Fingers crossed we actually get a game this time. 

wratterus:

 

Fingers crossed we actually get a game this time. 

 

 

TBH, the Black Caps would be quite happy with a one-point-each washout: it would be enough to guarantee NZ a semi-final spot.
It would also leave England in a scrap with Australia for the second semi-final spot.

A win to the Black Caps would guarantee NZ 1st in the group, and probably ensure that Australia got the other spot

All-time T20 International batting averages, 20 innings needed for entry to this list.  Although averages should be a good indicator of overall worth to a side, as I and others have pointed out, strike-rate is king in such a short game if you want to post defendable totals. 

I agree with tdgeeks that it would be much better for the win-loss ratio to have a consistent top six who score 30-40 runs in double quick time than have to rely on one guy each innings.  Anyway, here's the card

EDIT: Should also say that, because T20I cricket is more widely played around the world, there are some good averages from associate member nation players who probably compete against other weaker nations to generate their scores.

Dochart: Could have won that game tonight if Williamson scored at quicker rate. Chewed up too many balls 40 runs (40 balls)

Yeah but failures for Conway and Allen again, and the batting looks non-threatening to quality bowling from Neesham down.  Phillips can't do it all himself.

Definitely didn't help giving Buttler three bats either, but England gave Phillips two I suppose.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/video/do-bowlers-no-longer-fear-bowling-to-williamson-1342814

thermonuclear:

 

Dochart: Could have won that game tonight if Williamson scored at quicker rate. Chewed up too many balls 40 runs (40 balls)

 

 

 

Yeah but failures for Conway and Allen again, and the batting looks non-threatening to quality bowling from Neesham down.  Phillips can't do it all himself.

 

Definitely didn't help giving Buttler three bats either, but England gave Phillips two I suppose.

 

 

 

https://www.espncricinfo.com/video/do-bowlers-no-longer-fear-bowling-to-williamson-1342814

 

 

 

100%

Not a lot has changed IMO. We got smashed by RSA in a warmup, ok anything can happen in T20. We have a good win but Conway had to score almost half the runs. We have a good win but Philips has to get a century. Philips didnt get a century last night so we were easily beaten. Talk about delicate. Is it a between the ears issue where Kiwis choke when under pressure? We certainly have the talent to bat, but we seem to choke. BMC, play smart but play freely, the score will look after itself. 

artbloke:
Yeah, we should be playing with controlled aggression - this year we are lacking confidence & composure in our game in all of the formats... need to get back to the attitude we had before, playing with plenty of confidence & composure with each individual doing their role well.

Yep, don't play not to lose. Its harder to play conservative and careful than natural, as you are artificially managing yourself. Probably better to get 20 off 9 than 38 of 42

tdgeek:

artbloke:
Yeah, we should be playing with controlled aggression - this year we are lacking confidence & composure in our game in all of the formats... need to get back to the attitude we had before, playing with plenty of confidence & composure with each individual doing their role well.

Yep, don't play not to lose. Its harder to play conservative and careful than natural, as you are artificially managing yourself. Probably better to get 20 off 9 than 38 of 42

So how confident are we for a win against Ireland? Thinking about the possibility of rain, the tendency to play conservatively, the lack of confidence to really go out there and deal to the bowlers...I have some concerns.