Since my last post the Chappell-Hadlee series has kicked off with two thrilling games of cricket in Napier and Auckland. Scott Styris, a late fill-in for injured Daniel Vettori, blasted NZ home to win by 2 wickets on Wednesday before AUS fought back at Eden Park Saturday night with D/L altered 12 run victory despite a gutsy performance from returning captain Vettori (70 off 49 balls after taking 2-42 in ten overs). There are three games remaining over the next week and I hope each is just as thrilling.
This fascinating contest is a continuation of a fine trophy system that began in December 2004 when two surprisingly similar games were fought in Australia (before the third was washed out to leave things level at 1-1). Brendon McCullum first showed off the flick over the keeper shot on this occasion for those who care to remember. The following year Australia played for the trophy in New Zealand and achieved easy victory in game one before escaping in Wellington (only thanks to great death bowling by Mick Lewis - who incidentally when on to concede 100+ from his ten overs in the famous loss to South Africa 2 months later). The series was gone but respect was earned by a record chase in Christchurch led by Scott Styris and finished by McCullum (in his finishing role that sadly is missed today).
In 2007 the Black Caps achieved history by trouncing their rivals 3-0 with outstanding performances from Bond, McMillan, Taylor and McCullum. This was reversed late that year with a 2-0 loss in Australia and in 2009 rain again intervened during the new 5 match format to leave the trophy in Australia's hands after a 2-2 result.
After 5 years the tally stood at:
- 16 games
- 3 no-results
- 7 NZ wins
- 6 AUS wins
The annual dog-fight was set up in name of the Chappell and Hadlee cricket families and at every stage encompasses the aggression, skill and determination of the cricketers in those two families.
On this topic I would like to highlight the recent article by Michael Donaldson of the Sunday Star Times who accuses Daniel Vettori of a poor piece of captaincy to insert Australia in Auckland despite the certainty of a rain affected game. In actual fact the toss was won by Australia and Vettori is owed no blame. Mr. Donaldson would do well to watch the game he is analysing for an otherwise, respectable newspaper.
NEWS
- The injury list in the New Zealand camp now includes Taylor, Oram and Franklin with mild niggles for McCullum and Vettori. Shanan Stewart of Canterbury will join the squad as cover in the middle order for the rest of the series
- Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, a man of no cricket experience should now become the next ICC President (in 2012) after his nomination this week for Oceania. Below is a link to footage of his best effort in this sport
RESULTS
- Another South African import helped England to a win over Bangladesh (ODI)
- Zimbabwe shocked some (and realised the fears of others) by beating West Indies in the first ODI before the series was levelled in game two
ARTICLE OF INTEREST
The Johnson-Styris controversy has stirred up some strong opinions including this one suggested to me by a Christchurch journalist friend:
http://blogs.cricinfo.com/diffstrokes/archives/2010/03/where_is_the_justice.php
The writer is concerned that double standards are arising within the cricket judiciary process – or at least the appearance of such, in response to the light penalty handed to Johnson after his altercation with Styris in Napier. While the concerns are valid it isn’t as if such divisions haven’t existed in cricket before. This is the sport that wouldn’t let pros captain England until the 1950s, women play at Lords or appear in members stands; lets not get too high on the pedestal. As for the idea that clashes like that in Napier are more accepted in New Zealand and Australia, there may be some truth to this because of the very casual reactions to violence in Rugby Union, League and AFL – sports not popular in the subcontinent or the West Indies – there is a difference of opinion.
I think the rulings should be derived from a position of 'offence to cricket'; member nations can decide on the image of cricket and if a player’s actions go against that then punishment is due – create a standard for cricket and don’t allow regional bias to interfere.
LOOKING BACK
March 5th (1971) – Mike Proctor scored his sixth successive century to equal a record also held by Bradman and CB Fry. Important to remember that the period of 1975-1990 had 4 great all-rounders – there could have been 5 if South Africa were permitted to play. Proctor played just 7 tests (41 wickets @ 15) but in first class cricket he averaged 36 with the bat and 19 with the ball while racking up more than 20,000 runs and 1400 wickets
Finally, as today is the birthday of Sir. IVA Richards here is a link to some good footage of him blasting the English bowlers of the 1970s and 1980s:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK_n5le73LE
Well that's it from here and I hope you join me again
It's good bye for now
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