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Brave Sir Brendan ran away
Bravely ran away away
When danger reared its ugly head
He bravely turned his tail and fled
Yes, brave Sir Brendan turned about
And gallantly he chickened out
Bravely taking to his feet
He beat a very brave retreat
Bravest of the brave, Sir Brendan!
I am writing in disbelief as Cricket Australia sent out the following tweet.
So that's lunch in Blacktown. A decision will be made whether the match continues during the break. CA XI 1-503
https://t.co/HE3WMEtmPk
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) October 30, 2015
Assuming the CA XI aren’t thinking of forfeiting, and assuming New Zealand aren’t disappointed that Australia’s declaration robbed them of more bowling practice, I guess New Zealand aren’t having fun anymore, and want to use their safe word?
On a pitch that looks more like the bottom of a lake in a 10-year drought than a Gabba green-top, a pyjama specialist and a wicketkeeper who couldn’t make their Sheffield Shield sides had put on a handy opening partnership. The demons in the pitch awoke and reared their ugly head, to see the CA XI reeling at 1-503.
The Australian XI then panicked and declared at that total, unsportingly denying Aaron Finch a maiden triple century after besting his previous highest of 122. I’m not sure if Finch backed his car over captain Ashton Turner’s cat earlier in the morning, or if Turner was desperately trying to entice New Zealand to bat before the lead became unassailable.
Now in breaking news, there is talk of abandoning play, or a double Kiwi declaration, as New Zealand have taken their bats and gone home rather than try to survive on this apparently viciously unplayable pitch.
Come to think of it, I’m not even sure you can declare twice in a row, as it is the other team’s prerogative to enforce the follow-on, and cannot be taken for granted.
In light of New Zealand cricket’s focus on contrived results in the courts of Old Blighty recently, I wonder how many bookies had the Australian rejects to cover the spread and win by more than an innings and 500 runs?
I’m also not sure if the two hours of negotiation between officials of both teams were about the dangers of the pitch, or about how to describe the forfeit without New Zealand losing face?
Meanwhile, in their sole first-class fixture before the first Test, Australia’s just announced Test players will continue facing disintegrating pink balls under lights, to ensure that neither team is remotely prepared for the Test at the Gabba.
Should be a good game, I wonder if the Kiwis will strike another blow for the Spirit of Cricket and actually pick up a bat this time?
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