Kiwi coach insults New Zealand players

Well, this would be one last thing that be it Bangladesh or any other team would like to happen. And, it is really difficult to decide whether the Kiwi coach's statements were an insult to New Zealand cricket or a praise for himself? Mark Greatbatch feels proud after his New Zealand team beat Bangladesh in the first one dayer at Napier yesterday by 146 runs. Is the present New Zealand team so bad that they have to count their wins against minnows Bangladesh and Zimbabwe also as greatest upsets in world cricket? Or are Bangladesh that strong for New Zealand to beat and rejoice over the same?

That was Greatbatch's first assignment after he took over as the coach of the same. Nevermind that New Zealand were at one point of time during their batting innings, 19/2 which further slipped to 135/5 at the end of the 27^th over. But, when they are facing a team like Bangladesh, this should be no worry for any team barring Zimbabwe and other non test playing nations. Moreover, New Zealand were chasing a target of just 190 on the board set up by Bangladesh and that was at home as well. Should it be difficult for any team to do that in today's cricket?

In one way, the Kiwi coach's words have a little bit of meaning. For, hardly can anyone recall the Kiwi batsmen regaining control over a one day match that they would have lost in the meanwhile? The only instance that I can recall is the way New Zealand chased down 336 runs against Australia in the Chappel-Hadlee series just before the world cup 2007, after at one stage being at 160/5. New Zealand's victories have always been either a slow and steady affair or a one sided affair wherein they either put up a big score for the opposition to chase down or bowl the opposition for a target that can be chased down by the Kiwi batsmen.

In slow and steady affairs that is cited above, they maintain a decent run rate by not losing quick wickets and eventually end up winning. But, incase New Zealand lose quick wickets for a partly score, their chances of survival in that match have so far been freak. When a number 8 batsman in Jacob Oram can belt the Bangladeshi bowling, one can decide the strength of that opposition, which is needless to be said. A real challenge for the Kiwi coach would be to take his team through in the upcoming Chappel-Hadlee trophy where they will be facing the Aussies afresh from all sorts of victories.