Monday 6 April 2009

NZ vs India - 3rd Test - Wellington - Day Four

My summer of bowling has finished. I have just had a massive feed of fried chicken, approved and signed off by both our trainer and physio. I need to put some weight back on my body and fried chicken is a good place to start. I haven't had a feed like that for a very long time and I am actually not feeling the best after it as my body isn't used to a high fat meal at the moment. But I'll survive and I'm sure I'll be ok in the morning.

So, we're chasing down 600+, well not really chasing it down but we're out there hanging tough to draw this match. Chasing that score, on any deck, has never been done, not even close and it won't be done here in Wellington. Time is the only thing against us and with us.

India batted for over an hour this morning, I opened up from the Adelaide Road end into the wind. I wasn't feeling as strong or quick as I was the night before even after a good rest and massage, all the bowling has really taken its toll on my body. My first couple of overs went just fine, lines ok, lengths not bad. And then Yuvraj happened; eighteen off one over. Three fours and a six, and my lengths weren't too bad, maybe a touch short, but not so much that I deserved to be hit like I was. He can play. It did though loosen him up and Tommy got him to go hard on the drive and nick one through to Rossco at first.

Tommy then claimed his second of the morning when Timmy took his first Test match catch at fine leg, it also just happened to be his second and third catch as he juggled it a couple of times before safely coming up with a smile and ball in hand.

It was great to be off the park and to take the bowling boots off for the last time In NZ for a while, the boots got thrown towards the bin as they won’t be coming with me to the UK and I have another pair ready to go.

No matter what, there is always that nervous feeling as the boys go out to bat. It's just in a cricketer’s nature to be nervous and sometimes for no real reason at all. The new ball was always going to be the tough part to get though, the Basin deck has been, for a long time now, a deck where the new ball does a little; as seen yesterday when I got one to jag back to VVS. This was the danger time, the first 15 to 20 overs of the new ball combined with Khan, who's in great form; and he got two in that time.

We were four down when bad light stopped play at drinks in the last session; Rossco and Franky got us through from 84-4 to inevitable early close of play at 167-4. For this Test, daylight savings is coming in very handy.

Day five tomorrow, the last day of international cricket this summer in NZ. It's been a long season and only one warm up left, and it's a batting warm up too. I'm hopeful of not needing to bat tomorrow, but if called on I am looking forward to trying to break my new PB that I set in the first innings; I only have 19 to beat, but that's a lot of runs when you only average around 5.

38 comments:

Venk@ said...

Hi Brien, ur blogs rocks and it was really nice to read,

keep writing and am enjoying reading that..

Unknown said...

Ross Taylor finally got one back from the lady luck... I don't know what occurred to him suddenly, may be you guys from the dressing room prompted him to stay on and challenge the field umpires or something (I don't say he did though), but it sure worked.

Gambhir may still think (and quite rightly so) that he took it clean, but the TV replays were inconclusive enough for the TE to give it to the Batsman. I wonder whether Ross' first innings clean-chit to umpires worked in his favour. :-) Ultramotion would have made it even more interesting and clearer.

If there is no play for more than 1.5 sessions tomorrow, I can be sure that MSD will be having a tough time answering the Indian media regarding the time of declaration.

4 wickets to fall today could as well indicate that India might need around 60 overs tomorrow to clean you guys up, it's to be seen though whether the elements relent.

The NZ Herald wrote today that "An over-ruled umpiring decision and Wellington's weather may yet combine to thwart India's plans to seal their first test series victory on New Zealand soil", I think they are only praying to delay the inevitable.

To life!
~

Murali said...

Nice write up...I really liked it. Keep up the good work!!

Bruce said...

Hopefully you wont be required to bat mate. Well done for getting through the season in one piece. We need a bowler who can stay on the park and string some games together. Good luck in the UK.

Unknown said...

Nice blog OB !!!

Unknown said...

vdvxzv

NR said...

Yup u seems India is definitely going to win this test match unless New Zealand batsman bat out of their skin. Its going to be tough as Zak and Bhajji will be in full action.

Lolz....u r such a honest cricketor i tell u...your telling that u were not feeling strong and was not quick....Iain i appreciate your honesty but man one should not so honest as u know people dont take time to point fingers at your mistakes. My respect for you grew when after u took Gambhir's wicket you went ahead and gave a pat on his back...that was a nice gesture. NZ team is known to have a good sporting spirit.

Ya as a fast bowler i think one needs to be well built and strong legs are the most important....

would suggest u to buy your domain name for this blog!!!

take care mate!!!!

kavinchat said...

Hi Iain , good evening
I think tomo will be the last day in near future where i will see you on television. Hope if Rosco can bat longer then poor light will save you from losing the match but not series. The history has been rewritten for Indians this time and waits for last dramatic turn tomo. Danger man tomo will be Bhajji .And if he flights more then its undoubtedly 2-0. Bye see you tomo...

mumbai-viking said...

Hi Iain,

Hats off to you for your perseverance and hard work on the field. What you need tomorrow is a herculean effort from Ross + Baz + Dan and you to bat full day like a Monk to save this test.

This is our best chance to win a series after 40 years ( and thats a hell lot of a time) so Khan & Co will come hard at you.

All the best for your Licester CCC stint ahead. I wish we could see more of you in IPL 2 in RSA.

Unknown said...

all the best 4 tommorow's batting performance .........

Unknown said...

all the best 4 tommorow's batting performance .........

Anonymous said...

If Indians can bat for two days then sure even New Zealand can do, I suggest you reverse the order :)

You and martin should bat tom if the wicket falls, and so on, so that at the end of play you have your established batsman at the crease (I know I sound very stupid)

However I like your blog a lot and what I appreciate the most is your honest and unbiased views

Arjun said...

Good bowling yesterday!! I broke my left ankle, and your blog posts are the only interesting read I have had in a long time!
Hope you blog about other things too after this match gets over.

Srivatsa said...

Ian, I am not your fan, but the way you write it is going to be tough not to be one in near future and not for your cricket though. A great crricket writer you sure will be One day. I would say , It would help you to spend some time out of your country and play more cricket to gain experience. You kiwis have once again proved how good you are at home. Good write man Keep it comin!


Srivatsa.
Bangalore

KD. K Bodhi said...

"It did though loosen him up and Tommy got him to go hard on the drive and nick one through to Rossco at first."

You really do search for the silver lining:) In fact, I am going to use this line the next time I get hit.

Ganesh PS said...

Ian...Please answwr my question....i wrote in eralier blogs...but you have not answered it yet:-

1) Yur favorite batsman - right and left handed batsman

2) Yur favorite bowler - fast and spin bowler?

Mine choice: Dravid and McGrath

Thanks
Ganeshps

Unknown said...

Ian,

Your honest opinion is deeply appreciated. During the second test, somebody had commented that you do not give enough credit to the opposition. But, your very own personal blog is not supposed to be a paean to the opposition either. Being an Indian, and (needless to say) a die-hard fan of cricket, I do wish and pray for India to win the third test, but I do want you to cross your personal best batting score. I will be watching you over Cricinfo! (I am disappointed with Jesse in the third test. After his fireworks in the second test, I expected a lot from him in the third.)

Best of Luck,
Pradeep

Unknown said...

Ian,

Your honest opinion is deeply appreciated. During the second test, somebody had commented that you do not give enough credit to the opposition. But, you very own personal blog is not supposed to be a paean to the opposition either. Being an Indian, and (needless to say) a die-hard fan of cricket, I do wish and pray that India win the third test, but I do want you to cross your personal best batting score. I will be watching over you through Cricinfo! (I am disappointed with Jesse in the third test. After his fireworks in the second test, I expected a lot from him in the third.)

Best wishes,
Pradeep

Me said...

Ah the infamous dirty bird! What did you opt for? Quarter pack? family feed? Works burger?
Good luck today look forward to it being described to me in Bryan Waddle's dulcet tones

pranav1990 said...

hi brien
your blogs are just wonderful.
Can comment on how was it facing sachin as a bowler in your next blog

Rakesh said...

Hey once again your at the highest score in a test innings,I wish you will overpass the previous one.And wishing u all the best for the third & final test.

dooney said...

good blogs, dude! rain saved you guys...i am with mccullum and even i did not understand india's declaration tactics...how abt sending your old shoes to my place as a sovenir?

Guru Prasaad said...

Its nice tat u dont show-off as a celebrity! some celebrities jus block-off d comments n some even dont put their views on public..I reckon that u r a step further ahead of good celebrites by promptly replying to peoples' comments.. Looking fwd 2 here more from u bro.. Good luck n way to go.. :) Cheers.. :)

sagar said...

if u read dis, den i just want to know hows international cricket????? if u really read dis n answer me, den i think i'll faint or just die..........

vikash said...

U batted really well to save the match today. Ur batting improving by each innning. I am sure one day u ll fulfill ur dream of batting for one whole day. I just
hope its not against india:)

Dinesh said...

Hi,
I have been a regular reader of your blog. Nice work. It feels good to read about the day-in-the-office from a fast bowler.

Will keep checking your blog
~dinesh

Karthik Ragotham said...

hey pal..Tough luck on your PB.I was really hoping you would score one more run.. :( .Especially after reading your post.. Anyways I am really enjoying reading your posts...Keep writing..

Sreekar said...

Hi OB,

Gr8 to see cricketers writing blog.

What is ur opinion on IPL ??
Will u be following up those games.

Any plans of u getting bought in 2010 ???

Unknown said...

Hi Brien .your blog is nice to read. I watched all match , I think you are the most talented bowler in NZ side so work on your cricket I shall pray god for your bright cricketing life

Poshin_david said...

Tough luck guys in the series..........

And Iain how cum you didn't sign up for the IPL?????

rAhul said...

congrats for ur personal best..... we shud hav declared it earlier to make it 2-0...

Suneal Varma said...

and then you saved the match! well done...

Prasanna V V said...

Oh Man... I like your Hair Style...

Laxman.M said...

Hi Ian O brien good post. I think ur team missed a trick by not playing extra spinner. As indians always go after off spinners there is a bright chance of picking up wickets. Jeetan patel would have given more dimension to the attack. In the all important final test some tough decisions should have been taken to beat champion team like india

lkajfdslkjdfo said...

oy, Ia(i)n, how about some more posting? be interesting to hear what it's like after a series, your thoughts about the whole thing, what you guys do afterwards etc. go on. once you've started this there's no stopping it, heh.

Sean A. said...

hey OB, had a great night last night on the town, i admire your moves both on the cricket field and the D floor. PS thanks for the beers they went down well.

mahanty zone said...

hi iain im hoping that you appear in the ipl next time .can you tell me how i can contact you?

Iain O'Brien said...

Thanks for all the comments guys! Appreciate them all!

Fingers crossed for a successful season with Leicestershire and then will see what happens after that for NZ and maybe some time in India.... Wouldn't that be great!