Phase II of the Indian Summer begins today with the start of the 5-match ODI series in Napier - weather permitting. It's cricketing lore now that the farmers in the drought-prone Hawke's Bay rub their hands with glee when international cricket is scheduled for McLean Park, as it is a sure sign that rain is on the way! And whilst the forecast for Napier today is for occasional showers and a southerly change, we can but hope that this time, the forecasters get it wrong!
This match will be a step-up for both sides after the hit-and-giggle of the T20 series. A win to the Black Caps today could have a big effect on the progress of the series, and the test matches to follow. The Indians are sometimes not the best of travellers, and a third successive win to New Zealand today could dent their confidence.
On the other hand, the Indians are formidable, and will be even more so for the return to action of the Little Master, Sachin Tendulkar, the man who has scored more runs in both tests and ODI's than anyone else who has ever played the game. Students of the game will remember that it was at McLean Park where Tendulkar came close to scoring a maiden test century (dismissed for 88), which would have made him the youngest player to perform that feat. Tendulkar's youth at the time, and his longevity is highlighted by a look at the New Zealand team that opposed him - names such as Wright, Crowe, Rutherford, Smith, Jones, Greatbatch, Bracewell and Snedden - and a fellow by the name of Hadlee - ah, those were the days!
So thanks to the miracles of technology, the laptop will move to the lounge shortly before 2pm this afternoon, where work, blogging and cricket will be enjoyed in relatively equal portions. Who said men can't multi-task?
22 comments:
Inv,
T20 cricket is not hit and giggle
It stopped being hit and giggle from the moment the IPL was launched. It may be unsatisfying, unrewarding of proper cricket etc...
But with the money involved there is no giggle about it.
Anyway, good to see the cricket, once again, is providing relief for Hawkes Bay farmers.
I beg to differ LB - fellas like Oram, McCullum, Mills, Taylor Ryder and all the Indians are giigling all the way to their Financial Advisers!
Unfortunately after the very good rain (for the farmers) that washed out the Mission Concert on Saturday it is starting to look dodgy for the cricket later this afternoon. I am in Hastings some 12/15ks from McLean Park and since about 8am the temparature has dropped and the sun has just, as I tye, disappeared behind the clouds that are building up from the south
I wouldn't want to be sitting on the bank for the second dig if the games does last that long.
Like you INV2 I will be watching from the lounge.
Having commented on weather conditions now for the game. ODI's I can live with as for most of the match `proper' cricket shots are played.
The toss may well be critical today because with the moisture that has been abround Hawkes Bay for the last week there may be something in the pitch for the first few overs. If there is a vulnerability in the Indian batting it is when the ball is seaming around - their instinct is to play not leave. Depending on whether we have showers or not that could of course continue through the day.
Finally a quote from Grant Elliott in todays DomPost:
`It was only 20/20 cricket and you can lose a bit of shape playing that'.
I rest my case.
I like the cut of Elliots jib. He says what he thinks which is a change from the mealy mouthed twaddle you usualy get.
I've always said staging an internationl cricket game in napier is simply a device to break a drought. i don't think I will be wrong today.
pdm - Vettori had already indicated that NZ would probably bat first if he won the toss, because he's not overly fussed with the lights at McLean Park. I would have thought that given the comments you make about the pitch and the moisture, and given the possibility of a D/L scenario later in the evening, NZ would want to chase again.
alex - good comment about Elliott - he's got a good temperament, and the Saffer bloody-mindedness that we love to hate. After the series in Australia, I reckon he'll be a far better player, and could become our "finisher" - the role that Chris Harris used to play so well - able to bat to the end of the innings, or to pace things to the target when chasing.
I’d like NZ to bat first.
If only because it would make a change.
PDM,
Will McLean Park be losing any of its character after the “upgrade” is finished?
Weather update.
Not much blue sky over Hastings now and the wind has got up a bit with some stong gusts. Not looking good for a full game.
Therefore NZ should chase if they win the toss.
LB - Definitely.
The old McKenzie stand didn't hold too many but it had a bit of character about it with it's wooden bench seats. As I understand it the only open space will be the bank at the Northern End - the rest will be grandstands.
I've been shat upon by birds in the rafters of the McKenzie stand more than once over the years pdm! The new stand should turn McLean Park into a top-class facility. Well done to the powers-that-be for making it happen.
So the country’s 2nd equal most picturesque cricket ground gets ruined for a couple of rugby matches involving Romania in 2011.
Good Lord - Vettori lost the toss! India batting, Black Caps chasing, which is, IMHO, not a bad thing.
LB - it is a rugby ground first and formost. The sqaure boundaries are too short really for top cricket.
Raining in Hastings for the last 10minutes. The murky rain that lasts 3 days on the East Coast and may today as the wind has dropped right away.
OOps line 1 para 2 - make that 10 minutes.
It can rain all day in Hastings pdm as long as it stays away from McLean Park!
I think they will be very lucky to get back on.
Clearing in Hastings but the temperature has really dropped. It is going to be a very cool evening if they get started again.
They're just about to come back on - 38 overs a side now, so it's still a reasonable game, weather permitting.
Hoo boy! What a brilliant catch by Ross Taylor. That was right out of the fat from Sehwag.
Catch of the season so far INV2.
Now he has to put away that legside wog and get some runs. A big ask from here at almost 8 an over.
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