Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The New Zealand-Zimbabwe game was a battle of wits between the two dark horses in a bid to make the semi-final grade 8212; and why not. Both teams played some superb cricket in the league stage to be counted among the Super Six.
Being underdogs before the tournament began was a blessing in disguise for both New Zealand and Zimbabwe. Expectations of them were not high as, say, on the more fancied teams in the fray. Moreover, in the absence of big names in their line-up, they played as a unit, as they did not have to depend on two or three key players to win them matches.
Allott apart, the Kiwis have in Chris Cairns a talented player who can be as quick as anybody on his day. The problem, however, is that he8217;s temperamental and requires careful handling. In this regard, a lot depends on the New Zealand think-tank. For, Cairns is the type of character who, if not happy with the goings-on be it on the field or off it, may just lose interest in proceedings, and that would be counter-productive for his side.
The Zimbabweans did score runs briskly before inclement weather stopped play at Headingley on Sunday. But they had lost the important wickets of the Flower brothers as well as the dangerous looking Neil Johnson. By the end of the Zimbabwean innings, however, it were the Indians who were keeping their fingers crossed. Their own chances in the competition, after all, relied greatly on the outcome of this match.
