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Martin Guptill bats - Source: Photosport -
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HERO OF THE DAY
On a day when 40-year-old Chris Harris scored 83 not out for
Canterbury in the Plunket Shield, one of New Zealand cricket's
young guns came agonisingly close to notching his third century in
five Tests. Coming in at 28 for 2, Ross Taylor played a
responsible and increasingly fluent innings, especially given the
absence of Jesse Ryder. His Test average is now above 40 and
continues to climb. An honourable mention to 17-year-old
paceman Mohammed Aamer who bounded in tirelessly as some of his
colleagues lagged in the field.
VILLAIN OF THE DAY
Perhaps villain is too strong a word, but Mohammed Yousuf's
captaincy didn't suggest that he's anything more than a fill-in for
Younis Khan. Fell into the trap of visiting captains who bowl
first by jumping on the defensive too early. His field
placings were uninspiring and too many of his fielders were caught
on the back foot as the Black Caps scampered singles.
PLAY OF THE DAY
Tim McIntosh had waited seven months since the India series in
April to play his next innings on home soil. It lasted all of
ten seconds, as teenage Aamer produced an unplayable inswinger with
the first ball of the summer that disturbed his off-stump.
It's hard not to feel sorry for McIntosh, who just last week hit a
commanding unbeaten 131 against the same bowlers in Queenstown.
GRIPE OF THE DAY
The Black Caps batsmen's ongoing penchant for soft
dismissals. Guptill was out hooking for the umpteenth time,
Taylor drove loosely at a ball that wasn't there to drive and
Elliott fished at a ball that would've been better left
alone. It's the same frustrating failing every summer;
particularly so on this day because in all truth, Pakistan's
bowlers were not all that threatening.
CROWD WATCH
A modest but happy crowd wandered down to the Oval, hoping to see a
better batting display than Otago's execrable first innings total
of 88 in their opening first class match against Northern Districts
a fortnight ago. They say you can't beat Wellington on a good
day but that's rubbish - Dunedin is just as good, but without the
scenesters and bureaucrats.
FOOD WATCH
Some people travel from the other side of the world for a Lamb
Madras/Beef Vindaloo combo from Spice Traders in the Meridan Mall
foodcourt on George Street. I only had to travel 1,400km or
so. As always, it was worth it.
DAY ONE VERDICT
Another Jekyll-and-Hyde performance from New Zealand's batsmen, but
given that they were put in to bat and quickly in trouble, 276 for
6 represents a slightly-above-break even total. Pakistan's
bowlers were steady but unspectacular, and they may already be
regretting picking the somewhat innocuous off-spinner Saeed Ajmal
ahead of veteran leggie Danish Kaneria.
DAY TWO PROSPECTS
New Zealand's hopes of a competitive total on Day Two lie solely
with Vettori and McCullum. You can bet your bottom dollar
that won't be the last time you read that line this summer.
The pitch has already shown signs of slowing and Wednesday could be
the best day for batting. The Black Caps will be hoping to
deny the visitors that opportunity for as long as possible.
Finally, one for the trainspotters - Daniel Vettori needs a further
eight runs to push his career average above 30.
The summer of cricket is upon us and once again,
tvnz.co.nz is the place to go for all your cricketing needs.
As well as the usual reports and scorecards from matches both home
and abroad, tvnz.co.nz will bring you full LIVE text commentary of
Black Caps matches throughout the summer.
This week, the comprehensive coverage will be augmented by regular
updates and expert analysis from sideline eye Max Bania at Dunedins
picturesque University Oval, as well as a daily wrap detailing the
days key moments, major players and what he had for lunch
So if you can't get to a TV this summer, make tvnz.co.nz/cricket
your one-stop shop for cricketing action!
