Well, I'm here in Johannesburg, at the Champions Trophy. I didn't think I'd be here.
If you've read my last post then you'll know I was expecting a three-week break. I got nine days into that and I got a call from our New Zealand coach, Andy Moles, telling me that I'd be travelling the next day to come into the squad.
Daryl Tuffey had broken his hand while fielding in the Sri Lanka game. He bowled after doing it which is an amazing effort, but in the morning his hand was huge. Like one of those big 'foam hands' you wear at the baseball from what I have heard. I feel really bad that Daryl couldn't finish the tournament, it's a terrible thing to be bowling really well and pick up a very unexpected injury that rules you out of such a special competition. I feel really bad for him and wish him as quick a recovery as possible!
Stepped off the plane at 9.30 on October 1, straight to the hotel, check in, go and get a hair cut (sorry sis!) off to get some lunch, some biltong and then to training. If you've been reading you'd know I have had nine days off before coming here; no bowling for nine days. I was a little worried about the form I'd take into the nets, but I did know I was fresh and felt great.
I started easy and got into it pretty quickly. I felt great and I was very happy with how I bowled. I went for an hour as hard as I could, trying to do as much catch up as I could. It was a very good hour. Lengths were good, yorkers came out well, slower ball needs some work!
Yesterday, my second day here, and it was into the nets again for as much as I could do. Again it was really good. My pace is right there and I had it swinging nicely with an older ball too. Very happy!
And here we are, game day. We leave in 30 minutes or so to head to the ground to take on a very impressive Pakistan team. The boys are very confident after playing some great cricket against a fantastic Sri Lanka team and England who, apart from last night, have played well and deserved their semi final spot.
I will be carry the drinks, and I knew this yesterday morning before training, hence going hard at training to get myself as good as I could and give as much quality bowling in the nets as possible.
Good luck to you and the boys, Iain. Has been great cheering you guys on, & hope you can fire again today. You can all be proud of the performance so far no matter what the result in the semi, but by cripes it'd be magic to you have you make the final. Cheers & best of luck.
Posted by: Dark ferns at October 3, 2009 6:54 PM
Hi OB,
nice tournament this for new zealand-just when the lads were getting into form they get injured.Everyone seems baffled that new zealand,struck down by constant injuries,made it to the semis.Thats where the black caps' strength is-their performance as a team.
Congrats to the black caps on winning the spirit of cricket.You people really deserve it.Hope the black caps can get over their semi final jinx.All the best.
Posted by: Vini at October 3, 2009 9:20 PM
Hey congrats...I knew ya guys will make it to final...
Good luck for last match and I hope you win it again...just like in 2000 !
Posted by: Allan at October 3, 2009 11:06 PM
Iain, it is good to see you at the tournament and back on the keyboard again.
I see that the Kiwis have won the semi against Pakistan in style and that Australia looms large now. Congratulations to the boys for an excellent job but get them all to keep their eye on the ball after all the hard work getting to the final.
Keep up the good work in the nets and I wish you well if you are selected for the final.
Thanks, again, for blogging from the "Front Lines" as it is great to get the feeling of being there.
Cheers.
Posted by: Jodi at October 5, 2009 1:28 AM
Good luck for the final! We're so proud of you all making it this far. Would love a repeat of the 2000 win, will be listening all night.
Enjoy the occasion!
Posted by: CricFan at October 5, 2009 8:32 AM
Iain,
Your team has done an excellent job to reach the Final.
ALL THE BEST.
Congrats for winning the SPIRIT OF CRICKET award.
GOOD LUCK BLACKCAPS
Posted by: Jonty at October 10, 2009 3:34 AM
Well great performance with 4 stars out of the side Nz did brilliant you may not have won the final but did great (Bond 4 Life)
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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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