Its Summer! - the Fever Cricket Thread. (Part 2)

I imagine it's been well publicised in Tauranga because that was actually a really decent crowd for a Wednesday, in October, at Mount Maunganui. Other than that, yeah, Sky didn't even start promoting it until about a week or so ago.

You cant beat a good test match that is close. Like a game of chess you can see the tactics change accordingly. T20 might as well be called Softball. The ball comes in and you try and snot it out of the park. Even 50 over cricket has a bit more finess about it.

South Africa holding ground with their batting, Mitch the big bitch the only bowler looking likely at the moment. Vettori only one keeping their run rate down, sadly he cocked up a catch.

141/1 at the moment.

Boult deciding to give a big middle finger to South Africa after pissing balls all over the pitch during the innings and taken 2 wickets in a row. 

279/6

Well, South Africa have shat them self and lost 5 wickets in last 2-3 overs.

We have to chase 282, South Africa really should be disappointed with that, they have given us a chance.

279/4 to 282/9 in 11 balls!

And a double wicket maiden to finish...

And we've found the answer to our search for a top order batsman who can bowl.

Martinbluddyguptil.

Always love a chase. Definitely prefer a chase in ODI than any other form of the game.

Sorry to hijack the NZ vs RSA thread, but does anyone feel like a game of cricket tomorrow for our 3rd XI (pretty social). One day game, starts at 12:30pm at Newlands Park.

We can provide whites and playing gear if needed. Drop me an email or reply here leigh@onslow.co.nz 

We're absolutely fluffing this, you might wanna contact a few of the Blackcaps for batsmen.

We have standards...

Big win for Wellington, a good start for 2014/15 after last years shambles.

Sounds like Jesse has another lifeline. Would love to have him for World Cup and then cut him loose.

Anyone interested in a game of T20 for a new Onslow team this Saturday? 3rd Division so a nice relaxed introduction - game will be 2:00pm at Narinville Park and the clubrooms are open afterwards for free food and $4 beers

Tempting to give it a go but am playing interclub tennis. Haven't played cricket for about 15 years anyway.

The team is a hockey team who decided to give cricket a go - keep an eye out for the reverse sweep drag flick

Doin' oarsum Blackcraps.

completely forgot it was on! Kind of glad that I did forget...

Too scared to look.

Ah, the Blackcraps for whom the cake tin was designed for. Yep living up to their usual standard.

Got to sat though that Pakistan are a difficult team to bowl out on those flat tracks. Aus couldn't do it in four attempts.
A couple of our batsmen are going to have to bat some serious time or we are in trouble. 

You know thats not going to happen. Funny how 6 months ago people talked about how this side was 'coming back'. Took 1 day for people to jump off the wagon.

Before the Australia series I thought we were probably a shout in this series. But I have since changed my expectation. No disgrace in losing (getting humped) by Pakistan in these conditions. Just have to hope we show a bit of fight and in fairness, we've managed to control the run-rate quite nicely. Dropped a couple of catches though which in uncharacteristic for this side.

Test cricket in that part of the world is just awful to watch. I have 0 interest in this test series.

I actually expect we will implode and be out for 220ish because they will try to get 15 off 17 balls and play stupid shots from the T20 game. That stupid form of cricket has a lot to answer for.

That's why the Blackcraps specialize in 3 day tests, they keep trying T20 shots instead of being patient and waiting for that loose delivery.

Still, if you can't beat em, bean them and we did. A fractured skull later. Bowling a bouncer on a concrete wicket. You just know there was intent because on that wicket, there was nothing else you could do. Its not like you can hit a green or even a cracked spot and keep it low.

I'm pumped for this test series because it is just that- an enormous test. To beat Pakistan here would require some stunning feat of endurance and cricket skill. If we can hold on in the first test here...

Love how all the haters have come back to have a pop at the Black Caps now they are struggling again.

It is one test in a desert sharkhole. Relax.

also having a go before the black caps have even had a chance to bat.

I think there are certain people in NZ who enjoy seeing the black caps (or any sports team) lose so they can go around saying "I told you so"

I'm not a hater.  But I hate the fact we're 81/3 at lunch.

Latham looks a "keeper" for opener.  Unlike his old man, who was pretty bloody useless.

Not a hater, just sick of being let down when they get a group of guys together that show some potential only to get arrogant and then screw up more often than not.

As for this test, Latham has shown that the pitch is like ashphalt and that any batsman is going to hit a big score. The wicket is offering absolutely nothing to the bowlers, kinda makes the test a waste of time.

On the contrary Buffon we get this press about how they have worked hard and the culture is all important and we are seeing signs of improvement. As Connery said 'Losers talk about doing their best, winners go home and fudge the prom queen' and as much as they talk, how often do they consistently go out and fudgeing well do it. All we ever hear is how well they are going to do but when do they consistently produce? As you say, 1 test in a desert sharkhole. McCullums 300. One innings built around more than a few failures so the argument goes both ways yeah? They very much lack application and the mid 200s is a consistent score for this team in test matches.

This team is not a test team and they very much prefer to get their 14 off 16 and sit back thinking their job is done. They have 4 world class players I think in Taylor, Williamson, Boult and Southee but only 1-2 ever perform at the same time.

As for popping in once and a while, I think my message has been pretty consistent.

This cricket team has delivered much more than it has failed us of late. Hate McCullum opening, but can see why they gambled on it. Anyone who scores a triple century in a test match is a world class player. Someone who can write off a triple century, needs to take a heck of a lot of time out, maybe check the mirror a couple of times and go and sit through a few sessions in the stands. 

Sure we have seen a top order failure, except for Latham. But we do get another dig.

But yes, very much in need of another test opener. The missing piece of the puzzle. Or one of them. Think we will have to choose between Anderson and Neesham in the end, unless we go with 5 seamers or something.

Please give me one example of any of this group of players 'showing some potential and getting arrogant'. Please, I dare you.

In the end, we've been pretty well humped here. Bowlers will be better for a run under their belts in these conditions and hopefully the batsmen will as well. Pakistan are a good side, no way to hide that fact.

Will judge them after all three tests but even if we lose all three I don't think you can think anything but our test cricket has developed a million percent in the last two seasons.

Hate the Blackcraps.

Take your anger out on a cricket ball this weekend. 3 teams need players - varying levels of skill required!

All I want is for them to stop talking about what they are going to do, how much potential they have, how the rankings are not a fair reflection and how much we care for Jesse but he does this and that. Go out and play and either win or lose, stop fudgeing talking about what you are gonna do, potential is only potential if you actualise it otherwise it called plateaued/peaked and they are ranked where they are for a reason, and I can tell you, its certainly not unfair.

Now if we were talking about that other waste of time called hit and giggle, then they are certainly reasonable because it plays into their skill set of getting 14 off 16 like they consistently do in pretty much every form of the game.