Field Theory by Hadyn Green

Good summary of the Test here.

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).

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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?

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).

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..."

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!

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

Other than Hadyn obviously.

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.

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.

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.

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)?

The Mantis and the Cricket?