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Twists and turns on the dial
by LES EVERETTFOR a concept treated with more than a little disdain the Chappell-Hadlee series has thrown up some incredible run chases in the last year or so. On Sunday Australia established a new record score for Eden Park in Auckland of 4/336. A few hours later New Zealand held the record after smashing its way to 5/337 with eight balls left. On 7 December 2005 Australia scored 5/322 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington with Andrew Symonds getting 156. The New Zealanders took to the chase with gusto... Lou Vincent opened and scored 71 in 49 balls and Brendan McCullum got 48 in 33 balls. They needed just six runs off the last over but blew it and were bowled out for 320. Three days later at Jade Stadium in Christchurch Michael Hussey top scored with 88 not out as Australia amassed another massive total - 7/331. If the New Zealanders were mentally scarred by their Wellington experience they didn't show it. Scott Styrus scored 101 and McCullum again revealed a liking for inside-out shots over cover in smashing 50no in 32 balls. The home team won the game with an over to spare with a score of 8/332. On Sunday Australia's total was even bigger with excellent contributions from Hussey (105) and Brad Hodge (98 not out). New Zealand lost an early wicket in its chase but what became clear was that none of the Australian bowlers posed a real threat so the run rate remained healthy. Impressive youngster Ross Taylor scored 117, Peter Fulton (76no) was cool and Craig McMillan (52 in 30 balls) was brutal. None of these incredible games were shown on free-to-air TV in Australia but listeners to ABC Radio got them ball-by-ball. It would be hard not to make amazing run chases sound exciting but somehow cricket on the radio from New Zealand has something extra. It's not just the accent. There are language peculiarities too. Where else would you hear, for example, a commentator say something like: "Fleming just got a wee nick (pronounced nuck) on that (thut) one." The strange crowd atmosphere also seems to be well captured by the effects microphones. However the whole Chappell-Hadlee experience was beautifully summed up by one of the special comments men on Sunday (sorry I didn't catch his name). As New Zealand's innings entered the last 10 overs and the match was in the balance he said: "The game is twisting and turning like a twisting a turning thing." Game three is in Hamilton on Tuesday. 19 February 2007 |
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