Its Only Cricket

Filed under Eng in NZ 2008

As itsonlycricket enters her 3rd year online, my belief in Ian Chappell's saying 'run on board is always better than having to score them second' continues to deepen.

Curators around the world prepare flattest pitches possible for limited over cricket match, and Twenty20 goes even faster. Brendon McCullum, captaining New Zealand side for the first time - opted to field with not much variety in is bowling armory. England got off to a brisk start with Phil Mustrard & Luke Wright putting on 12 inside first 2 overs. Mustard hit 2 fours & a six in his 13 ball 20 & then on - kiwis were always chasing the game.. Scorecard.

Kevin Pietersen had platform set to come out all guns blazing but English trump card turned out to be Dimitri Mascarenhas. Spin Lagend Shane Warne, who captains English county Hampshire, always wondered why Dimitri was not picked by England selectors for one day Internationals. Dimitri has tremendous hitting power while slog overs are on and he had once hit 5 sixes off Yuvraj Singh at the Oval. Today at Eden Park in Auckland, against New Zealand bowler Jeetan Patel - Dimitri smashed 4 sixes one after another.

Dimitri's trick : stay very stable. he watches the ball closely, grips the bat at top of its handle & hits with all power - preferably in a direction that has not many fielders. but above all - its Dimitri's confidence from similar finishing job for his county Hampshire that helps him target one bowler & hit 3-4 sixes off a single over.

Once England reached 184, New Zealand were never really in hunt despite Jacob Oram's unbeaten 61 off 40 balls.

Another cricketer who received much attention from this first of twin twenty20 internationals between England and New Zealand - was Jesse Ryder. Left handed opening batsman Jesse Ryder. the debutant, took one catch, dismissed one batsman & scored 22 off 21 balls.. nothing VERY special you would say - but his physical presence and batting style reminded of Roger Twose - one of best left handed batsman New Zealand cricket has ever produced. Roger was clever batsman - waited for right opportunities and never threw his wicket away.. now Ryder's batting style like him isn't enough. The sooner he learns inside qualities of Twose - the better!

Jesse Ryder, 23, labeled as fat & disloyal, has had a awkward first class career so far where he once rejected to tour with New Zealand A side and has been playing for Ireland as overseas player. Knowing his ability to turn cricket matches around - another interesting fact is that this cricketer had 100 dollars running on him multiplied by the number of runs he scores in this T20 match. Since Ryder scored 22 runs - a sum of 2,200 New Zealand dollars were given by the sponsors to the charity of Jesse Ryder's liking.. now that's a great to turn a wild cricketer into aspiring cricketer!

A record 29446 spectators watched this England vs New Zealand twenty20 International, which was second between the two nations and now both have won one each.

England in New Zealand 2008 : Tour schedule

England vs New Zealand 2008 cricket series

Eng v NZ twin Twenty20s, on 5th & 7th feb 2008

Scorecard : Eng v NZ 1st T20 : 5th feb 2008

England ride on Dimitri, win 1st T20 vs NZ

Collingwood's day : odi series still alive