How The Mighty Have Fallen

It’s not that long since I watched New Zealand and the West Indies play at Lord’s in the final of a triangular one day tournament from which they had eliminated England. For all of England’s travails against the Dutch the other day it is hard to imagine that happening today, such as has been the fall from grace of these two sides. Admittedly they both found themselves up against decent sides, but even so the manner of the defeats will not have filled their supporters with any great hope.

New Zealand in general has bigger fish to fry than the performances of its one day side and the players, particularly those from Canterbury, could be forgiven for having half a mind at home, but after their demolition of a weak Kenya side in the first game their return to earth was rapid. Once the top order had capitulated to the pace of Tait and Johnson they were engaged in a damage limitation exercise. Nathan McCullum and Vettori showed a lot of application to take the score to respectability, but the main part of New Zealand’s problem is that their batting from number five to number ten could appear in pretty much any order, which is good for the tail enders but less good for the batsmen. Once Australia had got off to a good start through Watson and Haddin the game was up and, in spite of Ponting’s early departure to a brilliant piece of work from Brendon McCullum, they were never really in any danger. I said in the preview that New Zealand were lucky to be in the weaker group and there was nothing here to suggest anything different.

The West Indies, on the other hand, had spells of their innings, especially when the richly talented Darren Bravo was batting, when it looked as though they might make a big enough score to put South Africa under pressure. The dismissal of Bravo Senior, however, precipitated a collapse which included a first baller for everyone’s favourite hit and miss batsman Kieron Pollard. Although South Africa lost Amla and Kallis early there was no answer to the irrepressible AB DeVilliers whose hundred showcased all of his talent. The West Indies have batsmen in Gayle, Darren Bravo and Sarwan who should be abel to make the kind of scores required to win one day internationals but their bowling lacks penetration and their long losing run must be preying on their minds.

So, what have we learned? Firstly, both Australia and South Africa look in good shape, although sterner tests await and, particularly for Australia, better players of pace bowling. South Africa looked impressive, with Imran Tahir making the kind of impact that had been hoped for and DeVilliers looking in good form. Sterner tests await them as well, though, and they will need their spinners to bowl consistently well As for New Zealand and the West Indies, it’s early days but neither look destined to make a significant mark on the competition.