| Series | Countries | Live Scores | Fixtures | Results | News |
Features
|
Photos | Blogs | Statistics | Archive | Video & Audio | Games | Mobile | |||||||||||||||||||||
« The plan to get Shiv | The use of referrals »
December 24, 2008Posted by Iain O'Brien on 12/24/2008 in West Indies in New Zealand 2008-09
Mental cricketers, and christmas greetings
 |
 |
Day five and I've bowled ever day of the Test. The body was pretty tired, I didn't have the muscle soreness that I would usually, but the body was feeling tired. I knew I was going to have to work hard for every bit of rhythm and pace out in the middle.
Early bus to the ground for the fifth day in a row; there's no point spoiling what has been working. And when I say that, I mean it. Cricketers, generally, are superstitious. Although ‘superstitious’ is almost the wrong word. If something is going well then we will repeat those things we have been doing. A shirt you've worn when you did well is then considered lucky and will be worn day after day. The breakfast you eat before you head down to the ground will be the same as the day before, if you've had success. A lucky bat, a lucky pair of socks. Any day when you done well, I can almost guarantee you that cricketers will try to replicate the actions that honestly have nothing to do with the end result because we are mental! We have issues. We believe in silly routines that hopefully will bring us continued success.
So I get to the ground early and tape up my feet to save more blisters appearing. The feet are still sore and aren't going to get any better in the short term. I'm not complaining and I'm not the only one going through pain to play, not at all. It's just that it's my blog, and I can only really speak on my behalf. The blister on the ball of my left foot is the one the hurts the most. Every time I land to bowl it gets smashed up. But Iain, just get on with it, just bowl. Shut up and bowl!
Gayle and my 'pal' Fidel were batting. The first plan was similar to how I came out and bowled on the Saturday morning. Hit the deck hard, don't try too much, keeping the runs down and hopefully knocking them over early. Alas. I started well. Rhythm and pace came early which I was sure was going to happen as warms-ups had gone well. It didn't last though. I don't know if it was me being tired, possibly trying too much to bowl dots to Gayle or Gayle just deciding he was going to hit me everywhere. Probably a combination of all of the above, but in my fourth over I was made to look very much like an average medium-pacer. He just upped his game; maybe the bouncer I caught his grill with woke him up and made him angry. Sixteen off my fourth, and therefore last, over was not what we wanted. We will have to chase every one of these runs down to win.
I head away from that over hurting. I'm doing my best and at the time it wasn't good enough. I'm letting the team down. I was trusted with a job and couldn't do it. And those reasons right there is why this game is so damn difficult. One day a hero the next you can feel like a nuffy even though you're still bowling ok, things just don't go your way. Yes, luck does play a part! And I wasn't lucky today. I have mentioned in earlier blogs that when things like this happen I can sometimes shut myself off, get grumpy and not give enough to the team's effort. It's only normal to be disappointed and showing it and feeling it are often not the best things in a team game. I tried as hard as I could to get back into the game, to back the boys that were trying to do what I couldn't. It took me a couple of overs to 'get over myself' and start giving what the team needed in the field. This is a big improvement from what I have been like in the past. Still got some work to do with it, but sometimes when you're disappointed it just takes some time to be sociable again.
In the last over before lunch we picked up the last wicket and headed into the shed. 312 off 60 overs. We get this and it's going to be one amazing chase.
We were heading in the right direction, not cruising, but I'm sure our batsmen are making them nervous. Unfortunately we lost a couple of wickets in the middle of the chase and things started getting a touch nervous on our side. It was going to be a twitchy afternoon. Baz [McCullum] joined Jesse [Ryder] and things were looking good. We needed 140 odd off about 21 overs. That really is possible. The more we chase it too, the more chance the Windies have of dismissing us; a balancing act that both sides didn't want to give away too much.
Baz was given out caught behind playing a pull shot. Instantly he referred the decision to the third umpire as he was sure he hadn't hit it. The footage couldn't 'conclusively' show that Brendon didn't hit it so the decision stays with the original decision. I'll cover this rule off and the application of it in a couple of day's time.
And that ended our chase. Sure we still had five wickets in the bank, but could we guarantee that we could get through the 15 overs remaining intact if we kept chasing?
A real hollow feeling filled the changing room when it was agreed, with nine overs to go, that a result was not possible for either team. Some real weird emotions ran through me, but mostly disappointment that I couldn't have been the difference on the fifth morning. I tried as hard as I could the previous night to be that difference. I picked up a wicket and created a chance. I do take a lot of pleasure and confidence from my performance in the first innings but I wanted to have more of an effect at the important end of the match, to make the difference, to turn it into a very, very special match for me and a Test match win for the team.
I've got a couple of things to add to this in the next couple days, so keep tuned.
Have a great Christmas all, that's if you celebrate it, of course. I'll be with my parents, at home, a welcome day off.
Merry Christmas
Posted by: Kelly Savage at December 24, 2008 7:45 AM
Love the blogs Iain, keep it up! Was following the 5th test at work, and was looking forward to a close finish, but, is it just me, or did we give up on the run chase too early? I mean we are already 8th in the world, would it have really mattered if we had lost the test by going for the win? With Jesse still in and Dan and Kyle to come, I still thought we had the fire power to win, so was very dissapointed that we gave up! Who knows, you might have hit the winning runs?!
Posted by: Fahad Aftab at December 24, 2008 8:11 AM
Iain,
NZ bowlers tried their best, but credit to Windies tailenders for hanging around, and even scoring precious runs, in pre-lunch session on day 5. You picked up 6 wickets in 1st inning and struggled in 2nd innings, but that's why test cricket is such an amazing game. It is a great leveler (look at Shiv). Good luck to NZ side for upcoming games. I think your NZ side is overall better than Windies, and will prove it in coming games.
Have a happy Christmas.
Cheers,
Fahad Aftab
Karachi, Pakistan
Posted by: nbwz at December 24, 2008 8:47 AM
Nice one Ian, have a good one yourself, and to all the black caps. I'm a big fan, and it's certainly a rollercoaster ride with the kiwis but it's never dull! Looking forwards to great things in the next two years.....let's keep test cricket alive!!
Posted by: Andrew McLean at December 24, 2008 8:50 AM
I'm starting to really enjoy your insight and it begs the question why there is not more direct interaction of players with the fans. Players generally only speak to the fans via the press and only then when they really have to. That's what makes this blog great - it's self generated and is not a once-a-week effort. The during-match interviews in Twenty20 don't seem to bother anyone, so why not have the same in Test cricket? And why not, for instance, interview Brendon McCullum after he's been given after the challenged decision or speak to a batsman who's made a hundred once he's taken off his kit and is relaxing? How do you think this would be received by the players Iain?
Posted by: Shankar at December 24, 2008 9:02 AM
Congrats to you and all the players of BlackCaps.
Good Performance in the test series against WestIndies.Congratulations to Vettori for achieving his new test record(286 Wickets,3000 Runs). If he continues his excellent form,by 2012,Vettori will be the first player in tests to score 5000 runs and take 500 wickets.
Your Bowling is excellent and now you have climbed to 29th position in ICC test rankings.This is the best Rating in your career. You have worked really hard and continue this excellent form, you surely will reach TOP 10 by 2010.
ALL THE BEST.
Posted by: shane at December 24, 2008 9:17 AM
Great job Iain. Ive been watching most of the match despite being an australian. Now that the Tests are over are you going to coninue with the blogs, if so when?
Posted by: Brown at December 24, 2008 9:18 AM
Nice one Iain.But most of them still believe that we should have chased down the target and that would be treat if it was a thrilling finish.I can't accept with you that once Braz got out it ended up our chase. Still Vettori to come and Ryder at the crease we should have pressed for a win and we could have witnessed a dramatic finish for '08.The last week was really a great one for test cricket as IND chansed 387 and SA chased 414 on 5th day track.And atleast i personnaly feel that it was a really a tough decision.
Posted by: Adhil at December 24, 2008 11:23 AM
Theres no doubt,we could of won the test but a great blog iain and please wish the blackcaps merry christmas espically brendon,my super hero for me and please come back hard in the 20/20s,after all we playing at home
Posted by: Kaushik Lakshman at December 24, 2008 11:34 AM
Hi Iain,
I am from India. Was following the match in cricinfo as they do not show it live out here. From what i read Mcullum was not out. That i guess was a crucial blow for you guys since it could have made all the difference in the world. I still remember the first IPL game in which he slaughtered the opposition bowlers. You guys sure would have won had he stayed on.
The review system has to undergo a lot of fine tuning. Even in the India-SL test series where it was implemented for the first time it was a fiasco. Many decisions went against us & it finally cost us the series. I read somewhere that Daniel Vettori is asking for the hot spot technology to be used in the Review & i quite agree with him.
Looking forward to more blogs.
Best of luck for the T20 match against the windies!
Merry Christmas
Posted by: Sekar at December 24, 2008 12:17 PM
Great going Iain,I wasnt able to see the match as it was not being aired in this part of the world(India) but i was following each and every ball in Cricinfo.I thought that you guys were going to win it to round off a memorable Test Match month.I have been following your posts for a while but was able to give my comments only now.I always have followed you Kiwis with great interest and been greatly fascinated by the fielding skills of your cricketers.As for this match,you guys did pretty well to scare the opponents and i thought that you should have gone for the win but i know that its very difficult to do that if you are in Dan's shoes.Anyway,hats off to you guys.Have a Merry Christmas and New Year.
Posted by: Debartha at December 24, 2008 12:49 PM
Hi Iain,
I am following ur blog for past few days and am quite njoyin it.It is nice getting an insight of a cricketer's mind,to know how they feel out there and learn about these silly "mental" things you all do.We will be touring NZ next and I am waiting for day when our batsmen will play you in the morning and you will write about it in the evening and know what you think of our sachins and sehwags!!Anyways there is still time left for that.Congrats for taking ur first test fiver and all the best for the remaining WI series.Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year..
Posted by: surya at December 24, 2008 1:12 PM
What else do you call repeating things you did before other than superstition , man?...Its nice to hear a bowler describing the minutest of issues that he goes through daily?...I really hope that you play for kiwis for a long time although you are 31....As for the match,you really should have run through them but for gayle..westindian tailenders are notoriously unpredictable..The blisters you talked about are sending shivers down me...Haargh...It shows how much you guys struggle daily to enjoy the recognition you get..
Posted by: swami at December 24, 2008 2:49 PM
congrats to dan vettori ... it seems only a short while since i saw vettori & craig mcmillan play the u-19 world cup ...
Posted by: colin at December 24, 2008 4:34 PM
West Indies is improving every min we are on the rise.With Bravo in the side we should be able to challenge any of the test nations.Hope ZIM return to test cricket soon we miss them.
Posted by: Deran at December 24, 2008 6:09 PM
This is great Iain....
I'm sure a good number of Sri Lankans over here do read your blogs....this is truly a great experience, hearing about how the game is from the people who play it....
So keep up the good work. Although you're not a part of the ODI squad, let me wish NZ all the best for the upcoming ODIs and T20s. I'm sure NZ can clinch the series. I've been a VERY keen supporter of NZ Cricket since I was 7 years old (since Martin Crowe captained NZ to the Semis of 92 WC).
Wish you and all the Black Caps (current and previous - specially to Fleming, Astle, Cairns & Bond)a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Posted by: Blake Houlihan at December 24, 2008 7:36 PM
Gidday Iain!
Good effort from the team. The batting was much improved and that is a victory in itself. Bottom line, the whole team moved forwards in one way or another. Iain if you could pass on this message to Brendan McCullum for me, it would be great.
Brendan your friends never e-mailed me that picture from Fiji in August this year! I would love to get it framed so if you could please remind them to e-mail that to me, they have my e-mail address in their camera case. Remember? I shouted your family a few wines and we had a chat at the Hard Rock Cafe! Highlight of my holiday! blakeydabomb@hotmail.com. I'm trying to fly over to NZ to watch the ODI's as I'm living in Gold Coast, Aus, so I'll keep chasing you for that picture!!
Either way, GO THE BLACK CAPS!! 2010 World Cup Finalists..
onya Iain,
Blake Houlihan (Future Black Cap)
Posted by: Samit at December 24, 2008 8:03 PM
Lain,hope u r doing great...Good efforts by u and others.Yah true sometimes it doesnt click ur way.No matter keep trying i know u r capable of i have seen ur clips bowlings..Merry christmas.Have a blast hohoho...CHEERS
Posted by: Tim Cadman at December 24, 2008 9:37 PM
Dear Iain,
Love the blog, please keep it up! Its superb to here some honest, insightful comments from a professional cricketer. I'm a massive NZ fan and I wish you all the best for the T20s against WI - I shall watch them if they are on!
all the best,
Tim
London, England
Posted by: T at December 24, 2008 10:18 PM
This is a brilliant blog to read! Cheers for this Iain!
Shame about the result, but it was still great to watch. More of a shame though is the fact that this wasn't a five test series.
All the best, and a Merry Christmas and/or Happy Newton Day (Isaac Newton's birthday), all!
Posted by: Sam Kent at December 25, 2008 12:10 AM
Hi Iain. Merry Christmas. Great showing by the Black Caps in the Tests. Had Baz not been given out I am sure the decision would have been made to go for it. I am still confused how you can not overturn a decision when there is blue sky between the bat and the ball but I guess umpires are going to get things wrong no matter what resources are available to them. It is really exciting to see NZ starting to develop a team that seems capable of beating anyone. Jesse, Daniel and Brendon seemed very comfortable against the Australians which is a good yardstick for their ability. Jamie seems to be in a rough patch but as we saw on the fifth day of this Test he can get great scores if he trusts his game. Good luck in the ODI's and the T20.
Posted by: Ross at December 25, 2008 12:34 AM
Merry Christmas, Iain. Have a good break
Posted by: Alistair Woolgar at December 25, 2008 12:41 AM
Hey great going and many Christmas Ian! Definitely our frontline seamer now! You probably don't know but back in March -Rock2Wgtn! You might remember us yelling your name constantly before the show started back in the gold pit haha! :D sorry about that! Anyway keep up the good work man!
Posted by: kiah at December 25, 2008 2:25 AM
Merry Christams and a Happy New Year Iain!!!! great resiliance im the 2nd test by your mates, You guys really tried putting up a serious chase but thats cricket.... win some lose some and you draw some. Well good luck to the team in the twenty20's, but im hoping visitors will be ontop..... Season Greetings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: CARLOS TROSS at December 25, 2008 2:32 AM
GOOD BLOG LAIN both teams showed character and that was the true spirit of test cricket i am not sure you could of gotten the runs i think that if your captain had press on and lose two quick wicket then there is no way chris would of agreed to end and i am a west indies fan so i say that i thought that the west indies would of won ,as for the referals there would always be good and bad in experiments i think we need to keep the binifit of the doubt in the game a miss is a miss. but it is foolish if the technology cannot always be conclusive. same happy return
Posted by: Rehan Visser at December 25, 2008 1:07 PM
I really enjoy your blog, Iain, as it is heartfelt and is a fantastic portrait of what goes on behind the scenes. Keep it going, it really is great!
Although, I'm South African, I have cousins in Christchurch and I want to wish you and your fantastic captain and the rest of the New Zealand team the best of luck.
Merry Christmas!
Rehan
Posted by: neviller at December 25, 2008 1:25 PM
Helli Iain,
Nice writing and I hope you get the chance to read what your fans and cricket fans say in return.Maybe more cricketers will use this opp to develop themselves during and after their careers. Hard fought series, but don't lets start with who was out or not. Cricket is the game of glorious uncertainties and we would have to start from the beginning of the game to see how many good or bad decisions made people famous.
So keep up the good work and keep enjoying your cricket. The team is made up of eleven you dont have to carry the load alone.
West Indies supporter.
Posted by: Dilip at December 25, 2008 5:08 PM
Great blog Iain. Wonder why more modern cricketers don't do this! Do keep the posts coming in.
Here's wishing everyone Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Posted by: Chris Weston at December 25, 2008 9:02 PM
Highly entertaining blog, thank you Iain. It's rare to read such an insightful account from a sportsman, especially showing the kind of self-awareness that you do. I hope you get better luck in future!
Posted by: Nev at December 30, 2008 4:27 AM
Devastating. NZ could have won, blame the umpires? Done that before. Instead lets get some more test matches! Two test series are poor, especially when NZ cricket decides to hold one in Dunedin! Good year of development for NZ and some new stars have emerged. Lets hope the new coach can keep this batch away from injuries! No more Oram/Cairns please (Match winners when they can play)...
- Iain O'Brien must type as fast as he bowls. After stumps most days he adds to his popular personal blog, covering his take on the play, dressing room snippets and personal insights (he really doesn’t like bouncers). A fast-medium bowler, O’Brien has become a regular member of the New Zealand Test side over the past year and is enjoying his time at the top.