I woke this morning to a lot of noise outside. It was either raining very heavily, a tidal wave was coming, or there was a gale coming through. It was the later and that meant a tough day at the office for me. I bowl into the wind, that’s one of the jobs I have made my own. It is something I have prided myself on and if you’ve read a lot of my blogs you’ll know this; if you haven’t; when I was starting out for Wellington I picked the worst job in the team and I made myself good at it. There’s always a vacancy for the worst job in the work force. Doing that job has meant tough days at the office, but it does mean that I’m at the office, and I really do like my office!
I was 2 not out overnight and was looking forward to sticking around with the bat as long as possible. I’ve made a goal for myself every time I go out to bat to face 50 balls. If I do that the partnership should be up around the 50-run mark; even if I’ve only scored 10. Batting with Bondy was going to be fun, we were going to take every run on offer, and I knew he was pretty keen on hitting a couple of big balls! I was pretty happy too that Asif and Gul were not at full pace; they looked pretty tired from the day before.
I nicked a four and got a cover drive away off Gul. I was premeditating a little with that ball. I was guessing it was going to be full, and if it was, I was going to hit it as hard as I could. I had the wind behind me so if I didn’t quite get it, if it was in the air, it should still, hopefully, carry over the straight fielders. It was too wide to hit straight, so I just flung the bat at it, and it came off ok; sweet.
My first bowling spell was eight overs before lunch and then three straight after. Eleven overs of the first 14 to be bowled into that wind that day. It was hard work, and I was going well. I felt good, my rhythm good and my speeds were right up there. I felt like I was really doing my job, I was keeping the runs down so we could attack from the other end, and I was also making life tough for the batters that were in. The ‘into-the-wind’ role is often measured by how many wickets are taken at the other end, and in my first spell there was three; I was doing my job.
But that was where it ended. I came back for my second spell and I was average. I leaked more runs than we all wanted; I couldn’t keep things tight and quiet from my end. We went to tea and I was pretty pissed at myself for that spell. The bothers Akmal were together and playing with freedom. Umar, on debut and dropped (a toughie), was really taking the counterattack to us, and it was paying off. Kamran was hanging with him and also scoring well. I got an opportunity from the downwind end, I was really looking forward to this spell, a chance to let loose, to bowl fast and express myself. I still have to bowl well, keep things tight and build pressure. I did none of the mentioned. Absolutely none of them! I got smashed. It wasn’t good enough at all and, after my poor spell into the wind previously, I was feeling pretty average. My first 11 overs went for around 30, my next 10 went for 70. Not good enough. The Akmals batted well, not going to take that away from them at all. I just didn’t bowl well enough and it meant they got away from us. We probably could have bowled Pakistan out for around 200 had we done things as good as we started.
Bondy’s return was brilliant. He had four wickets at the end of the day. He bowled fast, really fast, after lunch and picked up three wickets in 10 balls. A game changing spell, and had Flynn of taken a screamer at gully, it would have been a four-wicket spell and Pakistan would have been six down for around 90. Game on!
Eight down at the end of the day, we’re still in a great position, pick the two wickets up cheaply in the morning and rest up for a massive fourth-innings charge to win the match.
Day Four
Bondy and Tom (Chris Martin) opened up and it was Tom who picked up the first wicket. We were off the park when Bondy picked up his fifth wicket. It has been a brilliant come back and a pleasure to share the field with him again. Yesterday Bondy did the hot paperclip through the toe nail trick to release the pressure that had built up because of the constant banging on the end of the boot. It was hurting a lot and I know how much this hurts, both the banging on the end of the boot when smashing down on it at delivery and then the paperclip through the nail. He was at it again when we came off again today. His big toe is a mess and he’s bowled through some pain to get the first-innings job done. I too needed to do the same, but I was staying clear of the paperclip this time. That just hurts too much. I sourced a very small drill bit and between thumb and finger I drilled my toe nail until I reached the blood beneath to release the pressure. It’s not a nice feeling and it doesn’t look to good but it does make things a bit better.
Guptill was doing some short-ball work in the nets before warm ups, under arms from five or six meters, and he wore one above his right eye. I’d normally say he was silly for doing that without a helmet on, but I was doing it the other day, so who am I to talk! I didn’t wear one though! So with his eye a bit puffy and vision maybe not quite 100% when he and McIntosh opened up for us. Two down with no runs on the board, Guptill and Flynn back in the shed; and I called our first innings the worst start possible. Taylor scored his second 50 of the match in a partnership with Mac and we started to look better until a mix up left Taylor run out; really not what we needed.
We lost wickets reasonable regularly from there and at stumps, drawn early because of bad light again, we are 244 in front with two wickets in hand. Elliott and I head back out there tomorrow to put as many runs on the board as we can before bowling for the win.
The rules around ‘light’ have changed. In the past the umpires offer the option to the batters to ‘go’ or ‘stay’. Not anymore, it is their decision alone. The batters get no option at all and in our camp that has caused a little annoyance. We have lost a wicket in both innings just (one ball) before the umpires have taken us off for bad light. And yes, it does play a big part; it was very hard to pick up the one ball I faced in the first innings and the two I faced tonight. The second ball I faced tonight I didn’t really pick up till it was about half way down. I was very happy it wasn’t a short one!
We’ve got some work to do tomorrow, we need as many runs as we can muster and then we are going to need a huge effort from the four bowlers to take the 10 wickets we’ll need for the win. Whatever happens, it’s going to be a great day’s viewing and I hope to either see you at the ground, sitting in front of your TV, listening on the radio or following it on Cricinfo.
I’ll catch you on Sunday, I won’t write tomorrow night, hopefully I’ll be celebrating (mildly) a very special Test victory.
my sincere wishes to a nice chap like you, but it will be going tough, man. anything above 250-260 will mean a lot tougher than getting nz out on 4th day and having some runs on the board already on the start of 5th day. but lets see. obrien, you are lacking some fun/pinch/vigour while writing. aren't you? best of luck, mate. cheers.
Posted by: Sheheryar at November 27, 2009 11:49 AM
Hehe... how optimistic are you. well well, its either a draw or a Pak victory unless Bondy fires again. The wicket seemed to ease out but today it has completely denied the curators and experts' assessment. If you people are bowled in less than 5 overs tomorrow morning and Pakistan has to chase 250 in some 90 overs, I'll keep my fingers crossed and take the 'burden' to wake up early. Otherwise, there is no 'otherwise'. Bond and DanTheMan won't help everytime! You'll have to show up mate!!! :)
PS: Good to see a cricketer's blog.
Posted by: Wajid Khan at November 27, 2009 11:51 AM
"I won’t write tomorrow night, hopefully I’ll be celebrating (mildly) a very special Test victory." Hah! to that :)
Posted by: Manoj Joshi at November 27, 2009 12:24 PM
Dear O'Brien.
I really love to see you bowl.
I am an Architect and I used to play for my college. I used to bowl fast , unfortunately I could not continue playing due to work responsibilities. But I follow fast bowlers regularly on TV and enjoy their spells. Unfortunately, in our India, we don't have pitches like you have in New Zealand or Australia where one can really see good fast bowling.
I love the way you bowl and Shane Bond bowls. I stay in Ahmedabad where Shane Bond has played ICL matches so he can understand the nature of pitches we have here.
Anyways, I wish you all the luck and hope to see you and Shane bowl really fast and win a test for New Zealand.
Keep on banging.
Your fan
Manoj
Posted by: Said Chaudhry at November 27, 2009 12:49 PM
Hey O'Brien,
I've been following the test match live on tv from Lahore. It starts at 4AM everyday. I enjoyed your bowling, although I enjoyed Umar Akmals batting a bit more :) but I can understand the difficulty one faces when bowling into such high winds. It can not be easy, and the way you bowled in the first spell really did show some class. The match seems evenly balanced, after Pakistans bowling performance today, there's no certainty who will win. You may be celebrating a famous test win tomorrow, or you might not be. Pakistan is a very volatile team and they, for some reason, feed off momentum more than others, sometimes pulling of miraculous wins. So I wouldnt plan celebrations for tomorrow if I were you :)
Chances of a draw still outnumber everything else though. Good luck none the less.
Posted by: PT at November 27, 2009 12:59 PM
Iain, big day for you on the last day with bat and ball , make sure you go hard at it and make a name for yourself. This is a great oppertunity , all the best. Regards Black caps fan - Australia
Posted by: Omar Ansari at November 27, 2009 1:52 PM
Good game so far guys, appreciate Bonds return. Fight it out tomorrow to keep things interesting, but let Pakistan win :)
Nice read.
Posted by: Anil at November 27, 2009 1:59 PM
i think you guys need atleast 30 runs to get an edge oer pakistan any thing less than 275 will be a bit easy to chase. i ll pray for you guys to hang on for some time in the morning and then bowl pretty well again.
best of luck
Posted by: Anil at November 27, 2009 1:59 PM
i think you guys need atleast 30 runs to get an edge oer pakistan any thing less than 275 will be a bit easy to chase. i ll pray for you guys to hang on for some time in the morning and then bowl pretty well again.
best of luck
Posted by: Ashin at November 27, 2009 2:03 PM
I hope you guys play hard tomorrow and untimately end up winning.Looking for 5 wicket spell from you.
Come on Brainy!!!
Posted by: Zaki at November 27, 2009 2:49 PM
The toe nail thing .... Ouch
that must hurt.
The pains fast bowlers go through.
Ian, the simple style that u possess is amazing. This has been a good test, riveting viewing and good competition. The only difference between the two teams though is Bond. Even though I am a Pakistani, I am a huge fan of him and seeing him back in international cricket is great.
Posted by: Hassan Farooq at November 27, 2009 3:44 PM
Hey I didn't know a New Zealand player had a blog. Really nice to hear your perspective, good luck from a Pakistan fan.
Posted by: Ashwath at November 27, 2009 4:28 PM
Wow Ian that Bit with the paper clip sounds pretty brutal. But if it works for you. I guess its all right. MOrbid!
Posted by: waseem sarwar at November 27, 2009 4:42 PM
well. despite all the things which happen to ur batters, i still think u got enough runs on the board.perhaps short boundries of the ground might suit Imran Farhat and Umar akmal going big but i hope u guys bowl well and exploit the conditions well.u write in very impressive fashion so u have career waiting for u after this career.
Posted by: Murph at November 27, 2009 4:50 PM
No need for a hot paperclip - get a small sewing needle, sterlise it, then pop the blood blister under the nail. The pressure will be released and the next time you bowl any residual blood will come out. The nail will die and fall off in due course. Spoken from years of experience!
Posted by: Nadeem Akhter at November 27, 2009 4:58 PM
Oh yes, Bond was brilliant, but I was expecting atleast a couple of wickets for you. Hopefully you will achieve this feat tomorow. Or atleast produce a couple of delivries like the one you got Rahul Dravid with a few months back. What this Toe Nail Trick is by the way?
Posted by: waqas ur rehman at November 27, 2009 7:35 PM
i wish Pakistan to win today but realistically Newzealand has better chances.i hope it will be a close contest if rain didnt inteerrupt.Ian write down somthing about Umar n aamer.do u feel somthing special in them?u really worked hard n going wicketless is simply hard luck.
can u plz convey my msg to Bond that he is marvellous,extra ordinary and one of the best fast bowler,he reminds me of Fazal mehmood(in 50's)who was also a policeman n was genuine quick like him.it looks like(although i dont want) that he will get the openers early today.
Posted by: Bushra Ali at November 27, 2009 9:13 PM
Iain O Brien.its great to read to your column every other day.First hand account from someone actually in middle is intriguing.Hope to read your column soon.Good luck for day 5.Though i hope Pakistan manages to win/draw the game!:)
Posted by: Imran Khan at November 27, 2009 9:28 PM
Good to see your post Ian. Best of luck for the game :))
Posted by: HB at November 27, 2009 9:47 PM
Great writing Iain, it's really interesting to hear an inside perspective about what's going on on the field and in the dressing room. Let's see you stay in for another 50 balls on Day 5!
Posted by: Owais at November 27, 2009 9:58 PM
Could you explain a bit more as to what "hot paperclip trick" actually mean in simple English ?
Posted by: Manoj Joshi at November 28, 2009 5:41 AM
Dear Iain,
Finally you all have done it.
Congrats to New Zealand Team.
I hope your hand is ok and will be able to mail me , :))
Anyways, enjoy the moment and good luck for Next match.
Manoj
Architect, India
Posted by: sathish at November 28, 2009 6:30 AM
Just saw the last 15 overs or so. Probably the best bit of bowling I've seen from you.
I'd like to ask a question which I hope you can address in the next blog. Why are the pitches so different this time as opposed to when India last toured? I remember 600+ scores on flat wickets. What has changed so much? Is the BCCI's powers of doctoring pitches extending across the seas?
What we saw today was quality, quality test cricket. Well played and well done.
Posted by: atul jain at November 28, 2009 7:33 AM
Dear Ian congrats for NZ victory and specially for your efforts. I watched last 3 hrs. of match, and it was test cricket at its best. In the end though luck went out for Pak. They are an interesting side to watch anyday, specially with their bowlers bringing so much variety. Umar seems to be a very keen batter, and I hope he takes over from Miandad & Inzmam.Talking of NZ cricket,I think they did very well to pull this off, as I was banking on Pak to win.Shane has shine and has filled the gap NZ cricket was missing since his shift to ICL.
Posted by: tohidul islam at November 28, 2009 8:09 AM
frist take my good morning, hope you and your family members doing well i am fine this is my first time i am send to you email,
Posted by: CricFan at November 28, 2009 8:10 AM
Iain,
Congrats to BlackCaps.
Excellent Bowling.
All The Best for the rest of series.
Its an excellent Team Effort.
Congrats to the Pitch Curator for making a good Cricket Pitch.
Posted by: Akshay at November 28, 2009 10:45 AM
You guys just rocked today! It was absolute pleasure watching you and Bond bowling brilliantly in tandem. Even while watching on TV I was getting frustrated when your brilliant bowling was getting edged for fours, but in the end NZ got the well deserved victory and that was very satisfying! :) Also hats off to Umar Akmal as well. He is an amazing talent! Looking forward to next contest!!!!
Posted by: workshy at November 28, 2009 11:38 AM
Well in, Iain.
ANother at the basin please.
See you there.
After party at Jesse's?
Posted by: Mark Fielding at November 28, 2009 11:51 AM
@Owais
Take one metal paperclip and unbend it (or anotehr similar piece of wire)
Heat it ina naked flame until red hot
Place on toe or finger nail and burn thru.
Done to relieve pressure from bleeding under the nail. If you go to far (very easy) you burn the skin and it hurts like hell.
Posted by: Patrick at November 28, 2009 11:57 AM
Congrats Iain on a great win, in which you played no small part. Keep up the good work and thanks for all your efforts
Posted by: Jadu Saikia at November 28, 2009 12:20 PM
Iain, you guys made it. Congrats to NZ cricket team. I really enjoyed the pace bowling from both the sides. You were amazing today. // Jadu from Assam, India
Posted by: Absar at November 28, 2009 1:53 PM
congratz dude ..but its amazing that how did you so sure thats kiwis will beat pakistan but kiwis bowl very well specially bond he was superb through out an amazing test match to watch .. good luck to kiwis in the next to test match and good luck to my team as well pakistan :)
Posted by: Michael at November 28, 2009 1:59 PM
W00t - you did it. Great bowling. Enjoy your celebrations. Just remember, we are quite good at beating Pakistan in the first test of a series, it's the tests after that that we need to work on...
Posted by: Michael at November 28, 2009 2:48 PM
I had to bowl today after reading this, and I was extremely scared to bowl quick because of the nail issue!!
Posted by: Ashtung at November 28, 2009 3:11 PM
Is the paperclip used to puncture a blister right under the toe? Never heard of it. Do all fast bowlers do this or at least something similar?
Posted by: vinod at November 28, 2009 5:54 PM
Hi Iain,
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice to c u get the key wkts. I have confidence in nz bowling attack but the batting seems to be a bit worry. U guys shouldn't through away ur wkts.
Posted by: Kalsehnikov at November 28, 2009 10:58 PM
Congrats Ian. When you bowl to Kamran Akmal have a short point early on and have couple of gullies. He generally hits there uppishly. And also never stop bowling short balls. Have a proper field set that cannot be penetrated. They eventually will fend the ball off including M.Yousuf. None of them are technically sound. There is no reason you guys should allow Pakistan to amass totals in excess of 200. Their technique is abysmal. You should exploit it. And as far as batting goes, most of your batsmen get caught on the crease. They should learn to move back and across. Taylor was the only one who adjusted very well. When your guys get starts they should convert into 100s, 150s.
Posted by: Paul at November 29, 2009 1:05 AM
Owais
You get a steel paper clip and get it red hot with a cigarette lighter. Then push it through the top of the nail to release pressure from the blood blister underneath the nail.
Posted by: beconaze at November 29, 2009 6:10 AM
Seriously Owais, do you really want to know? Its where you get the end of a paper clip, heat it until its red hot and stick it in your toenail so it makes a hole for the blood to come out of. Not nice!
Iain, I love reading your blog, and i had to comment as it didnt seem that there were many Kiwis on here. I always follow the black caps, and try to make it to the home games. Great to see Bond back.
Hope your hand is ok, I love hearing your perspective and will be keeping count of the 50 balls from now on. Good luck with the rest of the season.
Beconaze
Posted by: Chris Silcock at November 29, 2009 6:32 AM
Fantastic - Hey mate you have written up the final day yet? are you still on the Piss?
Love what your writing, its a great Blog. just been reading what a few people wrote into to you after day four - love to see there faces now. well done for pushing through the pain barrier. Keep up all the good work. Chris
Posted by: CricFan at November 29, 2009 7:55 AM
Iain,
Excellent win for BlackCaps.
Congrats to BlackCaps Team.
Good Bowling in the second innings.
ALL THE BEST for the rest of the series.
Bowl well at Basin Reserve(Your Home Ground).
GOOD LUCK BLACKCAPS.
Posted by: Ravi at November 29, 2009 7:56 AM
Hey Iain, well done and congrats for very special test victory, hope you all do well in next games as well and best of luck, Indian fans are also supporting you so do well.
Posted by: BCFan at November 29, 2009 10:44 AM
Congrats on the win and great work throughout the whole match particularly the spell after tea. Your character really shone through.
Hope there are no issues with the finger and that you'll be good to go at home in Wellington.
Posted by: jay at December 2, 2009 3:53 PM
eeeww, that must be painful, is this why bond not playing ? well, nice spirit of you guys to still play and win, go balckcaps and good luck, keep winning
Posted by: Ashtung at December 3, 2009 8:25 AM
Someone please tell me if all the pacers do that or if conditions in the subcontinent or England do not require you too. For a procedure spoken about like it were common knowledge, I have never heard of it..
Posted by: Prasanth at December 3, 2009 12:02 PM
Nz hearty congrats really u guys co-oridante together like any thing, this is a good team spirit. Nice to see Obrein`s great come back and Bond is doing really good, good come back from bond, Daniel vettory you do really a good job keep going. All the best for the rest of the matches.
Posted by: Dom at December 4, 2009 12:29 PM
@Ashtung: Standard treatment for black toenails to release the blood, very common for runners, never mind pace bowlers whose toes take a real battering. I once taught a brain surgeon how to do it; she looked absolutely disgusted, pretty funny for somebody who spends her working days poking around inside patient's heads.
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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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