Rocky road to Hamilton
After a very enjoyable week on the South Island watching England's warm-up matches at the picturesque University Oval in Dunedin, we return to the North Island and to Hamilton for the first Test.
Situated in the Waikato region, Hamilton has several claims to fame. It is New Zealand's hot air ballooning capital with its festival attracting enthusiasts from all over the world every April, while the each June is the largest agricultural show in the southern hemisphere, welcoming more than a 120,000 people every year.
Perhaps less well known is that Hamilton helped give the world the , the cult musical which has entertained millions since it was first premiered on the London stage in 1973, before becoming a film favourite two years later.
Hamilton is where the show's English-born creator, , watched horror and science fiction movies as a youth and also developed a love for rock 'n roll.
Three years ago Richard returned to the city and led the Time Warp at the old Embassy Theatre site in Victoria Street to unveil a bronze which O'Brien himself played in the film. The unusual monument is the first public artwork by Weta Workshops who are perhaps best known for their work on films like The Lord of the Rings.
You may remember that the last time we were here in Hamilton with Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder crashing the ball to all parts as they reached their victory target of 165 inside 19 overs.
Whilst McCullum will be on duty for the Test Match on Wednesday fresh from a 52-ball hundred for Otago in their domestic final, New Zealand will of course be without the colourful Ryder after celebrating the Kiwis one-day series victory.
It has been fascinating to read how the New Zealand press have been treating the controversial opener and it appears there is a great deal of sympathy towards him. , John Dybvig seemed to suggest many New Zealanders like Ryder because he seems just a normal bloke.
Dybvig writes: "When the television camera zooms in on Jesse's round face, oozing sweat from each chin , every backyard cricketer, beer guzzling dad wearing a singlet that doesn't quite cover his overhanging gut can actually visualise himself in Ryder's place."
But he goes onto to say that although he may be a "normal" guy, on the cricket field he could be extraordinary: "He's so talented he might be the swizzle stick that can stir a dour black caps mob into a dazzling, fizzing cocktail.
But Dybvig warns "Of course those stuffed shirts at cricket central will want to turn him into another modern sporting robot.…what these people don't understand is that watching foibles and failings of dysfunctional sporting personalities is much more fun than yawning through a journey on a primrose path. Give me dishevelled John Daly any day rather than picture perfect Tiger Woods."
By the way, Ryder is hoping to be fit in time for the one day-series in England in June, so you have been warned !
Whilst the ferocious batting of Ryder was one of the main memories of our last visit to Hamilton, the Test Match Special commentary box at Seddon Park will also live long in the memory.
You will probably recall Aggers describing our port cabin 100-feet in the air on a temporary scaffold. Well, I am told we may have been re-located nearer to terra firma for the Test, but I will keep you posted.
Sky's TV commentary box, meanwhile, is definitely at ground level after Sir Ian Botham refused to climb to the top of the scaffolding during the one-dayer here.
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I've just watched a superb Australia/India One Day Final on Sky with India winning with Dhoni playing 2 spinners plus Yuvraj. In the last One day we didn't play one. Why have we lost faith in spinners? We do we prefer to play bits and pieces medium pacers and not a class spinner? Once upon a time we used to play two spinners in a side; now we don't play one. Is Dhoni a more imaginative captain than Collingwood? By the way, if Vaughan gets injured, who do you play as Captain? Collingwood or Strauss? I have sever doubts about Collingwood's selections and his field placings.
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blabady blah
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Interesting comment about spinners.Warne consistently won games for Australia and in the sub continent spinners have done well, traditionally.There is a lot of sameness about many bowling attacks, South Africa is a case in point.Bits and pieces cricketers have been the bane of English cricket and spinners, provided they are good , can and will make a difference.
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Interesting, especially as a certain Daniel Vettori is no. 1 in the world in the ODI rankings; meanwhile his understudy, Jeetan Patel, continues to rise. The Sky TV commentators here in NZ were lost as to why England lacked decent slower bowlers and to why Monty Panesar was not given game time, if only to allow him to develop his all-round game.
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"Sever doubts"? Sounds nasty
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I can see why Jesse Ryder attracts so much affection from the sporting public, but, much like our boy Freddie, he should be held up as a figurehead of a sporting culture of underambition. I have a big case with Freddie and Harmison getting drunk until midnight with the Aussies after the Adelaide nightmare - others may see this is him being a reflection of themselves, not taking life so seriously and one of the boys. Personally I prefer the English Test Captain to have a little respect for the history of the game, team and position.
Back to Jesse, he might have oodles of talent but he only reinforces the line of thought that NZ Cricket is settled in its role of producing medicority by expecting mediocrity.
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My team for the 1st test, would be
M.Vaughan
A.Strauss
A.Cook
K.Pieterson
I.Bell
P.Collingwood
T.Ambroise
R.Sidebottom
S.Harmison
M.Hoggard
M.Paneseer
S.Broad 12th man
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Sir Gary Sobers, one of the greatest cricketers ever and a true gentleman to boot, was not averse to the odd beer after a game so I believe.
Also how about Sir Ian, Sir Shane etc etc ...
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I can't wait for this Test match! I live in Hamilton and as a 'Pom' (Kiwi for Enlishman) I have received a large amount of stick for the 1 day results and performances. But having explained to the prematurely gloating Kiwi's that Test cricket is the English priority, I look forward to returning the banter after we beat them convincingly on their own turf!
Roll on tomorrow!
Dannyboy.
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