Batting warm-ups are great. We're two down and there's no chance I'll be bowling anytime soon. I head down early again to get a net in before we start to warm-up properly. Over to Nelson Park to get on the bowling machine and I had a really good 'net'. Started with some full stuff, which wasn't really going to help me if I get a bat today as they're not going to bowl full to me, then moved onto some shorter stuff. That's more like it. Felt pretty good, the feet were working and I was seeing it okay. It's always a lot different out in the middle though.
Watching Timmy Mac bat yesterday was just brilliant. Watching him bat today was even better. He was like a barnacle on the bottom of a ship, he just would not budge. No matter what the Windies threw at him they just couldn't faze him - just couldn't get to him. All day he just dead-batted the good balls, ducked the short balls he didn't want to hook and stroked the fuller ones where he wanted. He looked great and fully deserved this, his first, Test match hundred.
Jesse Ryder, again, hit the ball like nobody else can. He is one serious player and stroked his way to a pretty 57. We sit back in the changing room watching him bat with awe just wishing we could have as much time as he seems to have.
Today was a very special day for Dan, but it seems to have slipped by without too much of a mention. He joined an exclusive club: 200 Test wickets and 3000 Test runs. It was a pity more wasn't made of it as this is one amazing club to be a part of. From me, congrats Dan. Amazing!
It was my turn to bat and guess who was bowling? I had a quick chat with Fidel this morning congratulating him on his 100 Test wickets which he completed yesterday afternoon. A quick chat and a laugh and a "I know what you'll be bowling to me when I bat" thought skirted through my mind. And I wasn't wrong. First ball - a bouncer - and I start to get under it, it grazes my shoulder and takes a bit of my helmet and heads down to fine-leg. Jeetan and I come back for two. Maybe I was a little silly coming back for the second, although I'm not backing down from this 'fight'. Next ball, bouncer, I duck this one better, it sails over my head. Third ball, another bouncer, and I swayed this one as it was a touch wider. Actually starting to feel quite good, I was picking the ball up early, even in the gloomy light, and felt sure in getting out of the way of the short stuff.
Fourth ball, I was expecting this one to be full and almost set up for a drive; Iain, don't premeditate, it only gets you into trouble! It wasn't full, another short one, and a late duck gets me under it quite safely in the end. Last ball of the over, this one has to be full. It was, thudding into my pads. I felt it was heading down and was surprised they referred the 'not out' decision. Third umpire agreed, not out.
For the first time in a while I ended up with a not-out. These are, normally, good for the average, that's when you get runs that is. My nought not-out does nothing for the average but I do take confidence from innings like that every time a short ball passes me by without leaving an impression.
I was given the new ball. And it didn't go very well at all. Four overs for 33 is not how you want to start an innings. But that is what I've gone and done. I've bowled a touch too short and gave Chattergoon too much width. That's the consistency that I just can't keep for the whole match. It's a learning lesson though, and straight after the day's play I chatted to a couple of guys, got some feedback and will go into tomorrow with a target to get those figures back in my favour. And maybe, just maybe, four wickets; but I won't get ahead of myself there though!
Posted by: matt voutt at December 21, 2008 9:40 PM
Hi Iain, great blog! I love hearing all about the backdrop to the match itself. It makes you realise that 5-days cricket on the spin is hard work, both for body and mind.
Re Dan's Record, congratulations to him! I guess people (including me) had got their eyes on the fact that he now only needs a few more wickets to join the even more exclusive 3000,300 club. I think Chaminda Vaas (needing 2 runs) might just beat him to it but it will be great if they both get there. That particular club doesn't have enough (any I think) of us lefties in it at the moment!
And talking of aspiring allrounders, you just keep evading those bouncers and I'm sure Fidy will throw in a half-volley or two (perhaps)! Besides the longer you're there (evading those bouncers) the longer the guy at the other end has to put a few more runs in the 'team bank'.
Good luck for the rest of the Test and getting those figures back in line!
Posted by: danny at December 21, 2008 10:07 PM
i wouldn't beat yourself up about it! Gayle looked like he was going to try and beat as many runs out you boys before end of day, get him early and the middle will crumble!
Posted by: michael at December 21, 2008 10:30 PM
Another 50 cut off at the knees.
Posted by: nisar at December 22, 2008 12:14 AM
i think you better try to smash the ball instead of ducking under it you are batting at 11 anyway so if you make some runs that will give you confidence
Posted by: Ramnath from Sing at December 22, 2008 1:16 AM
Really enjoy your comments as they come from someone nearly live from the heat of a test match, and your great sense of humour. All the very best for a fifer, Iain....
Posted by: Bharathram P at December 22, 2008 6:35 AM
Good innings be Tim, I should say, going by what I've read about it everywhere. I hope New Zealand gets a good steady pair of openers. NZ have had around 10 to 12 different pairs of openers in the past year and a half or two. As for the bouncers, I feel the same difficulty, when one is tall, and a bouncer is coming with an 'in-your-face' tone, it is difficult to duck, and the itching sensation to hit the ball mixed with the necessity to leave it alone, puts me in jeopardy in that split second time... I hope you'll get over the bouncer trouble soon.
Posted by: shane at December 22, 2008 6:35 AM
well done Iain. I cant believe my friend is even comparing you to chris martin ( batting wise) you hang in there well.
Posted by: Manickam at December 22, 2008 7:51 AM
I enjoy your comments. You can also bounce Fidel back when u bowl to him. Get batting help and score more runs. All the best! Hope u get 4 wickets.
Posted by: Aadil at December 22, 2008 8:40 AM
Nice blog!:)
I like the way you discuss the real happenings in the ground and the dressing room. A refreshing light write up!
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Shankar at December 22, 2008 8:51 AM
Ian, Brilliant bowling at the end of the day to get rid of taylor.
ALL THE BEST for tomorrow
Posted by: Kaushik at December 22, 2008 8:57 AM
The test match seems to be going well for u. Thanks for providing such wonderful insights to a player's mind. Hope you have a good day in the field tomorrow.
Posted by: Sameer at December 22, 2008 10:04 AM
great blog IB, have seen very little of u(last Australia series). But love the way you play as ypu are one of the very few guys in world cricket who genuinely seems to play for the joy of playing.no shame mate Fidel is a handful,raw pace wicked action. well,you know one of your ex mate holds the record of playing most number of balls without scoring in tests,go for it.:)
Posted by: surya at December 22, 2008 10:18 AM
No 11 bradman perhaps attacked by the bodyline...Looks like bowlers think high of your technique against the fuller ball...Thats why they are bouncing you out...hehee......And I suppose you bowlers dont bowl amongst yourselves.Thats why you end up facing dumb bowling machines..
Posted by: mary cake at December 22, 2008 10:18 PM
Once upon a time there was a big green bycicle stuck up a tree...
yowza!
good job ian...bang on
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Iain O'Brien
must type as fast as he bowls. After stumps most days he adds to his popular personal blog, covering his take on the play, dressing room snippets and personal insights (he really doesn’t like bouncers). A fast-medium bowler, O’Brien has become a regular member of the New Zealand Test side over the past year and is enjoying his time at the top.