Season 12 PC Round 1 - Victoria v New Zealand (completed)

Victoria v New Zealand

Victoria: Boy, Harding, Alessi, Miokovic, Masters, Son, Storer, Hall, Eggman, MacDonald, Diggler

New Zealand: Morgan, Bakkum, Petrucci, Torres, Schaw, Martyn, Heads, Weaver, Bots, Davis, Ritchie

There is an air of optimism around this Victoria side. After a 3-0 drubbing against Asia last season, the Vics' new-look attack (which had bested Britain in the final game of last year's PC) came together to reclaim the Borisc Trophy 2-1. The new generation comes in the main from two talented seam bowlers, Dirk Diggler and Zac MacDonald, who have taken to first class standard this year admirably and as such their province can finally claim to support long term spearhead Dave Eggman. Spin is now represented by Alastair Son, who after a shaky start to his first class career has matured into one of the most useful allround cricketers in the competition.

New Zealand, in contrast, find themselves bringing in the changes after an extremely disappointing Jae Taylor Cup. The champions have elected to bring in some of this season's brightest talent in John Heads and Joshua Ritchie, but they will still have real concerns over the form of their established players. Siege Morgan, Heath Davis and Lucas Schaw, three players whose meteoric rise through season 11 did the most to elevate NZ to real title contenders, have had poor starts this year and will be looking to rectify that as soon as possible in order to get the champions back to winning ways.

In the end, though, the Victorians are unlikely to pull of the upset here regardless of form. While their top order fared reasonably well against a lacklustre Asian attack, it's difficult to see the likes of Boy and Harding facing off successfully against CricSim's no.1 bowler, and while their attack supporting Eggman is heading in the right direction, it will be some time before they will fancy their chances against the class of Petrucci or Torres. The addition of Heads also brings a new depth to the Kiwi batting order. Heads is arguably the form player of the season, and his aggressive batsmanship could well take the game away from Victoria's bowlers before they get a chance to turn back to Eggman.

The Herald predicts a five wicket win to the New Zealanders, with a six wicket haul for Weaver in the first innings making the difference.