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Mark Gillespie the flanker
By Will 3 years ago, mid-November, 1 Comment »
Mark Gillespie, the New Zealand fast bowler, made his debut yesterday and had his first bowl today. He did pretty well, too, until Jacques Kallis went berserk (what a knock that was). Much quicker than he appears – and he is built like an All Black. Massive bloke who wouldn’t look out of place with a No.8 on his back No.6 or No.7 on his back.
We’re seeing a new, brilliant side to Kallis. I’ve never been his biggest fan but the last two innings (186 at Johannesburg, 131 today at Centurion) have been dazzling. Today was the Kallis of 10 years ago; technically perfect but flamboyant and cavalier. The bowling was embarrassingly meagre, but 12 months ago I doubt Kallis would have attacked with such verve. A top knock.
1 Comment »The Matthew Hayden show
By Mike 3 years ago, mid-April, 20 Comments »
Prior to the penultimate game of the Super Eight’s, Matthew Hayden was just three runs behind the tournament’s highest run scorer in Jacques Kallis. He was favoured to move into pole position but has surged to it with yet another century of muscle and class. Is he playing better than his golden year of 2001? While most teams are struggling in the first ten overs (the average being 36 runs for 1.4 wickets) Hayden hasn’t set a foot wrong. Gilchrist seems to be rather quiet but is himself averaging 37 with the bat in the World Cup.
The pre-match news is Shane Bond is out crook and Jacob Oram having earlier been ruled out. Mark Gillespie and Michael Mason play in their place. Shane Watson makes a welcome return for Australia forcing Brad Hodge out. Shane Bond was the real danger man for Australia, a bowler who seems to have the wood over the Aussies. New Zealand will surely miss him.
Australia have moved into a more than healthy 215-2 after 32 overs and look to post a really big one. In light of recent adventures New Zealand might fancy their chances in getting them.
Check out the scorecard here and leave your comments below.
20 Comments »