As i previously referred to, the BlackCaps need to step up and start making big totals..well they managed to do that pretty comprehensively last night in their World T20 opener against Bangladesh. Who was the star...well yes it was one of the three that i pointed out as really needing to make a big score...and could he make it any bigger?
123 runs of 58 balls...enough said! And in typical McCullum style, he brought the first up win home for New Zealand as the BlackCaps ended their 20 overs 191/3. McCullum was ruthless at the crease, hitting boundaries all over the ground and continuously tormenting the Bangladesh attack. The onslaught never let up, with McCullum continuing to go on the attack in the last four overs as he cut loose and gathered 63 runs with his captain Ross Taylor who ended on 14 not out.
This form from McCullum must continue throughout the tournament, and needs to be backed up by the other big hitters and Guptill and Taylor. Keep in mind that this overwhelming victory did come at the hands of Bangladesh and not someone like India or Australia so the BlackCaps have to now look to their upcoming game against Pakistan and try to continue this form across the entire tournament. Scores like 191 have to remain consistent if we are to have any chance of winning this world cup.
As we all know, when New Zealand come up against the power houses of world cricket (India, Australia, England etc) we tend to do this thing where our batters decide not to make many runs and get out playing stupid cricket shots you wouldn't even see a young Ollie Ritchie attempt in the nets, and then our fielders and bowlers decide that gifting them boundaries is the way to go about it...this cannot happen or WE WILL GET TROUNCED!
Remember fellas, big scores, no stupid shots (thats trying to cut when the ball is millimeters away from your body or trying the cover drive when its metres away) and give our bowlers and fielders something to defend! Please!
Well done baz, great knock but the show must go on!
BlackCaps vs Pakistan, game 2, Sunday 23rd September.
I hope you're right, Ollie, but I'm far too scared to put more than five dollars on it.
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