Back to the Drawing Board?: NZ vs Australia

Another belated post, another belated match review. By this time the Aussies have wrapped things up as far as the Champions Trophy is concerned, reminding everyone that they're streets ahead of the rest of the pack. An amazing bench strength is central to their success, and it was one thing the kiwis simply didn't have at the Champions Trophy. A lot has been read into the collapse of the top order last Wednesday, but again it was a 'performance' rather than 'personnel' issue.

In future clashes, the Aussies will no doubt point to their 16 wins in the last 18 encounters between the two sides, but the fact was the kiwis played with enough intensity to have the Aussies on the hop for most of the game. I'd like to believe the defeat was a case of repeating some stupid mistakes. The bowlers gave the side more than a decent chance by restricting the Aussies to 240, including just 52 of the last 10 overs - something unheard of for NZ in recent years. Kyle Mills turned giant-killer overnight, finally taking some load off Shane Bond's already sore back. However, as in World Cup 2003, the batsmen froze when the had a real opportunity. To their credit, the lower-middle order - Oram and Daniel Luca Vettori (what a legend, mate) refused to die and gave the Aussies a scare. But it muts be a bit embarrasing when your chase has to be led by your allrounder and your primary spin bowler. Fleming fell to a somewhat obvious trap, Astle (who looks out of sorts at number 3) was cleaned up before he could get his feet moving while Marshall, Vincent and Fulton were sitting ducks. The dismissals of the last three (especially Vincent and Marshall) were the culmination of a series of largely brainless cricket on their part. Despite the repeated failures of Marshall and Vincent, I still believe they must be persisted with because they have much to offer to the side if they play their natural game. For the moment, Marshall seems obsessed with horizontal-nothing shots as opposed to proper cricketing ones, and Vincent is paying the price for forcing himself to think like a pinch hitter. Much has been made of Peter Fulton's ability, or lack of it, at the top level. On the evidence of his form early in the year, he is good enough and should receive more chances. I don't buy the fact that Ross Taylor is a permanent solution to the middle order, but in those circumstances with both Marshall and Fulton struggling, it would've made sense to bring him in. Overall, the series was a good one for Fleming, in terms of personal performance and handling the side. But, not for the first time, John Bracwell's line of thinking was exposed. Does anyone remember the name Mark Gillespie? I guess not.

There was no disgrace in defeat for the kiwis, especially considering Australia pretty much rolled over everyone else after a false start. But the lack of grit in the top order remains a worry, especially with the World Cup a few months away. Given that New Zealand are part of the VB series in January, Fleming will have plenty of opportunities to get back at the Aussies, in the knowledge that his side can compete. But unless the squad leaves the injury blues behind, and Bracewell gets some sense knocked into his head, those clashes could well demoralise the side in the lead up to the big tournament.