New Zealand and West Indies last played in a World Cup knockout match on June 18, 1975, in the semi-final of the 1975 World Cup. Fredericks, Greenidge, Kallicharran, Richards, Kanhai and Lloyd comprised the West Indies’ top six then. With that kind of quality in the team, the result was a foregone conclusion: West Indies won by a comprehensive five wickets.
New Zealand is the team to beat
As we build up to the New Zealand v West Indies quarter-final on Saturday, this West Indies team may possibly try and draw inspiration from that match, despite being a billion light years away from that team. They’ll need to latch on to any inspiration they can, because on current form, they look in no shape to defeat New Zealand.
Despite the occasional hiccups, New Zealand have coasted to the quarter-finals and look firm favourites against West Indies. A large part of that is because of how weak this West Indies team looks, but make no mistake, New Zealand have been the team to beat this World Cup. Critics will point out they almost slipped against Australia and Bangladesh; the optimist, however, will point out that the mark of a great team is if they can defeat adversity. On that benchmark, New Zealand have performed admirably; they have managed to get themselves out of tight situations and secure the result required.
What the Windies must examine
How does West Indies approach this game, then? For starters, the entire team needs to be sat down and persuaded about the importance of taking singles. Far too many times, their batsmen have been guilty of playing dot after dot, letting the run-rate creep up and then try and break the shackles by trying to slog. Marlon Samuels has been especially guilty of this crime. In international cricket, slogging rarely pays dividends and West Indies have been guilty of going for the big shot, one time too many.
The dependence on Gayle has to stop. It is detrimental to both Gayle and the team. Gayle is the kind of player who can play the big innings when there is less pressure on him. This expectation from the cricketing public whenever he goes out to bat is probably making more circumspect. On the other hand, if Gayle gets dismissed early, the entire team becomes demoralized and starts playing catch-up.
Kiwis love the fruit they’ve bene served
On the other side, New Zealand look settled and hungry. Their tournament is turning out exactly how they wanted: they topped the group stage and can now enjoy the luxury of playing two crucial knockout games at home. Boult will be eager to resume his rivalry with Starc; he’ll probably be licking his lips looking at the West Indies’ batsmen’s techniques.
Southee, on the other hand, has slightly faded away after that scintillating seven-wicket haul against England; even he would want to get back into the kind of deadly rhythm that has characterised his bowling in recent years.
The batting has looked less composed than the bowling, but New Zealand will not worry too much. Despite the blazing starts McCullum has provided, he still hasn’t stuck in and gone on to make one of those humongous hundreds. It is the same with players like Williamson, Guptill and Taylor: all batsmen of tremendous class who haven’t hit their top gears as yet. What better time than a crucial knockout match at home than to come back into form?
West Indies’ best chance is to stay disciplined on the field, play smart, percentage cricket, not give anything away and hope New Zealand do something silly. Otherwise, the Calpyso Kings might find that their party has ended a tad bit too soon.
New Zealand is the team to beat
As we build up to the New Zealand v West Indies quarter-final on Saturday, this West Indies team may possibly try and draw inspiration from that match, despite being a billion light years away from that team. They’ll need to latch on to any inspiration they can, because on current form, they look in no shape to defeat New Zealand.
Despite the occasional hiccups, New Zealand have coasted to the quarter-finals and look firm favourites against West Indies. A large part of that is because of how weak this West Indies team looks, but make no mistake, New Zealand have been the team to beat this World Cup. Critics will point out they almost slipped against Australia and Bangladesh; the optimist, however, will point out that the mark of a great team is if they can defeat adversity. On that benchmark, New Zealand have performed admirably; they have managed to get themselves out of tight situations and secure the result required.
What the Windies must examine
How does West Indies approach this game, then? For starters, the entire team needs to be sat down and persuaded about the importance of taking singles. Far too many times, their batsmen have been guilty of playing dot after dot, letting the run-rate creep up and then try and break the shackles by trying to slog. Marlon Samuels has been especially guilty of this crime. In international cricket, slogging rarely pays dividends and West Indies have been guilty of going for the big shot, one time too many.
The dependence on Gayle has to stop. It is detrimental to both Gayle and the team. Gayle is the kind of player who can play the big innings when there is less pressure on him. This expectation from the cricketing public whenever he goes out to bat is probably making more circumspect. On the other hand, if Gayle gets dismissed early, the entire team becomes demoralized and starts playing catch-up.
Kiwis love the fruit they’ve bene served
On the other side, New Zealand look settled and hungry. Their tournament is turning out exactly how they wanted: they topped the group stage and can now enjoy the luxury of playing two crucial knockout games at home. Boult will be eager to resume his rivalry with Starc; he’ll probably be licking his lips looking at the West Indies’ batsmen’s techniques.
Southee, on the other hand, has slightly faded away after that scintillating seven-wicket haul against England; even he would want to get back into the kind of deadly rhythm that has characterised his bowling in recent years.
The batting has looked less composed than the bowling, but New Zealand will not worry too much. Despite the blazing starts McCullum has provided, he still hasn’t stuck in and gone on to make one of those humongous hundreds. It is the same with players like Williamson, Guptill and Taylor: all batsmen of tremendous class who haven’t hit their top gears as yet. What better time than a crucial knockout match at home than to come back into form?
West Indies’ best chance is to stay disciplined on the field, play smart, percentage cricket, not give anything away and hope New Zealand do something silly. Otherwise, the Calpyso Kings might find that their party has ended a tad bit too soon.
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