Cracker of the match
What the eff? Who decides these man of the match awards?
In Friday’s match, the award went to Michael Clarke for his 98, despite the fact that Elliot’s 61 clearly decided the result of the match. Clarke even takes the blame for the loss on Friday. And he was right to some extent – excuse me for being uncharitable, but his inability to take the match away from New Zealand, despite his long, long partnership with Michael Hussey, did as much to lose the match as it did to save the innings.
So the precedent was set. The biggest innings wins the award, not the best or the most influential.
It was clear right through Sunday’s match that Australia were going to take the match. But I took great satisfaction in Elliott’s 115, convinced that it would deny Haddin (109) the award. But someone changed the rules on Saturday, and Elliott went unrewarded again.
Well, applying my own arbitrary criteria, I’m awarding Elliott a double Waitangi weekend Crucket cracker of the match award.
Also, a shout out too to Vettori. Despite the ABC commentators repeated insistance that Bracken is the no. 1 ODI bowler, we’re going by the website, which puts you comfortably at no. 1.
Proper respec’ to the whole team in fact. When the commentators stated that NZ had “pushed into no. 4 in the rankings” they were clearly unaware that the two months we spent at no. 5 were a blip and that we’ve had a pretty comfortable home in the top 4 since 2004.
February 9th, 2009 at 11:38 am
I went to the match, came back disappointed with the loss but immensely proud of Elliot and McCullum’s efforts. Too bad McCullum maybe out for the series, now there’s a real chance we could lose 3-2, which is a major let off for a team that doesn’t deserve it.
I never quite understood why the Chappell-Hadlee is five matches now, when it’s always been three? I understand it’s because it’s replacing the round-robin VB/C tourney but if that’s the case, there’s no excuse for complaining about workload and resting players in preparation for South Africa when they agreed to two extra matches in the first place.
February 9th, 2009 at 11:49 am
Prof,
Trev-Barry series this year is 5 matches because it’s in a season where we would otherwise been involved in the VB / CUB Series.
When Aus next come here for a (probably 2) test series it’ll be a 5-match series then too.
Otherwise it’s 3 matches.
February 9th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I too couldn’t work out why Elliot was not man of the match after the logic in game two. Mind you did i really expect such fairness and consistency from Australian cheaters? No.
February 9th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
I suspect it was the Channel 9 commentators, unless NZ has an ABC station that adds their own commentary?
February 9th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Moses, sometimes Radiosport in NZ directly broadcasts the ABC Local radio feed.
February 9th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Moses, sometimes Radiosport in NZ directly broadcasts the ABC Local radio feed.
Indeed. And it is good commentary as well, aside from the dodgy facts about New Zealand and the assumption that NZ is only as good as our test ranking. I’d take it over Misery Morrison and company any day.