I am a little bit drunk.
Have you ever been to The Vic in Richmond to watch the last session of Test Match cricket during sundown? If not, you are missing something really special. The Punter Ponting – my man, the fighter, junk-yard dog, street brawler, captain of Australia, the great one. I had a feeling that Ricky was due for a big one. Anyone who has followed me in past posts may think I have something against Punter, I don’t. Ricky for me has always been special. He is a fallible human, flawed in technique and personality, much like myself. My heart filled with pride watching Ricky bat out the afternoon session like a true Test Match cricket professional. Congratulations Punter!
Ok, enough of that.
Let’s review the card for today.
Let’s keep this short and simple. Vettori batted like a champ until a brain explosion, calling for a very short single on 96 – chaos in a Test Match cricket environment. I don’t know what got into Dan the Man, the innings as a whole was as cool as you would like, ala’ Fonze. At this stage the Black Caps had the Aussies on the ropes, stifling their opposition in the Gabba bout with a mixture of combination uppercuts and low-blows to the gully region. There was no need for the single.
Young and Bracewell’s stay at the crease lacked conviction. The lack of big game experience shone through, hopefully a better showing in the next dig.
I expect more with the bat from Southee, especially in a Test Match cricket situation, with a partner edging towards a major milestone. The loft to mid-on ill-planned, more akin to a John Daly approach shot on a water hazardous par 4. Pull ya head in Tim.
Chris Martin, the many with the most ducks in Test Match cricket was funny.
So the Kiwis were bowled out for 295, not bad but 300 would have looked a shite load better on paper.
The Aussies came out to bat, hence the card (thanks CricInfo, you guys are ma boys).
Dave Warner was very unlucky, poor chap. Like a Looney Tunes character Warner’s eyes rolled with dollar bills at the first sight of a short one. Two problems – it was well directed at the body, and Southee bowls a ball as heavy at Fred Flinstone’s favoured cut of steak. If Southee were to start his own Southee Steak franchine, Phil Hughes would definitely be the butcher. What a hack, enough said.
I really like Khawaja, or as I call him Aussie Koala. Uzzie is a special batsmen, a mainstay in the Test Match cricket lineup. If I met him in the supermarket I would shake his hand and offer to carry the groceries. A ton is not too far Uzzie, you are a champ, just believe.
Punter Ponting, aside from running out Khawaja showed steely resolve for much of his innings. Good to see Punter swallow a bit of the pride and leave some balls on merit – Ricky wouldn’t have batted like this 12 months ago. Really happy for you Punter, you are a true legend and deserve to get a bag of runs this summer. Hope you get to triple figures tomorrow, really do.
Peace.
See you tomorrow.