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Written by HW SquadStats

Tuesday, 11 December 2007

This is possibly the first time in over six games that Australia have carried over their usual dominance and form from ODI's and Tests onto a twenty20 game. Symonds was billed as one of the most dangerous and potentially explosive batsmen to look out for in the T20 World Cup. He didn't do much then, but unleashed some savage batting to give Australia a massive 54 run win.

Australia's brand of power cricket is built on a solid foundation of singles, twos and 'method' cricket. The general impression looking at the Aussie side play T20 games was that they had some trouble shifting straightaway to big hitting without the basic platform. Symonds showed that he had shaken off all such problems and blasted - for there is no more appropriate word - to score 85 off 46 balls. With bits and pieces from all the other batsmen, Australia managed to get to 186 for 6.

Unlike in the T20 world cup, New Zealand did not have one single bowler who led the charge and tied the opposition down, with every bowler going for over 8 and over. Vettori managed to keep it down to 6 and over, but another wicket or two were needed to stem the flow.

New Zealand's batting was never their strength, and they have showed an alarming tendency to collapse of late. At 8 for 69, there really was no hope and it was befuddling to see no clear attempts being made by Oram to farm the strike when he was clearly in command, and the rest of the batsmen looking as feeble as twigs facing a strong wind. Oram remained unbeated on 66 off 31 balls after some extraordinary hitting, and some of the cleanest sixes in recent history, including a physics-defying pull over the bowler's head for six.

The Australian bowlers went back to their regular pattern of hunting in packs, with every bowler doing his bit to keep things in check. Bracken only conceded 8 off his 2 overs, but fell short of being the best bowler on show because Lee carried that economy rate on for 2 more overs and finished with 17 runs off 4 overs and 2 wickets for his efforts, eventually keeping New Zealand down to 132.

Australians tend to be thrown off guard by individual shows of brilliance with cameos to support it, and Oram coming in at the position he did meant that bit of explosive belligerence came in too late. Yuvraj's 30 ball 70 blitzkreig in the T20 WC semi final came right in the middle of the innings before Australia could complete laying their seige and with something yet to fight for.

New Zealand might have a few lessons they can use from this. The ODI series coming up is likely to throw up similar scenarios where New Zealand are facing the heat and looking to break pressure-shackles laid by the Aussie bowlers, and with Oram looking as inflammable, it might be worth considering pushing him up the order if they lose the top 2-3 wickets quickly.

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