.

 

[Graham]

The first ODI was disastrous for us!

Peter Fulton and Kyle Mills came back into the side for the crucial second ODI with Jacob Oram and Matthew Walker left out.

So we're into the third and final ODI to decide who takes out the series.

 

[_Ed_]

And hopefully for everyone's sake that spinners problem has been fixed.

I'm up to 2007 playing as Bangladesh (will go much more slowly when I start properly with NZ) and I can report that in the World Ratings top 20 for test bowlers, there are only 9 spinners. Although I'm not up to the stage in the game where the spinners really started to dominate in 2002, the signs are quite promising I think.

I think the number of sixes has increased too, still not enough but I'm seeing at least one in every batting innings (only watching wickets & chances when I bowl so haven't noticed).

 

[Graham]

I'm up to 2007 playing as Bangladesh (will go much more slowly when I start properly with NZ) and I can report that in the World Ratings top 20 for test bowlers, there are only 9 spinners. Although I'm not up to the stage in the game where the spinners really started to dominate in 2002, the signs are quite promising I think.

I think the number of sixes has increased too, still not enough but I'm seeing at least one in every batting innings (only watching wickets & chances when I bowl so haven't noticed).

That's good to know Ed.

 

[Graham]

Two changes were again made to the NZ team for the deciding ODI with Michael Papps and Jacob Oram coming in for Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle.