I'm glad u realisd it was so dumb.however pressure can get to anybody ..cheers

Lets see a 5-for tomorrow Ian!

Jesse made a deserved ton, good that you dint get the blame for denying him one.

Man, I love your honest posts. Keep it going. Wish you the best for tomorrow

did u see the batting of sehwag in that short period of 7 overs..... i hope u did and am sure u will be the one who will go for maximum runs tommorow..becoz u make so much plans but u never work on them .. i am not sounding rude i hope but yes beware of him tommorow and plz post my this message on ur blog..

If you really wanted to take that single you should have anticipated missing the ball and tried to deflect the ball with your pads. If you had stayed for a few more overs then we could have reached 300. Hope you get sehwag's wicket early. If he stays for 50 odd overs then the game would dramatically. Good luck.

Mate, how do you intend to bowl to Sehwag tomorrow? Short and into the ribs would be the best way to go... You might go for a few but that is the best way to get him out.

hey Ian

Nice blog as usual....It was damn funny the way you got out though....Credit to NZ for putting up such a brave fight..Ryder looks a natural talent and is NZ's future..But with the pitch not assisting the bowlers much after first session i see India getting 400 and more

Hey that was a good performance from you today....you stuck in there and saw Jesse till 98. Good on ya mate...dont let one silly moment get you down. You did your bit.

hey Ian

Nice blog as usual....It was damn funny the way you got out though....Credit to NZ for putting up such a brave fight..Ryder looks a natural talent and is NZ's future..But with the pitch not assisting the bowlers much after first session i see India getting 400 and more

Ian I agree it was the dumbest thing that I have ever seen on a cricket field but it did add to the drama of an enthralling day. Tomorrow is the crucial day. People are talking abt sehwag and tendulkar but do watch out for Yuvraj...I have a gut feeling he will change the course of this match

Well all's well that ends well, I suppose.

I just have to say that the five balls Martin faced in that over was some of the best drama I've seen on a cricket field in years!

Really good to see you find some time to blog your feelings. All be best for rest of the match!!!

try ure best buddy but india will win unless something miracle happens

Brion ..it is very interesting to read ur blog.it seems i were in the field playing with you guys..it wud like 2 see u bowling a fiery speel 2morrow morning..try to bowl outside the off stump to Gotam..and a little short to sehwah with a man or two in deep ob the off side..best of luck for tomorrow

why is that your blog does not talk much about, how you felt when India dominated. Your blog is not at all neural,mate.

Great blog. I was down there today and it was a great day for cricket. At 60/6 I was hoping India will bundle out the Kiwis for under 100 but that was not the case. I know Dan is a special captain who leads from the front and he definitely showed it today.

Btw, it was good to see you have a go at bat with Jeetan in the lunch break. At first I thought of approaching you and tell you that I like your blog but later good sense kicked in and I realized it might not be appropriate to interrupt your training

Good luck for tomorrow. Bowl well but not too well!!

Good Lick to you Brien. I hope it doesn't happen.

It was a very good day for the Indians. They should have capitalised on the start that they had. 61 for 6 is not a thing that you get very often. Vettori proved once again that he is a thorn for the Indians, like he has done in the past several times. Now it all depends on how India is going to handle the first session on day two. The pitch seems to be getting dry later in the day with the sun, it becomes very important to negotiate the first session. Lets hope that the inform Shewag and Gambhir will do it for India tomorrow.

I think you guys will loose this match bro....

Hi Ian

Firstly. congrats on a great blog ! I am from India and I've been following your blog from the beginning and its nice to get the insider's take of the on-field happenings. Keep up the great work.
Fantastic fightback by Dan and Jesse. Jesse has won a lot of fans in India. I am sure the Bangalore boys will be cheering their Royal Challenger !!

All the best to you guys for the test series. Keep fighting and do your best. May the better team win !

Cheers

Embarrassed you should be Iain.... That was the last thing Jesse was expecting out of you. Moreso, the beautiful outswinger you bowled to Sehwag in the end was the delivery of the match. Why did'nt Vettori give you the new ball?

Try compensating for this by getting Bhajji for a duck tomorrow, if you get a chance to bowl to him!

No worries Ian, Jesse got his century & all's well that ends well. You may want to watch out for Bhajji's doosra though, it has flummoxed a lot of top class batsmen. Just stay in the crease & swing, its always more fun. Saw your over, one delivery that shaped out after pitching was a beauty, I hope you don't bowl more of them t'row so that we can watch Sehwag in full flow :)
Cheers Mohit (twitter.com/mohyt)

Very nice to hear to hear a players point of view....Ian is doing a great job with his writing,(not sure about his bowling or batting tho). Nice read...

Yeah, it was a dumb thing but sure made the game interesting. Had everyone on their edges. Hope Sehwag doesnt get stuck into the NZ bowling tomorrow. There cant be any worse feeling than that!

Very nice to hear to hear a players point of view....Ian is doing a great job with his writing,(not sure about his bowling or batting tho). Nice read...

LOL..thats indian team , thats why we are crazy for cricket and indian team :D..u guyz pulled it a long way , i was waiting for indian battle before tea :P

Of course the dumbest thing you could ever done, you did it today. False stroke and that too at wrong time. Anyways Jesse got his hundred in the end, so not too much to worry for you. Team India is truly on top at this point of time and hoping Sehwag to continue in the fashion he is playing right now. Hoping for a good day for you on the field tommorow.

I really agree with you when you said "the dumbest thing",I couldn't believe it,you getting out stumped!!.

Although,Ryder and Danny batted really well,I feel you are going to chase a big total in your second innings.Goood Luck Ian for tomorrow.

Sorry dude, I can only imagine how it must have felt out there with millions watching. Better you than me. Good luck tomorrow (although I am rooting for the other side..:)

Wow! That was quick...

...I was watching the replays of that wicket and telling my dad, "I want to know exactly what he was thinking when he was doing that!" Now I do :)

Glad Jesse got the century. He's fast becoming the find of this series. Look forward to another pulsating day's play tomorrow :)

Ian has got the best expression in writing,he is truthful in his thoughts,so we readers owe him a red.and jesse played agreat innings which is different from the way we have seen him play in one dayers and the way vettori played was a lesson to all the others who got out cheaply,he showed them that tet cricket is full of application and determination.He played a captains knock.
Hope to see a good fight tom......

Hey Ian....

Nothing to feel bad about it mate... If it was Jesse's day that he should get to his hundred, it would have happened and it did happen finally... We know you did your best out there on the field mate... Gear up for another cracking second day's play, even though iam an Indian, I would want to see a cracker of a contest between bat and ball tomorrow morning..... That's what test cricket is all about..... Thanks NZ and India for entertaining us all day.....

Thanks mate for getting this blog done so fast...

Bye Ian

yes it was an exhilirating day of test match cricket indeed. What a sight it was to watch the fearsome morning session pace bowling by the INDIANS.

Jesse got his century, so all's well! I actually thought you wanted to take a cheeky single by dropping the ball towards cover and your blog confirms it. A big day for you tomorrow, good luck for it. It looks like the first session will be the key, and if you get 4 or 5 Indian wkts out, I don't see them recovering like you did. On the other hand, if they are 100 odd for 1 or 2, they will pile it on. Bring on the 2nd day!

Hey Ian good to see your blog coming immediately after the match.

Dude its ok, don't felt bad about it, concentrate in your area.
it happens to every body as a part of life.

but whatz your opinion about Ishant Bowling.

Dan Played really well,jesse too but i feel sorry about frank. he needs a bit of luck.

ok, do concentrate u are going to bowl tomorrow for some best batsmen;s in world

Well Done! takes guts to write this after doing a dumb thing, anyway watch out for Sehwag tommorow

amazed at some of you indians... Show some respect. This blokes an international cricketer.

Iain, the closest thing to your blog I've known is when the ATP had Rafael Nadal blogging during, I think, the 2008 French Open. He was disarming and frank like you are here. Thank you for giving us outsiders such an insight into how the game is played at the level you're playing at. I wish some of the Indian players would blog too.

I'm Indian, and I hope this will be a close, hard-fought Test and series. The Aus/SA matches (going back to the ones in Australia) have been a fine advertisement for the wonders of Test cricket, and I hope you guys can produce matches every bit as exciting.

Good luck to you, whether bowling, batting or blogging!

Good article.

Congratulations on helping your teammate get his first hundred. He owes you some beers.

nice blog yet again iain. good luck tomorrow. hopefully we can get those indians out and get a first innings lead!

Really a nice narration of the field....but watch out for sehwag tommorrow.....

Good and honest blog. i liked especially abt 'whole balance' thing, just like we guys do...while watching a match. nice read

Its the first time I am commenting on ur blog... U really rocks man. It really gives a feeling of seeing the match live. Keeep posting ! & Best of luck for tommorow.

Well, onle good thing abt it that u accept it.Otherwise, I will be surprised if you do something smart out there, just like your bowling, you got to show how dumb u r with bat too.Remember use your feet with ball in hand, not with bat.In your blogs you mention about "some" plans...if your bowling figures are in anyway indication of your so called plans, then dude, start exploring the possibility of having a career in some other field...I don't want o wish u good luck for tomorrow...cause, u r not half as good as Munaf and Viru is ages ahead compare to Dan or Jessy. you know what I mean.

Hey lainy.Its not that much dumb or very funny,howmuch u r feeling now.Its ok mate.Such things can happen to any legend even mate.So dont feel.Get going, dont let extra pressure pile on u.Good luck.Cheers

Tense finish 2 the innings but no doubt worth it if u were lucky enuf u b der. Ps Great blog!

Hey IOB,Iam following your blogs for last couple of months.yea, rightly mentioned,it was the dumbest thing.but all kudos for jesse.I really like his batting and waiting for him to play for bangalore royal challengers in IPL2

Nice work mate..!! Good that u posted it yourself :)
Anyway, be happy that jesse got his deserved ton and u didn't get the blame!! :) Have a nice tym with Viru tmrw mate!! Try bowlin wide outside off to him ;)

It was a poor show from your team. Except of Daniel vettori and Jesse Ryder, no one else shown any kind of form. Watch out for indian batsman dude. they will show you exactly why they are the best team in the world.

Hi Ian,

A disappointing day of batting for NZ but Dan and Jesse did add some respectability to our total.

I was shocked when you decided to charge Bhaji but I know that there was a lot of pressure to stay in and to give Jesse the strike.

I think your batting really has improved since you came into the NZ side and the thing you probably should improve on is turning the strike over and hitting into the gaps.

I love the way you charge in and hit the deck hard when you are bowling. You really seem to give it your all and I am genuinely surprised when you get hit or bowl a poor delivery.

Keep gambhir on strike and keep 3 slips, 2 gullys and pack off side. Bowl with the intent of getting the Indians out, not just with containment. Field out of your skins and stay positive. Dont let sehwag stay on strike or he will get on top of you.

I always look forward to your witty and honest blogs and I hope you and the other blackcaps have a great day tomorrow.

ag

Now that you have got a respectable total what are your plans to bowl to indian batsman. I can give you few tips on how to bowl to indian batsmans. I think you have to bowl short pitch stuff into the rib area to sehwag. bowling to gautam outside offstump with two gully in place will be a gud idea. to rahul i think the best way to get him out is by bowling an full pitched outswing which should pitch on middle stump and move away. to yuvraj i think the best way to get him out is by introducting spinner as soon as he arrive. to laxman bowl on middle and off stump and place a fielder in silly midoff and short midwicket. i dont have any idea as to how to get master blaster sachin out. cheers mate.

Bright, your not so bright! Of course Ians blog is not neutral, he's playing for the other team! A lot of people giving advice and put downs but I bet not many of you are international cricketers. I love my New Zealand team but they are playing a country that has more people playing cricket than we have in our total population. Good on you guys for giving it your all. Ian everyone has brain explosions but good on you for putting your hand up and admitting you got it wrong.

I was watching the match from my resi and i was completely stunned to see you going down the track on the very first ball. Thank God Jesse got the Hundred which he deserved.

I appreciate ur honesty Iain, hope that you commit something like this tomo... All the best for tomo...

I hope India scores close to 500 runs tomorrow for no loss...Sehwag makes yet another triple, Gauti gets a double...and then we bowl yall out for 2 figures...

sounds wicked eh?! >:)

Ian get ready for the leather hunt tomorrow...

O'Brein it's really nice to read. concentrate your bowling attack tomorow so his ton will get more valuable.

Infact if am in that position i would rather be proud of myself instead of rather being annoyed of myself because i made Jesse reach much closer to his ton with a partnership of 29 in 40 odd balls.

Infact my score in this match was greater(more than double )than my career average .

Now that Ian your batting is done focus on bowling and may give oppurtunity to Jesse to snap few catches .

r u playing in ipl???our country is safe.u have got some talent.indians r too good.so u can't bea them.but next series with other countries will be good.worst of bad luck.mate

Pitch looks good, in fact, if we win the toss we’re going to bat first; which is what we ended up doing, but through losing the toss that is. I was pretty keen to get the ball in hand and bowl first, I always am though, I like to get out there and squash the nerves by getting into it. Not to be today, back in the shed, boots off, feet up and got set to watch an entertaining morning of Test match cricket.

Guppy and Mac were looking good early, Mac his typical watchful self and Guppy continuing the timing he’s had during the ODI series. The Indians bowled well and as the session went on, their lengths adjusting to the pitch, they got better and better, really making life tough for our boys. Not only tough but taking their wickets too. And at lunch I’m almost padded up. Not perfect.

Now, after lunch it was a different story. Jesse and Dan were out in the middle together, Millsy padded up, next in. Me after that partially padded up. And that was how we stayed for the whole session. At the start of the session, with us 61 for 6, the plan was to push and grit it through to 150, maybe 200. Jesse and Dan did an amazing job and heading into the third session the target had changed to 250, maybe 300. One record breaking partnership, two tons and the game changes, not necessarily back in our favour, but certainly a whole lot better prospect than being dismissed for around 150.

Ian
Great blog and keep it going. A great fgiht back as well from your captain and Ryder, but looks like the pitch is playing well and will be at its best over the next couple of days. If the indian batsman do not get complacent and play their natural game, I think NZ is looking at a big first innings deficit. There is no "best way" to bowl at Sehwag, but I think your best bet is to try either the one coming in from outside off stump or the one into his ribs. He may be most vulnerable to these, but am sure the NZ playes know by know that the margin of error is very small particularly when it comes to him as the result couldbe a boundary, not a single or two. I have a feeling Dravid will have a wonderful series (formidable away from home and all that). Over to you and good luck. If I still see Sehwag batting when I wake up at 7, then you guys are in trouble. I hope I do see him first thing tomorrow for my sake and maybe not for your sake. Cheers Mate.

Ian, I seen you bowl. I am a big fan of Sehwag and we both know how brutally he hits you out of ground. But to me somehow only you look like getting him and sachin out. But i really hope you bowl well tomorrow to make a good game out of it and may the best team win!

Ian, I seen you bowl. I am a big fan of Sehwag and we both know how brutally he hits you out of ground. But to me somehow only you look like getting him and sachin out. But i really hope you bowl well tomorrow to make a good game out of it and may the best team win!

Ian, you must come back to your blog and wirte tomorrow with the same kind of punctuality, even if sehwag reaches his double hundred or couple of other batsmen reaches to their tons. I want to see you tomorrow how you feel like(it is quite exciting to think about sehwags domolition)?

Good blog Iain. You mentioned Millsy getting a "good one" first ball, but I have always wondered whether it is also to do with sitting there with the pads on, semi-concentrating for hours on end...
I wonder whether, in the event of a long partnership, that the next man in should be rotated - put the pads on for 30 mins to an hour, then alternate with the next guy. Might keep players fresher mentally, and avoid the common problem of losing a couple of wickets in quick succession after a long partnership. Good luck for the rest of the game, and keep up the interesting blogs.

Hi Ian your Blogs inspires me as usual, Great skill of batting and patience from jesse although Dan was lucky most of the times All the best for tommorow

Wanna get Sehwag Out early. Do Not Experiment Much. keep the old formula of bowling on and outside the offstump channel, on good and short of good length. You will be rewarded for sure.
Same For Dhoni. Incutters should be the surprise deliveries for all the batsment. Good Luck..

"to err is human" as they say...but more important is to realise the feeling that an error is not a mistake until you refuse to correct it. Not many players in the past have done this before through writing blogs after a day's play although they have made the amends in the field on the next. And latter is what Ian needs to emphasise more on.

hi lain i strongly believe that tomorrwo will be sehwag's day so check it out buddy.better get him out soon otherwise he will destroy newzeeland attack as he did in one dayers. hard luck tomorrwo.

Glad Jesse got the much needed century for NZ. Ian would have been cursing himself if Martin would have been out, thank to Martin for the five ball faced by him. Ian shit happen mate, im glad you atleast admit to your mistake. Get over it. Thanks a nice blog.

dude even though m an Indian....i will be rooting for you tomorrow...cause unlike you Indian cricketers are too busy to take out few minutes from their VIP schedule to talk to their fans and write a blog or anything else....best of luck..together we get sehwag tomorrow morning ;)

Ian, nice to see you being so honest about it- very few would call themselves dumb and that needs courage. have a nice bowling day tommorow.

Dont do it again.......On the field it happens some time........any way dont think it again.....concentrate on the match........good luck

Hey, dont feel bad about your dismissal you did alot better than the top order in your team and if jesse was destined to get a 100 he would have got it no matter what. Watching the 11th batsman was funny from a spectators point of view...I think india are way on top right know but they are still human and could make mistakes like in the 5th ODI. And having only 1 spinner isnt such a good tactic for your team it all becomes too predicatble.

Hi mate,
today was a gr8 day for both Dann and Jessy and it's good to see the lovely contribution from Dann with his brilliant Ton. Hope 2morrow we can see as many tons as possible from super line-up, especially from The Wall, eagerly waiting for his next ton..and definitely it'll be a good chance for you to prove yourself in bowling against the best players..keep this lovely blogging and wish u very best for getting more wickets in this series..tomorrow sehwag may get triple didgit number before lunch..enjoy the game ...goodluck mate..

you seem to react more to the dismissal ! i guess it happened many times (with much better batsmen).

coming to cricket match - Vettori proved conviction is more important than talent. He played one of his personal bests today.
All the best to you and NZ and would like to see Sachin adding another ton to his tally :)

good blog dude,good for you guys tomorrow, if u mix up your speed i am sure you can get shewag.

good blog dude,good luck for you guys tomorrow, if u mix up your speed i am sure you can get shewag.

You made me laugh Ian, and nothing like that when your watching Test cricket. Hope you bowl well tomorrow, you guys are gonna need alot of luck. Im sure Dravid is gonna score well tomorrow, trying setting a field close in for bouncers to Sehwag and occasionaly drop in that slow yorker...

Hey, look on the bright side! You provided an (unintentional) golden comedic moment to the neutral watchers. Believe it nor not, it's moments like these that wizened old cricketheads will be talking about over a beer, 40 years down the line. Best of luck for tomorrow!

Man i am excited to c sehwag and yuvi play tomorrow, though i live in kuwait, i will have to getup as early as 1 am..

The whole of New Zealand Team will feel really dumb tomorrow bowling to the Indian Batsmen tomorrow. Especially if Sehwag sticks until lunch.

Man i am excited to c sehwag and yuvi play tomorrow, though i live in kuwait, i will have to getup as early as 1 am..

I like your honest blog. I think, sehwag will get a double century and India will win the match & the series.

All the best Ian.

Yuvi is vettori bunny. Vettori is cleverest bowler. He will get yuvi every time. Yuvi is not Test match player. Never will be until he learns to play spin.

I do not want to say about tomorrow. Let it unfold.

By the way great job on blog. It is kind of window into player's thinking. Great.

All the best for tomorrow dude!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Iain

Yeah it was a pretty silly thing you did today, mind you at least Martin gave us the most thrilling 5 balls ever seen in NZ test history! As the saying goes, learn from your mistakes.

Anyway, best of luck for tomorrow, you've got ammunition now!

today i woke up around 3.30am( indian time) 2 watch the match. the ball was not doing much early. and late in the day ball was not that much bouncing..i think wicket turned good 4 batting. if u people didnt pick sehwags wicket early u r gone. generally sehwag willnot bat well in 2 consecutive days.today i think he was in good touch..hope 2 c a real battle between bat & bowl tomorrow..Jai Hind

That's okay dude. But thanks a lot for sharing all this. Jesse sure has a lot of centuries in store for him.
Good luck for tomorrow. Congrats to Dan for a great century. And thanks to both the teams for a lovely day's play.

Why's everyone so particularly concerned about Sehwag?

You need to get him out, yes. Then Gambhir. Then Sachin. Then Dravid. Then Laxman. Then Yuvraj.

hey ian! i must say that was pretty irresponsible of you to throw your wicket away at that stage.I mean, u were surrounded by a whole lot of close-in fielders,the keeper was up and still stepped out,when a googly from harbhajan was much expected,more than the NZ rains infact. Surely a dumb act. You did it all to deny Ryder his maiden test hundred,but thanks to Chris Martin who survived those 5 deliveries n let the big fellow to get to his ton. Well Good luck tomorrow...put up another good day of cricket. Cheers mate!
n yeah! I'd love to see Jesse drop a sitter off your bowling to deny u a fifer,in case it gets upto that.

Good fight put on by the kiwis.I feel Jesse would get better than Gilli and Haydos at the end of his career.The way he & Dan played today, it looked as if indians would never get them out.

Ian be careful tomorrow for sehwag looks well set for a big innings.Sachin would be desperate to score a hundred tomorrow.

Anyway,Good luck!

Hi Ian you should try be more aggressive next time while batting cause there are two ways to get out either batting defensively or offensively. The latter will suit you more and next time give some lusty blows to Harbhajan as a payback.

Have a great day tomorrow!

Bye

Somtime around Teatime....Sehwag 150* Gambhir 100* Extras 29 Scores level....Just wait & watch for tomorrow Mr. Ian O'Brien

Great Blog Ian. Like to hear some of the banters in the dressing room. It is fun to read and knowing what is going in the mind during the play.

its a nice and honest blog !! good luck for tomorrow Iain !

ur fast becoming a master at this

Ian, i totally know that feeling you felt when you got out today as ive bin in the same situation at club cricket when my own brotehr was on 99*. but its good that your soo honest in your blog. keep it up big guy as you are one of the most honest cricketers around and i hope you steam roll the indians tommorrow.

o'b getting a 5-for

Hi Iain, i enjoy reading your honest viewpoints. Don't you think your candid admission of being nervous would mean revealing to much to the opposition. Nevertheless its always good to read whats going off the field. We get to see infield action anyways. Cheers and all the best.

Ian,

Nice posting. NZ did it again,what theya re doing from last few years, A great fight back from Jessey and Dan. I love black caps for the same reason. I hope u keep that spirit by taking wickets tomorrow. Best of luck and its really nice to see some one accepting his mistake.

keep it up dude.

Iian,

great as usual (frankly i did not expect your blog today after the 1st day itself)

simply lovely to read your inner thoughts while waiting to bat, while batting and after batting. it makes me feel a very 'intrinsic' part of the NZ dressing room and the field.

equally nice to see the superstition inside the dressing room "daring to move as to maybe upset the ‘whole balance’ and let" :))
i also do the same when indians are going good. wonder if the indians also are superstitious inside the dressing room.

i stayed awake (me in amsterdam) post midnite to watch the test match, of course slept by the time you were in to bat.
and the first thing this morning - see the scores in cricinfo.

amazing batting by my fav - Vettori and now Ryder! not to 4get your contribution :)
i guess, i shall see NZ bowl today and lets see how mr sehwag blazes this time.

till 2moro's analysis, views and thoughts, cheers and best of luck for today!

Nice bolg Ian. Best of luck for tomorrow's play. Hope to see a century from Sachin and Laxman.

Nice blog again Iain, nice to hear your point of view of the stumping, these things happen man. But from reading all of these comments I think I must be watching a different game. I thought I was watching NZ vs India, not NZ vs Sehwag.

Ian - How do you manage to find time to write this blog after a tiring days work on the field.

Ohhh Boy this is why I love Test cricket. Cricket at it's best.

I didn't sleep to watch the match (3:30 AM in India), amazing work by Indian bowlers. At 62/6, I thought I should sleep already 6 in the morning and 4 hours before office. When I woke up Dan had struck his ton. Sad I missed Dan's ton and sad again for my team not being able to wrap up under 100-150 :(

I love your blogs, a very honest post. Your attitude and passion towards game is really commendable. I hope me getting 2-3 hrs sleep tonight as well is justified by another amazing day of test cricket.

Good Blog Iain. Its good to hear something from somebody who played the match than mere commentary. Yes it wasn't the best shot anyway to defend or a give strike back to Jesse. But I won't blame you as its very difficult to judge the feelings on field. Anyway good to see you open up. See you tomorrow(in my TV :)).

really enjoy ur blogs mate
apreciate it especially DURING a test match and that also straight after day..
cheers.

No probs Ian. you have realized ur mistake. any ways Rheyder has got that deserved ton. Now the thing is little bit in your hands with the ball.
Try to get our batting kings out in the pavilion if you dont want to make another sorry coloumn.
cheers!!!!

Even though India managed to get you guys all out on day one, I would say still NZ took the honors. From 60/6 to 270 odd was no less of a feat and it definitely demoralized the Indians. Kudos to Dan's and Jesse's determination and sorry to see how Indians never go for the kill when they have an upper hand.

Having seen Inzy's run outs quite a few times...im not sure what u did was dumbest.... :)

Iain, great blog; love the way you write. A very good window into your thoughts as the innings progressed. I wish more cricketers would write about what they think when the match is progressing (I love Sangakkara's blog!). The Indian cricketers could take a page or two. Keep up the good work! When you come to America, let me know. I'll buy you "a couple of red" (whatever that is!)

hey ian nice to see jesse get hundred, for day 2 u guys shuld try to dry up as much runs as u can and apply pressure. a tactic that aussies have used well against porteas

Gr8 man. Anyway kepp the thing on tomorrow, bowl sehwag at rib area bounce and look the difference know u r the worst affected from him, try this cheers and good luck

I loved the spirit of you team today. coming back from 60/6 to what was achieved was great!! my advice would be
-> do not take any advice from anyone out here as you and your teammates know whats the best.
-> forget all criticism
-> enjoy the game and never feel sorry for any mistakes(like this one which you call 'DUMB') get to your system and enjoy the game.
all I want is good cricket. I do not mind NZ winning until I have witnessed a good game. All the best.
LET THE TEAM WHO PLAYS BETTER WIN THE GAME :)

Good Iain---you are being very honest and realistic ! Forget the dumbest thing and bowl well tomorrow----but what if the Indians were to score over 500? Two more centuries----Dravid and Sehwag/Tendulkar? You should try your best to restrict them ! Good luck ! and to Daniel Vettori too---whom I met briefly aftger dinner at an Indian restaurant near the Cathedral Square at christchurch two days before the start of the first 20-20 match of the tour of India!

Jesse Ryder's smile and genuine enjoyment was so visible on TV even he was stuck in 98 with Chris facing 5 balls ! That is the true spirit !

Good luck to both teams---let CRICKET win---as it today.

Great blog Ian.
i was extremly pleased to see u bat the way you did till the very last ball. In my opinion you should not be worried about that dismissal of yours because uptill tht time you had done a great job.
As far the game is concerned you guys should be carefull of only shewag. he is the only player in the indian line up ( and tht to due to his current form) tht can take away the game from the oposition in no time. all you should try is to be patient because he will do something rash after every few overs. The rest of the team is pretty average and please dont forget. The babies in blue have never won in New Zealand. And i hope it will remain the same.

hey man...u gonna get routed by Sehwag...I bet...

Mate - thanks for an awesome blog. It was a wonderful display of cricket all around.

Now a quick message to everyone who comments here

- please use a spell checker before writing. It's a dead giveaway of how ignorant you are when you can't spell simple words. I won't get into the grammatical errors because there's not much you can do about it.

- the guy is a professional cricketer, treat him like one! Your dumb comments about sehwag 'killing' NZ only make you look like an indian redneck (if there's such a thing).

- he does not need your advice about how to get the Indians out. He knows it better than you.

Here's some advice for you - get your head out, enjoy the game and his blog and please do not comment here.

Never mind Ian, the best thing was Ryder got to his 100, just forget the incident. I saw your only over and that beauty you bowled to Sehvag. So let the ball speak for yourself tomorrow. Good luck.

Hey Ian, Its good to read your blogs.
Please have a sound sleep for today, Bcoz you may not be able to sleep tomorrow after getting blasted by Indian Batsmen :)

Get ready for Dravids 200 + runz. Its gonna be an amazing batting performance from him in this series.

Dear Ian,good to see your honesty.Just easy to get rid of Sehwag tomorrow.Bowl just a foot outside offstump and make the ball come in.But gully, point, deep point, thirdman.he will easily fall into trap.Also put one at square leg if u miss your line still you can pick him up there at square leg as he hits it in air.Good Luck,He is also human and not a machine,so no need to be afraid of him.

Forget what anyone says short in the ribs won't work on Sehwag he is still vunerable to inswingers not as much as he used to be but if he sees it pitched up there he will attempt to drive at it and it could bowl him. I am a neutral at this point in time but best of luck.

Boy it would be nice to know what was it like in dressing room when you got out??? what did they say??? what kinda look did they give you??? what did Jess said after he made ton and got out to you??? Fun stuff

Are you in the team ahead of other better bowlers, just b'coz of your blogging skills?

hey, it was really a well played inning by you.down feel down, you were doing a right thing, though it was unfortunate you got out but its ok.....it was really a incredible performance by dan and jesse,a must deserve ton for both...now, just focus on your bowling man, its going to be a very difficult task........all the best

I think the Indians need to be a bit more respectful

Thanks for the honesty. Your team had a really great fightback. Although my country has a great many good players, they will find it difficult in the morning session. If India survives the morning session, then God save you... my lovely little Kiwis... !!!

Hey lan...
good blog..

U tried for a single and u failed..
i dont feel its dumb..
u didnt try for big hit..
the only mistake is u left the crease...

Iain, firstly you are a quality bowler and good for any international team. Second, if an action pays of it is intelligent and if it doesn't people tend to brand it stupid (some like you brave enough to call it themselves). Bottomline, your intentions were noble and Jess got his ton, so forget the rest and focus on a good second day.

CAUTION:SEHWAG IS STILL OUT THERE

Um... guys? If I'm wrong, then please correct me. I've never seen martin bat, so is he all that bad? If it is, then how does he stand the comments. LOL

Great piece of writing! All the best for tomorrow as Sehwag will be waiting for you all.

It is quite entertaining to read your blog and your acceptance of the mistake. After retirement you can become a good writer. Keep it up. All the best for the real test of your life.

Wonderful blog, Iain...really enjoy your candid thoughts in writing. You should be proud that you took Jesse Ryder all the way to 98...remember he was on 77 when Mills was out.

Keep posting your thoughts...its always a good read and one of the things I look forward to now...cheers mate...I hope you do well tomorrow morning...

To dare to be so honest is the world's most difficult thing n its really a nice gesture on Brien's part.You are a good bowler but lacks self confidence when it comes to bowling to Sehwag all your plans comes to a stand still so beware of this bomb and try to avoid bowling to him when he is on the crease . NZ did a decent job by posting around 280 but i still dont think its gonna hamper India's plan of posting a huge lead in the first innings itself as the pitch is expected to be a paradise for batsmen on 2nd & 3rd days play so we can expect a cracker of a game . Wish India the very best of luck ... Chak Dei India ... Jai Ho .

though i'm a very hardcore indian fan , but i still wish u all the very best, just becoz of your honesty while writing!!

I have been following your blog for quite sometime now and as always this one was true honest blog. Anyways, I am keen to seen how you bowl to Sehwag. He is in such mesmerising form and if he gets going, he can smash you and your fellas all over the park. Sorry to say this mate, but as I have noticed you and your guys always make lots of plans before going into a match and sadly you've never executed them. I hope it comes good for you tomorrow. Cheers.

Thank you for your blog, IOB.

To be practical, you need to bring someone back like Shane bond in your bowling attack. Or else, it is relatively difficult to compete the current Indian batting line-up.....although not impossible.

Anyways, try to keep the line around off-stump at waist-height to get effective result.

Best of Luck!!!!

Regards,
TA.

a leg cutter with lot a variation in u r phase could make the thing,SLOWER BALL!!!

Truly honest blog!!!! thanks lan

Good fight put on by the kiwis.I feel Jesse would get better than Gilli and Haydos at the end of his career.The way he & Dan played today, it looked as if indians would never get them out.

Hi Ian ,
First of all great recovery by NZ.Awesome knock under pressure by jesse and dan.How can you do such a thing after watching the commercial "Bat like Chris Martin" ....lol

Fantastic Blog Ian. Do not let the batting bit trouble you. You had a plan to ensure Jesse got his ton. It did not work out and looked silly. Next time when it works the world will say great cricket mind. Concentrate on the Bowling. Around off going away with the odd one straigh will get do the trick in my opinion. Anyways you know better than armchair cricketers like me. Although I would love to see Sehwag get a ton and Dravid also.

is he accept that was dumb thing to do.. But atleast he shouldnt be ashamed as Bhajji should be. He had 5 balls to get Chris MArtin out and he couldnt do it. Thats our premier spin bowler.
You were fine Mr. Ian, you helped Ryder from 77 to 98. Good luck tomorrow, just leave Sachin alone and rest you can enjoy!!

how did kapil's comment get accepted by cricinfo and posted?he's not even a cricketer and he's talking as if he is God.lol i find that funny.Ian you are awesome and sure to get wickets this match.

oh common Iain...this is what pressure does...and besides, Ryder still got to his maiden test century...

Past is past...so let's focus on for the reast of the days...you have to bowl out India as quickly as you can....all the best for tomorrow morning... hope we''l see a repetition of what the Indian seamers did in the morning today!!!

Great blog Ian.. keep up the good work...

I think you really did something very special to make you blog very interesting.

Heh...I didn't know test players believe in that whole 'balance of the universe' thing. I thought that only happened at club level. :-)

This was a great blog. Can't believe I'm replying to an international cricketer:)

It was great to know the feeling from on the field. Jesse was brilliant and so was Dan as usual. Good luck for tomorrow. Hoping for a great day of cricket tomorrow.

Mate... would love to hear of what Jesse thot of your little dance before he got his maiden ton!! :) But you did well....
Honors even for the day.... but hold on, the Sehwag show is about to start.... it's gonna be an interesting second day... Hopefully Dravid gets going in his NZ farewell tour.... :)

At 61 for 6 I was fearing the worst for the Kiwis, but a fantastic fight back by Ryder and Vettori has put you back into the game. Glad Ryder made it to his maiden century, you really would have kicked yourself, if he hadn't.

Great blog post and good luck to the Kiwi's.

Hey Ian... good to read your blog.. my first time but found it quite interesting.. good day of test match cricket.. great beginning by India and good comeback by Jesse and Dan... Should wait and see how you folks handle Dravid and Tendulkar... if these people get out soon, we could have a serious thriller in hand....

Well Ian.. Take it this way, you did a great job helping Jesse from 77 to 98 which is very close. Trying to take the positives out. Watch out for the star stud lineup tomorrow though its not just about Sehwag.. All the Best

nice blog ian.
al the best for the rest of the match

Hay Ian,

Love ur blog. Keep it up.

really, I don't care who wins or lose. I want to see a competitive game.

Also I loved that ball on u squared up Sehwag. Very good ball.!

take care!

I wish you may get 5+ but day after tomm(lol). Thank for the blog this way we can come to know how does a cricketer think. I love your honesty....Gud luck Bro

Hey Ian,

I love your posts. A real insider's peek into the trials & tribulations of an International cricketer.

I haven't yet seen the highlights of the dumb thing you did, but sure will see it once I get back home.. :)

PREDICTION FOR THIS TEST MATCH:
India will score 600 for 6 declared (day 3, last session) and then bowl out NZ for 250 and win the test by Innings and 50 runs.
And i Agree, it was a dumb thing to do, even the commentators were cursing u, but as they say...
all's well that ends well... It was just pressure that made u do it. And i am expecting some more pressure on you if sehwag gets through the first session... Just pray ian... Just Pray !!!

Even though I am Indian, I was hoping Jesse got his ton. He deserved it. Don't feel bad about getting out. It happens. After the century though, I wished really hard that he would get out asap. Luckily he obliged the very next ball.

Wonderful post as usual. It's so much fun to read your blog. I see that some of the people who've posted comments need to learn some manners and show some respect and humility. And they call the aussies arrogant! G'luck and may the force be with the black caps :P

Ian, It happens certains times and it was good on Chris's Part that he saved you from further embarassment by playing out the 5 balls. However, it was one of the best moments od test cricket after the dll draws in Windies and pakistan. Test Cricket rocks.

Best place to write this, I suppose. I want Franklin to bowl.

Iain, the closest thing to your blog I've known is when the ATP had Rafael Nadal blogging during, I think, the 2008 French Open. He was disarming and frank like you are here. Thank you for giving us outsiders such an insight into how the game is played at the level you're playing at. I wish some of the Indian players would blog too.

I'm Indian, and I hope this will be a close, hard-fought Test and series. The Aus/SA matches (going back to the ones in Australia) have been a fine advertisement for the wonders of Test cricket, and I hope you guys can produce matches every bit as exciting.

Good luck to you, whether bowling, batting or blogging!

Hi Ian, it is wonderfull to see players like you update us fans on the latest happenings in the world of cricket. Don't worry about today's mistake, try and bowl your heart out tomorrow. Anyways, being an Indian, I wish our team thrashes your team in this series. But I wish we get to see some very good cricket from both sides. We love your team dude!

I forgot to add, Jesse's innings was a special one! I am praying that he becomes one of New Zealand's greatest test batsmen. As for Vettori, I am very happy to see him improve remarkably as an allrounder.

Nice post. Appreciate your efforts to write this blog after a eventful day at work. Like your candid acceptance of what you did...we all make mistakes....very few accept them...Your post is one of reason I like this NZ team (much different from the arrongant Aussies)
I am looking forward to seeing Sehwag scoring another triple-hundred and a double-hundred from Dravid & Sachin in this test series. Hope you appreciate their batting skills....Also, its not a bad idea for you to improve your batting by watching the likes of Sehwag/Sachin/Dravid/Laxman at their job:-)

Nice to see honest post .. my comments for last post were not published .. not sure why .. will repeat 1 line.. its Sehwag you should be worried in tests. not Sachin, Dravid, VVS or Yuvi.. its only Sehwag .. more dangerous in Tests than in ODI .. as he mentioned in one of interviews. there is no pressure of overs limit in tets, so he plays more freely.. again with boundaries so small.. I am expecting 300 or even 400 from him.

with Martin's inability to swings both ways (outgoing delivery) & Mills not at its best .. I felt u will be the only threat for him .. one was beauty yesterday where Sehwag pretty much squared on in ur last over.

for batting incident.. I wont blame u much .. its tough there for anybody.. specifically for the #10 .. but yes u owe one to Martin.. even being Indian I still prayed that over for JC's 100.. wonderful innings. he has very simple but effective technique

last thing, I feel Sehwag, Sachin & Gambhir r the key wickets. rest are not threats.. okiedoki

It happens Ian..that's cricket, a funny game. Ryder deserved a ton for his calm/terrific approach. Good luck for you guys...Going to be a tough day tomorrow.

hey dude...when u people were at 60/6, i thought you are goners....but great job....279 is not totally an easy one to chase...nobody knows what can happen....so all credit to every lower order batsman! great going!
although i'm an indian supporter, i really liked the competition to team india...hope this test is a great contest....all the best!

Hi Ian,

Keep up the good work. Did you sign up with IPL this year?. I can foresee a very nice future for you in India as a cricketer/blogger.
Please keep up the good work and may god be with you in all your endeavours

Hello Iain,

I thought you batted fairly well for No. 10 and did a decent job assisting Ryder to 98. Lapse of concentration, that's all, it is. I am waiting to see how NZ bowlers are going to deal with likes of Sehwag, Tendulkar and UV. Should be an interesting second day.

Cheers mate!

India will score 569 runs in the 1st Innings and will win the match by 7 wickets on Day 5 second session.

I'an mighty impressed dude..you come across as a very decent and honest guy and your blogs really do reflect this quality. You sound too good for someone from the west

Get sehwag on first ball tomorrow!!!

I was surprised on seeing this blog.generally,people won't accept their mistakes.Despite being a cricketer,u have accepted your mistakes.This kind of behavior will increase your fame in cricket

Nice to see such a nice and genuine write-up. Keep this blog posted on how things go..I'm hoping it won't lost for full 5 days if India does well tomorrow

Ian. It's nice see you realised your mistake. However be prepared for a long day on the field tomorrow. Iandian batsman's might not fall as cheaply as NZ did. Espeacilly " Shewag".

This Indian team is like the ones of yore.. cannot choke the neck completely when the opposing team is asking for it. Did it in the ODIs (3/1), now doing it in tests as we saw after 60/6. Call it what, even defend it as a hesitation to trample over the opposition, but most of the successful series for India have been like this - 4-1, 5-1, 3-1, 6-1. Would Australia in form ever allow another team to trample over them like this? That's what defines killing- instinct or finishing-the-job, without that India will never be a champion team in the fullest sense. Hope they regain enough sense to bottle up the test series convincingly.

India will score 569 runs in the 1st Innings and will win the match by 7 wickets on Day 5 second session.

Hi Ian, To get Sehwag out: 1. The Line: Pitch ON THE OFF STUMP neither outside off nor on the middle or leg. 2. The length: Should NOT be short or overpiched. Either a beautiful yorker OR force him to play ON THE UP FRONT FOOT. 3. The ball MUST turn after pitching at least a bit, going in or going away. 4. Keep 6/3 field - covering deep 3rd man, point covers.
By this I guarantee his wicket in 6 deliveries.
With all the above, he may still get lucky playing on the up once or twice but third time he will be out.
Caution: If you cant turn the ball off the track, please quit bowling (to Sehwag).
Share this *secret* with your fellow bowlers.

Grat job blogging !! This gives the reader a totally new perspective, and in Iain's case - a very honest one.

I have seen this happen in the NBA this year, and usually players that blog wind up being fan favorites.

So - good job - its a game that people love. By writing this, you are bringing the fans a new perspective - and that is really awesome.

Hey Ian , i like ur attitude towards the game... and i am sure even though u may or might not get murdered by the fab 5 tommorow , u have a future in cricket... its not a tribute to ur blog , but to ur attitude.. I hope cricinfo allows u to blog
even after the series... All da best.. - A die hard indian cricket fan

cool man it happens for every one. anyway india is going to win this test in a big margin so enjoy the occassion

You must be the most loved cricketer blogger in the world. And I mean it. some of folks wait for you write something here.

Abt cricket, don't worry. It happens to every man some day.

Ian, thanks for the honest comments and actually updating your blog during a test match.

I followed the match on the internet while slogging in office :)

Do let your friend Mr.Ryder know he's quite liked here in India. Congrats to him on his first test century and lets hope many more come along the way.

And well, lemme also add that we like the entire Kiwi team. No, not because our team beat yours...but over the years, Team New Zealand have always played the gentlemen's sport like gentlemen should. And yep, Dan is a great captain to have...please congratulate him too :)

As for your dumb thing...chill! Stuff like that happens...all's well that ends well :)

I'll be rooting for India. But I'll hope to see a good match...so go and give your best.

Cheers mate!

hey Iain, great post as always...love to read an insider's view on the game...don't worry about the indian fans who brag too much...and all the best for the test series...hoping to see a good contest between bat and ball!

thanx Ian for insider view of the game. 2 things,

i am also a bowler and lower order bat like you in my own level of league and i know exactly how u feel. we get a chance to bat only when the match is in an intense situation and rarely.

i couldn't believe what u said abt 'whole balance' thing, at international level and from a Kiwi. waav!! great to know abt this :-). we do things exactly like this. nobody dares to move an inch when a partnership or a batsman of ours is going strong in a tense situation. we are all human after all. no borders :-)

please continue to share.

guys, please show some respect. stick to the topics Ian mentioned. Don't forecast tomorrow's game and give arm-chair suggestions.

though i admire his abilities, the very Sehwag same couldn't score more than 50 in a level of cricket where i play.

do i have to remind u guys, ITS CRICKET, anything can happen any time. that's why we are addicted to it.

its great to see IAN reaction when is was stumped...but he is honest wat he is saying....anyways fantastic batting my Dan and Jesse....

For your honest opinion, count an additional fan in yours truly.

Ian,
Your blog is interesting to read. I appreciate the fact that you are taking time out of your busy schedule for blogging. However I would like to express my honest opinion on some of your comments. You keep talking about plans for Sehwag. Have you not seen his triple hundreds against Pakistan and South Africa, the double hundred against Sri Lanka and the huge hundreds against Australia. Didn't they have plans for him? The fact is he is too good of a player and it is extremely difficult to stop him or slow him down once he gets going. If you manage to get him early, someone else like Sachin or Dhoni or Yuvraj would come at you. BTW, watch out for Dravid & Laxman. It is extremely difficult to contain this Indian batting line up even with an attack that has variety in it i.e. express pace, swing and quality spinners who can single handedly run through the opposition. As NZ doesn't have variety or quality bowlers I believe you are going to struggle. Good Luck and I wish you the best.

It was a pretty silly mistake, they all make them though. I'm pretty sure you had every watcher on the edge of their seats when Martain had to face five balls. Probably one of his greatest 0* ever.

nice blog ian.......keep goin

to Posted by: Cricket lover
Who the fuck are you to deny others from commenting in here, if others comments dont go down well with then dont read them or better still you never come back in here....have you bothered to read comments from those indians who have whole heartedly appreciated Ian's blog and have positive things to say....you numb nut.

Dont worry mate, the worst would have been you getting out on that hat-trick ball by playing some stupid shot. Jesse was on 77 at that time, would not have had any chance to get to 100. It is only because of you for which he got to 100. So I'd say all is well that ends well. You actually batted really well. Good luck for tomorrow.

Man .. your blog is superb .being an indian I would like to see 100 from sehwag but at the same time u need to work hard to get them bowl out:)

I am an Indian and deeply urge all my fellow Indians out here to show some respect to an international cricketer.... Dont just start bashing him , just because they are up against a very good side this time. Just recall the last time India was NZ.
Kudos to Jesse and Vettori...for the way the played today. Have some guts and learn to respect and appreciate the good efforts.
I am also an Indian supporter and sincerely beleive that india should win this. But that should not mean that I start demeaning the professional NZ cricketrs.
Thanks

Hi Ian

I was so eager to see your comment on the way you got out :-) You were so desperate to stay in crease and then endedup doing something silly :-)
I thought you guys will be bowled out for 150.. Nice fight back from Dan & Ryder..

Looks like Sehwag is in upbeat mood, if you don't get him quickly you will have nightmares the entire series..

Exciting Test match cricket- Good start for the series..

Hey Ian,
Such funny incidents do occur in field...No need to blame...U supported him well during 77 to 98.
Good luck for tommorrow....

Nice job with the blog !! As for the stumping, it could happen to the best. Your job in the team is to get early wickets. If you do that first thing tomorrow, consider yourself redeemed !! I'm sure you would know better, but my 2 cents anyways... bowl to Gambhir just outside off and keep him on strike as much as possible. Sehwag tends to get uneasy if kept off strike for too long and the run rate starts to dip. Lets hope it turns out to be a battle of equals tomorrow. Cheers !!

A bit of rain around today, just enough to freshen up the pitch and make all these arrogant Indian posters eat there words. I can feel and Iain O'Brien 6-for coming...

Thanks for the honest blog. I think you did pretty well to stay with Jesse and help him get to 98. I don’t think Indians #10 batsman can do that. I am Indian supporter and hope someone from our team could blog for their fans as you do. Thanks again, Good luck tomorrow.

Thanks for the honest blog. I think you did pretty well to stay with Jesse and help him get to 98. I don’t think Indians #10 batsman can do that. I am Indian supporter and hope someone from our team could blog for their fans as you do. Thanks again, Good luck tomorrow.

Iain,

Good on ya for being honest and fessing up, that too so quickly. Keep it coming mate, it's pretty refreshing to read.

I wish more international cricketers would write blogs like this. it gives us a good perspective of whats going on in the minds of these guys we see on TV. Really helps us identify with them - great stuff Iain and good luck. Short of a good length without any width to sehwag along with a deep midwicket - if you can execute that for a prolonged period, you'll have your man

Yo! Ian, wish I was there to see the funny side of todays game. Well can't deny the bluez can bat deep and well too, but you never know. the 5th onedayer could be taken as an example. Sometimes the Indians get over confident and start playing the stupidest shots ever in the book lol. Basics will get you what you want, its that simple. Cheers matey and keep the faith. Enjoy your game today

Some of you people out there need to keep your pointless and rude comments to yourself. And oh, please spare the advice. He's an INTERNATIONAL cricketer. He knows what he did wrong and what he did right. Even if he doesnt, he doesn't need it from you anyway.

Best of luck with the 2nd day Ian

Cheers,
Adi

You owe Ryder a few pies.

Hi Ian!
What a great blog! straight from the heart, I have never seen any other cricketer write this way before. I am now a fan, not just coz u write well but you are easily new zealand's best bowler in terms of pace and bounce. I wish you all the best and I'm sure that you will do very well at the International level, I hope India wins but will be rooting for you to take the indian wickets :-)

Good Luck!
cheers
Kapil

Cricket for me is the most amazing thing - i love it! I am gonna stay up and watch the start of day2!
Sehwag is not out and the pitch looks good - how about you write something about Sehwag the next time around? I really really hope he blazes to a century - if you get hit for 12 runs or more in an over by Sehwag - how about you drop me a mail ;) Wud be a high point in my life

Hi Ian, I feel i am getting addicted to your blog. I have this habit of checking out Bulletin after every match and in this series i am more intrested in your blog rather than bulletin(s). Your blog gives us a (rare)perspective of a player and it is intresting. Thanks for all the posts and Keep Posting.
About the match, i dont think you did the dumb thing. I felt you are trying to show some aggression and send message to bhajji that you are not over cautious or on defensive mode. If you have defended the ball or hit the ball for four by coming down the track it would have made bhajji to change his line. It was just combination bad luck n judgement.
About containing Sehwag i have few advices
1. Make him drive a fullish outswinging delivery
2. Surprise him with an extra bounch outside the offstump(with minimum change in action)
3. try a sharp incutter
4. Sehwag tends to (very)lazy for easy singles, ask you fielder to act sudden and throw the ball at stumps

Hey Ian, if you think that is dumb you shoul dhave seen what my cricket team got up to (although i think setting the batting order by pulling names out of a hat and setting a rule that everyones first ball either needs to be charged or reverse swept is pretty solid).

Ignore the rude indian guys here, its surprising they don't see how rude some of their comments are and why a lot of other countries supporters don't particularly like them or their team of underacheivers. All the best mate and try to knock their heads off like you did in Australia with a great spell. Especially that showpony Dhoni.

If you get Sehwag early that's half the battle won.
Off stump line of attack is key. Drifting down the leg side, or too much width is gonna cost you big time.

kioara Ian, I was at uni so did not get to watch the morning session but got back to home on time to watch you getting OUT..lol I actually support both NZ and IND.. I was quite angry seeing you getting out in that fasion- more angry coz we all know how mch martin can bat.. but i guess the end result was good,Jesse got his century and NZ got a modest to put up a fight..Just dont get sehwag out thou, i stayed home 2day to watch him soring fastest test century. i think he will be in that sort of mood.. TA

It all turned out okay in the end, best of luck today Iain, you are fast becoming my favourite bowler to watch :)

Good blog Iain!!! I sent in my post after your first T20 blog that India will thrash NZ in ODIs, that was my intuition and it happened. Test match also india will sweep 2-0 and I have a strong thought in my mind that sehwag would score another 300 runs. All The Best for Kiwis bowlers!!!

Ian, give shahwag balls for upper cut, that can be a way to get him

yopu have to admit, every single time CS Martin bats it very very entertaining. Hell you dont even have to bounce him first, its a wasted ball!
India should score big today and tomorrow. Our boys got 100's but the pitch wasnt bad, the batting was.
Any indian who reaches 20 will most likely reach at least 40 and any who reaches 40 will probably get a 100. One who gets a 100 will probably get 180.
Dont think these guys are going to self destruct Paki style.
Well Ian I rate yesterday as a good day as we got 2 performances, 2 performamces today and I will be happy again.
I am glad you are bowling and not me.
Nice to see Marrk Richardson getting some competition for antics and media, I wish you well today and tomorrow.

Well N Zealand should make the indian Batsman Play outside off....Kepp the ball up and wickets wud follow else India might Run away in the first 2 sessions...Important first session coming up

I played indoor cricket against you and scott styris, I would of said that you both batted at the same level and skill set in that game, I cant believe there is such a vast difference watching you both in tests. I swear black and blue to my mates that you were a top bat, they wont believe me, get a fifty that'll sort it

Posted by: Cricket lover at March 18, 2009 1:34 PM

Absolutely spot on mate.

If I was Indian I would be embarassed to read most of the comments here. It may have been the dumbest thing Iain has done on a cricket field but the dumbest thing I have seen on cricinfo is the 800 posts saying "great blog, what will you say when Sehwag kills you". I'm starting to realise why Indians are considered the most arrogant supporters in the world (and there is plenty of competition for that title).

Iain,
u seem to be a nice bloke...like your post..but dont try too many things with Shewag...

India first inn score get 550/6 and India in the fifth day match win by run between 20 to 50. this series India 2-0

Hope Sachin gets a 100 today. Ponting is close on his heels for the most number of test hundreds....

Am I the only night owl poring at my PC screen while the rains play a spoil sport? hats off (though I never wear them) Iain O'Brien for your honest opinions. It requires guts to speak so freely and frankly. May your tribe increase, and may the rains decrease. It's 3:45am and I still have managed to retain my sense of humor... or is it my alter ego? :P

I think India is going to clinch this one. They will make around 500+, declare their innings and hunt for 11 without batting second. My honest thought.

India will bat for next two days. When it comes to test games, its not only sehwag you need to take care of but the whole line up is disastrous!

I like your blog but I will still wish you bad luck against sehwag because I am a die hard Indian cricket fan. Sorry to say.

yep pretty dumb thing to do. didn't u learn anything from watching SA in aussie? tailend partnerships can change/win the game. regardless of how meaningless it seems t the time. stick around as long as poss. play low risk. leave the flash stuff to the recognised batsmen.

India is going to get out for 250. The rest will see after how NZ fair in their 2nd innings.

Hey Ian , i like ur attitude towards the game... and i am sure even though u may or might not get murdered by the fab 5 tommorow , u have a future in cricket... its not a tribute to ur blog , but to ur attitude.. I hope cricinfo allows u to blog
even after the series... All da best.. - A die hard indian cricket fan

LOL @ all the Indian comments! Especially about Sehwag - isn't he out already? :D

Love the blog OB - good idea especially to pen some thoughts during the marathon that is a Test. It's a bit like having people mic'd up in the T20s - definitely adds a bit from a spectators point of view.

Is it possible to get an IPL contract through a blog? Haha plenty of Indian fans now!

Best of luck for the rest of the test! Do it for Lower Hutt :D

Ravi Shah, How you doing mate??? You should be at the stadium watching the game....:)

Nice to see honest comments Iain, especially in the middle of a test match. Yeah, it was a dumb thing to do but apart from keeping your batting average low, no real harm done.
I feel Jason is right though .. India will pile on the runs (unfortunately) and then declare. Still, I really hope you guys are able to roll them and make a close game of it. Look forward to some great cricket. Good luck.

Funny how few NZ supporters are kinda taking the moral high ground and talking about Ind fans being arrogant and NOT modest....Don't mistake the passion/love for the sport and our team for arrogance. Lets compare crowds with a sport you guys are passionate about....footy...Few ppl may go overboard but that is coz they don't get too many opportunities to vent their passion :)

Was a shame you walked past that delivery but its really good to see how much you have improved your batting. Your average still isnt flash but that is not your job. Im no longer nervous when you head out with the pads on, your defence is solid and you look more than capable of holding up an end. Good to see all the hard work pay off mate

You said it brother, chris martin done better than you

Hey Ian, Good blog.I am from Bangalore, and we really need Jesse to show up. Now that he isn't into booze anymore, can we entice him with some spicy curry? :)

Funny how few NZ supporters are kinda taking the moral high ground and talking about Ind fans being arrogant and NOT modest....Don't mistake the passion/love for the sport and our team for arrogance. Lets compare crowds with a sport you guys are passionate about....footy...Few ppl may go overboard but that is coz they don't get too many opportunities to vent their passion :)

Hey dude.. I think indians are doing pretty good at lunch. you are going to have a very long day in the field today with less success. hey watch out for sachin man. its a perfect platform for him and he is going to smash you and your mates all over the park.

Hey Iain,

You forgot to mention how selfish it was for Jesse Ryder to deny Chris Martin his maiden test century :)

I am so happy Sehwag is out of the equation. If that guy would have stayed for even 50/60 overs he changes the course of the match (and also he is known for big hundreds too). I guess his biggest weakness is running between the wickets...LOL.

If we don't get the Indians out cheaply then I would in a way want Dravid to score 200 (which he will probably take at least 400 balls to do so). It will leave lesser time for the Indians to get us out and again bat to reach the target (provided second time around we do bat well). The way our top batsmen batted in the first innings a draw would be like a victory for us.

I agree!! some of us Indians are way too rude, just relax guys Ian is giving us a good isight into the life of an upcoming fast bowler, life for all bowlers in world cricket is tough at the moment. As far as your wicket is concerned I think that Jesse was meant to get a hundred, if he wasn't then he would have been out himself and so don't be too hard on yourself, we hope that you continue playing your natural game and wish you great success

Appeal to all Indians: Lets be sporting and learn to appreciate talent outside of India.

I am surprised to see your fan following! Look at the number of responses to each and every blog you write. You are really good at it. Seems like Sehwag does not want you to be No.1 in anything in cricket! He replied by running himself out and that is definitely most dumbest dismissal than yours. Keep posting these wonderful blogs. All the Best.

maan..ur honesty really wins me over..all the best for today..cos the indians might be real hungry for some big runs, and if sehwag gets goin then those nightmares might just come true..

seen you at napier last year obrien, you sucked.less time in front of the mirror dyeing your hair and more time concentrating on not going for 10 an over.I say get rid of ya and bring back paddles.

Nice to see honest comments Iain, especially in the middle of a test match. Yeah, it was a dumb thing to do but apart from keeping your batting average low, no real harm done.
I feel Jason is right though .. India will pile on the runs (unfortunately) and then declare. Still, I really hope you guys are able to roll them and make a close game of it. Look forward to some great cricket. Good luck.

Hey Ian....nice blog there...am sure you would have been more relieved then jess when he got that ton :)

woo got em,gone.Im your number one fan you are the man!I knew we could count on you obrien

woo got em,gone.Im your number one fan you are the man!I knew we could count on you obrien

you did a fantastic job out there to give jesse the best chance of reaching a truely remarkable hundred until yu made that one mistake lol.

Please get a few mate yu looked good in that one over yesterday .

take care

lol at some of these comments, OB u r da manz keep it up

Your blogs makes my day!.
It is just like a dream becoming true to know what is in a player's mind at the end of the day's play .
Keep the blog going and wickets coming.

All the best!.

A great comeback for NZ after down with 6 wickets. I was impressed with Dan and Jesse who rescued NZ from being dismissed well below 150 runs. Jesse has proved that he is NZ's vital asset.

prediction ........
india will score 550-7 with sachin& yuvraj to have 100s to their name and india will win comfartably by an inning & 60 runs

Just saw you almost catch Laxman, can't wait to read about that. Anyway all criticism's aside don't let that moment bring you down, good bowling today mate!

Come'on, you played for 2 overs before you tried that shot. You should have been more confident playing Bhajji rather you tried something cheeky just to give Jesse the strike. You should have thought of long plans and not just playing for Jesse ton. You could have helped your team to reach 300 which would have been a big psycological boost.
Anyways...be prepared to taste the Indian curry now...and continue writing honest blogs.

Hey Ian 1st of all like always thanks for your blogs they are just too awsome it is as good as going through a players mind or reliving the moments of an international player the feeling is out of the world especially for cricket crazy Indians like me :)
great fight back by dan and ryder he is shewag for your team isnt it?u guys hav competitive score but indians r playin good jst got up n saw dravid geting bowled by u(good ball n congrats to gt d wicket of 1 of the best test players of d world)i feel india hav kinda upper hand til dey dont goof up in bating if dey gt a lead around 150 or 200 it wuld b difficult 4 u guys to 1st score d lead off n den set a target
anyways i wish u n ur team luck bt my prayers wuld b for the indian teams lik always ... :)

grt job kep blogging it grt to read ...

well to andrew et al. The reason Indian fans are like this is solely bcos of the intimidating nature of opposition team managements who always take a swipe before the games at India whenever India tours their respective countries. I mean how silly it was of Mickey arthur to suggest that the english team could beat India and of Andy moles (its 3 all). Such smart ass comments will definitely attract appropriate responses both on and off the field as u must be witnessing now. Give respect to earn respect.