The Colossus Of Hamilton gave another great, and almost unsupported, display. Is there another team in the world that has a greater range in talent than New Zealand. From the great one down to a whole bunch of "what the hell am I doing here?" plonkers.
If ever there was an image to sum up the NZ v Sri Lanka series, this would be it. If the Black Caps got any more dominated they could post the pictures on one of those dodgy web sites beloved of men who wear leather.
Well done Cap'n Dan. Not a bad effort when you play half your games on Kiwi wickets.
But no crazier than those trying to play cricket on mud roads in Sri Lanka.
... you mighty oak of England.
The Ashes 2009, already a thing of the past. It will very interesting to see if it proves a watershed series for many players and more than just Freddie's farewell. The rest of him might be buggered but there was not too much wrong with the throwing arm.
Well done Wing Commander.
I have called The Punter a lot of names over the years but this title seems most apt. I get a strong impression that he and his are going to go down fighting and that will be well worth watching.
I warned you.
Big Jesse Ryder a Probot! That it should come to this.
McCullum gives us a good look at one of the more famous tattoos in world cricket. It does look somewhat intriguing if not a little rude in parts.
He may not be the world's best bowler, he may be the world's worst test batsman, but there is something about Chris Martin.
I live just south of Hobbiton so trust me I understand about these things. The ECB, in a desperate attempt to match the power of the Aussie Oicks, have enlisted the beasts of the air and the field in their quest for the fabled Ashes. The seagull attack was only a dry run. There is as I write, somewhere in South London, a team of grey bearded but wizardly old farts putting their dark plans in place.
Well this one is lot more current and a lot easier.
Last week's guessing game proved too hard for loyal readers, either that or you just don't care! The answer was of course John Edrich, a real fighter who would be well suited to the up coming rumble at The Oval. I will try and entice you with something easier this week.
Never let it be said I am not prepared to jump on a bandwagon. "That squirrel" pops up in the most unlikely places, and somewhere where Jeetan Patel is scoring over 50 in a first class game has got to rate as unlikely.
Malinga winds up, in his own inimitable fashion - with the unplayable ball. He must be looking forward to the Black Caps who have never really got on his wavelength, which to be fair has a frequency all of it's own.
... what tales it would tell.
The English love nothing more than a bit of post Arthurian Legend, with the hero riding to the rescue to defeat the fire breathing foe.
Captain Strauss illustrates the first law of sports momentum, once you start badly it will just keep getting worse. It takes a great team to overcome this law of nature, much greater than the one Strauss has at his disposal.
Lee doesn't seem convinced he is going to be selected. It is a shame as he would add at least another degree or two of uncertainty to the proceedings.
It would be a much more frightening prospect if anyone could take them seriously.
Kapugedera gives it the bash and reminds us that there is sunshine and cricket somewhere in the world.
The gut wrenching new dance step called The Leave. Seems a little odd that with all the T20 being played, where you have to put bat on every ball, there is now a mania for leaving the ball on the off stump. Still, it does help to get a result inside of four days.
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