While Ross Taylor was setting records in Hamilton, he could have done with fellow Masterton star, Jesse Ryder to be at the other end. Almost a year ago to the day, Ryder & Taylor combined in a record 271 partnership against India, with Taylor scoring a 150 and Ryder progressing to a double century.
Curiously, while Taylor was performing his heroics Ryder was also racing to a century, finishing with 114 off 67 balls for Naenae Old Boys. Today he returned to first class cricket for Wellington hitting 103 off 109 balls.
What I find infuriating about this, is that Ryder was back in the first week of March playing club cricket and actually bowled 11 overs without incident. At the time he was told he would have to play for Wellington before coming back for New Zealand. He played another week of club cricket but was ill before Wellington's next game so couldn't complete the fitness test set for him. Former player and commentator John Morrison queried whether it would have been better to simply play him, and I agree. Ryder is a unique talent and should have been returned to New Zealand duty where we is badly needed.
Meanwhile, in Hamilton it looks like Australia are going to set a target well beyond our batsmen.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Mystery of Lou Vincent
Watching the New Zealand top order struggle against Australia has left me wondering how Lou Vincent would have fared. With his experience and track record in ODI's and tests against Australia, he would have seemed a vital part of our batting arsenal. Instead, he is apparently back in England.
How did it get to this? I first read about Vincent when he was an 18 year old selected for Auckland. He had spent his teenage years in Australia, and some commentators suggest this provided him with a hardened attitude compared to his Kiwi counterparts. Vincent of course went on to score a century on debut at the WACA against an Australian attack featuring Lee, McGrath, Gillespie & Warne (he got a half century in the second innings). It was a phenomenal achievement and should have paved the way to a glittering career. In his book 'Out of the Park' Craig McMillan writes that Vincent is the "most talented cricketer I have seen." So why hasn't Vincent enjoyed the same success of Fleming, Astle or even McMillan himself?
McMillan suggests that Vincent was plagued by a lack of self belief, which wasn't helped by being shifted up and down the order. A particular example is where Vincent scored 224 batting at No.4, and the next test found himself opening.
When Nathan Astle was dropped in 2007 and Vincent came in to open in the World Series against Australia and South Africa. He had immediate success and it looked like he might finally fulfill his promise. Unfortunately, a broken hand took him out of the World Cup and he struggled in the test series later that year against South Africa. He was dropped and shortly afterwards revealed he had suffered from depression. In a recent interview ('Back from the Brink') he talks about his battle with this condition and how it may have cost him some cricket roles as people doubt his confidence. However, he suggests he has come to grips with it which can only be good for his future cricketing performances. Certainly, his performances in the domestic T20 were outstanding, and included an unbeated century off 60 balls while using the new Mongoose bat. Unfortunately, while the selectors have welcomed back his ICL teammates Bond and Tuffey, Vincent is still out in the cold.
How did it get to this? I first read about Vincent when he was an 18 year old selected for Auckland. He had spent his teenage years in Australia, and some commentators suggest this provided him with a hardened attitude compared to his Kiwi counterparts. Vincent of course went on to score a century on debut at the WACA against an Australian attack featuring Lee, McGrath, Gillespie & Warne (he got a half century in the second innings). It was a phenomenal achievement and should have paved the way to a glittering career. In his book 'Out of the Park' Craig McMillan writes that Vincent is the "most talented cricketer I have seen." So why hasn't Vincent enjoyed the same success of Fleming, Astle or even McMillan himself?
McMillan suggests that Vincent was plagued by a lack of self belief, which wasn't helped by being shifted up and down the order. A particular example is where Vincent scored 224 batting at No.4, and the next test found himself opening.
When Nathan Astle was dropped in 2007 and Vincent came in to open in the World Series against Australia and South Africa. He had immediate success and it looked like he might finally fulfill his promise. Unfortunately, a broken hand took him out of the World Cup and he struggled in the test series later that year against South Africa. He was dropped and shortly afterwards revealed he had suffered from depression. In a recent interview ('Back from the Brink') he talks about his battle with this condition and how it may have cost him some cricket roles as people doubt his confidence. However, he suggests he has come to grips with it which can only be good for his future cricketing performances. Certainly, his performances in the domestic T20 were outstanding, and included an unbeated century off 60 balls while using the new Mongoose bat. Unfortunately, while the selectors have welcomed back his ICL teammates Bond and Tuffey, Vincent is still out in the cold.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Stryris answers the critics
Since retiring from test cricket I've sometimes wondered if Styris, on some level, had lost his edge. His courageous and typically pugnacious innings tonight anchoring an unlikely run chase shows very much that he still has it. The sight of Styris face to face with an irate Mitchell Johnson, refusing to give an inch, just summed up his combative approach. He took the Australians on and almost singlehandedly (with a brilliant supporting cameo from Shane Bond) took NZ across the line. The imperious straight six to finish the game of Bollinger was an emphatic statement that he was back.
The Greatest T20 Game Ever?
I can't imagine a more exciting and compelling game of T20 than the game in Christchurch on Sunday. McCullum's innings was extraordinary in every aspect. In terms of statistics he reached his century of just 50 balls. This would be impressive against Central Districts, but against Australia it is almost beyond belief. There have been a number of fast 50's against Australia, notably Lance Cairns at the MCG off 20 balls, but to sustain that pace all the way to a century is unique.
Much has been said about his ramp shot, and I have to say it was almost surreal seeing balls by Shaun Tait at 155 kph being scooped well beyond the boundary. The difficulty level was put into perspective when Jacob Oram attempted something similar and had his stumps destroyed. The margin for error is minute, and McCullum just kept pulling it off.
The Australians paced their innings expertly and Cameron White seems to have the hitting power of Gilchrist at his peak. So it was was with some apprehension that I watched as Tim Southee was brought back into the attack when Australia appeared to be in control. Southee of course got hammered for 105 in his 10 overs at the same ground last year by India. He was dropped from the team after being so impressive against England the season before. Vettori deserves praise for entrusting Southee with the crucial 'super over' also. He could easily have gone for Bond or even himself (which were the two options the commentators were discussing). Southee delivered under incredible pressure in a manner reminiscent of Chris Pringle's match winning maiden over to Bruce Reid. Now hopefully he will go on to live up to his early promise.
Much has been said about his ramp shot, and I have to say it was almost surreal seeing balls by Shaun Tait at 155 kph being scooped well beyond the boundary. The difficulty level was put into perspective when Jacob Oram attempted something similar and had his stumps destroyed. The margin for error is minute, and McCullum just kept pulling it off.
The Australians paced their innings expertly and Cameron White seems to have the hitting power of Gilchrist at his peak. So it was was with some apprehension that I watched as Tim Southee was brought back into the attack when Australia appeared to be in control. Southee of course got hammered for 105 in his 10 overs at the same ground last year by India. He was dropped from the team after being so impressive against England the season before. Vettori deserves praise for entrusting Southee with the crucial 'super over' also. He could easily have gone for Bond or even himself (which were the two options the commentators were discussing). Southee delivered under incredible pressure in a manner reminiscent of Chris Pringle's match winning maiden over to Bruce Reid. Now hopefully he will go on to live up to his early promise.
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