As it stands I won't be a part of the one-day series against the West Indies. I got the phone call a couple of nights ago and was told that they were staying with the same bowling unit. How can I argue? They're going great, doing their jobs and staying fit; everything they should be doing! And on the other side of it I'm doing everything I can to show that I'm up to international one-day cricket. I'm bowling in the positions that the selectors have asked me to; I'm hitting the areas, pretty much, that I should be but I probably haven't got the wickets that they'd want from me.
Our most recent game against Canterbury was another one of those poor performances that don't do anyone any good. You can come out of some bad matches with a couple of people doing well. This one though, no one really shone out. We put in a pretty good bowling performance and a score of about 270 was probably what Canterbury should have got to; we held them to 242 by picking up wickets towards the end of the innings.
I bowled my 10 overs by the 40th and took myself off the park. My back, which has been tightening up in the last match, was getting pretty sore. It didn't affect my bowling but it wasn't great to be standing around with in the outfield. I got some treatment as soon as I was off the park and it loosened up quite quickly, but as there was no point me heading back out there I took the time to keep resting it and doing the back arches that would help it settle down.
So, 242 to chase - not a huge target but one that was going to take some getting if Canterbury's attack got it right, and they did. Shane Bond came out, bowled quick and swung big and they were tight and consistent from the other end. After nine overs we were 35 for 1, not too bad, but from there it all went downhill. 45 for 5 off 15. 95 for 8. 164 all out. And in that 164 Luke Woodcock and I put on 42 for the 10th wicket, he getting past 50 and I reaching another personal best of 19*. In that 19 I hit my third six of my domestic and international career. That added Andrew Ellis to a small group of three that I've put over the fence. Todd Astle in a four-day match and some other guy called Ntini or something in a Test match at the Wanderers. I'm not trying to brag or skite, they just don't come around that often so sometimes you just got to tell the world. Sorry Ellie, Todd and Makhaya!
Still on the hunt for a place to live, why can't it just be easy? Found some good places, but no parking. So it anyone has a one bedroom fully furnished apartment (with some parking) that they want to rent me, get in touch! Am I asking too much?
Sat in and flicked between the NZ vs West Indies ODI and Australia's Test against South Africa. The lads doing a bit of a demo job of the Windies and then some genuine compulsive Test-match viewing. It's this kind of cricket that shows that Tests are not dead. Not even close. What an afternoon and evening on the couch; and I'll be honest, I was flicking quite a bit back and forth, the ODI was a done deal quite early and the Test match just keep twisting and turning. Ntini and Dale Steyn holding on, doing everything they could to hang on for the overs or the storm that was heading in. Seeing the Australians celebrate the ninth wicket like they had won the Test was entertaining especially as the cameras picked up on Graeme Smith walking out to bat as soon as he left the changing room. That was one of those wow moments. I did want them to hang on and clinch the draw too, but it wasn't to be.
The body is pretty sore at the moment. "Tired muscles" sore. I've just started a new programme at the gym and whenever you do, with the change of movements with weights, it causes the muscles to get a little grumpy and hurt for a couple of days. Went and saw our massage man this afternoon and then straight to the pool for a swim and a soak in the spa. That felt good in the spa, and the leg started to free up; although now, as I write this, they're sore again, but better than they were.
It's now the day before the next match vs Central Districts at the Basin, just fitted in training before the rain arrived. It looks like it could be around a while and may interrupt tomorrow's match. We prepare to play, as always, but also mentally get prepared to be part of a 'stop start' match where we could be on and off the park.
Lazy afternoon watching the ODI and making sure I eat and drink well in preparation for tomorrow's match.
Hey Iain, keeping updated on your match today against central, grats on your bowling performance, kept it tight and got wickets. I'm sure next ODI series youl be replacing Gillespie, who unforunately seems to have 1 or 2 four balls an over. Just wandering whether you can explain why Franklin didn't bowl? Surely he could have kept it tighter than Lamb managed, and Napier, though he has been brilliant this season (any thoughts on switching allegiences?) and with the India tests coming soon if he wants a shot as an all-rounder surely hes got to be bowling?
Posted by: Ross at January 11, 2009 6:18 AM
You can brag about your six as much as you like. I'm genuinely shocked that you aren't in the ODI team, but as you say they are doing well. But then again, you can get Gayle... first ball...
Posted by: Best Man at January 11, 2009 8:12 AM
I suggest you flag Wellington and get a place in Napier...
Posted by: avinash at January 11, 2009 12:48 PM
I think that there is a place still open for you in that nz team, plus you always found someway to get a wicket in a crucial moment in tests to tick me off. All in all you have got what it takes to be in the NZ ODI team
Posted by: Dunga at January 11, 2009 2:26 PM
Good column Iain....Yeah, I've heard of that Ntini fellow....about 400 wickets or something like that, no biggie.
I just got to ask, when international players are in the dressing room in a boring game, what do you talk about? The game? Home life? Family? Video games? I always wonder. I remember Rahul Dravid saying that him and VVS Laxman talk about their kids and stuff when they're in slips...but What about the dressing room, between overs and all that?
Posted by: Prashanth at January 12, 2009 6:57 AM
All the best mate. You have it in you to make it to the Black Caps ODI XI.
Posted by: Hashaam at January 12, 2009 7:18 AM
Hi Ian, I love your column, and understand your apartment worries, im trying to get one here in Austin TX and its just as hard!
quick question,
when a ball is lost in a match and they bring out a similar aged ball, where do the replacement ones come from? are they net balls or worn down by a machine or what?
thanks and keep working hard so you can have a shot at the Indians!
Posted by: housemonkey at January 12, 2009 11:11 PM
There's a room going in my flat, pity it's not really what you're after.
Posted by: colin at January 13, 2009 3:26 AM
I think you will get your chance in the future later on this year in the 1 day arena. India will be a different proposition to the Windies..
Posted by: Ross at January 14, 2009 8:55 AM
I'm sure the selectors will like your stats against Auckland. Strike rate: 600
Posted by: Mark at January 14, 2009 10:07 PM
Simalar to the sentiment of best man there are couple of nice 1 bedroom flats in dunedin. So why not join the attack of mcskimming, wagner, harvie, mcmillian, butler and mascarenhas and play for the best team in the country and play out of the best city in the wrold and play at the two best grounds in the country (Molyneux and the Uni Oval).
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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.
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