Crowe dons the whites, again
There was a special attraction at Papatoetoe Recreation Ground as the New Zealand legend, Martin Crowe, all of 49, took his first steps towards returning to first-class cricket
Kanishkaa Balachandran
25-Feb-2013
There was a special attraction at Papatoetoe Recreation Ground as the New Zealand legend, Martin Crowe, all of 49, took his first steps towards returning to first-class cricket. He fielded at slip, scored an unbeaten 15, and gave everyone a reason to turn up. Ben Stanley was there and reports on the day in the Dominion Post
Players on both teams averaged around 23 years, born around the time Crowe already had a reputation as one of the most elegant batsmen in test cricket history. Yet the age differences didn't seem to bother Crowe. He chatted to his keeper and second slip throughout the game, but was relatively quiet, even unanimated.
Andrew Alderson of the New Zealand Herald also had a chance to relive the past on the occasion of Crowe's return.
Crowe was blessed with an intuitive sense of PR as cameras were thrust in his direction, adding a surreal element to the reserve grade XI contest. Crowe donned his gear and a traditional bandana and warmed-up with a few practice shots. The cameras lapped it up as he showed the maker's name, a Gunn and Moore "Flare" to be specific. There must be a cheque in the mail for such golden publicity.
In the same paper, Mark Richardson feels that New Zealand's hard workout in Zimbabwe should serve them well when they face tougher challenges in Australia, and at home against South Africa next year. He says the series against Australia should spark interest back home in New Zealand.
Kanishkaa Balachandran is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo