The Corridor

Recent Posts

PLEASE NOTE The Corridor is moving grounds at the moment. This is the old site, and comments have been disabled. Check back tomorrow and we should be safely ensconced at our new home


newzealand

Lou Vincent’s 224. And tiddle.

3 years ago, mid-April

Lou Vincent

Long been a fan of Vincent since he made that debut hundred against Australia. Looked like a real gem, and perhaps this 224 will really be the making of him. Amusing aside in this article:

Vincent was chanceless through to 193 when he was dropped by Jayasuriya in the deep in the last over before tea. He conceded that his batting partner Paul Wiseman had whispered “tiddle” as they crossed mid-pitch. Tiddle is the team’s code word to put the mockers on the outfielder.

“I thought there was no way he would drop that. Then I heard Wizzer shout out `tiddle!’. I love him.”

A kiwi perspective on The Ashes

3 years ago, at the end of March

Dan, a new contributor to the excellent Mike On Cricket, is full of praise for England and thinks their world ranking of 2nd is fully justified.

Scott Styris ok for Middlesex debut

3 years ago, at the end of March

Scott Styris won’t be fit for New Zealand’s upcoming 2-Test “series”, but will be fit for his Middlesex debut on April 17. A good signing I reckon (Middlesex is my club).

New Zealand’s 26 all out still stirs them

3 years ago, at the end of March

Richard Boock looks back to New Zealand cricket’s lowest point, all out for 26 against the MCC in 1955

New Zealand are batting

3 years ago, at the end of March

New Zealand are batting against Australia - still no bloody TV coverage over here - and the Marshall twins are both playing, James making his debut (I think?). Look at McGrath’s figures so far…

8.1 5 7 0

Miserly git…

Brett Lee not selected for first Test

3 years ago, mid-March

There’s a lot of confusion today - or there will be when Australia wakes up in a few hours - about the decision to drop Lee against New Zealand. Jeff Thompson has voiced his opinion in classic style:

“Lee’s bowled well in one-day games against a team of no-hopers. One-day cricket is a joke. Kasper has done the hard yards, done nothing wrong. An idiot can get wickets in one-day cricket.”

That’s his opinion of course - I tend to agree with him. An ODI bowler can’t necessarily progress to a Test bowler (a successful one)…a Test bowler can, or should be capable of playing good ODI cricket. I think that’s where Thommo’s coming from.

The next bit is from Ponting - this must have been yesterday:

“At the moment Brett has a bit of a psychological edge over some of the NZ batsmen. So there’s all those things you have to consider. I know if I was in their side and looked at a teamsheet and saw his name wasn’t on it I would be reasonably relieved at this stage of the tour.“

Australia has, for some time now - in my eyes - always had a good, consistent selection policy; one in which the media, players and captain have (generally) all been in agreement with. So this is really odd that Lee should be “dropped”, or rather not be selected, especially after Ponting’s comments. I don’t like Lee, I don’t think he’s a particularly good red-ball bowler, but surely a horses-for-courses selection this time round would have really finished New Zealand off sharpish?

Thommo’s article here, and Alex Brown’s here

UPDATE: (forgot to post team)

AUSTRALIA Ricky Ponting (capt), Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke, Simon Katich, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath, Michael Kasprowicz

Lou Vincent - hungry for more

3 years ago, at the start of March

A very interesting article on Lou Vincent. Vincent took the world, and Australia, by storm - unusually for a Kiwi! - and, when I watched those innings, I thought New Zealand had found a batsman of huge talent. He dipped off, dramatically, and this article suggests he’s ready again for Tests. Hope so…

Vincent said memories of his Perth debut against Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee and Shane Warne were fading, but it made him hungry for more.

“Imagine getting a century in my first game back? It’s giving me a buzz thinking about it. We all know they’re class bowlers but it’s the same red ball coming from the other end. It’s another awesome challenge.”

Beige Brigade: “It’s About Passion. Not Fashion”

3 years ago, at the start of February


Originally read this a few days ago thanks to Mike. New Zealand’s answer (replacement?) to England’s Barmy Army are the Beige Brigade, bringing back memories of the 1980s: perms, taches and some lovely tight-fitting & fetching beige kit! Their challenge is thus:

“As the players will be wearing Beige Brigade kit on the field, it seems important things are taken to the next level, so we have decided to reward any player who grows a moustache for the fixture. Any player who fronts up with a real moustache on their face will get “a lot” of beer delivered to their local cricket club, courtesy of the Beige Brigade”

More info on their dry-witted-antics at their site

Brett Lee: Oscar Contender

3 years ago, at the end of January

Read this on Mike’s blog (thanks Mike) and laughed at his pontification of Lee in the movies. God…can you imagine?