HUW TURBERVILL: We have a saying in the small Suffolk village from where I stem, which has been passed down through the generations: "Those who don't appreciate a Test match in New Zealand don't really love cricket"
Are you a true cricket badger?
I know there are lots of people who really like cricket. They might play. They watch a bit of the Lanka Premier League. They might even have had a copy of Test Match Special: Yet More Banter from the Box in their Christmas stocking.
But I mean going to that next level?
Sitting for hours watching South Africa v Sri Lanka on Sky, for instance?
A South Africa attack struggling to make inroads into Sri Lanka. With Kagiso Rabada absent, no one in sight remotely in the class of Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel or Makhaya Ntini; or even Fanie de Villiers, Jacques Kallis and Brian McMillan for that matter (although fair play to Lutho Sipamla for fighting back to take 4 for 76 after his figures had read 5-0-40-0).
Then watching South Africa pile up 621 off an attack that has no one good enough to lace up the boots of Muttiah Muralitharan or Chaminda Vaas; Faf du Plessis using his bat like an axe to carve out 199.
Then there’s the New Zealand Tests. Hammering West Indies, dominating Pakistan. The home seamers working the channels, the uber-aggressive Neil Wagner banging it in (although rumours that he broke his toe with one of his own bouncers proved unfounded). The run-rate of the Pakistan first innings in the first Test at Mount Maunganui was soporific. They cannot even find a British broadcaster to show it (albeit it’s in the middle of the night).
Damn it, I’d show it. I love it. I’ve always loved them.
We have a saying in the small Suffolk village from where I stem, which has been passed down through the generations: “Those who don’t appreciate a Test match in New Zealand don’t really love cricket.”
New Zealand clinched a thrilling victory in the dying embers of their Test against Pakistan
Derek Stirling, Martin Snedden and Ewen Chatfield letting the greentops do the work. Or Bruce Edgar or Trevor Franklin painstakingly laying the foundations in so-solid fashion.
The streaming platform that have won the rights to New Zealand cricket, Spark, very graciously put the highlights on YouTube. They are so skimpy, though. Azhar Ali was not given out for caught behind at 51 for 3 to the dismay of the Kiwis in the first innings, then next the action cuts to 52 for 4. We don’t see the review. Or the umpire perform his about-turn. Bizarre.
The main event this winter/Christmas has been Australia v India, of course. Full praise to the Indians for their brilliant fightback at the MCG, with their talisman Virat Kohli on paternity leave.
Maybe it’s a nostalgia thing but the Fox commentary team doesn’t match up to the Channel 9 one of the 1980s for me. Shane Warne is Shane Warne of course. He’s earned the right to do his own thing. He’s entertaining, as is Kerry O’Keeffe.
There’s Gilly, and it’s great to hear AB. He hasn’t lost any of his feistiness. He dished out a right good talking-to to Australia A for their performance against the Indians at the SCG before this Test, even though they batted courageously for a draw in the second innings.
Mark Howard – Howie – is a bit hysterical, however. Take this moment at the start of the first Test at Adelaide, with Cheteshwar Pujara facing Mitchell Starc.
“Eeeeddddddggeeeeeee!! What a moment that it is, what a first over!”
Warne: “Pretty sure that carried!”
[It hadn’t.]
It seems to lack an authority figure.
Shubman Gill and Ajinkya Rahane crown a fine Test win
Obviously Richie Benaud is pretty much irreplaceable, but where’s Chappelli? Contracted to Channel 9, that’s where, so confined to radio. They lost the rights, and their terrestrial replacements Channel 7 have been at loggerheads with Cricket Australia ever since.
Sometimes it’s better to stick with what you know…
Chappell has annoyed Steve Smith recently: “It seems like Ian Chappell has an outlandish statement after every match at the moment.”
But I think he’s great. All that knowledge. He assumed the Australia captaincy against England a half-century ago this winter. While he has not always been kind about us Poms, his voice is much missed over here.
Gift a subscription to The Cricketer this Christmas and choose your free gift (a £20 John Lewis gift card or copy of Bob Willis: A Cricketer & A Gentleman). Subscribe here
Posted by Morgan on 05/01/2021 at 14:53
One of the best things about watching New Zealand Tests on TV in the middle of the night is the commentary - it's a bit more free with the language than most and all the better for it.
Posted by Tim Hall on 05/01/2021 at 13:30
I've enjoyed watching the highlights of all the ongoing Test series, especially seeing the crowds. Really looking forward to the next Australia/India test. Agree about the commentators. One commentator that I really like (when she has commented in the UK) is Mel Jones. I think that she has the gravitas that many others lack.
Posted by David Rimmer on 04/01/2021 at 22:46
It was good to read somebody who appreciates the game for what it is and not be guided by whether England are playing or not. Emotions, knowledge and opinions certainly came though which demonstrated a passion for the game. I tend to root for the underdog so I am disappointed if a visiting team buckles in New Zealand. I know Richard Hadlee was outstanding and there have been other good Kiwi bowlers over the years but I cannot think of a better all-round seam attack that they have possessed. It covers all the bases, a right-armer (Southee) and left-armer (Boult) that predominantly pitch it up and move it away or in to keep the batsmen honest. With the huge right arm quick bowler in Jamieson, batsmen can never rest. Slightly quicker than Joel Garner was in his peak, he is a real menace with the batsman not sure whether to go back or forward while Wagner's short pitched variations make life uncomfortable for the batsman although it can get a little tedious to watch. New Zealand are also very disciplined and they keep plugging a way to win. This was shown in the last Test Match when they won at the end against opponents (Pakistan) who showed some fight. Not many teams bat more than 100 overs in both innings and still lose. Kane Williamson's enterprising declaration was rewarded and it is a joy to see the crowds there. They seem to relish the cricket without indulging in mindless chanting that is made worse by alcohol. Sri Lanka's tour in South Africa is good to see although it is frustrating to see them struggle on pitches with bounce. Ramiz Raja made an excellent point today about the need for Pakistan to have drop in pitches at home that can help them prepare for the contest. He rightly said that Sri Lanka need to be able to compete and it was a great pity to see Kusal Mendis complete a pair. I think South Africa knew he would be tentative after his first innings duck and the trap was set for him to try and nudge on to the leg side to get off the mark and de Kock was ready to take the glance. I really root for Temba Bavuma and was disappointed to see him go for 71 in the first test to one he did not edge. He gives so much in the field but I suspect that an average of around 31 will see him discarded sooner rather than later. Huw Turbervill is right. There is nobody of real authority in the commentary box or someone that matches the peerless Benaud. I feel O'Keefe's schoolboy japes have outlived their time and I would say he should not stay much longer. His Carry On Humour gets a bit boring but I do enjoy listening to Shane Warne. He has a really good insight.
Posted by Max Heaton on 30/12/2020 at 12:30
New Zealand vs Pakistan may have been the most enthralling of the Boxing Day set, especially the final day, and was in fact available to watch live on BT Sport!
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.