hmm yes . . . CH no.1

what to say - i too was at the game, in the terraces, being rowdy and drinking. however i kept my empties and insults to myself and even clapped whenever the aussies got a wicket

now that i've asserted my self rightousness . . .

obviously the blame for the disruptive crowd can be put anywhere, my main causes are alcohol on a sunny day and boredom due to a dire NZ performance - though to be fair some of the pitch invasions happened before NZ had even started their innings and the bars under the terraces were shut by NZC by 6pm

another factor not widely reported was the blatant police brutality which was probably the main factor in getting people worked up. i saw two people get hauled over the railings, roughed up and manhandled away just for saying "what are you arresting him for? he didn't do anything"

anyhoo . . . the cricket:

apart from obvious disapointment - not necessarily at the result but more at the lack of fight - it was great watching ponting bat and lee, vettori and cairns bowl

yes i'm taking tomorrow afternoon off for the cake tin game . . .

it is a shame (though understandable) that the first three rows will be empty as it will no doubt harm the atmosphere. wellington cricket crowds are traditionally the most knowledgable in the country (far more refined than those aucklanders - whose boorish attitude is better suited to NZ's 'winter game' ;-) ). so it's unfortunate that they've (we've) suddenly 'earned' a bad reputation. the incident from earlier this year ponting refers to is 'the katich incident' which i spoke about at length at the time and probably should be left to rest - but just to say that it was very much a one off and, IMHO, shouldn't be blamed entirely on wellingtonians . . .

If ever the Kiwis have a chance of winning...surely it`s today at the "Cake tin", Wellington......... it`s a slow wicket... made slower by recent rain....the forecast is good.....

One dayers are hit & miss...the best team usually comes out on top over a series...but this looks like NZ`s best chance.

Think the novelty value of having the Shirley Temple twins in the side needs addressing tho`.......what has James Marshall ever done???........ Sinclair may have had his troubles versus the aussies, but he`s a better bet than this lad.

yeeeees welcome back to wellington for the first time today

the day dawned grey and overcast though starting to burn off now i think. After half a day of heavy rain and thunder yesterday the outfeild should be green and lush. not sure how well the pitch got through it as i can't see it from here.

the last few years cake tin games have been belters so hopefully this will be no different. is bond in the team does anyone know? he should be over his tummy bug by now

Pretty sure Bond is out...the same 12 as Eden park are on duty.

He`s a good bowler Bond, but the quicker he realises he can`t bowl 145 to 155kph EVERY ball the longer he`ll last............. blimey i could bowl at 150kph too........... the only problem being the ball would end up being wided as it strikes the square leg umpire.....and secondly.... i`d be laid out at the crease with a stressed back!!!

After watching the first C/H game, you can see why the selectors often put their faith in Mills instead of Franklin. Mills has worked hard on his game and is now a good death bowler. Maybe Franklin needs to go back to the nets...

I`m surprised they kept faith in Mills to be honest.......He got some fearful poundings from the south africans & the pakistanis not so long ago...the aussies too.............. but he looked the goods at the death on saturday.......... He certainly seems to have improved.

A lot of it probably comes down to experience. Now that he's played over fifty matches, he's able to come back from a bad spell.

cloud still hasn't cleared yet - doesn't look like it will before the start of the game either. oddly there's NO WIND to shift it!

win the toss and bowl i say . . .

i spoke too soon . . . the sky has cleared, any moisture induced movement through the air has dissapeared - or will have by 2pm

i might head off to lunch and then to the stadium . . . see you all tomorrow with a full report

To win a series at the moment vs australia the kiwis need two shane bonds and two Daniel Vettories, at would help combat the australians batting line up and then u will need three Fleming's and two Chris Caines' to be able to bully the australians for all 50 overs