***Official*** India in New Zealand 2013/14

[Jono]

The Sol Bar was cLOSed.

I was flying SOLo in the shade of the RA Vance stand all day, after a pretty draining day underneath the SOL on SOLday.

I did see 16tos though, who casually rocked up after lunch to catch some history.

LOL.


Speaking of the Sol, I mean sun. Who was it that warned me about the New Zealand sun earlier in this thread? I didn't put sunscreen on my face on Sunday and woke up peeling like a bitch. No severe sun burn luckily as my brownness and overload of melanin saved me. But Jesus, I really did underestimate it.

McCullum, Watling and the sun. Three things NZ have killed me with on this trip.

 

[Prince EWS]

Yeah you're definitely tasting.

Had I chosen Auckland instead of Basin Reserve I'd have been tasting too - but I listened to you. Phew.

Although I'd have loved to have caught up with hendrix in Auckland. Next time (y)

You're tasting telling me I was wrong to think it'd go five days though..

 

[jcas0167]

This is by far the most exceptional performance I've ever seen from NZ cricket.

Not only McCullum but also Watling. It was by far the greatest partnership I have watched (admittedly and unfortunately only in parts).

Yes India do not have the greatest attack. Yes the pitch is no longer offering much for the bowlers. Yes the choice to rotate 4 bowlers over 120+ overs was poor.

But you also can't take it away from the 123.0 over partnership that arose from the deep dark depths of 96/5 and an ignominious innings defeat.

Nor did the partnership start with a hiss and a roar but more of a whimper. Baz was scratchy, batting within himself, Watling was entirely withdrawn and playing more with his brain than his bat. But by God this innings grew, it began as a battle against humiliation, it grew to a courageous battle for credibility before transcending to a battle against the record books. A switch was never flicked, we were not suddenly on top here. This was a war of attrition fought over 738 balls where slowly but surely we have somehow come out on top.

India did not gift us this innings, they haven't slumped their shoulders and given up. They have believed they can win basically throughout the entirety of this innings. And that is what makes this so special, it is what makes it such a great innings against adversity. It's the brilliant thing about Test cricket, in no other sport can you see something like this. Where every single ball and minute is filled with a unique bit of stressful urgency over a course of hours.

Baz

WAFG

I hope he gets to 300.

He deserves to have NZs greatest ever innings to his name both in legend and in the record books.

Absolutely agree - and remember there was talk of retirement at the start of the season due to his ongoing back problems. This innings, and the double century at Eden Park, have lifted McCullum into a new echelon of NZ test cricketer.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Dan changed the course of the game. When I dropped him off at the airport, NZ were 4 down for **** all. Corey Anderson failed to get the memo that Dan had left, but fortunately the paper arrived in time for the rest of the NZ line-up to realise that they could now perform.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Speaking of the Sol, I mean sun. Who was it that warned me about the New Zealand sun earlier in this thread? I didn't put sunscreen on my face on Sunday and woke up peeling like a bitch. No severe sun burn luckily as my brownness and overload of melanin saved me. But Jesus, I really did underestimate it.

Pretty sure every local warned you, and your response was basically "I LAUGH IN THE FACE OF SOL, MOTHER****ERS!"

 

[indiaholic]

Such a ****ing awesome innings from BMac. I never thought he had it in him.. No way NZ should declare now. Play out at least 20 overs tomorrow.. Get 60-70 more runs and then attack like rabid wolverines. Time for the fatality boys.. So so happy for New Zealand. More power to them.

 

[Jono]

You're tasting telling me I was wrong to think it'd go five days though..

Deadset whilst floating around at tea I thought exactly of this.

 

[Zinzan]

[URL="http://www.espncricinfo.com/new-zealand-v-india-2014/content/story/719859.html]Baz's definitely bluffing about even considering an overnight declaration [/URL] Case to be made to just keep batting if they can, take the 1-0 lead, and try to get a 400. I wouldn't call him selfish for doing so.

 

[YorksLanka]

simply superb form Baz..he is one of the few players in the world who can absorb pressure and use it to his advantage..the overseas misery goes on for india...

 

[G.I.Joe]

Also that is McCullum six off Jadeja near the end of the day came right near me. I did not pick it up at all and am incredibly thankful it didn't come straight to me as it would have no doubt sconned me and I'd have looked like a ****ing **** live on TV. Instead that bloke with the Boston Celtics top, who also picked it up late, looked the fool.

Phew.

He didn't pick it up late. He respectfully let it alone so someone in an orange t-shirt could have a go at catching it.

 

[Flem274*]

what a beautiful day

 

[Jono]

Dan changed the course of the game. When I dropped him off at the airport, NZ were 4 down for **** all. Corey Anderson failed to get the memo that Dan had left, but fortunately the paper arrived in time for the rest of the NZ line-up to realise that they could now perform.

 

[Flem274*]

Struggling to pick my biggest taste tbh

1. Chris Martin
2. BJ Watling
3. Brendon McCullum

I wrote the lot off at some stage (Marto just before the Indian 5fer, BJ when recalled as a keeper batsman against the Zimbos, and of course Baz in this series).

 

[Dan]

Dan changed the course of the game. When I dropped him off at the airport, NZ were 4 down for **** all. Corey Anderson failed to get the memo that Dan had left, but fortunately the paper arrived in time for the rest of the NZ line-up to realise that they could now perform.

Yeah, you're welcome NZ fans. Never would have got this piece of history without me

 

[OverratedSanity]

OS, you're a gun post and one of the best additions to the Indian cricket fan community on CW for a long time. Really not sure why you're bothering with him and his random criticisms of Indian fans. Just leave it. As you can see every other NZ poster on here has been gun and not rubbed this in or anything. Just communicate with them.

Point taken.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Wasn't all bad for us, though. Ishant's average is over 37 again, so that's there

 

[NZTailender]

Man what a day! Watling tonne, Baz double and nearing triple, Neesh fifty, OMAP banned, gun effort all round.

 

[Flem274*]

sorry for blocky btw guys. it's a hamilton thing. you should feel sorry for albie and i think ohnoitsyou who have to live there every day. we should save them.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

sorry for blocky btw guys. it's a hamilton thing. you should feel sorry for albie and i think ohnoitsyou who have to live there every day. we should save them.

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger!

 

[Bahnz]

Baz: I guess I was trying to make sure you get through the day knowing you have earned the right, to get through the day after the pressure we have had to absorb.

You earned the right Baz. Not only that, but you earned the right to no longer be mocked for your excessive use of the phrase "earned the right".