On The Level

Rohit Sharma gets those wrists rolling.

Spinner's Tongue

Jeets has got the tongue working and there is nothing more important to a Kiwi spinner.

A Feast Of Spin

Mark Craig rolls his arm over. Just one of many spinners and deliveries we are likely to see in this Test series.

Young, Gifted and Beige

Mitchell Santner looks like he could be the next big Black Cap star in the cricketing universe. I certainly hope so.

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.

Yes!!!

A great test from both sides but what puts a smile on my face is the fact that the Black Caps kept fighting. Positive aggression from both teams makes for a great spectacle.

Uncommon Power

There is just something a bit different about MS Dhoni that makes watching him play a command performance.

Seeing It Big

No better feeling in sport!

A Rampant Ross

No slog sweeps just clean off side striking. Long may it continue.

The Summer Of Corey

OK, Jadeja got some of his own back in the last over, but Corey Anderson's golden summer showed little sign of clouding over at Eden Park. Momentum and confidence must be two of the most crucial aspects to sporting success. Just ask the Aussies.

The Anguish Of Expectation

So well is Virat Kohli playing at present that he is in danger of becoming the difference between success and failure for the Indian team - a fair weigh to carry given the expectations people hold for the team.

Madder....

... is often better than faster when it comes to fast bowling - just ask Mitchell McClenaghan. He ain't super fast but boy can he get angry.

It's All About Execution

The coaching mantra of the moment is "we have the players, they just need to execute well". What this really means is "we are getting our arse kicked but we can't sack this useless load of plonkers because we haven't yet developed any one who is better".

I favour a different philosophy, taken from the NFL, which says "next man up". Keep trying until you find some bugger who will front, and if you are Mark Greatbatch (or Tim Neilson), why wait?

Be Careful What You Wish For

Mark Greatbatch asked for two draws and a series loss and that is just what he got.

You can look on the development bright side as much as you want, but just like catching MS Dhoni for 98, it is only a hollow victory if you don't win in the end.

Three Down, Two To Go

Johan Botha sums up how I feel about having Test cricket to watch. Three days of entertainment and there is still more to come. Beats the hell out of all that hit and giggle stuff as far as I am concerned.

The Glorious Uncertainty...

..that is cricket.

Is India that bad? Are the Black Caps that good? Nope, but what a great illustration of the importance of being mentally in the game.

Win, lose or draw I bet both teams have already learned that valuable lesson. 

New Zealand Expects ...

... well, not a lot really. It would be nice if we could compete and develop a bit of confidence in some of the new boys.

I propose a three line mantra illustrated in today's image;

Keep your head down!
No Dicks!
No Cock ups!

Here Comes The Sun Little Darling!

Last night's effort by Rossco, Styris "The Old Tusker" and the Kiwi bowlers was uplifting to those of us living in the deepest antipodes.

After months of lousy weather we have a couple of days of sunshine and our own cricketers playing ball. Winning ball.

Now I have been a Blackcaps supporter for long enough to know not to bet my house on them winning the World Cup, or the next game, but it is great to feel emotionally involved in cricket again.

Little Master, Ageing Student

When Tendulkar talks it pays for Kirsten to listen. No one has more experience in giving NZ a hiding than Tendulkar and Dravid.