Is that a perfect day of Test cricket? If it’s not, it has to be so damn close. I have never clapped so much in one day’s play ever before; there was 50’s, 100’s, a 150 and a 200, not to mention partnerships and also the team score milestones. That’s a special day!
It was a batting warm up day, we love these. A quick non-contact game (we all want to play football but aren’t allowed), into stretches and then you go and do as you please. I headed off to do some catching work, and was terrible. From there I went and had a little bowl just to get the body moving and just in case the unthinkable happened and we had to bowl this morning after a collapse. I went and grabbed one of my Aero pads, my gloves and bat and had a good few hits before heading into the changing room to grab a coffee, a water, take the boots off and put the feet up for the morning to watch some bloody good cricket. What a treat we were given.
Jesse just kept on doing what he had done so well yesterday, the pace of his innings was something which belies his eight Test experience. Runs were not a problem for him, and if they were, he’d just wait for the next ball or the next over. Franky was equally as good, there was no pressure to score at any certain rate, just to hang in there, keep the good ones out and score of whatever else there was.
Franky got into the 50’s before Jesse called him through for a single that just might have not been there and was run out. It was a great partnership that blunted the new ball last night, got us through to this morning and again blunted the attack.
Jesse was then joined with his one-day opening partner, Baz. These two bat well together and have a very good relationship out there in the middle, no different today. It’s amazing how easy great players can make it look and these two just cruised along, picking up, it looked like, singles at will and boundaries when the ball presented itself.
It’s a very good feeling knowing two guys are in and you’re not needed for a while. A good feel around the viewing area, papers read, crosswords done, I got about four numbers into a suduko before I couldn’t get any further without guessing; I used to be good at these, I need more time watching the boys bat to get my skills back up!
It was very proud moment watching Jesse get close and then get to 200. I’ve spent a lot of time with him with the Wellington team and here with the Blackcaps. A great moment he won’t forget and one I felt privileged to watch.
Dan joined Baz after Jesse dragged the next ball after celebrating his double hundred. Again, these two bat very well together. Baz’s power and ability to score freely with Dan’s unorthodox scoring areas generally makes for a partnership that moves along quickly and is a good watch. These two worked the singles well and kept each other going.
At tea we had a chat, the plan was to bat the same way for the next ten overs and then have some fun for the following five. In this course we’d be taking the NZ score past 600 for just the third time in history. At the start of the day 500 was a long way off and would have been a great goal; the post moved with the quality of our batting today.
I got a quick bat, cut short a chance to maybe post a new high score on a deck that produced a lot of runs. Dan declared the innings closed – with me on one off one - when Jeets chipped one to midwicket. There were 24 overs left in the day. We had planned on just having 15 overs at them, meaning the new ball would still be newish in the morning, getting two bites at the cherry. It turns out that the declaration was genius.
Sehwag came out and played just like he did in the one-dayers. Amazing for a captain to come out and play with that much freedom. Dan brought himself on at a point where Sehwag was just getting away from us. It worked; six over wide mid-on off the fifth ball and out on the sixth. Sehwag tried to repeat the shot and just managed to toe it into Baz’s gloves. There was a collective weight off our shoulders and a pause to catch our breath seeing the back of him on this deck. It didn’t stop there. Jeets came on and drew a shot out of Gambhir, only to find Dan at mid-off and we’ve got two with the night watchman wandering out.
I had bowled three overs at this stage, nine off my first and then two maidens to follow. I had found my rhythm and Dan took me off and took over the bowling. I was disappointed to be taken off, especially with the chance to bowl to Sharma and maybe have them three down tonight. Not to worry, Dan picked up the wicket and we’ve got them three down; brilliant. Everything Dan touched today turned golden! Long may it continue!
And that was as good a day of Test cricket as I’ve ever been a part of. A team score past 600, and not having to bowl until the sixth session of the Test. I’ll take that every day of the week!
Thanks for an interesting and insightful read every day Iain.
The effort of the whole team this series has been fantastic to watch, and we're all supporting you. Here's hoping for a strong finish to the test and a series-levelling win.
Posted by: fraser at March 28, 2009 8:34 AM
Nice to see an arrogant India getting thrashed by a sublime NZ. Bangalore will be licking their lips at getting Ryder for such a bargain
Posted by: Mike Parsons at March 28, 2009 9:03 AM
Well played to you Iain, and the whole team. Just really great to watch the commitment in the field to follow up a fantastic batting display when things could have gone either way on a truely flat deck. Your blog is deservedly popular as it is a unique insight into the highs and lows of the game we all love. I have been reading your blog since you started and have been very impressed by your honesty and integrity and lately, the positive responses of Indian fans who seem to admire the same traits in you. It reminds me that in the end it is cricket played in a competitive and sporting spirit that will ensure the greatest form of the game will endure. You are a credit to the game. Go the BLACKCAPS!
Posted by: Deran - Sri Lanka at March 28, 2009 9:15 AM
ah Iain....I never miss commenting on your blogs...it was superb the way NZ approached this game...specially after losing the 1st by 10 wickets...
I have become a big fan of JD Ryder now...simply because the way he managed to perform really well in all formats of the game in such quick time...
All the best for you guys...and hope you can get the rest of the nine wickets that are remaining....cheers....
Posted by: Vineeth at March 28, 2009 9:24 AM
Great post, Ian. Tomorrow will be a challenge for Indians. I believe it will bring the best out of Rahul Dravid considering the form he is in. Last 3 days, Kiwis have showed what warriors they have been. Now, it's time for us Indians to do the same. It's gonna be an exciting Day 4.
Posted by: James at March 28, 2009 9:33 AM
I've supported the Black Caps through thick and thin (I was at Eden Park when Sri Lanka scuttled us for 70 odd) so it is great to see the Black Caps dominating against a team with the class of India. To do this in the purest form of the game is just the cherry on the top.
Good luck for the rest of the Test, through hopefully you won't be needing it. And although I'm currently living in London, staying up all night watching on a dodgy website, it is totally worth it.
Ian, 5-for tomorrow please. :)
Posted by: baumy at March 28, 2009 9:34 AM
Give me 11 Jesse Ryder's and I could rule the world!! Onwards and upwards boys.
Posted by: Ms. Robin Gaines at March 28, 2009 9:52 AM
Keep up the good work, but I am still rooting for India. I have a newfound respect for New Zealand.
Posted by: antony devassy at March 28, 2009 9:54 AM
well done NZ day 3 does belong to you and deserve it...fact is fact...indians are playing well but in patches except Sachin, dravid and laxman...all threw their wickets not tell the others....however nz must be practical....9 wickets to go....to a win ahigh posibility....
now the anti climax...indians are at no 3.... Zn at 8; fourof the FAB four have scored 10 times the runs any of the Fab four of NZ....a placcid dead flat ptich nothing much....to offer from it,99%of all NZ players are dead tired and body not as fit as day 1, muscle pull,crams develop send impulses to brain build mental pressure...utlimatley performance drops by 30-40% IF ANY OF THE FAB FOUR OF ind TEAM CLICKS BAT OUT THRE SESSIONS GOD BLESS YOU I predict not only a draw but a win to ind...well laxman is a key to this he has done this in the past agaist ausises and they remember that in kolkata,so it isa mattter of timethey fire &trust me IAN ind WILL FIRE THIS TIME AND IF THIS IS DRAWN TEST NZ WILL FAIL IN 3 TEST TO
Posted by: JRV at March 28, 2009 10:00 AM
Great work Iain. You are an inspiration for me on the field and off the field. Fantastic team work and great writeup. Waiting to read more and more from you.
Posted by: JRV at March 28, 2009 10:02 AM
Great work Iain. You are an inspiration for me on the field and off the field. Fantastic team work and great writeup. Waiting to read more and more from you.
Posted by: Anonymous at March 28, 2009 11:05 AM
Posted by: Vineeth at March 28, 2009 9:24 AM
Great post, Ian. Tomorrow will be a challenge for Indians. I believe it will bring the best out of Rahul Dravid considering the form he is in. Last 3 days, Kiwis have showed what warriors they have been. Now, it's time for us Indians to do the same. It's gonna be an exciting Day 4.
hahhahahahahhahahahah
hahhahahahhahhahahahah
I just cant stop laughing when one indian says things like showing what they are made of.
Stop posing and start acting like what real India is all about.Why can't you people get this into your head.
Any ways Ian I am very happy with the teams performance. keep up the good work. i had mentioned on one of your blogs in the begining of the series that Indian team is a decent team but it is not a great team by any strech of imagination. so just do the basic right and this pack of indian babies will fold like 9 pins
Posted by: AK at March 28, 2009 11:31 AM
next time u bat go for a reverse sweep ....just for me
Posted by: David at March 28, 2009 1:51 PM
Damn what a sublime performance, Now if Jesse can get another bowl and pick up a couple (Sorry Ian) if he's not already he should be man of the match and the series Keep the honesty going it makes a refreshing change from the usual bullshoot that we usually hear. This just goes to show that when you have confidence in yourselves then you are capable of anything. As the last 3 days have shown you have done in a day and a little bit what India could not do get 12 wickets they did'nt even get NZ all out ..... Have a good next couple of days and keep the Blogs coming.. Oh yes Tell Jesse he was not allowed to get more than 201 this time.. As it should go 102 done 201 done 303 Home ground The Cake tin .... I await with bated breath
Posted by: Mel at March 28, 2009 1:52 PM
Nice work Ian and the rest of the black caps!!way to make a awsome batting side feel small by thrashing their bowlers 4 619 and then getting 3 wickets by stumps!!keep this up and the test serries will b NZs!!!
Posted by: Gerard at March 28, 2009 2:08 PM
Well! IOB if India bat it out (sensibly) I believe they may put up 400 on the board. Which would mean that NZ would need under a 100 runs to win, with two sessions left. That would be an easy win.
"At the end of the game the NZ team needs to do a well deserved Haka! on the pitch" Probably a ritual NZ can carry into the 20/20 games.
Posted by: Venkat at March 28, 2009 3:37 PM
I guess you have fans even among people supporting the opposition, like me. Is it because you are getting closer to us through the blog, or is it because you are trying hard every ball, not quite sure but we are all your fans.
Posted by: veeru at March 28, 2009 4:16 PM
@anononymous
i am sure indian team will prove you wrong on day 4.
Posted by: Ryan at March 28, 2009 5:08 PM
Iain, it really was a wonderful day's cricket, and (as an Indian), I enjoyed NZ's perseverance in the field and determination.
Great bowling with the 2nd new ball by the way. Good stuff and all the best for the series-levelling win.
Final word: Your blog is a great insight, and is well written. Cheers, mate!
Posted by: Nipun at March 28, 2009 5:23 PM
Hey Iain,just stick to the basics on days 4 & 5,& an innings victory is very possible.Indian batsmen feed on boundaries,ensure that they have none.You can try to pepper Laxman & Yuvraj with short balls;just don't get disheartened by 2 or 3 well executed pulls or hooks,as you did with Sachin today.
Posted by: Siddharth Gupta at March 28, 2009 7:56 PM
Hey Iain , well bowled to clean out the tail , the penultimate and the last wicket partnerships can be frustrating, and how many times is it seen that the top and middle order collapses, and the tail end chips in , but u bowled well and cleaned up....keep it up.. but hopefully , India manage a draw, but it'll require Lax and Dravid to come to the party.
Posted by: antony devassy at March 29, 2009 9:57 AM
Hi ian, sorry as I predicted cricket is a great leveller it comes back to you fast than u imagined like i said the final stage is set two well set batsmenon crease 8 wickets to go 62 runs behind.anything tha alead of under 150 will be great for NZ.BUT the team NZ is tired and little weary i notice franklin strugglin in his runs ups, martin and you very good but will feel the pressure.As i said Sachin puts a huge price tag on his wicket and if india bats one session out withougt loosing any wickets the match is out of NZ. Ian...im suprised why Dan didnot use you much i thought you bowled well u were the best bowler for NZ today but dan got things wrong today and might cost him the match and the series. Sachin is set willmake big one.laxman 2ndings record is tremendous and YUVI will fire in confidence the confidence rocketed sky high in IND camp now NZ to come back is impossible IND are playing intelligent cricket.NZ is on backfoot&too late to win 8 wickets esp on dead pitch not possible
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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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