***Official New Zealand Domestic Season 2021/22***

[RossTaylorsBox]

Read was one of those guys who was naturally good at every sport, he was roped in for the school soccer XI and he held his own despite never playing before.

 

[SteveNZ]

Gee, must have been a lot of double All Blacks back in the amateur days then when they could play both.

But there weren't.

I'll give him Kieran Read. I saw Kieran as a young cricketer, he was an outstanding opening bat. But the reason I believe he would have played for NZ is the same reason he became an All Black captain. His maturity and focus as a teenager was something I hadn't seen and haven't really seen since. He went to Saint Kent's on a scholarship and had the gumption to say no, this isn't working for me - it's not who I am. Then he went back to Rosehill, worked his arse off, still made rep rugby and cricket teams despite being out of the 'big' Auckland comps, then went to Canterbury and the rest is history. He was a professional well before he became one - which people think these young kids in 1st XV comps are now, but they're not. They're forced to be. He was that of his own making. You can see it now, it's not normal to come in at 36 years old with a beaten up rugby body, playing cricket once a year and bat like he did against proper opposition.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

St. Kent's is full of ***** that's why

 

[SteveNZ]

St. Kent's is full of ****s that's why

Why is heroes censored?

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

I mean there's a good reason why he left which is that South Aucklanders are just way more fun and interesting.

 

[Skyliner]

What a dreadful collapse by Wellington.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

No more super smash on terrestrial tv now? Disappointing that hasn’t changed now we’re at red. Was going to head along to the Basin today, but now can’t watch it at all.

 

[_Ed_]

Yeah, that's disappointing. Have to give them credit for having more games on free-to-air this summer than they did last year, but I was hoping for a bit more this week - even if it's just delayed coverage of play-off games on Duke or something.

 

[Immenso]

Finn Allrn v the ND blackcaps bowling attack is actually the best cricket so far this summer I have watched

 

[Immenso]

Blundell with lead in his shoes.

 

[Binkley]

I am watching today’s match via delayed coverage, and I have to ask why they are playing music over the PA at the Basin when there is no crowd allowed at the ground? I mean, what is the point?

 

[_Ed_]

Looks like Santner had an excellent game today.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

I am watching today’s match via delayed coverage, and I have to ask why they are playing music over the PA at the Basin when there is no crowd allowed at the ground? I mean, what is the point?

What's the point when there is a crowd at the ground, unless said crowd is three sheets to the wind?

 

[jcas0167]

What's the point when there is a crowd at the ground, unless said crowd is three sheets to the wind?

They play it at tests too. It's like some marketing people don't get cricket.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

They play it at tests too. It's like some marketing people don't get cricket.

And it's often really obnoxious music. It's infuriating, particularly for Test matches. It's one of myriad (but certainly a contributor) reasons that I absolutely despise Rihanna's We Found Love. Repetitive, obnoxious and often played as a replacement for muzak at cricket matches.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Ughhh. Just seen the scorecard of the Wellington vs. ND game. Bracewell bowling before Younghusband. What's the bloody point in picking Younghusband like this? For ND, the spinners really did the damage, but for Wellington, plan A&B seemed to be recurring seam. Ollie Newton only getting one over, Nathan Smith getting 2 low-cost overs and Neesham seemingly the pick... Hard to be sure given the game, but looks like the Wellington bowlers were again poorly managed.

 

[Bahnz]

Bowlers and captain don’t really deserve the blame. It was the batsmen who had a 180+ score practically gift-wrapped for them by Allen, only for the middle order to bottle it against the spinners’ long hops. Then Blundell had a mare, dropping two very catchable chances.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Bowlers and captain don’t really deserve the blame. It was the batsmen who had a 180+ score practically gift-wrapped for them by Allen, only for the middle order to bottle it against the spinners’ long hops. Then Blundell had a mare, dropping two very catchable chances.

Oh yes, don't get me wrong. Clearly, the batsmen threw away that wonderful start, but even then there was a reasonable score on the board. Using the resources at their disposal better might have made it closer. Looks like ND were cruising at the end, even if they did only win by 2 wickets.

 

[Meridio]

I'll give him Kieran Read. I saw Kieran as a young cricketer, he was an outstanding opening bat. But the reason I believe he would have played for NZ is the same reason he became an All Black captain. His maturity and focus as a teenager was something I hadn't seen and haven't really seen since. He went to Saint Kent's on a scholarship and had the gumption to say no, this isn't working for me - it's not who I am. Then he went back to Rosehill, worked his arse off, still made rep rugby and cricket teams despite being out of the 'big' Auckland comps, then went to Canterbury and the rest is history. He was a professional well before he became one - which people think these young kids in 1st XV comps are now, but they're not. They're forced to be. He was that of his own making. You can see it now, it's not normal to come in at 36 years old with a beaten up rugby body, playing cricket once a year and bat like he did against proper opposition.

Yes, absolutely. He was also a gun slip fielder, I played quite a bit of school, club and rep cricket with him and I can't recall him ever dropping one, which in schoolboy cricket is unheard of. I played with and against a number of talented players of his age and while obviously anything can happen once players get into higher level cricket, he was the one guy who I (and everyone else) was sure would make it all the way. Had the ability, had the mental strength and had the work ethic. Pity rugby got to him first.

That being said...

Read was one of those guys who was naturally good at every sport, he was roped in for the school soccer XI and he held his own despite never playing before.

I'm pretty sure this never happened. He did try learning how to drag-flick in hockey though despite never playing.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

I'm certain this happened, unless I've created a false memory of it.