This article first appeared on the BBC's 606 forum on the 30th of September 2009. It was my last article on 606 before I moved over to www.cricket-match-special.com.
New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori has revealed his side is "desperate" to win their semi-final clash against Pakistan so they can lose in the final. "New Zealand always crashes out at the semi-final stage of big competitions and we are looking to step up to the next level,” said Vettori earlier today. "We've been known as perennial losing semi-finalists for years and I'm now wanting the team to be known as perennial runners-up. This is certainly our objective over the next decade, particularly in light of us having given up playing test cricket to concentrate on the shorter forms of the game."
However, England captain Andrew Strauss was quick to point out New Zealand had their work cut out for them if the two sides were to meet in Monday's final. "We have a great deal of pedigree when it comes to losing in major finals as we have done so on three previous occasions" said Strauss, "and if we met New Zealand I think their inexperience at losing at the highest level could cost them."
When asked who they thought would claim the loss if NZ and England were to meet in the final, Australian and Pakistan captains Ricky Ponting and Younis Khan merely smiled quietly to themselves.
New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori has revealed his side is "desperate" to win their semi-final clash against Pakistan so they can lose in the final. "New Zealand always crashes out at the semi-final stage of big competitions and we are looking to step up to the next level,” said Vettori earlier today. "We've been known as perennial losing semi-finalists for years and I'm now wanting the team to be known as perennial runners-up. This is certainly our objective over the next decade, particularly in light of us having given up playing test cricket to concentrate on the shorter forms of the game."
However, England captain Andrew Strauss was quick to point out New Zealand had their work cut out for them if the two sides were to meet in Monday's final. "We have a great deal of pedigree when it comes to losing in major finals as we have done so on three previous occasions" said Strauss, "and if we met New Zealand I think their inexperience at losing at the highest level could cost them."
When asked who they thought would claim the loss if NZ and England were to meet in the final, Australian and Pakistan captains Ricky Ponting and Younis Khan merely smiled quietly to themselves.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI’m writing on behalf of the Managing Editor of CricketCountry, which is a joint venture portal of the Zee Group and an American media giant. Our cricket vertical has lots of cricketers writing for us, besides established writers. However, we are also giving space for bloggers and others who would like to share their views and/or blog on cricket.
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Cheers,
Devarchit
devarchit.varma@corp.india.com