The spinner who could bat a bit

No. Not Shane Warne. Daniel Vettori, of course.

Vettori is a bit like Warne, in that he is a fine bowler who can handle the bat and perhaps has harboured aspirations of a Test match century. Unlike Warne, he appears not to be a butthead.

When I went away for the week end and did not have internet access, NZ was 6/295. I was amazed to see last night that Pakistan were chasing 563. I guessed that Fleming must have made another 275 or so and was agog to see 137 not out next to the name of Daniel Vettori. Prior to the weekend, Vettori had made six Test half centuries with the only one progressing past 60 being 90 made against, dare I say it, lowly ranked Zimbabwe. He must have regarded that one as “the century that got away” (something that SK Warne knows about, by the way).

I believe that the innings was a fine effort – 137 from 170 balls. And 23 fours and one six would indicate that there was some entertainment for crowd. And even better, he was dropped three times in the one over.

So well played Daniel, you have given new hope to one of your blonde colleague across the Tasman.

On the Verge

With the Aussie bowlers falling like flies, and taking a hammering, most first class bowlers must consider themselves on the verge of Test selection.

I’m wondering if Matthew Nicholson might be close to of taking the Test stage again. He has returned to NSW, his home state, this year and has bowled well. It is often forgotten that Nicholson played a solitary Test almost exactly five years ago against England in Melbourne, performing creditably.

Nicholson is also a hard hitting batsman with a first class century to his name. He is obviously in the frame for the selectors as he is playing for Australia A against India. He took the opening wicket as India are 1/6 at stumps, chasing 5 d/311. Martin Love kept his hat in the ring with 94.

Another interesting selection was Cameron White, the other Victorian leg spinner, who was preferred to Nathan Hauritz.

Around the traps, all of the big eight Test nations are doing battle in series at present. NZ kicked off against Pakistan in Hamilton today. NZ are 6/295 at stumps with Stephen Fleming 125 not out, playing a lone hand.

Sri Lanka dismissed England for the obligatory, slow, ordinary mid-200 total. Just after lunch Sri Lanka are 1/88 with Jayasuria in full flight having made 53 from just 49 balls.

We all know the state of affairs between India and Australia.

The West Indies lost the first Test in South Africa by plenty, Brian Lara joining Ricky Ponting in making a double hundred in a losing effort. Lara moves back to the top of the PWC Batting ratings. Ponting, having made 242 managed to slide back one place as Dravid also moved up (to #2). I guess runs against India are not what they used to be! Tendulkar slipped out of the top 10 for the first time since Richie Benaud was a young man.

It is heartening for Aussie fans that Brett Lee has picked up 4-106 today against Tasmania. He had conceded 106 runs from just 21 overs while Bracken gave up just 47 runs from 29 overs but I’m sure Lee will take the wickets. He is a certainty for Melbourne. Gillespie has been ruled out for Melbourne, there will be no comeback for McGrath this series and I hear Warnie had a net session. Why, I don’t know.