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[csnew]

Odd decision for Sri Lanka to bat first with the swing.

Going to be interesting to see Milne bowl - was seriously fast in the last odi series

[csnew]

Looks like Dilshan and Sangakarra might have been to a certain NZ bat maker. No edge stamps on their respective bats.

[smilley792]

That review was pretty shocking from dilshan

[potzy248]

McCullum in a hurry. Blink and you would've missed his 50.

[Gerry SA]

Luke Ronchi take a bow son!

NZ is all sorts of bother at 5/93, yet Ronchi blasts an incredible 100 in a staggering 200 odd run partnership with Grant Elliott.

Just imagine the world cup final and Ronchi flaying the Aussies around...

[Gerry SA]

Staggering partnership between Ronchi and Elliott 267 runs off only 30 overs.

Luke Ronchi finishes 170* off only 99 balls. Including 9 massives sixes! It's also the highest ever score by a #7 in ODIs, smashing MS Dhoni's 139*. I really hope this lad gets a Test cap before he retires.

Grant Elliott finishes 104* off 99 balls.

[benny231]

Unless Watling gets injured, I can't see him forcing his way into the test team unfortunately.

His innings today, whilst hardly comparable, is arguably better than AB's 31 ball ton the other day against West Indies. I say this because he came in at 93/5 on a greenish pitch and completely changed the game.

We must not forget Grant Elliott in all this. Just a few weeks ago he was under the pump after receiving a shock call up to the World Cup squad at the expense of Jimmy Neesham. Boy has he delivered! Set a great platform with Williamson in the last ODI which enabled Ronchi and Anderson to blast us home. Seriously underrated player in my opinion.

NZ definitely a team to watch at the World Cup!

[potzy248]

Unless Watling gets injured, I can't see him forcing his way into the test team unfortunately.

His innings today, whilst hardly comparable, is arguably better than AB's 31 ball ton the other day against West Indies. I say this because he came in at 93/5 on a greenish pitch and completely changed the game.

Hmmmmm. I am a very one eyed Kiwi supported but you can't put the two innings in the same sentence. Ronchi's was a back against the wall, counter attacking masterclass. AB's 31 ball 100 was out of this world.

[benny231]

Like I said, hardly comparable. BUT if I had to chose, i'd say Ronchi's. Simply because it was of more value to NZ than AB's was to SA.

Think about it like this.

AB came in at 247/1 off 38. He gets a golden and South Africa are still in an extremely dominant position with 8 wickets in hand, and you'd back them to still get close to 400 from there.

Ronchi came in at 93/5. He gets a golden and NZ are up the creek without a paddle at 93/6 exposing a long tail who are capable of finishing an innings, but not setting one up.

In this regard, Ronchi's innings is more valuable to the team.

[potzy248]

I see your point but I would have to say that AB's innings will do huge things for SA cricket and the teams confidence moving into the WC. So from that point of view both innings helped the team. AB's will always be better because of the sheer talent and unbelievable natural ability that he showed and continues to show. I have seen plenty of innings like Ronchi's, Just the other day Morgan played a similar innings. You will be very hard pressed to witness an innings like AB's again.

[benny231]

Yeah definitely. AB is an absolute freak.

[ProCricketer1982]

Hard to say what innings is the best. Different games, different oppos, different game situation. Ab was able to go outs d just biff, however, being able to do that without slogging was awesome.  Not sure you can say which is better.. Maybe which was most entertaining ?

[ChAoZ]

Is Ronchi on for a sub 30 baller on Sunday ?

[Gerry SA]

Unless Watling gets injured, I can't see him forcing his way into the test team unfortunately.

But Watling doesn't need to keep does he?

I mean ditch the useless Rutherford. Let Watling open. Get Ronchi in at 7 keeping as well. That way NZ can get all four of their W/Ks into the team

[csnew]

Pretty embarrassing decision that! It was plumb.

Even worse DRS is down. What's the point having it if it's only available at certain times.
Guptill has been pretty poor, surprised nz keep sticking with him