The Postman, Larsen, delivers at high cost (15 January 1999)

15 January 1999

The Postman, Larsen, delivers at high cost

The Christchurch Press

The postman, Gavin Larsen, duly delivered to his Basin Reserve boxholders yesterday, but was unhappy with the service cost.

Larsen, 36, became the seventh New Zealand cricketer to take 100 one-day wickets when he had Sachin Tendulkar stumped in the rain-ruined one-day international against India in Wellington.

Larsen, dubbed "the postman" because he invariably delivers miserly spells of medium-pace bowling, was unable to oblige to his usual standards - 56 was taken from his six overs - but his adoring home town audience still went wild.

Larsen was one of several bowlers to suffer in the match, which was initially reduced to 44 overs because of misty drizzle, and then became a 32-over contest after more moisture.

Eventually the weather won, ending play after 12.1 overs of the New Zealand innings, the Black Caps being promisingly placed at 89 for two in pursuit of a revised target of 212.

The match will be replayed today, weather permitting, but the outlook is not bright with more rain forecast.

However, the statistics from yesterday's play count, despite the match possibly being overtaken by a complete game today.

Larsen said he was not concerned about the milestone particularly.

What worried him more was the price of his performance and the game situation.

"Going for about 10 an over isn't that flash and something I could do without. It's also a pity the game was called off when we were going along quite nicely."

Larsen had the last say, though, on Tendulkar who was partly responsible for damaging his figures.

"It's not a bad wicket to have for No. 100 ... I'll take it."

India launched an exhilarating exhibition of strokeplay after the second rain interruption. Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Mohammed Azharuddin all played leading roles, Dravid probably the pick with some peerless shots. So far this year he has amassed 522 runs from five innings.

New Zealand's bowling and fielding were below the standards it has set of late.

However, encouraging for the Black Caps was the vintage form of opener Bryan Young who reached an unbeaten 52 from 40 with nine fours.

Footnote: The members of the 100-wicket club are Richard Hadlee (158), Ewen Chatfield (142), Danny Morrison (126), Martin Snedden (114), Chris Harris (113), Chris Pringle (103), Gavin Larsen (101).

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