Field Theory by Hadyn Green

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Field Theory: My first cricket match

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  • Bruce Wurr,

    It is really disappointing. I love cricket, and am perpetually amazed at how often something/someone/nzcricket manages to shoot itself in the foot......mind you we're not the only ones, just take a look at english cricket right now!

    The way Shane Bond was handled still REALLY grates.

    The media release regarding Jesse Ryder mentioned he was out with his mates....which he was doing a while back when he really got in trouble. Might I suggest that if they were truly his friends they would make sure he wouldn't get into that position in the first place.....

    But Haydn, make sure you go to a test with some guides, they're way cool!

    Auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 97 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    As a fan, I'm rather divided on him. On the one hand I'm really excited about his potential, but resigned to the fact that his drinking problems may mean he never realises them.

    That's what I meant really. Potential versus Actuality.

    Shame he's been boozing again (and not handling it, boozing by itself is maybe not so much of a problem).

    And for those off to the game today: ahem

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • Bob Munro,

    A bonus for us viewers without Sky, Prime has the cricket live.

    Christchurch • Since Aug 2007 • 418 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    A bonus for us viewers without Sky, Prime has the cricket live.

    I saw that too, I was flicking between tennis and cricket this afternoon.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • BlairMacca,

    <quote>Does anyone here know anything about his upbringing? I've heard rather second hand that he may even have been living a street kid type of existence at one point.<quote/ quote>

    He certainly didn't live on the streets. People I know know him a bit and he grew up in Napier pretty standard upbringing really, he just has a problem with booze. Probably like any 24 year old, except turning up to work hungover in his case is a bit different...

    Wellington • Since Apr 2007 • 208 posts Report Reply

  • Bob Munro,

    Thanks for replying Blair. As fans I guess we can just cross our fingers that they are treating his alcoholism as a disease rather than a moral failing and he’s getting constant support and encouragement. It’s a tough ask for a sportsman in the spotlight in our culture.
    From the Sunday Star Times:

    A long-term recovering alcoholic familiar with the Ryder case told the Star-Times yesterday that the 24-year-old now stood at not only the crossroads of his cricket career, but of his life.
    The man, who asked not be named, said Ryder had reached a point where his next decision on drinking would carry him towards one of two likely extremes.
    "Two things could happen now. He could become one of New Zealand's truly great cricketers, because let's face it he's only been operating at about 50% so far," said the source. "But if he goes back to drinking, he'll end up in the gutter.
    "It's that stark.
    "It's doubly difficult for someone like Jesse because everyone knows him when he goes out and inevitably there's a twisted element who, despite being fully aware of the player's vulnerabilities, want to ply him with drink.
    "It typifies this country's attitude towards alcohol."

    Christchurch • Since Aug 2007 • 418 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    I just want to take a minute to be sad :( for Neil Guptill, whose 'highest score on debut' records never happened, seeing as the match was abandoned. Let's hope he gets another go.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Are you sure about that? I thought that the individual statistics from abandoned matches still counted. If you're right, someone close to him had better take a snapshot of Guptill's page on cricinfo right now.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    I spent a while trying to find a straight answer on this, because it seemed so horribly unfair, and I couldn't actually find a definitive statement on it. I'm going by the consensus finally reached on Radio Sport this morning by a whole bunch of Cricket Guys who also didn't know the answer.

    I'd be delighted to be wrong.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Blake Monkley,

    Auckland • Since Jul 2008 • 215 posts Report Reply

  • Bob Munro,

    Wikipedia on the rules of cricket.

    Half an hour before the start of play, the two captains convene and exchange team selection sheets. These list the composition of each side, which cannot be changed for the duration of the match. Then, under the supervision of the umpires, a coin is tossed to determine who bats first. The tossing of the coin marks the official beginning of the match.

    If the match is abandoned at any time after the toss, it stands as a match played and enters official statistical records.

    If a match is abandoned before the toss, it is not considered to have been played at all, and does not count for records.

    Christchurch • Since Aug 2007 • 418 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    Ha, that goes some way to explaining the confusion. Excellent.

    I really did enjoy watching Guptill play. A couple of times his shot making and foot movement reminded me very much of Nathan Astle.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    Big congratulations to Marty Guptill. For non-cricket-enthusiasts, the upshot is that his ODI debut performance was the second-best ever.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • Ben Chapman,

    Big congratulations to Marty Guptill. For non-cricket-enthusiasts, the upshot is that his ODI debut performance was the second-best ever.

    It was great wasn't it.

    I've been despairing recently about no one really stepping up and demanding to be selected, particularly openers. And now in the matter of a month we've had both McIntosh and Guptill show off their stuff.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2008 • 135 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    This young bloke Warner the Aussies have picked for the 20-20 seems pretty hot too -- for a guy who's never played a first-class game ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    I'm just watching that game now, not sure if it's on in NZ - anyway, he's currently on 86 off 40 balls. The only ever 20/20 hundred was by Chris Gayle. This bloke's quite amazing.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    Oppps, the cold dead-hand of the mock - he's gone for 89. Hell of a debut but.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    What I find even more alarming is that they appear to have a second Hussey in the line-up. Just what the rest of the cricketing world needed, another one of that guy...

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    But quite the comeback for SA, when the commentators were so sure the Aussies were going to get past 200 ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    Just what the rest of the cricketing world needed, another one of that guy...

    David's been in the 20/20 and possibly the ODI side before - they've played together at least once, I think. Michael's form's not good, not sure what David's was like in the Sheffield Shield.

    But quite the comeback for SA, when the commentators were so sure the Aussies were going to get past 200 ...

    Too right. Without Warner, they'd have a very modest total.

    On a related point, it's been very interesting to see the Australian cricketing public really get behind the RSA side. They clearly respect Smith and many of the new young players... particularly Duminy about whom the ordinarily partisan 9 commentators were very enthusiastic. Nice to see the less petulant side of Australian cricket supporters - bet it won't endure the tri-series or extend to NZ...

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Ben Chapman,

    On a related point, it's been very interesting to see the Australian cricketing public really get behind the RSA side.

    I have a suspicion (based solely on reading Australian cricket blogs) that the Aussie public are becoming just a little sick of their team. I suppose after a decade or so of being unbeatable, anyone's interest would start to fray. But I think it really started during last year's home series against India, when an ugly, arrogant side to Ponting's side was revealed. So when South Africa showed up and started winning by playing good cricket and not making a fuss about it, a few losses could be quite satisfying.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2008 • 135 posts Report Reply

  • Megan Wegan,

    I suppose after a decade or so of being unbeatable, anyone's interest would start to fray.

    I have a suspicion, based on conversations with a couple of aussie mates, that they are catching the rest of the world in thinking their team is a mite arrogant, and it would be nice to see them taken down a peg. And everyone loves an underdog, and a bit of healthy competition.

    Having said that, I woudn't mind my interest starting to wane, if it meant one of my teams was successful for a decade or so.

    Welly • Since Jul 2008 • 1275 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    But I think it really started during last year's home series against India, when an ugly, arrogant side to Ponting's side was revealed.

    Amongst the die-hard fans, there's no real dissent, but more broadly, there's a view that Ponting's on-field attitude sucks. A dominant team surely dominates, but needn't behave quite as badly as he does. And it's not just him, Hayden appalling indiscrete commentary about Habijan Singh annoyed many - Singh's clearly a mouthy player (and if he'd uttered racist comments to Symonds, he should've been dumped) but Hayden's long claimed the moral high-ground.

    Various incidents such as clambering on-stage to celebrate their Ashes win and shoving officials off-stage also showed a growing degree of contempt for the entire game.

    So when South Africa showed up and started winning by playing good cricket and not making a fuss about it, a few losses could be quite satisfying.

    Absolutely agreed. Smith and his team have shown genuine calm and respectful deportment - a marked contrast.

    Having said that, I woudn't mind my interest starting to wane, if it meant one of my teams was successful for a decade or so.

    I agree. As much as I love the Hurricanes, I'd love them even more if they won a final, even if it was one penalty to none.

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Richard Irvine,

    Rather than pause on his trot in with the bowler he just kept on going, running upright, reached down with one hand as he met the ball and threw with the next stride.

    I did a similar delayed-reation catch playing club cricket in Ireland one time, but that was more to do with a paralysing hangover than any languid style of mine.

    Auckland • Since Dec 2006 • 242 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    I've been despairing recently about no one really stepping up and demanding to be selected, particularly openers. And now in the matter of a month we've had both McIntosh and Guptill show off their stuff.

    It's early days, but it's looking hopeful for NZ's top order in the next few years, which has been a very long problem, Mark Richardson aside.

    I'm starting to form the opinion that they should drop McCullum down the order to bat the last 10 overs for a wee while, and keep Guptill to open with Ryder. McCullum's batting form hasn't quite been there and it seems silly to move a guy who made a century opening on debut.

    I also like the mix of one person to play through the innings and one smasher, rather than two smashers. Astle was very successful in that playing through role so many times.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

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