Sporting pitch keeps game going
What a shame New Zealand's batsmen could not carry on where their bowlers left off yesterday
George Binoy
25-Feb-2013
What a shame New Zealand's batsmen could not carry on where their bowlers left off yesterday. Even so, by stumps last night the first test was wide open. But anyone assuming the pitch at the Gabba has been bad news for the test, think again, writes Adam Parore in the New Zealand Herald.
There's nothing wrong with the pitch. Indeed, you can mount a strong argument that these sort of pitches should be encouraged. They keep the game moving. When the sun comes out, the Gabba is invariably a treat to bat on, but on the first day, or if there's a bit of rain about, and the green tinges come through, the seam bowlers lick their lips. It has had consistent bounce and while it has certainly been challenging to bat on, it has not been dangerous or physically threatening.
For those with eyes on the future of New Zealand cricket, the first full round of the national championship this week offered an interesting glimpse of what might lie ahead, writes David Leggat also in the New Zealand Herald.
At the Under-19 World Cup, [Tim] Southee was the player of the tournament, taking 17 wickets at a remarkable 6.64 runs apiece. Not far behind him was Northern Districts left-armer Trent Boult, with 11 wickets at 10.9. Boult was one of five other members of that squad playing in the State Championship's first full round this week, and he made an immediate impact on his State Championship debut, grabbing five for 58 against Otago.
George Binoy is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo