The first day of the first cricket test between Pakistan and New Zealand has ended. A terrific fightback from Kane Williamson and Tim Southee has brought the Black Caps back into the match. They were almost dead and buried at 7/177, but an unbeaten partnership of 83 will see them resume at 7/260. The first-day honours went to the visitors though, but not by much.
The more we see of Williamson, the more we like the look of him. He played patiently yesterday, but looked composed and solid. He is developing into a genuine test match batsman. At the other end, Southee played probably his best test match innings to date, and is another who should flourish under John Wright's mentorship.
But the big negative for us was the Seddon Park pitch. It started the day brown and lifeless, and by stumps on the first day it was an absolute road. Unless this pitch deteriorates through the course of the match, a draw is the most likely result. That leads to our question to NZC.
This is a home test match, and surely, the conditions should favour the home side. Why has NZC allowed the Seddon Park groundsman to prepare a pitch which is positively Pakistani in nature, and which will hold no fears for the visitors? Pitches such as this one do little to encourage bowlers; nor do they encourage shotmaking. In short, it is a recipe for dull cricket which even purists such as ourselves struggle to enjoy.
We're planning on a visit to Wellington next weekend for at least one day of the test at the Basin Reserve. We hope that a more sporting pitch will have been prepared at New Zealand's best test match venue.
8 comments:
I didn't watch long enough to otice the pitch. The sight of Ryder was too much.
Yes, you're right. Compare the magnificent strip just used for five days at the SCG.
The real task for John Wright is kicking some attitude into the top order or kicking it out.
Ryuder actually looked the best of the top five batsmen Adolf, and at least he didn't fire his stick like McCullum, Guptill or Taylor. His dismissal was just bad luck.
McCallum needs to be beaten with a broken stump for the shot he played to go out on.
He is an opening batsman in a test. Not in a 50 or 20 over match.
If he is going to play shots like that while opening then he needs to be batting at 6 not 1.
Williamson showed the team how to do it. Patience and caution prevailed.
Southee is an 8 and the shots he played demonstrated that. Facing a better seam attack he would have difficulty.
Hopefully John Wright will follwo the Flower approach to his team which has worked wonders with the English team.
Particularly I hope the show pony's are hobbled and brought back into the team ethos.
Agreed as regards Williamson and Southee Alex. Southee is developing as a handy #9, and as England proved, getting runs down the order is very important. Interestingly, most of his runs yesterday were scored on the off side, whereas in the past he has played more across the line and favoured the leg side. He has a very good eye, and with some tuition from Wright as to how to play through the line of the ball could develop into a very handy allrounder.
As I recall John Wright grabbed Sehwag by the scruff of the neck when he was coaching India. Sehwag had played a Taylor/MCullum type shot and you could say he copped it in the neck from Wright.
Adolf - Ryder is actually a class test batsman. He has good concentration levels as evidenced by his chanceless 200 at Napier in March 09 against India. Do we really care what he looks like if he scores runs. There are a few `flash Harrys' who can't get the ball off the square.
Agreed pdm; Doug Walters was one of Australia's best ever, but was no athlete. Nor were David Boon, Arjuna "Who ate all the pies" Ranutunga or Mike Gatting.
Ryder is a terrific batsman. The challenge for Wright will be to steer him in the right direction via the top two inches, which is probably Ryder's weakest point.
Doug Walters, thats a name from the past.
Saw him bat many moons ago. Lancaster park i think, but i do stand corrected if I am wrong.
The era when cricketers practised by playing cricket not visiting gyms, admiring each others tatoos etc, etc
i really like this and found very help full thanks to share such a great article a question for new zealand circket
thanks to share and i hope that you will keep it up
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