Since the last match fixing scandal; 2000; India have a collective 14 wins against 9 losses against the teams that will contest the latest version of the Ashes but having ignored New Zealand in favor of more revenue generating cricket, the effects of the 2002 designer green tops are being felt even today. Head to Head NZ have the upper hand over India.
Talk of India winning 3-0 are not entirely misplaced but should spite the likes of Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, McCullum and Vetorri into denying India only their 3rd clean sweep.
I remember watching in horror in 1988 John Bracewell and Sir Richard Hadlee bring India down to size at the Wankhede stadium, taking 18 wickets amongst themselves. That was one series India should have won 3-0. Of course that Indian side was seriously in transition and this New Zealand side does not have a Richard Hadlee. But I am cautioning myself, that if John Bracewell can win a Test for New Zealand on Days 4 and 5, Vetorri needs to be handled expertly. He is a threat no doubt.
6 comments:
New Zealand has always been a prickly opponent for India. Along with Pakistan, it is one team India never really dominated at home.
Welcome back to blogging!
I would add SA to the list as well. But somehow prickly fits NZ more than it sums up Pakistan's and SA's efforts in India
first welcome back to the blogging gol... oops... ooc...
its just our past experience that stops us from saying that india should or rather must crush the new zealand rightly placed so deep in the packing order...
Welcome to cricket blogosphere, again. This time score atleast a triple century.
India will likely beat New Zealand, but we may also foster the "arrival" of yet another overseas player in the Dean Jones, Matthew Hayden mold. Ross Taylor with his IPL experience behind him, looks ripe for "arrival" on the test scene. But a sweep it will likely not be.
I'm glad someone has said what needs to be said. A lot of people have a patronising attitude toward the Black Caps. Sure I'd like to see a 3-0 win but I doubt we're going to get it. It wouldn't be the worst thing for cricket if the Kiwis did put up a fight though. That should shut up the elitists who think the big teams are right to play among themselves and ignore the other teams.
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