It was a great case for the Black Caps to upset the world champs in their home territory but experience and a bit of Aussie determination foiled their attempts.
So where to from now is the headache that faces this Black Caps team with the Indian series just around the corner.
Around many a bar or kitchen table cricket lovers debate who is the best batsman in the world, the greatest all-rounder, the top spinner and so on. Sometimes the discussions turn to fielding, and the name of Colin Bland is regularly brought up. Bland’s reputation as a cover fielder was such that he almost solely remembered in this capacity. The fact that his fielding remains the primary legacy of his test career is perhaps a shame, as Bland was also a very good batsman. Nonetheless, it does underline what a magnificent fielder he was, as a Test average of nearly 49.06 places him near the elite level for international batsmen.
No player summed up the unbridled aggression and uncompromising self-belief of Australia’s recent era of dominance more than Matthew Hayden.
Like a rose fighting its way through heavy soil, thus progresses the season of the South Australian cricket team.
Looking at how statistical analysis as applied to cricket is not always welcomed by cricket fans.
As the Central Districts Stags Captain I couldn’t dream of a more perfect start to our one day campaign, but it was a case of missed opportunities.
One thing that I constantly get asked as a professional cricketer is, do you have to be fit to be a cricketer?