Field Theory by Hadyn Green

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Field Theory: The second test and the first test

17 Responses

  • Brent Jackson,

    Good summary of the Test here.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 620 posts Report Reply

  • Dan Slevin,

    I was lucky enough to see the show on Tuesday night in the presence of Bob Blair himself. It was a very moving occasion and I blogged my response here (scroll down for a picture of Blair with writer/actor Jonny Brugh).

    Wellington, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 95 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Bob Blair talked about it with remarkable frankness on Morning Report today.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    That teared me up just reading about it. Can we hope for some heroics on Friday at the Basin? Somehow I don't see that sort of mental toughness in either team. Although playing through injuries seems to be a modern necessity for the NZ team.

    In terms of finding the flag, I'll just be looking for the aura of auspiciousness, before skulking off in my shyness to the hotdog stand, wondering if anyone noticed my cartoon face and bicycle helmet.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    I've just book for it. I like a good play about sports.

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report Reply

  • Hadyn Green,

    That teared me up just reading about it. Can we hope for some heroics on Friday at the Basin? Somehow I don't see that sort of mental toughness in either team.

    To be honest I didn't follow the recent pop-cricket story closely but didn't an Aussie head back home straight away when his fiance was in trouble and dump her for some reason? Not quite the same.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    Exactly.

    Whoops, I nearly got into the 'none of my business' section. In my defence, I tried not to, but was lead into it ;-)

    Wonder if the people I'm visiting could be convinced to go watch a play on cricket? Seems unlikely, to be honest.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Williams,

    What a fantastic story, I'll now go listen to the interview. Thanks Hayden, I knew nothing about this test and now, to quote the Muttonbirds, oh I wish I was in Wellington.

    Incidentally, when watching the movie Ali, in which I think Will Smith's pretty bloody good, it occurred to me that someone really should/must make a movie of Hillary's ascent of Everest... surely Peter Jackson's got it on his list?

    Sydney • Since Nov 2006 • 2273 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Incidentally, when watching the movie Ali, in which I think Will Smith's pretty bloody good, it occurred to me that someone really should/must make a movie of Hillary's ascent of Everest... surely Peter Jackson's got it on his list?

    I suspect that the "Sherpa Tenzing really hauled Hilary up the mountain but the movie didn't show it that way" argument might cause some controversy. (see, U-571).

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • Ian Dalziel,

    Hillary's ascent of Everest... surely Peter Jackson's got it on his list?

    I believe Weta has just released a model of the anti-hero mountain - to be trialled at the RWC
    called "Throwing a Line out - A Scent of Victory..."

    Christchurch • Since Dec 2006 • 7953 posts Report Reply

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    I saw "The Second Test" tonight. It was deeply moving, to the point where several times I was getting all teary and feeling the desolation and tragedy.

    But it's also very entertaining, no doubt due to the comedy chops of actor/writer Jonny Brugh. Particularly funny was the cricket match narrated by the 1950s radio coverage, where the international match commentary was provided by telegrams, one sentence... after... another.

    The play requires a basic knowledge of cricket, and that's where I stumbled. There were a few cricket mentions that I couldn't quite follow, but I figure any other Field Theory regular won't have that problem.

    If you're in Wellington, see it. It's only $20!

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    but I figure any other Field Theory regular won't have that problem.

    Other than Hadyn obviously.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    What a fantastic story, I'll now go listen to the interview. Thanks Hayden, I knew nothing about this test and now, to quote the Muttonbirds, oh I wish I was in Wellington.

    I did know this story, and have always found it moving.

    And I really wish I was in Wellington to see the play.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Matt Swinson,

    I played cricket one sunny Saturday afternoon with Bob Blair's younger brother. He was nearing the end of his cricketing days, and I was meandering through mine. His reputation always preceded him, because, as was echoed around the boundary ropes of Wellington cricket grounds, 'his brother was one of the bravest, most honourable men to wear the Silver Fern'.

    I thought he'd be a pushover because, hey, he's old and I'm young. He bowled me first ball and while I stubbornly walked back to the pavilion he stopped me and said: "your stance is too open. You'll find it difficult to play a right arm in-swinger with such an open stance."

    He was a nice bloke.

    london • Since Mar 2007 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Dan Slevin,

    And I really wish I was in Wellington to see the play.

    It did play a season at The Edge in Auckland just a month ago. Without the publicity benefit of Blair's presence.

    Wellington, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 95 posts Report Reply

  • ARVNranger,

    There was a documentary series, presented by Jeremy Coney, about historic cricket tests and tours. It's bugging me that I can't remember precisely the title but I remember the episode about this test match and it was gripping, stirring stuff. Bert Sutcliffe and Bob Blair told the story in their own words and the emotion was still evident 50 years after the event. Can anybody remind me of the series title (and where I might view it again)?

    Since Nov 2007 • 6 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    The Mantis and the Cricket?

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

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