Published: Feb 02, 2016, 04:29 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 02, 2016, 04:29 AM (IST)
Coming of the back of a run-heavy series against India, James Faulkner expects no respite for bowlers as they take on New Zealand in the latter’s backyard. In fact, Faulkner believes their misery will only be furthered on the smaller grounds in New Zealand, suggesting 400 could be the norm in the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series which goes under the prestigious banner of ‘Chappell-Hadlee’. The claims might be a tad presumptuous given that the New Zealand grounds have actually offered far greater balance between bat and ball, small boundaries notwithstanding. FULL SCORECARD: New Zealand vs Australia 2015-16, 1st ODI at Auckland
Yet, if whether is dry and the swing factor is thwarted, Faulkner’s predictions could come true. “Yeah there’s no reason why teams can’t get 350 or 400,” Faulkner was quoted as saying by smh.com.au. “A lot of it just comes down to conditions,” he added.
“Every team at the moment is setting up to go hard in the first 10, consolidate through the middle and try and have wickets in the shed to try and launch,” Faulkner said in attempt to explain the surge in big totals. “Especially with the smaller boundaries I think if you find the ball isn’t moving there will be high scores.
“But if it is it’s obviously a lot tougher for the opening batsmen to adjust. More times than not at the moment 300 tends to be the base and every run over that is so valuable because every single batter in most teams can bat these days so it makes it really tough for the bowlers.”
