The Surfer

Time to get on with the serious matches of summer

Its off with the pyjamas and on with the flannels, says Mark Richardson in the New Zealand Herald

Its off with the pyjamas and on with the flannels, says Mark Richardson in the New Zealand Herald. Test cricket is still the ultimate challenge for a cricketer, says the writer, and in New Zealand's case the team must earn respect in the five-day format.

Can we put up a better showing in the test matches than the ODIs? Well, if the wickets are juiced up, we can. But if that becomes the directive, the groundstaff must get it just right. If they overdo it, the result would be an even worse evil than being dressed up by the Indians on flat ones.

India tour of New Zealand

Jamie Alter is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo