From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

Though South Africa were strong favourites, I knew that one should never
write off New Zealand. But if NZ were to win, I didn't expect it to be
by such a huge margin. I suspect that the dew may have helped the ball
to come onto the bat better in their innings, and no doubt SA (apart
from Jansen) underperformed with the bat, but the biggest factor has to
have been how well NZ played - especially Allen and Seifert of course.
--
John Hall

You can divide people into two categories:
those who divide people into two categories and those who don't

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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 04/03/2026 16:46, John Hall wrote:

Though South Africa were strong favourites, I knew that one should never write off New Zealand. But if NZ were to win, I didn't expect it to be
by such a huge margin. I suspect that the dew may have helped the ball
to come onto the bat better in their innings, and no doubt SA (apart
from Jansen) underperformed with the bat, but the biggest factor has to
have been how well NZ played - especially Allen and Seifert of course.

This World Cup has been a bit like a game of rock-paper-scissors: NZ
beat SA beat India beat WI beat England beat NZ.
--
John Hall

You can divide people into two categories:
those who divide people into two categories and those who don't
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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

John Hall wrote:

Though South Africa were strong favourites, I knew that one should never write off New Zealand. But if NZ were to win, I didn't expect it to be
by such a huge margin. I suspect that the dew may have helped the ball
to come onto the bat better in their innings, and no doubt SA (apart
from Jansen) underperformed with the bat, but the biggest factor has to
have been how well NZ played - especially Allen and Seifert of course.

Shit!

Woke early this morning (05:00) and thought, "I'll watch the NZ v RSA
semi". Turned the tv on to the site and it said, "Upcoming - tomorrow at 23:30", so I thought the Alzies had got me and went elsewhere.
Technology is just toying with us you know.
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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 3/4/2026 8:46 AM, John Hall wrote:

Though South Africa were strong favourites, I knew that one should never write off New Zealand. But if NZ were to win, I didn't expect it to be
by such a huge margin. I suspect that the dew may have helped the ball
to come onto the bat better in their innings, and no doubt SA (apart
from Jansen) underperformed with the bat, but the biggest factor has to
have been how well NZ played - especially Allen and Seifert of course.

Not a single fan on the planet expected the drubbing of SA by NZ.

Not a single one.


SA was about 20 runs under par.

Cole McConchie was turned the game in NZ's favor in his only first over
itself by getting Markram and Quinton out.


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From Newsgroup: uk.sport.cricket

On 04/03/2026 18:08, John Hall wrote:

On 04/03/2026 16:46, John Hall wrote:

Though South Africa were strong favourites, I knew that one should
never write off New Zealand. But if NZ were to win, I didn't expect it
to be by such a huge margin. I suspect that the dew may have helped
the ball to come onto the bat better in their innings, and no doubt SA
(apart from Jansen) underperformed with the bat, but the biggest
factor has to have been how well NZ played - especially Allen and
Seifert of course.

This World Cup has been a bit like a game of rock-paper-scissors: NZ
beat SA beat India beat WI beat England beat NZ.

That doesn't quite match the Six Nations rugby in which France beat
Ireland beat England beat Wales beat Italy beat Scotland beat France
(and of those matches, only Italy v Scotland had a single-figure margin).
--
David North
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