The good the bad and the ugly

Hello and welcome back to my blog

I predicted last week that Australia will likely win the test series in New Zealand 2-0. With New Zealand losing 11 wickets today and still 115 runs behind (Vettori and McCullum are the only recognised batsmen that remain), the baggy-green team are heading in that direction. The skill and determination that led them to an unbeaten summer has not been dulled as their batsmen continue to show patience and the ability to grab initiative while their bowlers trouble all but the most solid of defensive techniques. Michael Clarke played one of his best innings (168*) and Bollinger continues to be Ponting's best weapon with 5-28. Both achievements are more impressive given the former's recent off-field dramas and the latter's alcoholism (poor fellow gets beer cravings mid-game it would seem)

As for New Zealand's effort in this match there is mostly bad news:

• Southee found swing but no consistency - not for the first time in his career
• Vettori made the strange decision to bowl Darryl Tuffey with the second-new-ball (120-125 kph) when the only way to beat Australia is to attack. He should not be afraid to buy a couple of wickets - containment hasn't worked in the past and it won't work now
• Darryl Tuffey himself was caught short while not sliding his bat...
• ...And speaking of run-outs, McIntosh is gaining a reputation for causing them. Peter Ingram has enough problems with his game without help from the other end in his pursuit to find poor-cricket methods to be dismissed

The best for Black Cap fans was the 70-run opening partnership second time round (took 32 overs as well!). McIntosh played very well for his 83 (220) but sadly was dismissed right before the close of play

As for the ugly: McCullum's innings this morning when it's aggression transformed from inspired to horrible with a dreadful attempt to pull the first ball in a Bollinger over - may be equal to the word. Then there is 'Dougie' himself but to suggest he is related to Susan Boyle may just be petty

NEWS

• Pune and Kochi will be two new IPL franchises next time round
• Warne suggested that Pathan's 100 (37) for Rajasthan was the best innings he had seen and was immediately tested for memory loss (or should have been given some of the games he has been in)
• Graeme Swann and Stuart Broad made public apologies about separate incidents during the first Test against Bangladesh. I won't explain what they did and only mention this as an example of the ridiculous position cricket PR has reached when such things cannot be settled between the parties involved - they didn't offend us so who benefits exactly?

RECENT RESULTS

• West Indies rapped up a 4-1 ODI series victory over Zimbabwe
• England beat Bangladesh in the first tests of their series after captain Alastair Cook made 173 and Swann took 10 wickets
• IPL victories went to Delhi, Chennai (2), Bangalore (3), Mumbai, Deccan and Rajasthan. The highlights this week included Kallis' form (200+ runs without a dismissal), Hayden's 93 (43) and Kumar's hat-trick

ARTICLE OF INTEREST
http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/452177.html

This article is in another in the emerging discontent over cricket commentary (largely due to the amount of 2020 and cricket commentary's poor adaption to this form. I enjoyed the frank and eloquent description of particular commentators and it inspired me to make a few observations of my own:
Gifted Commentators include

1. Richie Benaud (see the above article as to why)
2. Geoffrey Boycott and Ian Smith for their abrasive manner and ability to side-step politeness and criticise when it is required - while remaining entertaining and inoffensive to the ear
3. Mark Nicholas for a wide vocabulary, wide cricket knowledge and the charm necessary to combine both without boring the public into watching golf
4. Michael Atherton (again see article above)
5. Jeremy Coney for an his mix of Richie Benaud simplicity and Mark Nicholas charm and wit

My least favourite commentators include
Michael Slater, Ian Healy, Allan Border, Danny Morrison, Mark Richardson, Darrell Eastlake (see The 12th Man) and anyone else who spends their time in the commentary box shouting non-sensical blather in a poor attempt to cover their short-comings as speakers and thinkers.
(Note that the only reason that I do not include Martin Crowe in this group is because when he provides analysis he can be quite useful to the viewer)

LOOKING BACK
March 15 (1987) - while NZ slide to defeat in Wellington I would advise taking a moment to remember this game against the best team in the world between 1980-1995, West Indies. NZ won the toss and Hadlee (6-50) blew Greenidge, Haynes, Richards and the rest away for just 100. A couple days later the underdog won by 5 wickets to level the series

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