To The Victor The Suds!

Kane Williamson should have got a tub of Champers to bath in, such was his match performance.

7 Days Is A Long Time In Test Cricket

Coming Out Party

Some of us have been Black Caps supporters for too long to make really lengthy predictions, but it seems safe to say that Brendan McCullum came of age at the Basin Reserve. It wasn't some much what he did that impressed but the way he did it. There were times when he seemed as intense as a Steve Waugh - now that is a core you can build around.

Serious Stuff

Ok, I love what they have achieved, but I am even more pleased with the hard arsed manner in which they went about it. It is the sort of attitudinal stake in the ground that a team can build a culture around. Long may the Black Caps take things seriously.

A Mad Scramble

Good to see BJ Watling prepared to get down and dirty in an effort to save the second test. It may be a big ask but at least he and Brendan McCullum have shown they are prepared to graft.

Flyin High

Ishant Sharma gets off to a flying start.

A Little Off Balance

Tino's catching technique is a good indication of the Windies at present - plenty of endeavour but lacking in effective execution.

Very Very Out

Poor old Ross Taylor. You watch day after day of people batting from your spot in the slips and when it is finally your turn it's all over in one ball. Great game, cricket.

Last Of the Golden Weather?

Day one at the Basin Reserve was lovely day in the sunshine, especially for the English batsman. Come Sunday the Black Caps may well be joining all New Zealand farmers in a heartfelt prayer for rain.

The Little Leaver

Kruger van Wyk shoulders arms for the cause. He ain't big but he does look to have the right attitude for the big time.

A Tiger For Punishment

Nothing like a wet and windy day at the Basin reserve to make you think just a little about retirement as you trudge to Fine Leg.

Stock Photo

Mohammad Hafeez has every right to be a little down after being dismissed but I offer this image as a stock photo which can be used for so many different situations in Pakistan cricket.

Next time there is some sort of colossal Pakistan cock up just roll this pic out and share their pain.

It could be worse, they could be NZ and relying on the durable  Jacob Oram as their key all rounder.

Serious Stuff

Tim Southee is the picture of serious concentration as he prepares to deliver yet another ball in what has become a very pedestrian affair at the Basin. A degrading tropical cyclone should liven things up tomorrow and mean that all the serious endeavour ends in a tame draw. Which should save the umpires from making any more mistakes for a day or two.

Deep In Ponder

Now what might, or more importantly, what should Brendan McCullum be thinking as he contemplates his early dismissal? All thoughts on the back of an envelope in 45 words or less - or just leave a comment!

Sit On It!

It is only fitting that in the land that gave the world bungy jumping we should witness the first Xtreme cricket test.

A whole new cricketing genre can be developed around playing in extreme conditions. Yesterday it was 130 km/hr winds but think how interesting it could be in a snow storm or perhaps a thunderstorm while playing with aluminium bats?

The spectator numbers will be low but the TV ratings could be huge.

Close observers will not that the hardy Kiwi groundstaff, seen here preventing the covers from crossing Cook Strait, remain stoically in their shorts - more a reflection of their pay rates than their toughness?

Dougie, Dougie, Dougie

Nana's Boy

He may not do what he is told but this young Basin Reserve streaker could really move. So fast and elusive in fact that he was not able to be caught.

He will remain a mystery to most of us but for the girls in the photo he seemed to have made an indelible impression.

The Last Time ...

... the Black Caps beat Australia in a test was 1993.

That was soooo long ago Glen McGrath was playing in his first test series, Boony was raising his bat as well as a can, Big Merv was bowling not leading tours and Jeff Wilson was toying with taking up cricket seriously as a distraction from all that rugby.

Simpler times eh?

Be that as it may I can find no reason to suggest that such a long dry spell of losing is about to be broken at the Basin - but the weather might give us something to talk about.

Ross Taylor Reflects

And it might go something like this.

"Why did I not play a shot?"

"Am I an idiot?"

"Will Dan save us again?"

"Can Fulton score a run?"

"Are we really playing the same game as Sehwag?"

The Lion of Huddersfield

When asked the time Ryan Sidebottom replied "its 12 to 7. No, wait, its winner time, lets have a pint".

Well done The England. The score now stands at 4.4.1 and the final scene of Act 1 awaits.