Tuesday 9 December 2008

Not so news, news, news.

Right then...

 

A quick update before we head into the Test match vs the West Indies, down here in Dunedin.

 

I know I said this was moving, but it’s not now.  Things just didn’t work out.  Maybe in the future it will happen, but for now you’ll have to put up with me, here.  Not a ‘ghost writer’ or anything like that.  You have to be ‘real’ famous to have your name put to articles that you didn’t write.  And, I’m not that famous!  And anyway, just who could replicate these dribbling...

 

So, since getting back from Adelaide things haven’t necessarily been easy.    Gym has been hard work.  When playing it is hard to stay strong.  You actually lose weight and strength over the course of a Test match.  So we need to get into the gym whenever we can.  Two weights sessions and a cardio in three days, including a 7am start at the gym.  Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m not at my strongest at 7am, that was a tough session.

 

Afternoons were spent watching the Wellington Firebirds, my team, take on Northern Districts.  The boys had a great game, James Franklin and Mark Gillespie having very good games, and helping hugely towards winning it for us, and earning recalls to the NZ team.  Well deserved boys!

 

I got out and played some ‘Club Cricket’ on Saturday.  This was the first chance I had to bowl since getting back, and I needed to get some in before getting down here.  And, as this week has turned out, it was the best thing I could have done.  I always try to get out with the ‘Club’ lads as often as I can.  Last summer I played just the two Saturdays for them, this season I’ve been out there twice with them already.  I do enjoy it and I’m pretty sure the boys at Petone-Riverside don’t mind having me around.  Bowled 7 overs and got a bat.  Got some runs too and boy did I need them.  Thirty six in a partnership of around 80, that’s a better ratio than zero from 50!

 

We’ve been in Dunedin for a couple of days now, it’s rained a lot and forecasted for a little more over the next couple of days so preparation has been tough.  But I’ve cover this off tomorrow.

 

Till then, take care and stayed tuned (right here!).

 

 

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

It doesnt matter where you post, as long as you keep us up to date with what is going on...very entertaining.

I hope you bring the same intensity to the test on Thursday that you had during those tests in Aussie, particularly that last spell you bowled to Lee and Johnson. FIRE UP!!!

Good luck for Thursday, hopefully you'll have something more positive to post about in a few days time.

kassto said...

I think it's a good thing you're still free and independent — don't want to lose your natural charm — which is being praised to the skies all through the jaded English media!

You seem to be the only bowler who survived the cull. Well done.

Just think — if you'd batted another 10 hours or so, you could have saved the Test. I wonder what the record is for length of stay at the crease for no runs!

Sach said...

Good luck for the game dude!
Will be waiting for your reports...

Anonymous said...

How has the preparation for the test been under a new coach?

I'm not fishing for any gossip on how Moles compares with Bracewell, just interested to hear if there is anything we should look out for when you take the field.

Anonymous said...

Iain you seem to bowl well when you're fired up. You're accurate as hell so why don't you get the boys to rark you up a bit, get out the old long haired wild child you used to be and crack some of these windies batsmen....

Anonymous said...

Hi Iain,

Was just wondering which one of the Windies batsmen you think is your biggest threat in the series?? Someone like Gayle who can smash an attack, or Chanderpaul who is just about the hardest batsmen in world cricket to get out??

keep up the good work!

Anonymous said...

Good to know that Test cricketers are human too and have to be, at times, dragged out of bed for regular training. Very candid and witty.

Anonymous said...

Any Indian T20 contract coming your way mate?

KD. K Bodhi said...

This is like the coolest thing ever! An international cricketer is going to read this. And he might actually tell Sachin about me (name is Ram, by the way) when he meets him. How exciting does it get:)?

Henceforth, you are my fav. cricketer! And, don't ghost write this.

-Ram

Anonymous said...

No Pressure mate but i put money on you to be the highest wicket taker of the test series.

i believe you can do it but do you?

haha great blog

Anonymous said...

To hear how hard you work and all the effort you put in on the field in the past few series made you my first pick for my fantasy cricket team. Keep up the great blogging!

A Blogger said...

Good Luck and stay positive, and pitch the ball up!

Anonymous said...

Dear IOB,
fantastic blog, enjoyed reading this one and the ones before. Sitting in India, saw you guys in Aus, and felt you are on the right track....C'mon show some fire and knock the wind out of the windies...give 'em de parfum ball'.Good Luck-i'm hooting for u....

Ross Calverley said...

Did you pick up any wickets for your club?

Iain O'Brien said...

Nope, no wickets...

Ross Calverley said...

Can't have everything :). At least you scored some good runs...