Yours Please #3

By Harbour Heather, Andrew McGoff and Ryan Nixon

We have decided to introduce a regular new series.  “Yours Please” asks three Sportsfreak affiliates their thoughts on what has happened – and what may happen – in the sporting world.

This week, @HDiddyNZ, @KloppGoff and @NewYorkNixon give us their thoughts on the weekend’s events.

1) NZ wins the test series 3-0 in India.  Is this the most remarkable moment in our cricketing history?

@HDiddyNZ – This is a hard one for me because there have been times today that I still simply cannot believe it. A test match clean sweep in India?! The Test Championship win and consecutive World Cup finals were wonderful and meaningful, but for sheer “no way-ness”, each of these test wins seemed more unlikely than the previous. By that definition then, I think yes, it is the most remarkable, definitely in my living memory. So proud of that team 🖤

@KloppGoff – Being the first team to whitewash India in a home series has to be one of the most remarkable moments in cricketing history, not just New Zealand’s. To do it on the back of such a poor performance against Sri Lanka, and with unlikely heroes in Santner and Will Young was epic. Arguably one of the most remarkable moments in our nations sporting history.

@NewYorkNixon – By the length of the Flemington straight. Given all of the context surrounding this series, predicting anything other than a series defeat would have had you committed. For the Black Caps to achieve what they did makes this not only the most remarkable moment in our history, but arguably the most unexpected series result in the history of test cricket.

 

2) And while we are on the subject, will we ever see a stat like Ajaz Patel’s overseas wicket tally?

@HDiddyNZ – Never say never. But it would make for incredible watching, wouldn’t it? So long as it’s a Kiwi doing it, I’ll definitely enjoy someone trying.

@KloppGoff – We have such a weird relationship with left arm spinners in NZ. In our conditions they simply don’t spin the ball (at all / enough) to make an impact. Santner becomes the default pick because he can bat. Sub-continent conditions have suited Patel, it’s great to have a bowler who performs so well away from home. Would have been interesting to see if he’d have had the same impact had Santner played the 3rd test.

@NewYorkNixon – It really is incredible. The short answer is no, although given our home conditions and traditional usage of spin bowlers, I wouldn’t say it’s impossible.

 

3) Now that the excitement of the NZ Derby has died down, at this early stage does Auckland FC look to be the real deal?

@HDiddyNZ – I am by no means an expert in soccer football so I can’t really speak to on the pitch, but from an off-field perspective, it seems like they’re doing a lot of things right. I rate their branding, their fan engagement, and the derby seemed to be bookended with the kind of banter we don’t see a lot of in NZ professional sport. It’s good for Kiwi football to have two thriving teams, so long live Auckland FC!

@KloppGoff – I’ll start this with saying that it’s great for NZ football to have 2 sides in the A-League, getting 26,000 fans at the Derby on Saturday was fantastic, but I think it’s too early to tell. Brisbane were poor, Sydney dominant but wasteful and the Phoenix disjointed and naive. Enjoy the ride Aucklanders, but let’s not get carried away yet. Still a long season ahead.

@NewYorkNixon – The evidence before the season (financial backing, recruitment, appointment of Steve Corica) suggested that this team would be competitive, and they’re quickly proving it. Building the team from back to front, with in particular Alex Paulsen, Hiroki Sakai, Dan Hall, and Louis Vestraete, means that they’re unlikely to concede a lot of goals, and while the attacking fluency hasn’t quite been there yet, the defensive prowess will keep them in most games. I’d be shocked if they miss the top six.

 

4) The LA Dodgers win the World Series 4-1.  Was the final scoreline a surprise?

@HDiddyNZ – Not my sport, so my uneducated answer is yes. I’d have thought two big name teams in a finals series would have been a big match up, especially as the Dodgers only finished the regular season with four more wins than the Yankees, which seems like nothing across such a long season. The MLB has gotta be dark it didn’t go further for the additional broadcast revenue!

@KloppGoff – My knowledge of baseball extends to watching Moneyball… But from what I do know, anyone but the Yankees sounds ok.

@NewYorkNixon – The margin of victory, perhaps, but it always seemed like the Dodgers’ playoff experience would prove critical. They’ve been to 4 World Series in the past 8 seasons, a number of key players were returning from their 2020 triumph, while eventual MVP Freddie Freeman won it in 2021 with the Braves. It’s hard to argue that experience didn’t serve them well, especially given the Yankees’ meltdown in Game 5.

 

5) Tonga beats the Kiwis in an exciting test at Mt Smart.  What do you make of the international rugby league test scene?

@HDiddyNZ – I was in Otahuhu on Saturday morning, that said everything you need to know. Tongan flags covering fences, or proudly waving from cars at scarcely-believable heights. I love the Kiwis, but I also love this era of international league where more than just Australia, New Zealand and England are competitive in the men’s game. Anyone at Mt Smart would know the atmosphere was electric, and with the on-field product offering more competitive match ups, it can only be good for the game’s continued growth and next generation.

@KloppGoff – It’s great for international league that players can move from a Tier 1 team to Tier 2, so they can represent Pacific nations at major tournaments, meaning these ‘upsets’ can happen. It makes it more exciting than only having 3 teams who can compete. It will be interesting to see how long Tonga and Samoa remain in Tier 2… Or NZ in Tier 1 for that matter!

@NewYorkNixon – Yet again, a test match showed everyone that we need more of these matches, and that they shouldn’t be tacked on as an afterthought post-season. Unfortunately, the NRL often only pays lip service to the international game, prioritising its own product, as well as State of Origin. It’s a shame that these matches are therefore often tarnished by who isn’t playing, rather than the incredible performances of those who are. Tonga were outstanding and thoroughly deserving of their win on Saturday, but it inevitably generated discussion about who the Kiwis were missing.

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