Friday 20 March 2009

NZ vs India - 1st Test - Hamilton - Day Three

A tough day at the office is probably the best way to sum up today.  We bowled India out just on tea this afternoon, although I was already off the park with ice on my side.  I had walked off when they were eight down with a niggle, that was just starting to increase, in my left side.  I had already bowled a couple of overs with it and it wasn’t going away so I thought it best to get off and start some treatment before I did something really bad that would rule me out for the rest of the match and maybe the series.

 

So, I sit here, with an ice pack on my side, a curry in my tummy and a night of broken sleep ahead as I’ll be getting up every two hours to ice it; the joys of this game!

 

Today wasn’t too bad, that was until we let their tail wag and lost three before the end of the day.  We had a chance to bowl India out for just under 200 in front, and in the context of the pitch, that wouldn’t have been such a bad effort; in saying that we gave away a few runs in ‘boundary balls’ that we need to clean up on.  We need to keep the pressure on for longer periods of time. 

 

I took the ball first thing this morning, one ball to bowl to finish off my over that we stopped in last night when bad light called halt to play.  Not a bad ball, in the channel, left alone, felt ok.  Good feeling; the body was a little tired from the heavy field and the overs from the day before.  I spent a bit longer than normal bowling in warm ups to get things a little looser around my body.  My first spell was ok.  Nothing special, bowled a couple of maidens bowled a couple of balls that released the pressure off the batters, one of those spells that could have been better.  Tommy picked up Singh with a beauty, from round the wicket it pitched and just nipped back and hit the undefended off stump.  There was the feeling that we could have that session we had been working towards, that session that turns the game.  It wasn’t to be; MS and Sachin dug in and held us out till lunch.

 

Sachin, yesterday, wasn’t at his best.  He got through to 70, but it wasn’t the 70 you’d associate with him.  A half chance off Dan early, French cuts past the stumps, plays and misses and some timing that I would have been happy with but maybe not him.  And with all that, he still got 70.  And that’s the class of the guy, even when he’s having a ‘not so good day’ he battles through it and does well.  Today, though, the real Sachin was back; timing, balance and 160.

 

I came backfor my second spell, after Tommy had started up after lunch.  MS and Sachin looking pretty well set.  The only plan was to keep sticking to the plans.  I bowled as hard as I could into the deck, trying to get as much bounce as I could and coming back to fuller balls, just looking for anything I could get.  After what seemed like an age I got MS to slash one to Jesse at gully.  He initially claimed it and then wasn’t sure.  MS held his ground, umpires went to the 3rd Umpire and not out was the verdict; technology available, used in the right way and the right decision made.  Just a couple of balls later, a short ball and a feather of a glove through to Baz, we got MS and a breakthrough. 

 

A couple of overs and a few short ball later, I was trying to keep Sachin at the end he was at with a last ball of the over bouncer so Dan could bowl to Khan at the other end, and I got my second for the day.  Sachin tried to ride it and nicked it through to Rosco at first slip, it went pretty slowly to him, and in that time there is always time to think the worst.  Rosco was safe and India was eight down. 

 

I had a couple more overs here and then had to leave the field.  I was pretty keen to keep bowling and hunt for one, maybe two, more wickets, but common sense rules here.  There’s still a second innings to bowl in and two more Test matches to try to win.

 

We’re three down over night as we head into day four.  Mac might have been unlucky to not have had his decision referred to the 3rd, as MS did, and was given out caught at 1st slip. 

 

It’s going to be a tough road to try to win this one, but with the nature of the pitch, we certainly can bat and bat and bat, take some momentum into the next match and who knows, maybe give ourselves a chance to knock them over later in day 5.  Stranger things have happened.

31 comments:

Unknown said...

how is your injury... hope nothing serious.... you really bowled well today.. may be unlucky not to have picked up more wickets....

Californian desi said...

Dude you bowled quite well today... especially in the middle session... I guess you must be feeling great after taking the wickets of Dravid, Dhoni n Tendulkar...

Well Bowled and hope you get well soon.

....I'd love to see you tomorrow playing that front foot defense shot against Harbhajan once again :P

josh said...

nice collection of wickets for you this innings! well done, and thanks for the blog.

mahi said...

tough day for you black caps....missed couple of chances from the Indian tail.good luck for you guys to avoid innings defeat. India's victory is brighter.........you guys really need to put your head down and score some big runs..

Anonymous said...

take care bro.. get well soon...

Abhishek said...

hope ur injury is not too serious,, n u get well sonn....

Unknown said...

Mate who is the team's physio ?

Unknown said...

I like this attitude of ANZ playes, they are always talking of opportunities of a win no matter how impossible or improbable it seems.

Cricket may be a funny little game of 'glorious' uncertainties but you guys can now at the very best save the test match here mate.

A gritty century by your skipper and a fortunate one from that gem of a player called Ryder will be the only things that you guys would take into the next match; May be your big-hearted bowling effort as well, if you may.
.

I so look forward to watch Ryder play for BRC.

I heard that this was the only match that could get full 5 days of play! Well if that's so, then you guys should prepare some 2002-esque green-tops to - even afford to - harbour any hopes of coming back in this series...

I do not hear Stephen Fleming talk about the standards of Indian batsmen this time around though.

By the way, I would have loved to read about some 'walking' performed by both Yuvi and MSD in your blog too. MSD did what he was sure of, and then he walked as well, so please, do acknowledge that as well.

All the best, get fit again soon enough.

To life!

Polo said...

Why wouldn't "Yuvi" have walked? He was clean bowled. The only person i've not seen walk after getting clean bowled was Harbhajan Singh to Kevin Pietersen (Pietersen the bowler).

Unknown said...

Ian, Great bowling today. Wickets of MS and Sachin are always great to claim. You are special in that way. And when we talk about the catching contro... Jesse himself is not sure of the catch and neither the umpires are, hence reffered to the 3rd umpire. Dhoni was confident and held his ground. On the other hand, Sachin was 100% confident he caught and the case is same with the umpires, so they didn't go up the stairs. Should I tell Mcintosh himself was not confident to hold the ground. Let's get on with the match and leave the contro's behind. And bro Polo, Yuvi walked for a catch, I agree that that wasn't in this innings. How many instances have we seen MS, Sachin, Yuvi, Shewag, Laxman, Rahul, all walking before umpire could raise the hand, when they know they nicked it. The gentleman attitude of Indians were never questioned and no one can question in the future too. Ian you are doing a terrific job and my hearty wishes for you to be future star.

All the best buddy!!!

prasanna said...

nice blog dude...the ball you have bowled Dravid was really great...keep rocking dude

though im losing my sleep these days, waking up early and watching the match, but i guess its worth doing it

Does it matter?? said...

Its really good to see your blog.You really ball good today.Wickets of Sachin,Dhoni and Dravid would definately make you a prize catch in IPL,I guess.

But in this match I do believe India is better placed than NZ and it would be very difficulf for you guys to come back in this match.

Somehow I expected Vettori to bowl better in test matches,but it seems captainship is affecting is bowling.

Nways best of luck for tommorow!!!

The Rock said...

hey.. as said i know that you are going to take wickets and you took superb wickets DRAVID (The wall), sachin and Dhoni..

One sincier suggestion from my side to you is not to try harder with the bat. You are a bowler and not a batasman.

So don't even try to score runs. You came to bat means, newzealand is in trouble. So your duty is to just stay at the crease and enusre atlast that one side of wicket does not fall.

All the best

dr rahul parmar said...

hi there.. nice to see you posting daily...
being a sachin fan.. i am not happy with you today... but some how you deserve it....try to be fit dear, what type of injury do you have??

Unknown said...

I think the pitch is for batsman and though you have taken the three most important wicket it great. another sincere advice to you that if you comment good on tendulkar like this you will be famous in the world of cricket where there are no of fan of sachin.
god bless you and get rid of soon

Unknown said...

Hiya mate,

I guess your blog kind of sums up the mood within the teams dressing room.. looks like you guys have given up hope of saving the match well into end of 3rd day which is summed up by your statement on the remaining 2 tests to play and win..

tough luck mate.. all the best for the remainder of the series and stay fit to be around..

ciao..

Suneal Varma said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Suneal Varma said...

Well done. Democracy is having your own blog. hang in there and keep batting

Sumit said...

Tough day for NZ. While I write the comment, you and McCullum are batting. And I am hoping you guys get out early :)
Not too impressed by NZ effort. Except Flynn's brilliantly constructed innings and Ryder's optimism there was not much to offer.
Happy nonetheless.
Nice blog though. A different perspective.It will have record number of hits as the word spreads. That's the difference between Cricket in India and Cricket in NZ. We love our cricket.

Unknown said...

India always allow tail to wag so good luck. It's upto you guys how long you can postpone defeat. By taking new ball MSD had given tailenders to wag again. No point of taking new ball when bhajii was bowling superbly. But you people now can frustate indian players. But u will also agree that Blackcap going to lose this test match. at present 261/8..

Avi said...

You rock!

Shwetank said...

Give them grass to play on...! Why dont u understand dat..

Shwetank said...

1-0 or 3-0.... A series loss is still a loss ! So plz ask your captain to prepare a fast and bouncy pitch like last time.... India will still be favourite...but dats ur best chance ! Do it brother.... Its my honest suggestion for u.

Shwetank said...

I heard u picked an injury dis match.... Will u be fine for the next test ?? Mention dat in ur next blog....

Tarun Sengar said...

impressive bowling by you on day 3...really appreciable..[:)]

BuNty said...

good job Iain,u batted very nice today seems u can bat :p ,practice more,but beware donn spoil ur bowling for batting as Irfan did .

The Rock said...

Hey, you did bat well today in 2nd innings. I think you are unlucky to given out. Not sure whether it was really bat and pad

sid said...

I really appreciate for u writing blog and being close to your fans.
Get well soon buddy,we all would like to see u in 2nd and 3rd test coz after Vettori and McCullum we admire u the most.

samuels jo said...

Bond Shane Bond is the best , without him der is no chance for NZL to crack Indian line up , ATB :)

Anurag Singh said...

Well, The better team won. Yourself and Baz ensured that you do not go down by an Innings. I can't imagine the scoreline if Shewag was not unlucky with the direct throw!!

Good match, keep away from green tops for next matches. U can't handle Ishant and Zac on those surfaces. Other than you, no other bowler has any penetration. Mills needs to do some confidence building. Your best bet is to try to nullify Sachin and Shewag. Rest usually follow!!
All the best for the next two games.

Anonymous said...

Hey Iain hard luck on the result better luck in the next test.

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