Tough day with few rewards - Iain O'Brien at Cricinfo

Dan [Vettori] started up after lunch and we had success pretty much straight away. A really clever piece of keeping from Baz brought the downfall of 'The Wall.' Dravid swept one straight into Baz's guts as he shot down the leg side to cover the shot, and it stuck. Genius! Next in was Sachin Tendulkar. Now this guy has looked so good the whole tour. From his one-day hundred and plenty in Christchurch, his 160 at Hamilton and his runs in the first innings, he just looked like he belonged at the batting crease. Dan got him to nick a slower one to Rossco [Taylor] at slip and we had a double breakthrough and had seen the back of two amazing cricketers. I bowled a six-over spell down wind in this second session, I just thought I'd try to get through it by being as 'dry' as possible, trying to give away as few runs as possible. Two maidens in my first three overs and then I, again, got straight to Gambhir, who was still in and looking solid. Not my best spell, but not my worst and I had found a nice little rhythm with the wind at my back.

At tea it was a protein bar and a couple of waters for me, I was feeling a bit stronger now and had got past that lethargic phase that went through in the morning session. I didn't bowl too late in the session, we took the new ball and I got first crack with it into the wind.

I really wanted to do my job up into the breeze and I had a new 'rock' to get to work with. Success! I got a touch straight to Gambhir, again, but this time, the new ball, with a little more pace off the deck, got past his bat and into his pad. I went up and was absolutely certain that it was out, so much so that my appeal started with my back to the umpire in a “that's just out” appeal that McGrath used to do. I had a wicket - Gambhir, who has played so well on this tour. And we had a new batsman out there to come hard at.

My next over and VVS was on strike. My only plan was to stay quite full and have him drive me through the off side, well try to drive me, anyway. I hit a real good length and, somehow, got the ball to deviate back off the seam into the top of off. That's a great feeling: going through the gate, on a good deck, to a great player who is in and seeing off stump rock back a little. After the day’s play was over and I had done my hot colds, showered and was sitting in the shared eating room, VVS came in and we had a quick little chat about the delivery. He was amazed at how sharply it came back into him. I've seen it on the replay a couple of times and I don't know how I got it to do what it did. I'll take it, don't worry about that. The only thing to take from it is to make sure you hit the seam with a new ball on a flat one, you just never know.

I was feeling really good now, the rhythm was great and I felt like I was bowling as fast as I had done in the match. I had some kick of the pitch and it was fizzing through. No more wickets, but I'm pretty sure I left an impression on MS Dhoni, well on his arm anyway.

The light called play to an end with about 35 minutes left in the day. We'll start 30 minutes earlier tomorrow to make up for it. I have no doubt that India will keep batting and to be perfectly honest, that probably suits up. Chasing 500 will be nigh on impossible so the more time India take out of the game by batting means there is less time for us to bat and hold out for a draw. So bat on boys, my body hurts enough as it is, another half day in the field won't do to much more to it, and you never know, I might pick up a couple more wickets.

Hi Iain, I must you you are too optimistic, its sometimes better to be, however to be more realistic as well would avoid any disappointments.

I had mentioned on your earlier post as well, you sometimes seem to do lot of marketing for your own self. Its quite evident from 'normally I have more than enough of that spirit..' Sometimes you need to admit honestly, which is lacking from your post, however its good enough to read.

As I see, NZ can look forward to chase somewhere around 600+. It would take a towering effort from some of your batsman, especially Jesse, Taylor or even Dan himself down the order, to save this match, somewhat like Gambhir did for India in Napier.

Although, its tough for you guys to survive Zaheer and Bajji for last 3-4 sessions, I wish you guys all the luck to save this test..!! (am not being sarcastic)

You certainly has that famous KIWI spirit that keeps you going. The delivery that got rid of VVS was probably the best ball you've bowled on this tour. The LBW of Gambhir was a good one too.

Coming to the match situation, i dont think India would bat for a long time. They will give their bowlers plenty of time to get Newzealand out in the second innings. A lead of 500 is more than enough. They would probably bat for 45min to an hour and score a quick 70 run to set a target of around 600. Your batsman have to bat for almost 2 days to save the game. It will be very very difficult on this pitch and against this attack. If you can draw the game that would be almost a miracle.

All the best..

i think indians played well today more bcoz it is a flat track neither swing nor seam only new ball seamed a bit.i think kiwis bowled short stuffs today.short stuff in these track means hit me ball.gambir played really well he is a great prospect for indians.he is a solid operner along with dashing batsman sehwag ,gambir is good in all forms of the cricket.t20,test and one dayers.he was sucessful in ipl last year and after that he never look back more than 300 runs in 4 consecutive test series,againt aussies,srilanka,england and newzeland .again u were too short in the first 2 session ian.but again u bowled really well with the new ball got the big wicket of gambir and laxman.tommorow i think indians will play 1 hour and then they will declare .again it is a tough task for kiwis to save a test now.but they have to bat well they have to do what indias did to them in the 2nd test batted 2days.i hope kiwis will do the same.hoping for the best for kiwis tommorow .all the best 4 u & kiwis.

Hello Ian! I should say you really bowled well after lunch. But, I was really amazed with the wicket of Rahul Dravid. I mean the way McCullum took that catch was absolutely unbelievable. To be honest you guys should have batted first in this Test match considering the fact that your team had to bowl so many overs in the last match. I can understand how mentally draining it is for a bowler like you to continuously bowl and each time expect to get the batsmen out.
One suggestion for you guys, I think Daniel needs to bowl a lot many overs than what he usually does. He can also bat higher up the order to strengthen the middle order. He is such a good cricketer and has the capability of picking up so many wickets. I think he needs to come early on if the pace attack doesn't work well initially in the game. He seems to be a lot under pressure as a captian and that may the reason for his reluctance to bowl more and bat up the order. Goodluck to you guys. I really like your blog.
Cheers!!

From Iain O'Brien's (B)logs

Circa 2009
It is day-6 and we have been bowling non-stop.

Admittedly, it has been a good old fashioned hiding, something that we better get used to - thus confided Captain Vettori over dinner tonight. Apparently, his beard had started to grow back.

After a minute's pause, someone from the farthest end of the table in a polynesian accent chimed in with "We must be men of destiny, which is why we are bowling in New Zealand rather than the dustbowls of the subcontinent".

That was it. Suddenly everything seemed to fall into place. Cultural assimilation was complete.

Prayers offered by that kid from Dunedin and son of Stu Mccullum had indeed been answered. Darkn Clouds of fortune had started to gather. I pitched one just outside of the stumps. The ball kept curling in and in and in until it hit the off stump. The battle was instantly won and the enemy defeated. The divine had intervened.

The omen couldnt have been missed by the enemy camp.

Firstly, fantastic effort Iain, I was right there to see that ball to Laxman and had no idea what happened, the reply explained it all, hitting the seam hard and it payed off, well done and I will be there tomorrow to watch you clean up the tail. Awesome Blog aswell, thanks for taking the time :). I'm sad to say to all the Indian fans here, (and there seems to be a million) that you are forgetting one important component to any test in Wellington. No matter what the forecast, there is always a chance for substantial amounts of rain, and there was already a dodgy looking period today when it was raining just up the road in Newtown. The test can be saved by our top order doing their job and just one or two sessions of rain, a very feasible situation (well the rain at least, our top order has left alot to be desired of late.) Good luck boys, there is still some intrigue left in this one.

You are playing against a superior team. Getting twenty wickets against their batting is not easy.Well! you have made the task more difficult trying to bowl too short generally.There have been few great short deliveries in this match. The one that got Sehwag and the one that got Mac. The deliveries that were pitched up have done better.Somehow, coaches have made the mistake of assuming that Indian batsmen are suspect against the short stuff. That is far from true. Vettori has been sorted out. I do not see him scoring too many runs consistently against the fast men. A few bouncers and he is pushed back.I am not happy with the way Vettori has bowled under the conditions. He seems more like stopping runs than taking wickets.An odd great delivery and the rest is mainly variation aimed at stopping the batsmen from scoring.He does not look like a bowler who can run through a side.Your higher order will need lots of luck against the new ball attack of India. Only then maybe..

Hey Ian,

Great post.

Here's my two cents on what NZ do ...

Keep a 7-2 field on the off side and bowl with the quicks out side off ... do this for as long as India bats.

Dhoni won't declare without a set total which only he knows, so make it tough for him to get it. The reason why he won't declare is that they are already 1-0 up, so no need for a "sporting" declaration.

Now NZ need to save the match, and who knows, even win it. But to get to the more probable conclusion of the two, i.e., match drawn, you need to slow things down tomorrow.

And as for the 5th day, 11 men doing the rain dance just might work !!! :)

Good Job Iain,i had a question for you do you have any connection with Ireland as your last name seems to be an irish?,any ways i like the spirit in which the game is played its completely opposite to when India plays with Aussies you know what i mean!! Do you really know guys like Chris Harris,Cairns,Mccullum have got more fans in India than in kiwi.The current indian team is strong and kiwis have got few players who have started their careers so you guys should feel proud of yourself for this performance in field and keeping check on indian batsman and getting few wickets.Will you please reply back on this blog and let us know whether you read our comments?
Thank you

I keep coming here... like your spirit of the game.. absolutely loved Baz's genius to get rid of Dravid, Dan's flight to Tendulkar, and your in-deeper to Laxman! May be you too are not sure how you got that to deviate so much on this track, but that's how it mostly is with great catches/bowls. I am sure Warnie didn't know he will actually get Gatting round his legs with a delivery that probably pitched 3 feet outside leg :)

I am an Indian staying in Delhi, but that day, in the second test when you dropped Gambhir off Dan, the look in your face was killing me, so much so that I actually wanted Gauti (Gambhir) to get out soon after that.

Ryder and you have a great future; keep up the good work!

Hi good performance Iain. It seems ur bowling attack is ok.. its ur batting tht's suffering. Of the 4 innings u guys batted till now, in 3 of them u folded meekly. Only in one did u bat first on a true pitch and posted a big score and put some pressure on the Indians just by the sheer volume of runs. I think that was ur biggest chance. Mark Richardson wrote tht u needed a green top - i dont think so, u need a good batting wckt and to bat first. I dont see ur batters having any chance in front of zaheer and ishant on a green top. The indians not withstanding their weakness on a pacer friendly wicket wud still be a little better. Anyway, good piece of bowling to get laxman. keep it up.

Believe me Iain, Its very negative approach if NZ batsmen think they have to just defend India bowlers for 5 sessions...Its easier said than done against world class spinner like Harbhajan on a 5th day wicket.
Also all NZ batsmen will have to play well to achieve such a great feat.
If NZ can get out of this hole it will be awesome for NZ's confidence but I don't see that happening...According to me India will win this match well before the last session of the Match.
Well bowled Iain in the series...It was great watching India-NZ battle...
Kudos to India for winning series after 41 years!
Till next time its advance Goodbye Iain.

Time to shift focus on IPL2 & T20 WC.

Ian, I have 2 memories of you from this tour. One the delivery you bowled to knock off dravid and second one is the delivery that you knocked off VVS today. Two exceptional deliveries in a long long time from a NZ seam bowler. I wish you could do like this consistently in the future and I'm sure you be rated one of the skilled and maybe the best. Just keep going Ian, good job. I sense that NZ will fight out the last innings but doubt if they could save it. Good luck to the NZ team for playing with great spirit without any ugly incident unlike the aussies! You guys set example for great sporting professionals.

Raj

Good job pal. Well those two wickets of yours of Gauti and VVS would have only delayed the inevitable but would've done enough to lift your spirits personally. What I think is that India would try to bat the first session and score about 100-120 runs and get the lead in excess of 650 and give there bowlers 5 sessions or 150 overs(if weather permits) to bowl the Kiwis out as with a lead of over 650 and 150 overs to survive with Req.Rate over 4 would be enough to demoralise the Kiwis and would almost nullify any chance of a NZ win. So with India dictating terms,hope that India could once again create history under MSD and an opportunity for MSD to add another feather in his cap.Chak De India !!

Well, well Iain, your last two blogs have been slightly better than the previous overtly self-centred ones. These come at a good time too when I was doubting if you had the stomach to talk good about the opposition when they are really doing good. Nice to read the snippets which were exactly what attracted much public over here at the start. But hey, what was all that talk amongst commentators about banning your blog so that you concentrate more on your cricket? Like I had said before, know your priorities Iain. I know it feels good to be commended and all this is kind of addcitive but I seriously feel you are overdoing a bit by blogging the whole five days of the match, especially when you should get a much needed rest and have a fresh mind.
Awesome ball to get Laxman out and even more appreciation for the McCullum catch.
Just one want to say one thing. Be realistic Iain. And you have jinxed your team. Whatever you say never happens. So prolly you wont get 2 wickets tomorrow and lose.

@ Yashovardhan You write good for a 12 yesr old! I foresee a bright future for you soon. All the best for your life, kiddo.
@Others who are ignorant about facts - Guys, Iain is 33 years old! Martin has been NZ's consistent overall & the best bowler in the series. Kyle Mills only had a one off bad tour. Else he wasthe best prior to the tour. Tim Southee is seen as a find for the future. Franklin will edge ahead on batting and vice-captaincy. So when Bond returns, the only person getting out of the team is Mr. O'Brien. Anyways, he doesn't have age behind him to play another 15 years and get 500 wickets. Atleast do your reseacrh before commenting.
@Iain Give you best effort for one hour mate. Concentrate more on cricket now, esp batting. Forget blogging. Hope you get enough rest to rejuvenate yourself at Derbyshire with your wife. Have a good time there. Oh, and be more realistic than insanely optimistic. Good couple of wickets and good glove work. Fatman needs to "ryde" hus luck now.

Hey Iain,

Nice one, the Laxman sneak-through!! The older guys always have a problem with the in-coming ones.. you see their minds are used to being nonchalant about such deliveries and to whipping them past mid-on through squareleg (Yup, they Can do that!!) during their youth.. but when age catches up, that little gap between, is enough for the ball to sneak through... but still, good show and at least you would have something to talk to your grandkids with pride about.... about tomorrow, i think Dhoni should bat on till lunch and just let your team soak in the misery like pickles... is a tough game, cricket - just like life. and no-one gives or gets a quarter. so, chin up and take it on the jaw, dude! tell yr cap'n (i was rather surprised to see him look deflated.. he's a Great Great guy, Vettori is!) to go easy on himself and just try something totally unexpected. he needs to be told that making a good sparring partner for this Indian team is Great enough!!! AMEN. God Bless...

Hey Iain,

I don't mean to take anything away from you, you did put in splendid effort in the field. You're one of the kiwi bowlers who is full of spirit in almost any conditions, although I miss the services of Mr.Bond. However, this post is a relay message to Baz: Much salutations to you sir, it's not always pleasing to see innovations in cricket. But the way you took down The Wall simply got me awestruck. We, here in India, try to pull it off pretty often, when playing underarm gully cricket, but to actually get it right on an international scene in a proper cricket match is much appraisable. Hats off to you again.

And, keep blogging. Stay fit and stay around for long.