Another Great Gone

Rest In Peace Martin Crowe. 53 years as a cricket lover and a true cricket stylist.

Credit Where It Is Due

It doesn't happen often so a series win abroad is always worth a smile and a bit of a pose.

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.

Screaming Hot

Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that Boult is doing well and is a in a purple patch of form. I am just not ready to have the bronze statue cast until there is a larger body of work, against the highest quality opposition.

He might yet become the Kiwi Chaminda Vass!

Cutting A Bit Of A Dash

Short, wide and gone seemed to be the story of Day 1 in Dunedin. Not sure where the Windies will bowl tomorrow but at the stumps might be a cunning plan.

He's Back!!

Jesse Ryder doesn't have to "go big", he has already got that covered.

Local Colour

Please forgive a little self indulgence as I offer a salute to the end of summer, and the cricket season, in Taranaki. It will be many long months before the sun shines on another game of cricket at Pukekura Park but I know it will be worth the wait.

Luke Loses A Star

What better way to celebrate Waitangi Day ( Kiwi's national day of angst) than to welcome home a prodigal son. Luke Ronchi is the goods and long may his flag fly this side of the Tasman.

The Face That Doesn't Fit

Well it might fit New Zealand it just doesn't cut it in the new State of East Australia.

This face "fixed" with the help of Photoshop CS5.

Is It A Job You Would Want?

Not me. I'm aging quick enough as it is.

The Pig Flies

So long Scotty Styris. It wasn't always perfect , or even conventional, but it was often entertaining.

The Man In The White Hat

Who is this tall, dark and anonymous stranger?

In the best tradition of the good guys in white hats riding to the rescue John Buchanan is about to put NZ Cricket right, although I am not sure who he is going to have a showdown with. What does worry me is the analogy suggests that the guys in black hats(caps) are the baddies. His problem might be that they are not so much bad as just pretty average - there is no magnificent seven cricketers he can build his posse around.

Head Cases

The Black Collapse have just illustrated, yet again, one of the great mysteries of modern sport - why any one would employ a sports psychologist!?.

If these pussy willows are a product of a coordinated programme of coaching and mental preparation I can't help thinking that someone, perhaps the poor sods who turn up to watch in Hamilton, deserves a considerable refund on their investment. The only investment that seems dodgier is some one prepared to pay a million US dollars for Ross Taylor - good luck with that.

Hardly A Toss Up

Daniel Vettori, NZ Cricketer Of The Year.

Not even a back street bookie in Bangalore could have produced any other result.

He remains a big fish in a fairly small aquarium.

An Answer And A Question

So here is the face, and most of you will be none the wiser. It is in fact Martin Donnelly, left hand batsman and legend for NZ back in the day where black and white was the only option.

My family history suggests that I was named after this local legend, another instance of my failure to meet expectations!

The question does remain, who was the VCC? He played for a lot of different teams but none seem to fit the initials. Any ideas trainspotters?

The Secret Diary of Andy Moles, Aged 48 And A Bit

In the best traditions of Web 2.0 how about you all contribute to the thoughts of Coach Moles - just leave a comment.

Monday - the little players have been picking on me.

Tuesday - Dan says he is my friend, but I am not so sure. Today they all stopped laughing when I arrived at the team meeting!

Wednesday - I have started sniffing  balls to make myself feel better. It doesn't seem to be working.

Thursday -Mr Vaughan says the NZC have complete confidence in me.

Friday - I am fired!

Saturday - Looks like I get a year or two on full pay - and I don't even have to watch the Black Caps play.

Blog It!

Never mind Ian, we all have days like that. After all, it does give you something to blog about.

Manny To Play For Black Caps!?

And why not? He already looks more comfortable at the crease than Tim Macintosh, James Franklin, Ian O'Brien and Chris Martin.

Only one problem - even India couldn't afford his salary, so he is more likely to buy NZ cricket than they buy him.

Click Manny for more details.

A Question of Form

Suzie Bates shows us the sort of delivery that her male countryman would do well to emulate.

Captain Courageous

That is the problem of being from such a small bloody country, you can only produce one really good player at a time. All is well when he has a good day, or 5, but when he struggles the nation gets depressed. We just hope he doesn't struggle for a little while yet.

I can't get over the fact that he is still only 29, for some guys that is the start of a career. May his light shine for a while longer yet.