No chance for the Black Caps?
November 18, 2008
If the statistics hold true, which in cricket they do the overwhelming majority of the time, the Black Caps have next to no chance at the Gabba in the test starting this Thursday.
Consider these scary facts.
First, much stronger New Zealand teams than this mediocre unit have invariably struggled at the Gabba.
We have only won once there in seven attempts. The current Australian test team as last played at Nagpur, has collectively posted 88 test centuries while our lot has a chicken-feed record of just 6 amongst them. In fact, Ricky Ponting has 30 more test centuries than the Black Caps.
When you add to these daunting statistics, the weak Black Caps performance [Dan Vettori and Jamie How excluded] against the NSW "Babies" team, there is not the slightest shred of hope to realistically cling to, regarding our winning chances.
But wait. I want to quote another set of statistics that also speak just as loud and just as true. Statistics that demand that our national team should cease turning in the typical, white flag-waving performance just seen in Sydney and step up from cringing to credible.
Of course, the stats I refer to sum up the exceptional performances of one Daniel Luca Vettori. Exceptional in that his guts, concentration and self-belief regularly stand him apart from most of his motley compatriots of late.
Consider these stunning figures.
Vettori has played 11 tests since he took over the captaincy. During this time, he has notched up the extraordinary test batting average of 41.73 and 30.62 runs per wicket with the ball.
His true, international, all-rounder class is now underlined by the fact that he is not far off joining the glittering line-up of Imran Khan, Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Shaun Pollock, Richard Hadlee and Shane Warne as the only test cricketers to take 300 wickets and post 3000 runs.
Quite simply, Vettori's never-say-die, constant rescue acts show up an habitual lack of resolve and/or real international class in this current Black Caps' line-up.
And if you believe both Nathan Astle and Craig MacMillan, who have written in their recent memoirs that Bracewell has not been patient or effective enough in mentoring the younger batsmen, then maybe it's not remotely surprising.
But having said that, I can't accept that the follow-me exploits of Dan "The Valiant" Vettori don't and shouldn't rub off onto his team to a greater extent.
Let me reiterate where I'm coming from. I love cricket marginally more than any other sport. I have watched the Black Caps play in four countries as part of my life-long love of following them.
That's why, as a true fan, I have no hesitation in calling it as I see it without fear of being labelled a doom-mongerer when things are bad. But we fans always live in hope.
I wish the Black Caps well at the Gabba and in particular, I hope Vettori has some reason to feel proud.
What are your predictions for this test at the Gabba? Your thoughts please.
Consider these scary facts.
First, much stronger New Zealand teams than this mediocre unit have invariably struggled at the Gabba.
We have only won once there in seven attempts. The current Australian test team as last played at Nagpur, has collectively posted 88 test centuries while our lot has a chicken-feed record of just 6 amongst them. In fact, Ricky Ponting has 30 more test centuries than the Black Caps.
When you add to these daunting statistics, the weak Black Caps performance [Dan Vettori and Jamie How excluded] against the NSW "Babies" team, there is not the slightest shred of hope to realistically cling to, regarding our winning chances.
But wait. I want to quote another set of statistics that also speak just as loud and just as true. Statistics that demand that our national team should cease turning in the typical, white flag-waving performance just seen in Sydney and step up from cringing to credible.
Of course, the stats I refer to sum up the exceptional performances of one Daniel Luca Vettori. Exceptional in that his guts, concentration and self-belief regularly stand him apart from most of his motley compatriots of late.
Consider these stunning figures.
Vettori has played 11 tests since he took over the captaincy. During this time, he has notched up the extraordinary test batting average of 41.73 and 30.62 runs per wicket with the ball.
His true, international, all-rounder class is now underlined by the fact that he is not far off joining the glittering line-up of Imran Khan, Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Shaun Pollock, Richard Hadlee and Shane Warne as the only test cricketers to take 300 wickets and post 3000 runs.
Quite simply, Vettori's never-say-die, constant rescue acts show up an habitual lack of resolve and/or real international class in this current Black Caps' line-up.
And if you believe both Nathan Astle and Craig MacMillan, who have written in their recent memoirs that Bracewell has not been patient or effective enough in mentoring the younger batsmen, then maybe it's not remotely surprising.
But having said that, I can't accept that the follow-me exploits of Dan "The Valiant" Vettori don't and shouldn't rub off onto his team to a greater extent.
Let me reiterate where I'm coming from. I love cricket marginally more than any other sport. I have watched the Black Caps play in four countries as part of my life-long love of following them.
That's why, as a true fan, I have no hesitation in calling it as I see it without fear of being labelled a doom-mongerer when things are bad. But we fans always live in hope.
I wish the Black Caps well at the Gabba and in particular, I hope Vettori has some reason to feel proud.
What are your predictions for this test at the Gabba? Your thoughts please.
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