You probably thought we weren't going to blog about cricket today - not so!
We're looking forward to a better all-round performance by the Black Caps at Napier in the 2nd test match which is about to start. New Zealand has won the toss and will bat first. Jamie How is in for the injured Daniel Flynn, whilst there's a surprise change in the Indian team with captain MS Dhoni out with a back injury, to be replaced by Dinesh Karthik.
It's a glorious day in Napier, the pitch looks full of runs, and hopefully, a good day's cricket awaits. Regular commenter pdm will hope so, gracing McLean Park with his presence as he is! All that remains is to say "Play"!!
UPDATE: It was indeed a good day for the Black Caps, after a horror start. The partnership between Ryder and Taylor has set New Zealand up for a big first innings total, especially if Jesse Ryder gets a start tomorrow morning. The New Zealanders resume on 351 for 4, with Ryder on 137 and James Franklin on 26. Cricinfo reviews the day's play.
9 comments:
I’m pleased pdm is at the cricket, because no-one else seems to be.
Well done Dhoni for pulling out of this. It’s given us Kartik who can’t catch a cold.
Well said LB - the Indian fielding effort as a whole has been pretty underwhelming today. You get the impression that, without Dhoni out there, some old the old "this is beneath us" habits have returned.
I note on Cricinfo that Taylor's six brought up his 1000 runs in tests.
It as such a good day at the cricket that I stayed until after 5.30. My intention was to be away at tea as I had someone I needed to catch up with.
Having said that I was almost ready to leave by lunch after the terrible shot by Jamie How, Guptills poor technique and, as I found out later, McIntosh's unlucky dismissal. Mind you he had `flirted' outside off stump so many times it was probably inevitable.
When Ryder came in to face the hat trick Taylor at the other end had 20/20 syndrome AGAIN and as soemone nearby said `we will probably see India batting later in the day.
What a turn around. Ryder again showed skill, maturity and concentration that I was sure he did not possess before Christmas and Taylor played some magnificent shots in his innings.
Unfortunately Taylor self destructed (bloody 20/20 even if you are over 150) but if Franklin can stick with Ryder and McCullum bats sensibly it will be a good mornings play that Mrs PDM and I will watch tomorrow. Then off at the lunch break to get ready for a school reunion Friday night and most of Saturday.
By the way LB I thought the crowd wasn't too bad given it was a Thursday and the heart of the fruit picking etc. Saturday should be a boomer, especially if Tendulkar gets going.
INV2 - a question for your umpiring expertise and LB your comment on this won't be wasted either.
In his first over after lunch Harbajahn bowled to Ross Taylor with the following field:
Short Leg (under the helmet), midwicket, mid on, deep backward square, a player on the boundary forward of square towards mid wicket) and another at `cow corner'. This made 6 fielders on the leg side and I counted them about 4 times.
In my cricketing days you were only allowed 5 on the legside with only 2 behind square (not an issue here). Have the rules changed?
When I asked the people sitting around me no one could answer. I didn't go to Sonny Shaw who was abot 20 meters away.
No, the five on the leg side law was changed in the late 1970's from memory - certainly well before I started umpiring fulltime in 1986/7. You can have as many as you want on the leg side, but no more than two behind square as you have correctly noted.
Excellent review of the day thanks pdm - it was great to see the Kiwi batsmen show a bit of fight today, and if Ryder can get in tomorrow morning, 500+ is on the cards. With the Black Caps going with two spinners (hooray!), who knows what might happen?
Interesting on the leg side rule guys: I thought only 5 were allowed, but I got my umpiring badge in the late 70s, so I'll bow to Inv's more modern knowledge.
Re: to get ready for a school reunion Friday night and most of Saturday.
That's the Bay for you :)
Shit Ryder was good today. Throughout the history of the Masterton Duo, Initials Taylor has always been thought of as the bright one. Today that was reversed.
BTW, got texts etc from people aghast that Prince Brendan hadn't come out when Initials was out. NZ got that one right.
Agree completely about McCullum LB - the last hour of the day, new ball and fading light was not the time for him to be out there. If Ryder & Franklin can take the shine off the new ball in the first half hour, McCullum could flourish later in the day. Absolutely the right call IMHO.
I have to agree with both of you re McCullum. The scene is going to be set for him if Ryder and Franklin stay together for the first hour. I just hope he bats properly and doesn't think he has to score at two runs a ball. I have some faith in Patel holding an end up.
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