Kiwi Saver Southee
A dead rubber game is made interesting by two New Zealand quicks. And with beer, hot dogs and doughnuts to go with that, you really can't complain
Lukas Davidson
14-Mar-2010
Wicket off the helmet? No worries for New Zealand and their fans • Getty Images
The game
I was hoping it would be the series decider but with New Zealand tailing off in the previous two matches, we were stuck with a dead rubber. Still as the saying goes "you are only as good as your last game'" and it was good to see New Zealand have the last say.
I was hoping it would be the series decider but with New Zealand tailing off in the previous two matches, we were stuck with a dead rubber. Still as the saying goes "you are only as good as your last game'" and it was good to see New Zealand have the last say.
Team supported
The Black Caps without a doubt.
The Black Caps without a doubt.
Key performers
Shane Bond's early double strike set the momentum and he came back strong in his second spell to clean up the tail. But it was hard to go past the bowling efforts of crowd favourite Tim Southee who picked up crucial wickets at key moments and earned himself the Man of the Match in the process.
Shane Bond's early double strike set the momentum and he came back strong in his second spell to clean up the tail. But it was hard to go past the bowling efforts of crowd favourite Tim Southee who picked up crucial wickets at key moments and earned himself the Man of the Match in the process.
One thing I'd have changed
I would have liked to have sat two rows down. In a game of limited sixes I watched helplessly as Martin Guptill and Scott Styris' hits fell just two metres away from me.
I would have liked to have sat two rows down. In a game of limited sixes I watched helplessly as Martin Guptill and Scott Styris' hits fell just two metres away from me.
Accessories
Beer, hot dogs and doughnuts were the order of the day. I've never eaten better.
Beer, hot dogs and doughnuts were the order of the day. I've never eaten better.
Face-off I relished
Bond vs Ponting. It was short-lived but really got the crowd going. The wicket-delivery was a cracking one and the fact that it hit Ponting's helmet rather than bat before flying to the keeper failed to dampen the euphoria.
Bond vs Ponting. It was short-lived but really got the crowd going. The wicket-delivery was a cracking one and the fact that it hit Ponting's helmet rather than bat before flying to the keeper failed to dampen the euphoria.
Wow moment
Bond's double-wicket maiden. He bounced out Haddin and followed it up with that ball to Ponting. Everyone was on their feet for we knew we were in for a fight.
Bond's double-wicket maiden. He bounced out Haddin and followed it up with that ball to Ponting. Everyone was on their feet for we knew we were in for a fight.
Player watch
Johnson was the villain and Southee the hero. The familiar chant of "Johnson's a (fill in the gap)" was never far from earshot. Southee was buoyed by signs such as "Are you on Kiwi Saver Tim Southee?" and "Do a flip Tim Southee". With the way he was playing it wouldn't have surprised me if he did.
Johnson was the villain and Southee the hero. The familiar chant of "Johnson's a (fill in the gap)" was never far from earshot. Southee was buoyed by signs such as "Are you on Kiwi Saver Tim Southee?" and "Do a flip Tim Southee". With the way he was playing it wouldn't have surprised me if he did.
Shot of the day
Guptill lifting Clint McKay high over midwicket off a free-hit.
Guptill lifting Clint McKay high over midwicket off a free-hit.
Crowd meter
Given that the series had been determined already, it was never going to be a sell-out. But those who did turn up made enough noise. The spectators were generally well-behaved although the abuse directed towards Johnson was borderline at times. Fortunately the match provided enough heart-in-your-mouth moments to get people on their feet.
Given that the series had been determined already, it was never going to be a sell-out. But those who did turn up made enough noise. The spectators were generally well-behaved although the abuse directed towards Johnson was borderline at times. Fortunately the match provided enough heart-in-your-mouth moments to get people on their feet.
Fancy-dress index
A pitch-invader in a black body suit appeared on the scene in the 35th over. He brought the crowd back to life during an entertaining gallop which left the security guards red-faced and out of breath.
A pitch-invader in a black body suit appeared on the scene in the 35th over. He brought the crowd back to life during an entertaining gallop which left the security guards red-faced and out of breath.
Entertainment
There were some entertaining entry and exit songs. The Beatles' "You say hello, I say goodbye" led Guptill back to the dressing room, his bottom lip dragging almost as low as his bat behind him.
There were some entertaining entry and exit songs. The Beatles' "You say hello, I say goodbye" led Guptill back to the dressing room, his bottom lip dragging almost as low as his bat behind him.
Marks out of 10
7. Despite some dull periods with the bat and a less-than-capacity crowd the match held together well. Another successful Chappell-Hadlee series comes to an end, let's hope the traditional rivalry continues well into the future.
7. Despite some dull periods with the bat and a less-than-capacity crowd the match held together well. Another successful Chappell-Hadlee series comes to an end, let's hope the traditional rivalry continues well into the future.
Lukas Davidson is a lifelong cricket fanatic living in Wellington, New Zealand. His spare time is spent managing the rising stars of his local grade team, Karori Bakery. His life ambition's include winning the illustrious 1A grade, and baking the perfect batch of scones.