Same Eden, different ground
A history lesson from Auckland, the Naked Bus, and Munaf goes native
Jesse Ryder puts on an irresistible all-round show to help New Zealand to a face-saving win at Eden Park.
Travel from Auckland to Hamilton, two-and-a-half-hours' drive, for NZ$13, by the Naked Bus service, as opposed to paying $28 for the more conventionally named Intercity service. The Naked Bus is thus named for its delightful promise of "stripping the cost of long-distance bus travel". Tickets can be bought for as cheap as $1 if booked in advance.
Hamilton, unlike Christchurch, is not a walker's city. Too many cars zooming around. If one can avoid the cars - and one has enough experience, coming from India - the walk from Waikato Stadium, where the motel is, to Seddon Park can be pleasant. But it's not, because of the evil V8 Supercars race that arrives on April 19. Work is already on - Waikato Stadium to Seddon Park is the top of the circuit and the only ticketed watching area. A co-walker, who lives in the vicinity, is already dreading the day. He will not be allowed to come out of his house - or go in, in case he is already outside.
A day before the first Test, Sony want the start be pushed by one hour. Want to maximise their TV viewership time in India.
Test cricket in New Zealand is all it has promised to be. The sun is out, the ground is not crowded. Portable chairs are out on the grass banks. Wish to trade the rickety press box for the grass bank, and the laptop and dictaphone for a thermos of tea, and cucumber sandwiches
The Test starts at its original scheduled time, thankfully. Munaf wakes up early all right, and takes three wickets in New Zealand's 279 all out.
Newspapers the world over have different styles when it comes to a person's name repeated in a piece. The ones in England and India say "Bush" when George Bush is used for the second time in an article, while the American ones usually say "Mr Bush". Not because he was their president, but because that is their style. The New Zealand papers lean towards the American style, but there are exceptions. In their sport reports, the second name is used without any salutation. And in the Waikato Times, a man accused of fraud is denied the right of being called "Mr" in a news report.
India have taken a big lead in the Hamilton Test, and on the fourth day New Zealand struggle to avoid an innings defeat. Ross Taylor is the fourth man out, whereupon in comes Jesse Ryder. "Drinks", says the giant screen. Some kind of joke?
The morning after. The Indians are shopping, the New Zealanders are training. Stephen Hill is New Zealand's media manager, Andy Moles is their coach. Andy is ready for a press conference when Steve comes and takes off the sunglasses that Andy has wrapped around his forehead.
Back in Auckland. It could be any other city in any other country - it's so cosmopolitan and commercial. Offices, big buildings, and hotels as opposed to idiosyncratic motels. But the Sky Tower stands out. Life revolves around it. Watch from atop the whole city, the roads, the lights, the traffic, the sea. Almost like from a watchtower. Go to the seaside at night and watch the brilliantly lit Sky Tower from there.
Meet Bev Congdon. He famously almost led New Zealand to what would have been their first Test victory against England, chasing 479, at Trent Bridge. Bev scored 176, but New Zealand lost their last five wickets for 38 runs, and fell short by another 38. Amid the tension, Bev read a CS Forester novel in the change room.
All New Zealand hotels and motels seem to have a weird rule. Check-in not before 2pm, and check-out not after 10am. Travel plans don't always work out that way, especially when you're following an Indian team that comes to a Test venue 18 hours before the toss. Land in Napier at 8am. An accommodating lady at the motel reception advances the check-in to noon.
Sidharth Monga is a staff writer at Cricinfo