Kiwi minds must be full of thoughts about whats going wrong with them in last few months as they are losing series and matches like novices. Kiwis faced huge loss at the hands of Aussies at Jamtha, Nagpur. If talk about resources and talent then Kiwi team is no less to anybody in this tournament. They have class players in McCullum, Guptill, Taylor, Vettori and Southee but somehow they are losing the plot and their agony continuing. Today also top-order of Kiwis falter badly and I must say if Vettori had not scored those valuable 40 odd runs in the end then Kiwis had been bundled out for less than 150. I think they have to believe in their abilities and play sensibly to their strengths.
Now on every match becomes crucial for them, it will going to be a difficult task for them to come-back in the tournament because they have to face Sri Lanka and Pakistan who are very tough opposition in sub-continent conditions. Kiwis can make it to the quarter-finals somehow even if they lose to Sri Lanka and Pakistan but one or two upset happens in their group then it will become difficult for the Kiwis so its important that they win atleast 4 matches to go smoothly into the quarter-finals. Their top-order is not at all clicking and hence their bowler fails to make any impression in absence of good runs on the scoreboard, so its important that top-order get among the runs and give something to their bowlers.
Australia chased down the score of 206 in just 34 overs at the loss of 7 wickets reflects the pathetic situation of Kiwi team. I feel John Wright and Daniel Vettori have to make some changes in batting-order. I think they have to open with Ryder and Guptill and ask Brendon McCullum to bat one-down. New Zealand must play Jacob Oram in all the matches. I don't understand the reason of leaving him out today for Jamie How who is struggling with his batting at the moment. Oram also gives the option of bowling. Its important for New Zealand players to bring some smiles on the face of earth-quake victims back home by winning few matches.
As far as Australia is concerned they are playing like invincibles at the moment. They are bowling well, fielding well and today their top-order also got some runs under their belt but worry for them is the form of captain Ricky Ponting who is clearly struggling with the bat. He has to score few runs just to set example for the fellow players. Ponting have lost his confidence and looks completely out of sorts. I think his finger injury is worrying him too much and he does not look like the Ponting whom we know. There is no flow in his footwork and strokes. Australian team is winning at the moment so nobody is questioning about Ponting's batting but moment Australia start losing I think Ponting will become first victim of the loss if he continues to fail with the bat.
Good thing for Australia is their bowling. Lee, Tait and Johnson bowled very well today and restricted New Zealand by picking up regular wickets and bowling them out in just 45 overs. Right through this tournament their bowling is their main ammunition and doing very well for them. I think return of Brett Lee has done wonders to their bowling and under Lee's leadership all the bowlers are doing very well. At the moment Australians not giving an inch to the opposition batsmen and looks like going into the quarter-finals unbeaten. Brilliant performance today must have bolstered their confidence for coming matches.
So everything went perfect for Australia today except Ponting's batting and for Kiwis it was horrible match and they have to come out all guns blazing in their next match if they want to advance in the tournament.
