"Pak are as good a bowling attack as there is going around world ckt at the moment" : Mike Hesson

[giri26]

"Pak are as good a bowling attack as there is going around world ckt at the moment" : Mike Hesson

Black Caps coach Mike Hesson expects Pakistan to offer his team a whole new set of challenges when their five-match ODI series kicks off in Wellington on Saturday.

Having gone undefeated in all three formats against a hapless West Indies outfit, the New Zealanders are anticipating a more testing examination from Pakistan over the next month.

The Black Caps cruised to a Twenty20 series-clinching 119-run win against the Windies on Wednesday in Tauranga, their 243-5 spearheaded by Colin Munro's record-breaking 104 off 53 balls.

The victory bumps New Zealand back to the top of the Twenty20 world rankings, two points clear of second-placed Pakistan.

Hesson was quietly satisfied with the way the Black Caps controlled the West Indies in Test, ODI and T20 formats, but admits they'll need to lift against Pakistan.

"I think we dominated from start to finish which is a challenge in itself," he said.

"I don't think we relaxed at any stage, I think we were pretty professional in how we operated.

"But Pakistan are quite a different challenge. They're as good a bowling attack as there is going around world cricket at the moment.

"They're very varied - they've got wrist spinners, they've got finger spinners, they've got left and right arm quicks."

Hesson is also expecting a composed, aggressive performance from Pakistan's experienced batting line-up, but has been encouraged by the form shown by New Zealand's own openers.

Munro's latest century meant he became the first batsman to hit three T20I centuries, but it was his consistency and combination with Martin Guptill that Hesson found most pleasing.

"He's exceptional, isn't he? He hits bad bowling, but he also hits good bowlers, and into areas of the park that are very hard to defend," he said.

"It's nice when you get a two-pronged attack with Martin performing as well as he did. They're a pretty formidable unit."

http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/article.aspx?id=261858

 

[MenInG]

On paper atleast, Pak bowling attack is awesom but Azhar Mahmood's challenge now is to make sure they execute the plans as they are asked to

 

[MenInG]

Fresh from his victorious Twenty20 captaincy stint against the West Indies in Nelson, New Zealand pace bowler Tim Southee is wary of a Pakistan batting line-up heavy on limited overs skill but light on stars.

He cited three examples ahead of tomorrow's opening one-day international at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Azhar Ali averages 39 with a strike rate of 75 in 50 ODIs; Babar Azam averages 58.60 with a strike rate of 86 in 36 ODIs; and Fakhar Zaman averages 44.44 at a run a ball from nine ODIs, including 114 off 106 balls in the 180-run victory over India to win the Champions Trophy final last year at The Oval.

Southee said that victory in England had placed them on alert.

"A number of guys are not big names, but they have a great record to back them, like Azhar and Babar.

"[Fakhar] is another exciting player who likes to get on with it. He's had a great start to his international career but hasn't toured New Zealand, so there will be challenges adapting to different conditions."

New Zealand have employed former Black Cap Kyle Mills as a bowling mentor while Shane Jurgensen takes a break.

Southee has played plenty of international cricket with Mills, and welcomed his addition.

"Kyle's been brilliant since he's been around the camp for a couple of days. It's exciting to share his knowledge. He played cricket for a long time and is tactically sound."

New Zealand are expected to play three pace bowlers and two spinning all-rounders in Todd Astle and Mitchell Santner. That means the hosts can opt for the pace of Lockie Ferguson or the accuracy of Matt Henry when they finalise an XI.

Strong winds are forecast, so Southee was certain of one thing.

"Trent [Boult] will make his mark at one end and the rest of us will take turns at the other into the breeze," he quipped.

"You prepare yourself for wind [in Wellington] and, if there's not, you're a bit happier."

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said it was a special time for his side as they adjusted to the fanfare from triumphing at the Champions Trophy, a feat which set a nine-ODI winning streak in motion.

"Our players got a boost. We've continued the same way since with just the odd change, so it gives us a proper chance of having a decent team at the 2019 World Cup.

"People at home were happy and excited. It was a long time since we'd beaten India, so there were lots of congratulations from the Prime Minister down."

The match is a day game to capture a holiday crowd.

Showers have been forecast leading in, but are expected to become isolated as southerlies ease on the day.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11970140

 

[MenInG]

Colin Munro and Martin Guptill confirmed their status as one of world cricket's most destructive opening duos with a stand of 136 in 11.3 overs against West Indies.

For a man who's played some of New Zealand's most destructive white ball innings, Martin Guptill is more than happy as the support act.

So when he strides out to the centre of Wellington's Basin Reserve to face Pakistan on Saturday, he'll provide the banter and the straight bat as Colin Munro blazes away merrily.

That's how the Black Caps' dynamic duo roll, after suddenly becoming one of world cricket's most destructive opening partnerships.

"A lot of it is just banter, taking the mickey out of each other sometimes. Just make each other laugh a bit so we're not too serious. We're focused, but not overly. Cricket is supposed to be fun and that's what we're trying to do, just have a good time," Guptill said.

Last Wednesday against West Indies the Auckland team-mates created carnage in just their third time combining at the top this home summer: a stand of 136 off 11.3 overs as Munro rushed to a New Zealand Twenty20 international record 47-ball century. Guptill was no slouch, either, blazing 63 off 38 balls at Bay Oval.

It set up some edge-of-the-seat expectation for home fans, with five Pakistan ODIs then three T20s, followed by the T20 tri-series including Australia then five ODIs against England.

"It doesn't change too much. Our roles are exactly the same in Twenty20 and one-day cricket. We're going to try and have a bit of a fun and get the innings off to a great start," Guptill said.

"It's pretty cool when you see someone hitting it as well as Colin and getting the team off to such a flyer. I'm just happy to pitch where I can and just watch from other end when he's going."

Pakistan's well rounded and varied bowling attack will provide a sterner test, with the big question of whether the openers can maintain the fury for a period of time and provide a launching pad for Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham.

Friday's final training at the Basin, under sunny skies before rain doused Pakistan's session in the afternoon, was an interesting watch.
Munro only does minimal hitting between matches and departed the nets unhappy with his work, while Guptill seemed to clout everything out of the middle after a lean trot leading up the last match.

"I had a chat to him [Munro] and he wasn't hitting it as well as he'd like today. That happens. After my 200 at the World Cup [against West Indies in Wellington in 2015] it felt like I hadn't batted for six weeks, two days later. Today wasn't his day and hopefully he can come out tomorrow and just whack it again."

After heavy rain in Wellington on Friday, game day is forecast to clear for an 11am start but provide a challenge for both sides with southerly winds of up to 120kmh and a maximum temperature of 16degC.

Last time at the Basin Reserve two years ago, before a full house of 6192, New Zealand posted 280-8 with Henry Nicholls topscoring with 82, before Trent Boult took 4-40 to help skittle Pakistan for 210.

Senior bowler Tim Southee quipped it could be hard work. "If it's windy then Trent will mark his run up at one end and the rest of us will take turns down the other end."

New Zealand look set to play both their spin bowling allrounders Mitchell Santner and Todd Astle, and decide between Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson for the final pace spot.

Pakistan are on a nine-ODI winning streak but have lost their last five against the Black Caps in New Zealand, with key batsman Fakhar Zaman and star bowler Hasan Ali among those set for a brutal welcome to New Zealand conditions.

Said Guptill: "We have to put the pressure back on them. There's a lot of confidence in our camp to go out and continue what we did against West Indies."

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Colin Munro, Kane Williamson (captain), Ross Taylor, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Todd Astle, Tim Southee, Matt Henry/Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult.

Pakistan (likely): Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir, Rumman Raees.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/crick...peners-buckle-up-to-scatter-pakistan-fielders

 

[hadi123]

I think the key for Pakistan will be removing Munro + Guptill early as well as seeing off the new ball. That will go a long way in determining who wins this series