Sehwag's Seddon Park Slaughter -- NZ Point of View

[Mamu]

Just when New Zealand thought things couldn't get any worse, they did; Seddon Park witnessed a slaughter last night. Virendar Sehwag ripped apart New Zealand's bowlers, and the record books, in hitting a thrilling 125 not out off just 74 balls to carry India to a crushing 10-wicket win and their first one-day series in six attempts on New Zealand soil. In a chase which changed three times with rain breaks, India reached 201 for none in 23.3 overs to win under Duckworth Lewis rules, equalling the highest first-wicket stand in ODIs against New Zealand, by Sri Lankans Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga three years ago. New Zealand, desperate to find something to arrest a depressing run in the series to date, chose to bat first. They reached 270 for five in a rain-reduced 47 overs, but once Sehwag got set they didn't have a prayer. He was stunning. No bowler was safe as he took New Zealand apart, reaching his fifth century against New Zealand and 11th overall. When he slapped Dan Vettori over the fence at long off for the fourth of his six sixes to go with 14 fours, it took him to his century in just 60 balls, making it the fastest struck in New Zealand, the quickest by an Indian - eclipsing Mohammad Azharuddin's 62-ball effort at Baroda in 1988, and one guess for the identity of the opposition - and the seventh fastest ever. Advertisement Advertisement Gautam Gambhir, in his Delhi chum's shadow, made a classy 63 off 67 balls. Vettori said it was a tough game, "a good old-fashioned hiding". "There are no excuses. I thought we needed more than 300 to give ourselves a really good chance." India's batsmen demolished NZ at Napier and Christchurch, but this was worse - carnage on a grand scale. A comparison: at Napier, en route to 273 for four in 38 overs, India were 69 for one off 10 overs, the 100 coming in the 14th over; at Christchurch last Sunday, on the way to 392 for four, they were 58 for one at 10 overs, the 100 arriving in 18.4 overs. Last night, Sehwag and Gambhir had 83 off 10 overs and reached 100 in 11.3 overs. For the 11,000 crowd, most of whom were cheering wildly for India, this was nirvana. Sehwag damaged all the New Zealand bowlers, mixing crashing drives with booming pulls. His footwork was quick and precise. No one could stem the rush of runs. That said, the bowling was ghastly, a true horror show, even allowing for Sehwag's mastery. Iain O'Brien's first over went for 17; his three cost 37; left armer Ewen Thompson may have had his final night in black, his four overs costing 42; even Dan Vettori took punishment. Kyle Mills was the pick but still went at six an over. They looked lost, clearly unable to do what they'd talked about since Christchurch, sticking to their lines, Any semblance of self-belief, of backing themselves to get the ball in places to at least challenge Sehwag, was missing. If the full house at Eden Park for the final ODI on Saturday are going for the entertainment, fine; if they're hoping to see a reversal of fortunes, at this rate they've no hope. Earlier, New Zealand's hit-and-miss innings leaned heavily on two partnerships. Openers Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum put on 102, their second consecutive century stand, and wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan, showing innovation and a cool head, hit a bright 56 not out to put on 95 unbroken with Grant Elliott for the sixth wicket. When they banged on 74 in the final seven overs, the assumption was they'd given India some work to do. The tour, from a New Zealand viewpoint, is now in danger of falling apart.

[fineleg]

title has misspelt Seddon "Park" - is that intentional Mamu? :giggle:

[Mamu]

title has misspelt Seddon "Park" - is that intentional Mamu? :giggle:

I swear it was Unintentional. And whats worse I cannot fix the title Though the title would be quite appropriate:--D

[fineleg]

I swear it was Unintentional. And whats worse I cannot fix the title Though the title would be quite appropriate:--D

Dont fix it. I hope Mods leave it that way too :D Such innocent mistakes sometimes result in funny things, and we should preserve it :winky:

[flamy]

Dont fix it. I hope Mods leave it that way too :D Such innocent mistakes sometimes result in funny things, and we should preserve it :winky:

like the conception of amits?

[fineleg]

damknit - someone edited the title to read as 'Park' instead of the 'Pak' that Mamu wrote

[Dravid]

damknit - someone edited the title to read as 'Park' instead of the 'Pak' that Mamu wrote

it happend only cus u wanted pak :hysterical: mashali

[graphic23]

So many Sehwag threads. :--D Here's a link I found: http://www.cricketwithballs.com/2008/04/03/the-scriptures-of-sehwagology/ New religion? :omg:

[King]

Kiwi cricket followers, current players and X-Players have been extremely appreciative of this Indian team. Barring Mark Richardson, who's a bit of a whiner rest have appreciated the way Indians play their cricket. Vettori yesterday expressed he just felt helpless against Sehwag and don't have much clue how to knock him over before he does the damage. There was a pretty tough interview Radio sport had with the coach Andy Moles this morning and it almost felt as if Richardson was pissing off Moles. I expected NZ to not win everything against India but never expected them to cave in this meekly. The gap between the players from the Indian team and the NZ team is far too much to fill. There are far too many destructive batsmen in the Indian side. I'm sure it will fail once in a while but that may not happen while in NZ. Test cricket will be slightly better. I don't expect NZ to win the test series but they will be better off bowling to the likes of Rahul Dravid and Laxman by the looks of it. I never thought I'd say that :eyedance: I'm quite sure NZ bowlers will be looking forward to the test series and would rather not bowl much in the last ODI.

[flamy]

Kiwi cricket followers, current players and X-Players have been extremely appreciative of this Indian team. Barring Mark Richardson, who's a bit of a whiner rest have appreciated the way Indians play their cricket. Vettori yesterday expressed he just felt helpless against Sehwag and don't have much clue how to knock him over before he does the damage. There was a pretty tough interview Radio sport had with the coach Andy Moles this morning and it almost felt as if Richardson was pissing off Moles. I expected NZ to not win everything against India but never expected them to cave in this meekly. The gap between the players from the Indian team and the NZ team is far too much to fill. There are far too many destructive batsmen in the Indian side. I'm sure it will fail once in a while but that may not happen while in NZ. Test cricket will be slightly better. I don't expect NZ to win the test series but they will be better off bowling to the likes of Rahul Dravid and Laxman by the looks of it. I never thought I'd say that :eyedance: I'm quite sure NZ bowlers will be looking forward to the test series and would rather not bowl much in the last ODI.

:hysterical::hysterical:

[fineleg]

Test cricket will be slightly better. I don't expect NZ to win the test series but they will be better off bowling to the likes of Rahul Dravid and Laxman by the looks of it. I never thought I'd say that :eyedance: I'm quite sure NZ bowlers will be looking forward to the test series and would rather not bowl much in the last ODI.

you may be just right! :(( :eyedance: As it stands NZ may be terrified of the flamboyance of Suresh Raina, and the long handle wielded by Yusuf Pathan than Dravid or Laxman who will take their time to settle down. NZ can be wayward and still have time to find the right line and length esp to Dravid who is going to shoulder arms to most of the deliveries.

[King]

you may be just right! :(( :eyedance: As it stands NZ may be terrified of the flamboyance of Suresh Raina, and the long handle wielded by Yusuf Pathan than Dravid or Laxman who will take their time to settle down. NZ can be wayward and still have time to find the right line and length esp to Dravid who is going to shoulder arms to most of the deliveries.

I hope that doesn't happen and momentum is lost during the test matches. Rahul Dravid has had a 100 and the indication was that he played a brisk knock. I hope he doesn't stall the team taking way too much time to settle down. I'm sure India will need Rahul in at least an inning or two when Sehwag may fall early and perhaps Gambhir or Tendulkar may depart early too. Laxman will be fine, he is a busy player he will also score quick enough.

[DomainK]

NZ bowling hasn't exactly been disciplined. And if it continues that way, Sehwag wont bat any differently in tests. That would be fun.

[fineleg]

NZ bowling hasn't exactly been disciplined. And if it continues that way' date= Sehwag wont bat any differently in tests. That would be fun.

Who will be the new bowlers our batsmen face in Tests? -Chris Martin What abt Mark Gillespie or James Franklin? Are they in NZ test squad? Ian Butler was good - but I dont know if he'll recover for Test-1?

[DomainK]

BTW Dravid and others should remember that the weather there has been very inconsistent. If we want to win the test matches, we have to play fast. I am sure that there will be spells of rain and hence we will have to play fast to win. NZ will be more then happy with a draw.

[veer]

i feel sorry for kiwis.. they are the 2nd team i support.. bunch of good guys I must say... they must be praying for rain..