India vs New Zealand 1st Test

viru,

The talent pool in NZ Cricket is much, much smaller than anywhere else amongst the Test nations.

Don't forget this is a country with a population of just over 4 Million and coupling that with the fact Rugby is the national sport then you began to realise how difficult it is to bring talent through.

They dont have the money in the game or infrastructure to constantly compete, it's testament to their hard work that they do.

Sometimes they will bring through a crop of talent at once and 'punch above their weight' as they did under Fleming and in the 80s under Hadlee and Crowe but there's going to be lean periods as well.

The things they've excelled at in the past such as their organisation and dedication isn't there at the moment from the top down it would seem.

Money is another issue. They get paid buttons compared to Australian, English or Indian cricketers and the IPL contracts are a big incentive. Maybe the hunger to wear the black cap isn't as great as it once was which filters into domestic Cricket. Look at their touring strength when they come here next year.

It's remarkable in many aspects that they compete as well as they do. Oh and they produced one of my true Cricketing Hero's...

*it's been testament
* heroes

the thing is this needs to start from somewhere. Once the players start performing and giving consistent results, people there will start liking cricket and hopefully the money issue will be sorted.
i personally didnt know their population is dat low, till now, so i guess credit to them. hopefully these youngsters will learn and improve over time.

Start where though?

Kiwi's do love their Cricket but thats irrelevant, they are what they are. Rugby will always be numero uno so Cricket plays second fiddle and that involves bringing youth through.

If anything it will get worse. I worry for the likes of New Zealand because as I said the players don't get paid a lot and the propisition to earn the sort of money they can playing T20 is too good to turn down. Hence the game suffers at home. When they play England next year its likely to be a second string. That would never have been the case 20 years ago.

I think you're being far too optimistic here.

despite what you said, NZ have a very gd track record in WC matches and major tournaments. Have seen them in many semis.
Its gd to be optimistic just as a cricket fan.

and anyway for tests to last t20 is needed. We can afford to have empty stadiums for tests if t20s are there. ow I wouldnt be suprised if tests had died down.

... and for Tests to last Test teams need to be in a position to be able to field their strongest team possible, Evidently NZ aren't.

The IPL will be prioritised over New Zealand's Test series in England next Spring, rendering the Tests to be anything but a Test. It's the nature of the beast unfortunately. I can't say I blame their Cricketers for going where the money is.

You and I both would like to see Tests more competitive across the board but I'm not expecting it, at least in the case of the Kiwis.

Neo..lousy pak fans along with Maksi and Dern most probably.

Anyway, good days cricket for India. Should enforce follow on tomorrow and try to get them out without having to bat again. Would be a good achievement if they can do that with scoring less than 500! Good decision to go with 2 spinners..nice turn and bounce

India should see this home easy. NZ really are poor.

its easier said than done, but how easy is it to bat straight against spinners? why do players not understand that?