Shell Cup: Like lambs to the slaughter? (6 February 1999)

6 February 1999

Shell Cup: Like lambs to the slaughter?

The Christchurch Press

This is Wellington cricket's year. The players know it, the fans know it ... it's a pity Canterbury seems unaware of the fact, and has the temerity to even turn up at the world's best cricket venue today.

Canterbury has had its final - that fortuitous win over Northern Districts on Wednesday.

Take McMillan's 125 out of the score and where would you be? Well, still in front, but that's not the point.

McMillan won't even trouble the scorers today. Bulfin will carve him up like the chunky piece of mutton he resembles. Harris? Too old. Cairns? Probably still trying to sell the story of his tragic marriage break-up to the women's magazines. Besides, we have better nightclubs up here, so that will have taken care of him last night. Howell? Dream on. The guy won't get within spitting distance of a decent score. Priest? No-one up here knew he was still alive. Stead? Never heard of him. Astle? Played better when his thumb was broken.

So maybe Canterbury has a chance with its bowling attack? There's the mighty Geoff Allott, who must be in the top 10 left-handed bowlers in the South Island, so that's something.

Stephen Cunis? Hope he's better than Bob. Hopkins? Hmmm ... famous name in cricketing circles. Harris? Well, he's good in that you can go and get a beer between the time he lets the ball go and when it reaches the batsman.

Canterbury lambs to the slaughter. Nevin, Boyer, Twose, and Chandler will have us 200 for three after 40 overs and Petrie and Bulfin will blast us over the 300 mark. Petrie's a really good player, considering he's an ex-Cantab. On the bowling front, Bulfin is on fire. His speed makes Allott look like that old girl off Driving Miss Daisy and Astle and McMillan have always been his bunnies.

Revenge. Two years ago Wellington had a bit of a hiccup in the final - a few bad umpiring decisions, debatable tactics by the opposition - but 1999 is the year of the Firebirds. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go and take my medication.

Source :: The Christchurch Press (https://www.press.co.nz/)