One-off Tests serve no purpose
In the New Zealand Herald , David Leggat writes that anything less than a three-Test series is meaningless, for the sake of protecting Test cricket
Kanishkaa Balachandran
25-Feb-2013
In the New Zealand Herald, David Leggat writes that anything less than a three-Test series is meaningless, for the sake of protecting Test cricket. Three in the ongoing home series against Zimbabwe may be pushing it too far, but one Test isn't enough to prepare either team for further challenges in the season.
Remember the great majority of money comes from broadcasting deals, and put this in a New Zealand context. The turnstiles weren't exactly whirring at McLean Park last week. Would more people have turned up if admission was free? Would the loss in paying customers have made such a huge dent in the NZC coffers?
In Stuff.co.nz, Mark Geenty charts the rise of Tom Latham, son of former New Zealand international Rod.
When he left school and Canterbury Cricket pounced, Latham also had to shed some weight. Fletcher estimates he lost 10 to 15kg under the eye of their trainers. A hooker's build no more. His batting, glovework and outfielding stepped up another notch. Fletcher says his wicketkeeping is good enough to be a backup on tour, and if required could even follow BJ Watling's recent example and step up to a fulltime role.
Kanishkaa Balachandran is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo