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The Gluepot
By Dave Crowe
Posted March 2
It used to be at the Three Lamps in Ponsonby but twice now in the last ten years it has been relocated to an eighteen metre long by two metre wide strip of dirt in the centre of Eden Park. It is the authoritative answer to dead grass and is obtained by mixing one part glue to eight parts water and soil, producing a slurry that is poured over the area and soon sets into a hard, lifeless stretch of a pitch.
Perhaps that was not possible this time, for the grass seemed to get a virus somewhat like the one that has kept Martin Crowe out of the commentary box. (No, he's not another hawkesby!)
The last time Eden Park was glued was against Pakistan in 1989 and by the end of that boring exercise there was no one glued to his or her seat then either. The trouble is that test cricket gets a bad name, because India and Sri Lanka have just fought an equally gripping battle in the Asian triangular test series. It is the first tri-series since 1912, when the concept seemed buried forever after South Africa were absolutely hammered by both England and Australia before the latter pair got on with their usual Ashes contest.
Two Consolations.
One is that if test cricket becomes too boring next season we can all switch to Cricket MaX, That will delight the purists, I don't think. It will increase the ratings because MaX always does secure the audience.
The other is to keep watching our youth team. They have just won the one day series against England under 19, just as our women won the Shell Rosebowl from Australia for the first time in five years (just like those brilliant netballers). Plus the Shell Trophy
There will be action in the third test with South Africa, you may be sure. The Basin Reserve will give us another cracker, just like the Boxing Day test with India.
What will happen at Jade Stadium is anyone's guess, for there the ground is shared with rugby, like Eden Park. At least there are three more exciting one dayers for the summer's climax.
Send Dave some feedback and you may be included in the "Fantales" section of our new XTRA Cricket site starting soon. | ||||||||||||
