- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
With New Zealand having already thrashed the Mike Hussey-led Prime Minster’s XI, they would surely be riding high on confidence before they get into the real brawl with their Tasman neighbours.
Tom Latham and Martin Guptill showed their class, and wiped away any fears of playing the pink ball, as opposed to the red Kookabura. Glistering stroke-play saw them pile on a 196 opening stand that paved the Kiwis’ victory.
Many pundits feel New Zealand are fully charged and motivated to attack the Aussies, especially after their commanding victory in the tour opener. However in the bigger picture, the question that comes to the fore is whether Brendon McCullum’s attacking formula and proactive strategies will be the key to success.
McCullum has justified his tactics and proactive approach after launching a stunning comeback against England in the second Test to beat the home side by 199-run in Yorkshire’s Headingly.
In the World Cup campaign, his attitude certainly paid dividends in the way they remained unbeaten until the finals, especially against the Proteas where they ran down 290-plus score with superb control and dominance.
However the same approach and intention miserably back-fired upon them as their ‘big brothers’ showed the fine line of difference between street-smart aggression and passionate, arrogant aggression in the final. The Kiwis’ hope of securing their maiden World Cup triumph came down crashing to the ground and this is the very reason the Kiwis have to be circumspect in the way they play their Tasman rivals.
Aggression can certainly spark the atmosphere and lighten the attack of any line-up, but it can also bring the same attitude and confidence down to the ground.
Though history suggests aggression has led to the West Indies and even Australia dominating in the past, the Proteas Test team have shown that a circumspect approach is a safer bet. South Africa have topped the Test charts for three years running.
So what’s the answer to this question over aggression? It is playing as per the demand. If the Kiwis decide to take the game to this Aussie side, they might pull off one or two wins but would ultimately lose the series.
Trent Boult and Tim Southee might pose plenty of questions against the Australian batting link but it would be their consistency over the three Tests that will hold decisive. Australia might be a bit bereaved after Michael Clarke’s departure and the Ashes loss, however it could also serve as inspiration.
So long as they are in the Test arena, it is all about controlled aggression in certain phases and waiting for the right moments to seize control. When it is obvious that the opposition will resort to sledging and aggression, it is about playing the other way around.
Playing fire with fire might just not be the key for the Kiwis. Instead it will be about sensing the opportunity and having patience to wreak real turmoil in the Australian set-up.
For the Kiwis, the key lies in how they set the game and dupe the opposition, rather than putting out their best cards as early as they can to showcase their quality.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.