From the host venue 
Just been chatting with the groundsman; not much chance of play today until mid-afternoon at best I'd say - rained very steadily yesterday and Westpac Pk has poor drainage for a couple of reasons.
Bit grey at present but forecast is for clearing weather, need some sun to dry it out...
Price on a draw dropped y'day from +135 to +100 when it looked like we may lose a whole day at least. But it would be a brave man to go for the draw when the 1st test took little more than 2 days to complete and the pitch here should be fast, bouncy and now a bit juicy with the overhead conditions favouring some swing too when we start.
NZ were +135 last I looked, India +400.
There's a couple of props I'm gonna play at the NZTAB, details following.
I'll be around for the next 2 hrs if anyone has any ?s or lines at the UK/Aus books they're interested in, don't hesitate to ask.
India high bat 1st innings:
Dravid +350 (2 units)
Tendulkar +325 (2 units)
When Dravid played here in the test in Jan 99 he scored 190 and 103no. He showed at the Basin he is the most technically equipped of the tourist to deal with the seaming, quick delivery and his test avg is even better away from India than it is at home - their only player who can claim that in their batting line-up.
Tendulkar hit 67 in that game in 99 and his class is undisputed.
The field for the NZ 1st inn high bat is more widespread but I think Craig McMillan has value at +400.
Macca has played 5 tests in my hometown and scored 540 runs at an avg of 77.14. These are his scores - 92, 84, 51, 79, 30, 98, 106!
He loves the true bounce and pace of the wicket and while he has no form to speak of at this early stage of the season, no-one really does with the bat bar Richardson.
Richie has has 2 tests at the park for 2 tons! 106 v Pakistan and 143 v Bangladesh. His concentration last weekend was admirable but an opener's life is a risky one and Riga does ride his luck at times so I'll pass on him at +375.
I'l throw in 2 home town outsiders - Scott Styris, playing his 1st test in his hometown, has some value at +700 if NZ have to bat first with him at No6. Same with Dan Vettori at No9 at 39-1.
Playing:
Macca +400 (2 units)
"Piggy" Styris +700 (1)
Dan Vettori +3900 (1/2)
Best play of the early stages for me is the Macca v Nathan Astle h/t/h matchup on 1st innings score.
Nath doesn't have anywhere near the same love affair with the park that Macca has. 6 tests, 188 runs at 23.50 with just one half-century. He did make more than Macca at the Basin but it was a bit flashy while Macca could argue he got sawn off with his lbw decision. Will try and slip something into Nath's drink prior to his innings to help the wager along
Playing:
McMillan $1.90 (2 units) over Astle ($1.80) for 1st inn h/t/h
GL all
Just been chatting with the groundsman; not much chance of play today until mid-afternoon at best I'd say - rained very steadily yesterday and Westpac Pk has poor drainage for a couple of reasons.
Bit grey at present but forecast is for clearing weather, need some sun to dry it out...
Price on a draw dropped y'day from +135 to +100 when it looked like we may lose a whole day at least. But it would be a brave man to go for the draw when the 1st test took little more than 2 days to complete and the pitch here should be fast, bouncy and now a bit juicy with the overhead conditions favouring some swing too when we start.
NZ were +135 last I looked, India +400.
There's a couple of props I'm gonna play at the NZTAB, details following.
I'll be around for the next 2 hrs if anyone has any ?s or lines at the UK/Aus books they're interested in, don't hesitate to ask.
India high bat 1st innings:
Dravid +350 (2 units)
Tendulkar +325 (2 units)
When Dravid played here in the test in Jan 99 he scored 190 and 103no. He showed at the Basin he is the most technically equipped of the tourist to deal with the seaming, quick delivery and his test avg is even better away from India than it is at home - their only player who can claim that in their batting line-up.
Tendulkar hit 67 in that game in 99 and his class is undisputed.
The field for the NZ 1st inn high bat is more widespread but I think Craig McMillan has value at +400.
Macca has played 5 tests in my hometown and scored 540 runs at an avg of 77.14. These are his scores - 92, 84, 51, 79, 30, 98, 106!
He loves the true bounce and pace of the wicket and while he has no form to speak of at this early stage of the season, no-one really does with the bat bar Richardson.
Richie has has 2 tests at the park for 2 tons!
106 v Pakistan and 143 v Bangladesh. His concentration last weekend was admirable but an opener's life is a risky one and Riga does ride his luck at times so I'll pass on him at +375.I'l throw in 2 home town outsiders - Scott Styris, playing his 1st test in his hometown, has some value at +700 if NZ have to bat first with him at No6. Same with Dan Vettori at No9 at 39-1.
Playing:
Macca +400 (2 units)
"Piggy" Styris +700 (1)
Dan Vettori +3900 (1/2)
Best play of the early stages for me is the Macca v Nathan Astle h/t/h matchup on 1st innings score.
Nath doesn't have anywhere near the same love affair with the park that Macca has. 6 tests, 188 runs at 23.50 with just one half-century. He did make more than Macca at the Basin but it was a bit flashy while Macca could argue he got sawn off with his lbw decision. Will try and slip something into Nath's drink prior to his innings to help the wager along
Playing:
McMillan $1.90 (2 units) over Astle ($1.80) for 1st inn h/t/h
GL all
