Playing with the Big Boys

Hello and welcome back to my blog

Last night I watched my first game of the Champions League 2009 and what occurred to me very quickly is the difference in skill between the different domestic teams of the world. The IPL teams will do fine because they will be loaded with international talents like Adam Gilchrist and others but for the likes of the Otago Volts this competition will be a steep learning curve and that is a GOOD thing

The only New Zealand team in the competition went down to the Cape Cobras (of South Africa) by 54 runs and the difference in performance was clear in every department and facet of the game. The highly-regarded Neil Wagner (first class bowling average of 21) bowled two deliveries outside off-stump before reverting to leg-stump half volleys that century maker Puttick duly bashed to the boundary. Ian Butler couldn't help but bowl length deliveries at the death which ended in the stands. Nathan McCullum, a spinner that has good potential in my view, did not change his game plan when bowling to batsmen who are skilled at slogging to the leg-side.
When it came to chasing the 194 for victory (20 runs too many to be fair) the writing was on the wall when Brendon McCullum underestimated the out fielding of the opposition and was run out attempting a risky second run. Too more run outs followed in the middle order and the opportunity to have a real go at chasing a large target, on a flat wicket, against less-than-threatening bowling was gone.

The problem was the clear lift in intensity required to beat these other teams. I had always wondered how our domestic teams would handle playing Australian, South African or English opposition and now my fears are realised. Each skill in the game is a little better; better developed, more experienced and consistent.
However this is exactly what New Zealand needs. We don't have enough domestic cricket at the moment and, by their own admission, the players are too friendly with each other to foster the competitive edge so apparent in the other teams. This experience should help to rectify this problem and continue to do so if this tournament continues.

I look forward to watching the Otago Volts improve and learn some new lessons to then take back to our domestic scene and encourage the others

Well that's it from here and I hope to see you again
It's good bye for now