*Official* NZ Domestic Season

[SouthernMan]

We are still over 250 runs behind, But if we can somehow get 1st innings out of this game we should be pushing hard for a place in the final. Espically with Michael Powell replacing Trott for the last few games and James McMillan hopefully returning soon.

 

[Right arm fast]

james franklin currently 166* against auckland

 

[Tim]

Franklin batted as high as #4 for the NZ U19's. So as far as the Academy was concerned, they believed he had potential with the bat too.

It's great to see him putting these scores on the board, especially with Cairns gone. But he needs to keep taking wickets too...he didn't bowl very well at all in Christchurch.

Sheed would need at least 3 good seasons to convince me, considering how poorly he has played so far in his career.

 

[Sportsgirl]

Franklin is on 173* overnight.

 

[sirjeremy11]

Also, this dominating performace by Otago is making me think (more than last weeks game against Auckland) that they are genuine contenders!

Just call me Jinxy...

 

[Autobahn]

What are the crowds like at these matches?

I'm not expecting anyway near packed grounds but is there a sizeable crowd or is this a one man and his dog affair?

 

[Tim]

they'd be lucky to get 100 spectators. I think State Shield crowd numbers have improved. Twenty20 has really got spectators back to domestic cricket though, they had something like 2500 poeople on average for all the games this season.

 

[sammie_tee]

I was at the n.d game for abit the past two days and the crowd was well lets say nill!!! school boys finals get more!!

 

[sirjeremy11]

Yeah. Crowds for first class matches usually consist of retired people, the unemployed, and a few dogs. Lucky to get 10 or so. I think in Wellington they get 100 on the odd occasion at the Basin still...

 

[Tim]

Franklin has moved to 208*, congratulations to him.

And as I say that, he has been dismissed. That innings could kick-start more consistent performances with the bat.

 

[TT Boy]

Franklin has moved to 208*, congratulations to him.

And as I say that, he has been dismissed. That innings could kick-start more consistent performances with the bat.

Congrats to Franklin but is he batting on a road or the team he is playing against woefully substandard. He always looked like he could hold a bat but to score a double ton is unbelievable, Shane Bond always looked like a far more accomplished batsman. What’s his strike rate by the way, his he batting ‘normally’ or like a madman?

 

[Tim]

Franklin has never batted any higher than #9 or #10 for NZ so his opportunities have been few & far between. Believe me, he can hold a bat..but he's no demolition man like a Cairns or a Flintoff.

His 208 came off 250 balls. So it was at a fairly good clip. 27 fours and 3 sixes. The opposition is Auckland which features Chris Martin, Andre Adams & Tama Canning. They are very good bowlers at FC level. Plus the up & coming spinner Tim Lythe.

As I said earlier, he batted as high as #4 for the NZ U19's. It's taken him a bit of time to progress his batting, but this could be the launch-pad he needs.

 

[SouthernMan]

Yeah. Crowds for first class matches usually consist of retired people, the unemployed, and a few dogs. Lucky to get 10 or so. I think in Wellington they get 100 on the odd occasion at the Basin still...

At the Varsity Oval I have seen up to a few hundred people at the four day games, due to it being walking distance from the university flats and a very nice place to watch cricket.

 

[sirjeremy11]

At the Varsity Oval I have seen up to a few hundred people at the four day games, due to it being walking distance from the university flats and a very nice place to watch cricket.

That must be nice. Went to Westpac Park in Hamilton a few years ago. I counted 8 for an ND Otago game.

 

[sirjeremy11]

Franklin has never batted any higher than #9 or #10 for NZ so his opportunities have been few & far between. Believe me, he can hold a bat..but he's no demolition man like a Cairns or a Flintoff.

I wouldn't bat him above McCullum. Maybe Vettori, which means he would still be number 8, Vettori 9. That's a good batting line up in anyones' book.

 

[sirjeremy11]

Hiini and Wiseman put on 220 for the 8th wicket. Northern are absolutely hammered again by the looks of it. Both get hundreds...

Auckland capitulating at 162/5. Falling down, falling down...

Jamie How on 49 as CD build on lead against Otago...

 

[Right arm fast]

hiini got 100 and a few wickets does anyone know anything about him

 

[Sportsgirl]

Jamie How gets his 7th First Class hundred, Mathew Sinclair there with him on 71*

 

[sirjeremy11]

Jamie How has his 7th first class hundred, Sinclair on the way to his 20th. CD dominating Otago now. Over 320 ahead with nine wickets left.

 

[Kippax]

Sherlock played in the last game - don't know why he isn't playing in this one.

I was wondering if Sherlock was simply omitted from the current game due to this little-known 24 y.o. Hiini making such a good impression with the ball (and now the bat).

I see in The Press archives that Dave Nosworthy was reluctant to bring Sherlock back as soon as R4, but felt they had no other options. Perhaps he's just not up to four days of cricket each week yet.