tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111954708286392671.post1810768402783201803..comments2024-03-17T20:41:08.291+13:00Comments on My Life in Cricket Scorecards: New Zealand v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, 4th day, Basin ReservePeter Hoarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03787338137200532386noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111954708286392671.post-78370148345202911052015-01-12T01:24:07.353+13:002015-01-12T01:24:07.353+13:00Thanks, Peter. I didn't know about Martin Cro...Thanks, Peter. I didn't know about Martin Crowe (although, of course, I know he's been ill off and on for a while). I was always a great admirer of his, going right back to the 1983 tour, and will have to clear some time to write something about him.<br /><br />It seems a safe bet that Williamson is going to break all the New Zealand records, and do so in style. For me it's his his off-driving that really marks him down as a player of high class.<br /><br />When I commented yesterday I'd forgotten that the Black Caps are coming here in the spring, probably because it's less than two years since they were last here. Much will depend on the NZ openers (will Rutherford still be around?) and whether Southee and Boult can match or better Anderson and Broad. And isn't McCullum due a bit of a dip in form? <br /><br />They could be really good games if the weather plays ball. Many NZ Tests here in recent years have been played in Arctic conditions. Brian Carpenterhttp://differentshadesfgreen.blogspot.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111954708286392671.post-11418410915932202972015-01-11T10:59:01.129+13:002015-01-11T10:59:01.129+13:00Hi Brian
Thanks for your comment and your interes...Hi Brian<br /><br />Thanks for your comment and your interest in the blog. I agree that Williamson isn't a Viv Richards or Ricky Ponting, that is to say a batsman that you can recognise as a great player almost from their first appearance. My comment was influenced by Martin Crowe (as you may know, now in his final weeks) effectively handing on the title of NZ's greatest batsman to Williamson. <br />We are quietly confident about the two tests at Lord's and Headingley in May/June, but it remains to be seen if that confidence is justified.<br />I'll post on day 5 of the test later today.Peter Hoarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03787338137200532386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111954708286392671.post-38072883349051618422015-01-11T01:49:58.331+13:002015-01-11T01:49:58.331+13:00Thanks for your 'on the ground' reports, P...Thanks for your 'on the ground' reports, Peter. I've watched each day of the Tests on Sky here in the UK (mostly highlights, as I no longer have the stamina for the all-nighters), and it's been good to read the take of someone who's been there.<br /><br />For what it's worth I think it's a bit early to describe Williamson as 'one of the greats' (except, perhaps, in strictly New Zealand terms), but he's obviously outstanding. You do, though, have the advantage over me of actually having seen him make some live runs, as I've seen him bat twice, once for Gloucestershire and once for Yorkshire, and he was out for 0 on both occasions.<br /><br />I completely agree about Watling - his keeping always looks, neat, unobtrusive and excellent, and to have broken a world partnership record twice inside a year tends to indicate that he knows what he's about with the bat too.<br /><br />McCullum is simply McCullum, Jimmy Neesham looks like one of those classic big lads who can hit the ball miles, bowl some seamers and has hands like buckets (slight echoes of Flintoff, but with better batting technique), and Southee and Boult are superb. The most refreshing thing about them is that they're happy just to get batsmen out without feeling the need to send them off with a mouthful of abuse.<br /><br />Like many people around the world, I've always had a soft spot for New Zealand, and I really hope their current vein of form continues. If they played England at home now, I think they'd be strong favourites. Brian Carpenterhttp://differentshadesofgreen.blogspot.co.uknoreply@blogger.com