Somerset's New Zealand Journey

[Somerset]

1st ODI vs Bangladesh
Another chance for the team to hit back at the critics after the Sri Lanka series with a 3 match ODI series.
Same side as the test series played the first ODI with the majority of the rest of the squad struggling for form.

New Zealand 263/8 (50 overs)
S.Fleming 79
J.Franklin 53*
T.Weston 40*

Bangladesh 173 all out (37 overs)
J.Franklin 4/43

New Zealand win by 90 runs

A comprehensive display from New Zealand in all departments saw the team victorious by 90 runs in the first ODI. A sixth wicket unbeaten partnership of 94 saw the team to a respectable 263/8 before Bangladesh were left stranded at 86/6 and the game all but over.

 

[Graham]

You're doing better against the Bangladeshis than I did.

 

[Somerset]

2nd ODI vs Bangladesh
Time to wrap up the series! McMillan replaces Ross Taylor.

New Zealand 195 all out (48.3 overs)
K.Arafat 5/35

Bangladesh 196/5 (43.3 overs)
Q.Bashar 87
Q.Islam 59

Bangladesh win by 5 wickets

An ill-disciplined batting performance and a bowling effort that wasn't much better saw Bangladesh tie the series up at 1-1. At one stage New Zealand were 6/106 and then 9/167 and only a determined effort from Mills and Tuffey gave the Kiwis any total to defend.

 

[Somerset]

You're doing better against the Bangladeshis than I did.

Might've spoke too soon I think!

 

[Somerset]

3rd ODI vs Bangladesh
Must win match with series all square at 1-1.
Taylor comes back in for McMillan and Gillespie replaces Tuffey.

Bangladesh 259/8 (50 overs)
Q.Islam 115
M.Hossain 74
J.Oram 6/60

New Zealand 246/9 (50 overs)
J.Franklin 55*
J.Oram 52
S.Fleming 51
Q.Islam 4/26
M.Hossain 3/39

Bangladesh win by 13 runs and win the series 2-1

Manjural Islam produced an amazing all round performance to bat and spin the New Zealanders out of the match. He was quite unstopable in scoring his maiden ODI century and then bowled 10 cheap overs as well as picking up four key New Zealand wickets. The problem for New Zealand was that no one made a big score, like Manjural, after getting set. Oram's six wickets was a weak consolation.

 

[Somerset]

After the ODI series loss, New Zealand dropped from third to fifth in the ODI ladder.

Its now home to play England with the series starting in early February 2008.

 

[Somerset]

1st Test vs England
A much anticipated series against England gets under way with the two test match series.
The New Zealand 12 for the test was: P.Fulton, S.Fleming, M.Sinclair, C.McMillan, J.Oram, T.Weston, S.Styris, J.Franklin, D.Vettori, K.Mills, S.Bond, M.Gillespie
New Zealand ommitted Styris from the starting XI.

Day One
New Zealand 380/8
J.Oram 109
J.Franklin 84
M.Sinclair 73
L.Plunkett 3/93

New Zealand came away with a slight advantage after day one, with Oram's 109 (from 137 balls) and Franklin's 84 (off 97 deliveries) the highlights. At 5/195 the Kiwis looked shaky but their 104 run partnership put the home side back on track.

Day Two
New Zealand 541 all out
J.Oram 109
K.Mills 108
J.Franklin 84
M.Sinclair 73
S.Bond 71*
L.Plunkett 3/140

England 154/4

Mills and Bond showed the depth in the side as they added an all-time New Zealand record of 158 for the 9th wicket. When Mills was dismissed for 108 (maiden test century) at 9/505, Gillespie joined Bond and they added another 36 to add to the English misery. Bond also scored his highest test score. In reply, England lost their four key batsmen with Franklin and Oram picking up a wicket each, and Vettori two, leaving the tourists in massive trouble at close.

Day Three
England 311 all out
A.Flintoff 116
D.Vettori 5/100
J.Franklin 3/52

England 205/2
A.Strauss 91*
I.Bell 68*

Flintoff batted well with limited resources but eventually England fell short of the follow on, which was enforced by New Zealand. Gillespie picked up two wickets in his first over and England were 2/45 and looking in deep trouble. However Strauss and Bell batted well throughout the remainder of the day to save England's hopes for the moment.

Day Four
England 480 all out
A.Strauss 180
I.Bell 113
M.Gillespie 4/122
J.Oram 3/46
S.Bond 3/106

New Zealand 56/2

Strauss anchored the English second innings with a classy 180 under pressure. New Zealand continue to mop up the other end and eventually England set New Zealand 250 to win. Fleming and Sinclair were both dismissed in the last half hour to make for an intriguing final day.

Day Five
New Zealand 252/7
P.Fulton 62
D.Vettori 53*
S.Mahmood 4/63

A dramatic last day saw New Zealand reduced to 7/174. However first innings centurion Mills along with Vettori added 78 for the eight wicket to see the Kiwis home against a determined English outfit. A great victory for New Zealand as we take a commanding 1-0 series lead.

New Zealand win by 3 wicket

 

[Somerset]

2nd Test vs England
Only a draw needed to win the series which would be a great achievement.
Styris was replaced by Bruce Martin in the 12, however the same XI as the first test was selected to start. Weston was given one more chance to perfom at test level (so far 84 runs in 4 tests) while Sinclair and McMillan need runs.

Day One
England 402/5
I.Bell 114
M.Vaughan 97
A.Strauss 74
A.Cook 61

England played agressively throughout the day to reach 402/5 at close. Partnerships of 167 between Vaughan and Strauss, and 133 between Bell and Cook saw the tourists keep the scoreboard moving at a constant rate.

Day Two
England 530 all out
I.Bell 114
M.Vaughan 97
A.Strauss 74
A.Cook 61
A.Flintoff 58
S.Bond 5/128

New Zealand 211/1
P.Fulton 102*
M.Sinclair 91*

England added a further 128 runs to finish on 530 all out. Bond cleaned up the English tail to avoid a larger total from the tourists. In reply, Fleming went early but Fulton and Sinclair added 187, with Fulton passing three figures in the dying light of the day.

Day Three
New Zealand 466 all out
P.Fulton 126
M.Sinclair 95
D.Vettori 68*
L.Plunkett 4/157
S.Mahmood 3/126

England 73/0

New Zealand lost a series of wickets early on day three but another gritty effort from the tail saw the home side post 466. From 5/264, the last five wickets were worth 202. England started confidently in reply, making 73 more runs before the end of the day.

Day Four
England 370/4 declared
M.Vaughan 115
A.Strauss 113

New Zealand 90/1

Vaughan and Strauss extended England's advantage with a 207 run opening partnership. Flintoff and Bell then launched quick 40 run cameos as England declared early in the third session, setting New Zealand 435 to win. Fulton was dismissed but Fleming and Sinclair looked relatively secure in the short batting spell. New Zealand need a further 345 runs to win.

Day Five
New Zealand 434/9
T.Weston 84
K.Mills 79*
M.Gillespie 57*
S.Mahmood 3/108
L.Plunkett 3/138

Drama galore! An amazing test match finished in bizarre circumstances with England needing one wicket and New Zealand needing one run to win the game - however neither happened! New Zealand looked down and out at 308/9 after the middle order, bar Weston, had folded. However Mills and Gillespie combined to score 126 for the final wicket. With victory in sight, the English went on the defence and with five to win off the last over, the pair could only manage four singles. Either way, New Zealand still win the series!

Match Tied/Drawn?! New Zealand win the series 1-0

 

[Graham]

2nd Test vs England

Drama galore! An amazing test match finished in bizarre circumstances with England needing one wicket and New Zealand needing one run to win the game - however neither happened! New Zealand looked down and out at 308/9 after the middle order, bar Weston, had folded. However Mills and Gillespie combined to score 126 for the final wicket. With victory in sight, the English went on the defence and with five to win off the last over, the pair could only manage four singles. Either way, New Zealand still win the series!

Match Tied/Drawn?! New Zealand win the series 1-0

Great finish mate. A fantastic last wicket partnership. I bet you were just waiting for the wicket to fall with every passing over!

 

[Somerset]

Great finish mate. A fantastic last wicket partnership. I bet you were just waiting for the wicket to fall with every passing over!

With more than 100 to win I thought it'd be a matter of time - I've never had such a dramatic finish to a test match from such a great last wicket stand before.

 

[Somerset]

Twenty20 International vs England
Following the successful test series result, a one off Twenty20 match took place.
The New Zealand 12 selected was: P.Fulton, S.Fleming, M.Sinclair, C.McMillan, J.Oram, B.McCullum, J.Franklin, S.Styris, D.Vettori, K.Mills, S.Bond and M.Gillespie.
Gillespie was left out of the playing XI, resulting in a very long batting lineup.

New Zealand 138/4 (20 overs)
S.Fleming 57*
B.McCullum 30*
A.Davies 2/37

England 142/3 (18.4 overs)
M.Vaughan 71*

England win by 7 wickets

New Zealand set England a reasonable total given the conditions but Vaughan steadied the tourists to comfortable seven wicket victory with a composed 55 ball innings worth 71.

 

[Somerset]

For the ODI series New Zealand added Ross Taylor, Timothy Weston and Bruce Martin to the Twenty20 squad for the 15 man ODI squad.

1st ODI vs England
The important first ODI against the English.
The New Zealand side consisted of: P.Fulton, S.Fleming, M.Sinclair, C.McMillan, J.Oram, T.Weston, J.Franklin, D.Vettori, K.Mills, S.Bond and B.Martin

New Zealand 263/6 (50 overs)
C.McMillan 86
M.Sinclair 70
S.Fleming 56
M.Panesar 4/51

England 224 all out (49.1 overs)
I.Bell 67
M.Vaughan 41
K.Mills 3/35
B.Martin 3/55

New Zealand win by 39 runs

A solid all-round performance from New Zealand saw a 39 run win in the opening ODI. McMillan and Sinclair enjoyed a 115 run third wicket partnership after Fleming got the side away to a quick start. Bruce Martin picked up the key wickets of Vaughan and Pietersen as well as Paul Collingwood, and Mills' three at the end of the innings secured the win.

 

[Somerset]

2nd ODI vs England
A repeat of the opening ODI is the objective for the second match.
New Zealand made no changes to their side.

New Zealand 292/9 (50 overs)
S.Fleming 85
J.Franklin 74*
M.Sinclair 53
M.Panesar 3/46

England 293/3 (48.3 overs)
K.Pietersen 107*
P.Collingwood 83*
A.Strauss 57

England win by 7 wickets

New Zealand posted a great total of 292/9 with Fleming and Sinclair both showing their class again. Franklin smashed 74 at the death and batted well to see the Kiwis from 233/7 to their eventual total. England in reply batted aggressively throughout and the New Zealand bowling attack was dispatched. KP's 107 and Collingwood's 83 in an unbeaten partnership worth 159 was enough to secure the match and tie the series.

 

[Somerset]

3rd ODI vs England
McCullum and Gillespie replaced Weston and Vettori for the 3rd ODI.

New Zealand 262/6 (50 overs)
M.Sinclair 98*
B.McCullum 98
C.Tremlett 4/41

England 263/4 (47.2 overs)
K.Pietersen 96
I.Bell 84

England win by 6 wickets

Another disappointing bowling effort saw New Zealand go behind in the series. Batting first they slumped to 4/60 but Sinclair and McCullum added 193 for the fifth wicket in seeing the side through to 262. Pietersen was again the trouble maker with a rapid 96 and Bell's 84 came in good time too. Flintoff and Collingwood completed the victory with 16 balls to spare.

 

[Somerset]

4th ODI vs England
With totals of 260 or more in every ODI, yet two losses, the emphasis goes on getting the bowling sorted.
Vettori comes into the side for Mills.

England 246/6 (50 overs)
M.Vaughan 100

New Zealand 245/9 (50 overs)
S.Fleming 87
C.McMillan 62
A.Flintoff 3/50
C.Tremlett 3/63

England win by 1 run

Dispair for the Kiwi fans as the side crashed to a one run defeat. Vaughan's century enabled England to post a reasonable 246/6 but with New Zealand 2/147 in reply, they looked on track to square the series. Tremlett and Flintoff had other ideas and after a series of wickets and new batsmen unable to find the boundaries, New Zealand needing 2 to win off the last ball could not even manage a single.

 

[Somerset]

5th ODI vs England
Just pride to play for in the final ODI.
Styris replaces Bruce Martin.

New Zealand 269/4 (50 overs)
M.Sinclair 113*
P.Fulton 55

England 196 all out (39 overs)
I.Bell 84
A.Strauss 63
D.Vettori 6/30
J.Franklin 3/38

New Zealand win by 73 runs. England win the series 3-2

New Zealand finished the series on a positive note with a 73 run victory. Sinclair continued his excellent form and posted 113* with good contributions from Fulton and McCullum. Vettori was the chief destroyer in the English innings taking 6/30 and effectively winning the game for New Zealand.

 

[Graham]

At least you won the test series though!

 

[Somerset]

A break in the journey kick starts with a tour in March 2008 to the West Indies (two tests and three ODIs). With New Zealand's indifferent ODI form against England following a good test series, this tour may be ideal to set the ODI record straight.

New Zealand's squad for the tour was:
Batsmen: P.Fulton, S.Fleming, M.Sinclair, C.McMillan, R.Taylor
Wicket keepers: B.McCullum, T.Weston
All rounders: J.Oram, J.Franklin, S.Styris, D.Vettori, K.Mills
Bowlers: S.Bond, M.Gillespie, B.Martin, D.Tuffey, W.McSkimming, J.Patel

Tuffey, McSkimming and Patel were called up to the squad with the bowling performances often being New Zealand's archilles heel over the season.

 

[Somerset]

Three Day Friendly vs Barbados
Presented a good opportunity to get used to conditions, New Zealand choose a strong team for the practice match:
P.Fulton, S.Fleming, M.Sinclair, C.McMillan, J.Oram, T.Weston, J.Franklin, D.Vettori, S.Bond, W.McSkimming, D.Tuffey

Day One
Barbados 410/8
I.Bradshaw 101
Dwayne Smith 97
R.Austin 61
R.Hinds 56
J.Franklin 3/78
D.Vettori 3/112

Frustrating day for the Kiwis, with Bradshaw's century and 97 from Dwayne Smith the highlights for the locals.

Day Two
Barbados 433 all out
I.Bradshaw 101
Dwayne Smith 97
R.Austin 61
R.Hinds 56
S.Bond 4/106
J.Franklin 3/82
D.Vettori 3/112

New Zealand 294/4
P.Fulton 107
M.Sinclair 61
S.Fleming 53

New Zealand found runs equally easy to score on day two after wrapping up Barbados quickly in the first session.

Day Three
New Zealand 481/6 declared
P.Fulton 107
J.Oram 101*
M.Sinclair 61
S.Fleming 53
P.Collins 3/140

Barbados 178/7
D.Vettori 4/48

New Zealand gained plenty of confidence from day three after an Oram century and comprehensive second innings bowling performance. The only issue involves Tuffey and McSkimming who failed to pick up a single wicket between them in the match.

Match Drawn

 

[Somerset]

1st Test vs West Indies
New Zealand decided to include McCullum (who kept wicket instead of Weston) and Kyle Mills for Tuffey and McSkimming, giving great batting depth though possibly lacking enough strike bowlers. Mills and Oram need to step up in order to support Bond, Franklin and Vettori.

Day One
West Indies 324 all out
C.Gayle 143
R.Sarwan 61
J.Franklin 6/59
D.Vettori 3/88

New Zealand 48/1

A good opening day for the New Zealanders, especially given the home side were 3/270 at one stage. Franklin ripped through the middle and lower order and New Zealand, surprisingly given West Indies' position, at tea, batted for 13 overs. Fleming was dismissed by Lawson however, and New Zealand will start day two with night watchman Mills and Fulton at the crease.

Day Two
New Zealand 337 all out
M.Sinclair 140
J.Oram 54
J.Lawson 4/120
C.Collymore 3/42

West Indies 2/0

New Zealand started the day terribly and were left at 4/54. Oram and Sinclair combined for a 102 run partnership but the two keepers fell cheaply and New Zealand were again struggling at 7/199. However the batting depth came through, and with support from Franklin (50 run partnership) and Vettori (82 run partnership) for the 8th and 9th wickets, they gained a slender first innings lead.

Day Three
West Indies 389/5
W.Hinds 164
R.Hinds 86*
C.Gayle 73
J.Franklin 3/98

Wavell Hinds played a great innings to see his side into a secure position at the end of day three. Helped by brother Ryan, the two added 139 for the 5th wicket after Wavell had and Gayle put on 128 for the first. Franklin was the only Kiwi bowler to look threatening.

Day Four
West Indies 513 all out
W.Hinds 164
R.Hinds 131
C.Gayle 73
J.Franklin 5/152
S.Bond 3/126

New Zealand 182/5
C.McMillan 60
T.Weston 50*

West Indies set New Zealand 501 to win and the task quickly looked impossible as the Kiwis dropped to 62/4. McMillan and Weston attempted to repair the damage but McMillan's dismissal in the last half hour was a big bonus for the home side.

Day Five
New Zealand 392 all out
T.Weston 75
B.McCullum 75
J.Franklin 69
C.McMillan 60
J.Taylor 4/105

New Zealand fought hard but in the end, the West Indies had too big an advantage, and a lack of wickets in hand cost the tourists. Decent contributions from the tail saved some pride and gave the impression that if the bowling had been better, a victory would have been very achievable.

West Indies win by 108 runs