Its Summer! - the Fever Cricket Thread.

Yeah, tell me about it. It's the same with players. For example, a bit of green in a pitch doesn't always mean it's going to seam around but that's the idea they go with. If a player gets the wrong idea about a pitch they often alter their game and won't trust the bounce and it all goes horribly wrong from there. Commentators read into things in a similar way but when they get it wrong, like you said, they just change their mind. Some are good though. Doully particularly, takes on board what he's told about the pitch rather than have a guess himself. Use to frustrate me a lot but meh.

I've noticed that TL. Doull will often say something like "the groundsman said to me earlier...." as well as giving what he thinks. Seems to give a good balanced view.

Went along to the training today. How looked very good, hitting the ball well.. and ill tell you what he can keep. A coach was smashing the balls at him and he was catching them one handed and sh*t. Also Ajmal dislocated his finger today in training and is ruled out for at least a week. The wicket looks good. I think Pakistan will win the toss, choose to bat. They will post 272 and we will get there with at least 5 overs to spare. Will head along tomorrow and have another look. Oh yeah, Ive got 2 cardboard pieces reasonably sized. Ive got one idea but I need another so bring them in!! (ideas for signs btw ha)tomrewi2011-01-24 19:46:29

IDEAS FOR SIGNS PEOPLE?????

Have made a Rojas 4 PM sign and a Umar "the king" Akmal sign (cause i love the guy haha) and may make a rig v pig one.. any ideas?

RIG > PIG.

Chris Gayle booming it like he does.

Quite a few articles online about the lack of crowds for one day internationals. Perhaps NZC could look at their ticket pricing and see whether that could have something to do with it.

As one of the biggest whingers over test pricing, I actually think the ODI pricing is reasonable. I think in Wellington, playing at the stadium puts people off going. They would get a bigger crowd at the Basin IMO.

I wish they had have just built a (probably cheaper) rectangular stadium instead, and bowled the old members stand at the basin for a slightly better, bigger stand to up the capacity slightly.

I don't mind a road for one dayers. People pay to see big hits and good shots, but if the batsman play hard and the bowlers bowl well, the wickets will come too. Test matches of course have to offer both batsman and bowlers something.

To be fair I don't think there was anything wrong with the pitch in Welly. Ryder demonstrated that. We bowled well, but Pakistan's shot selection was absolutely crap. A shame really because it would have been nice to have seen a better target to chase.

As for the crowd, it was disappointing, but considering the cricket played by the Black Caps recently it was not surprising. I don't think ticket prices were too dear, around $30 seems fair and it is longer (usually) than football and rugby at around the same price. It was my first time at Westpac for cricket and I thought it was good - better than Eden Park - and we had a good view of the action. I haven't been to the Basin though, which I would love to.

They probably would have in this case but NZC were hoping for 15-20k which is more than what Basin holds - 11,000 max. In saying that though, I've heard a few whispers. Watch this space.

I totally agree with your second point and have said exactly the same thing on here before. Might dig it out later when I'm not working.

What on earth made them think they would get 15 000?

It gets tiresome though doesn't it. Team A makes 300. Team B chases 300 with ease. Despite needing around 8 an over for the majority of the innings you know they'll get there in the end anyway.

Don't mind it now and again but give me scores of 220 and a real fight between bat and ball throughout both innings.

Crowd numbers in previous years.

http://tvnz.co.nz/cricket-news/martin-devlin-can-cake-tin-4007799

Hit the nail on the head.

agreed, why have a ground that can seat 34k? when only 8500 turn up, 8500 at the basin rocks, 11k+ and its jam packed and mint

the man might sit on his boot, but its been what I've said for years.

All I will say is Australia vs New Zealand a few seasons back epic match, sell out at the basin atmosphere was nuts.CboZ2011-01-26 17:07:27

F*ck this. Been brilliant weather down here for ages, and guess what? Today it decides to f'king rain. Its the last 'game' in Queenstown, v West Indies 2009(or 8 cant remember), all over again. I was so excited as well, i'd been to every training session for both teams. Had made 4 signs (Rojas 4 PM(also a mention of Buffy), Rig>Pig, Umar"the King"Akmal and Rigger for ND). So so gutted. Then I had a feeling it was gonna rain, and it did. Bullsh*t.

Edit: Ok this f*cks me off even more. The suns out and shining right now and im about to explode! Im f*cked off big time ha.tomrewi2011-01-26 17:47:32

Should have had the novelty-venue game at Saxton Oval in Nelson. Always sunny, just need this new pavilion.

Right, what do you lads think our best or most balanced line up would be at the World Cup? Mine is:

[code]1.   Guptill
2.   Ryder
3.   Taylor
4.   Styris
5.   B-Mac
6.   Williamson
7.   Franklin
8.   Vettori
9.   N-Mac
10. Southee
11. Bennett[/code]

We need the option of several slow/spin bowlers on sub continent decks so included 3 plus Styris as a medium pace option. Southee and Bennett to lead the pace attack with Franklin as very much a back up option only.

I like the Guptill-Ryder combination. Offers a balance in our opening partnership that was missing with Ryder-McCullum. Could perhaps switch B-Mac and Styris round. Other than that i think it's a pretty solid and well balanced looking batting line up. Could also perhaps shift Franklin up the order to break up the right handers.

I like it Buffy.

I think the problem with Ryder/BMac opening is all too often they start off all guns blazing, someone gets out quick and before you know it we're a handful of wickets down as players struggle to consolidate. Guptill/Ryder looks safer on paper.

I don't think Williamson can play at 6 at this stage in his career. He isn't able to come out and score quickly from the get go, and that is a necessary skill to bat in the middle order in ODIs. If Oram can stay fit, his bowling could be invaluable, and would mean less overs from Franklin, who is no more than a bit part bowler.

My team is similar to yours but with slight change.
[code]1.   Guptill
2.   Ryder
3.   Taylor
4.   Styris
5.   Franklin
6.   B Mac
7.   Vetorri
8.   Oram
9.   N-Mac
10. Southee
11. Bennett[/code]

aitkenmike2011-01-28 21:41:32

I agree with aitkenmike, though I'd almost be tempted to go with 1 paceman. Kane averages 114 in his last 9 domestic innings, all batting at 3, so 3 or nothing it is for me.

what a dreadful decision. that looked to have clearly bounced up into the hands. poor guppy

Guppy is playing okay this series though

I see we got dicked.

I disagree, I think he had his fingers on his bottom hand under the ball by the time it got to the ground.

What about Mills? I would have him in there for Bennett
NHpeter2011-01-31 18:19:39

http://tvnz.co.nz/cricket-black-caps/empty-stadiums-don-t-worry-nz-cricket-4010584

Then why don't they reduce prices a little instead of pricing people out? They should be worried about people not turning up to watch the black caps,to say they're not is almost a little insulting to the public.

"New Zealand Cricket only relies on gate takings for five percent of their annual turnover"

And tests are an even smaller share of that - what I have been saying all along. SO WHY NOT REDUCE THE F'N PRICES!?aitkenmike2011-01-31 16:03:32

ryder out of the game today, cut his finger

we're batting first

Problem with a can opener and a tin of beans?

He cut it in the domestic one dayer at Basin the other day.

will need in excess of 300 on this pitch wont we?

A belter, at McLean Park you say? Well i never.

good start