Feeling At Home

The Black Caps can't complain about being in a foreign environment. They might be walking to the wicket in Derby but it could just as easily be Palmerston North, with all that implies.

Time Gentleman , Please

19 games and what do we get? 9 wins for the England, 7 wins for NZ, 1 tie, 1 draw and 1 no result.

And what did we learn? England can play tests but not one dayers, NZ can play one dayers but not tests. How topical that it should essentially be the twenty20 hit/giggle that creates the difference.

What does all this mean? God knows but it will be nice to watch someone else play for a change.

A Strange Day At The Oval

What a slightly surreal days cricket that was. There was "the controversy" of course, but there was also ...

Bophara making runs and catching the ball with his head.
A full on collision between Taylor and KP.
Styris making runs but only when he wasn't being dropped by everyone in England.
Players making rude gestures at all and sundry from the balcony.
No hand shakes but expert apologies.
A ludicrous over throw to lose the game.
A little bit of passable cricket.
And no rain!

Roll on Lords.

Oh Happy Day

The colour and joy that is a day at the cricket in England. Those coloured umbrellas make all the difference to the atmosphere.

Good On Ya Gaffer

An image from a happier time, prior to the collapse that is. Aren't they a cuddly bunch?

CwB often makes me laugh out loud but in a recent post I developed a knowing smirk instead. How about this for a description of the BlackCaps ...

"They are like a sensitive dude who the ladies all like, and who the ladies all wanna do nasty things with, but the dude doesn’t know it and he just sits in the corner with a woe is me look on his face."

Cute, cuddly, virgins - just the image we were aiming for.

Warm Up, Tongue Out

Daniel Vettori, of the Ngati Roma, issuing the standard spinner's challenge.

Underdogs eh? Well we will see about that.

And, of course, so we shall.

Do You Have The Gift?

Can you see into the future? If not, why not put your faith in a bunch of bloggers who think they can. The great Cricket Tipping Competition is up and running, care of SportsFreak. If you are one of the three people who visit this blog and have not been asked to participate, check it out. It may not be edifying but it does have the potential to become abusive.

Or Will The Martin Sing?

Say what you will about Chris Martin, and we often do, he does look like a fast bowler at the point of delivery.

Now if the Kiwi's can just score enough runs to ensure he has something to bowl at, and doesn't have to bat.

Will The Lion Roar?

I can't wait for the test series between The England and NZ to start, not because it is likely to produce stunning cricket but because the Lion of Huddersfield and his hair cut seem to produce so many interesting images.

Of Course as a loyal Kiwi I would like to see less of him celebrating wickets.

Man On A Mission

The glare, the slight curl to the lip, the solid set to the jaw. Could Monty be determined to have a big summer or is it just a while since he has had a good bounce?

Scot of the Antarctic?

Would you believe Patel of the Black Caps.

Wellington in November or Kent in April? Either way it doesn't make for hot cricket.

Self Abuse

Tim Southee, showing an excellent appreciation of current events, gives himself a slap rather than have his captain do it for him.

Lets face it, any one allowing Rob Key, obviously inspired by yesterdays post, to score 170 not out deserves a good slapping.

There has been no report of players crying, but John Bracewell was seen to blow his nose, possibly in frustration.