World news – AU – « Blimey »: Image stunned cricket world

Batsmen around the world would have shaken up Thursday morning when they saw the deck of Seddon Park, and understandably so.

Batsmen around the world would have shuddered to see the field in Hamilton Thursday morning, and understandably so – it looks better suited for Wimbledon.

New Zealand’s domestic summer of cricket has started with a two-test streak against the West Indies.

The Black Caps have not played test cricket since their 2-0 win over India in February. The lockdown of the coronavirus stopped the tours in the winter months.

Even before the first ball in Hamilton, the cricket world had turned its attention to the bizarre field of Seddon Park.

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After a prolonged rain delay on Thursday morning, the curators pulled the covers back to reveal what can only be described as bowlers paradise.

There’s a lot going on in the center as the sky brightens up above you. 👍🏽 No official word on start times, but stay tuned, we’re going to play that Arvo Cricket! #NZvWI #CricketNation picture. Twitter. com / NlfYTIzpE5

The green deck could hardly be distinguished from the rest of the field, a thick layer of grass covered the playing area.

Combined with the cloudy Hamilton weather, it was a nightmarish wicket on day one, and both sides were understandably keen to win the throw and bowl first on a surface that was sure to offer plenty of assistance to the sailors.

« There should be a home advantage. When we go to the subcontinent, we don’t expect such a wicket, ”said Frankie McKay, commentator for Spark Sport.

“Every time you tour you expect the touring side to be slightly on the back foot or in conditions that are a little alien to you.

« But I think when you talk to the groundsman here, he just loves having a good cover of grass on the wicket.

« I think it scares some batsmen, but it also just means it keeps up.

« He’ll say it’s a good wicket and the batsmen should be fine, but the bowlers will lick their lips. ”

NZ Herald journalist Dylan Cleaver wrote of the sight of so much grass on the wicket that « could lead to a few West Indian batsmen bringing in a little of their breakfast ». .

New Zealand is known for its bowler-friendly decks, but the Seddon Park pitch was the next level and images of the wicket quickly went viral on social media.

So this is the pitch for the # NZvWI test. Reports that ground crew stole all of the mowers have yet to be confirmed. Cr 🚜 cr #cricket @BLACKCAPS @windiescricket @wwos pic. Twitter. com / SOBNDFTgQv

Not surprisingly, West Indian captain Jason Holder quickly moved to the first field after winning the throw. He was optimistic that his bowling attack would flourish in the cloudy conditions.

The New Zealand debutant Will Young has been hired to open the eyelashes in the most difficult situations that can be fathomed for a first test inning.

Thankfully, the 28-year-old was granted a life at the age of four, and his lead over Shannon Gabriel’s Peach flew between the wicketkeeper and the first slip.

But in a cruel turn of fate, Young was trapped in the LBW’s plumb bob with the next delivery and made his way back to the pavilion for five.

These subsequent shipments summed up why batsmen fight on green decks – Gabriel’s first shipment went away and jumped off the field while the second stayed low and slid into the pads.

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West Indies Cricket Team, New Zealand National Cricket Team, Test Cricket, BJ Watling, Phil Simmons, England Cricket Team