Last week I suggested that New Zealand had more to fear from fast bowling from across the Tasman than a lack of it at home and this proved to be true during the first 2020 match in Wellington which Australia won with ease. 'Outclassed' appeared in several publications and reports. The culling-knives were barely out of their sheaths when the Black Caps balanced the ledger in Christchurch with one of the best games of cricket I have ever seen
I want to focus on two efforts here where individuals - perhaps labelled 'poor-man' versions of greater players - found their best form and got New Zealand across the line. First is the talented Brendon McCullum who finally achieved a hundred against Australia with 116* (58). He now has the second highest and second fastest 2020 century. It was a brilliant display of what 2020 batting is all about: power, innovation and pure nerve against 150 kph bowling. The comparisons with Gilchrist can now be made more convincingly
The second player is Tim Southee. Who would have thought that figures of 4-0-44-0 would be celebrated in pubs and living rooms up and down the country (such was the craziness) but it was his death bowling that impressed most with just 17 runs off his last 12 balls ensured the tie just when Cameron 'slog every gall' White looked unstoppable. Redemption from his effort at the same ground against India a year ago (where he conceded 100). The decision to bowl him instead of Bond during the Super Over was deserved and might be the sign that the boy is finally growing into the shoes vacated by Hadlee, Cairns and soon Bond.
NEWS
- Brett Lee announced his retirement from test cricket this week (in order to prolong his career) and hopes to play in the next world cup.
- The incomparable Sachin Tendulkar became the first man to score 200 in an ODI when he registered 200* (147) against South Africa. I'm glad it was him an not some slogger
RECENT RESULTS
- Australia completed and undefeated summer by thrashing West Indies in two 2020 games
- This trend continued in Wellington before finally being halted in Christchurch tonight
- India won their ODI series against South Africa 2-1 after Tendulkar's century in the second match and hundreds to Kallis and De Villiers in the third set up a cancellation match
ARTICLE OF INTEREST
On cricinfo this week I came across a great article about how terrible the presentation of cricket has become:
http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/449322.html
The commentary is very forgettable with the likes of Benaud retiring and now we are left with former players like Slater, Healy, Morrison, Knight, Richardson and Doull to bore us to death with their lack of imagination and a habit of over commenting on every ball. Even the animated Bill Lawry and Tony Greig combination is passed its best. From this collection of has-beens we must endure the post-match presentation where a 10 year old could recite the dialogue; it's as if Michael Bay were writing it. The players are just as bad with their answers - hardly veering from 5-6 different sentences - restricted by politeness and the 24-hour news cycle that can turn any comment into a scandal.
Just because you are or were a great player doesn't make you a great commentator. Richard Hadlee was good enough to recognise this in himself (or a brave producer was). Part of keeping the game alive is keeping the public interested and awake while listening to it
LOOKING BACK
In the spirit of McCullum's innings I will highlight February 22nd 1990 when Ian Smith smashed the Indian attack around Eden Park for 173 (136 balls). A record for New Zealand wicket keepers until the former surpassed it this year against Bangladesh
Well that's it from here and I hope you join me again
It's good bye for now
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