1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,387 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:13,427 Speaker 1: from newstalksb Where is. 3 00:00:13,747 --> 00:00:18,067 Speaker 2: New Zealand's home of cricket? Craig Coming has played at 4 00:00:18,067 --> 00:00:21,827 Speaker 2: the Mall, coached at the mall, broadcast at the Mall, 5 00:00:22,227 --> 00:00:24,307 Speaker 2: and been a spectator at the All, so I think 6 00:00:24,347 --> 00:00:27,267 Speaker 2: he's fairly well qualified to at least kick off the 7 00:00:27,307 --> 00:00:30,187 Speaker 2: discussion with us. Craig get Amy, thanks for Johannus. Can 8 00:00:30,227 --> 00:00:32,747 Speaker 2: we start with the Basin Reserve, which I think we 9 00:00:32,867 --> 00:00:37,027 Speaker 2: all agree is New Zealand Cricket's spiritual home. Now, what 10 00:00:37,107 --> 00:00:40,147 Speaker 2: are the pros and the cons of the Basin Reserve? 11 00:00:40,227 --> 00:00:43,027 Speaker 3: First of all, yeah, it's always a bit of debate 12 00:00:43,227 --> 00:00:46,307 Speaker 3: and good aft and pony. Yeah, the base In Reserve, 13 00:00:46,427 --> 00:00:50,427 Speaker 3: certainly it wasn't a great ground to enjoy playing, and 14 00:00:50,627 --> 00:00:53,027 Speaker 3: I say that for a couple of reasons. I call 15 00:00:53,107 --> 00:00:55,147 Speaker 3: it the home of New Zealand cricket because I think 16 00:00:55,347 --> 00:00:55,867 Speaker 3: we've got. 17 00:00:55,747 --> 00:00:58,947 Speaker 4: The museum there. Most of our major. 18 00:00:58,947 --> 00:01:02,467 Speaker 3: Events or crackle events have happened at the Basin Reserve, 19 00:01:03,027 --> 00:01:05,267 Speaker 3: and you certainly get that fear when you walk into 20 00:01:05,307 --> 00:01:08,707 Speaker 3: the ground. But there's neither are not only suddly, neither 21 00:01:08,827 --> 00:01:09,467 Speaker 3: were very nice. 22 00:01:09,467 --> 00:01:10,187 Speaker 4: Most of the time. 23 00:01:11,027 --> 00:01:13,227 Speaker 3: It's called a massive block, so fielding on it used 24 00:01:13,267 --> 00:01:15,427 Speaker 3: to be awful because you'd skin your knees and then 25 00:01:15,427 --> 00:01:17,667 Speaker 3: you used to have the dungeon downstairs. From a changing 26 00:01:17,707 --> 00:01:19,427 Speaker 3: room point of view, the good news is they've done 27 00:01:19,467 --> 00:01:22,307 Speaker 3: a lot of that stuff up. But I think, and 28 00:01:22,347 --> 00:01:24,267 Speaker 3: from a commentary point of view, awful because you've got 29 00:01:24,307 --> 00:01:26,067 Speaker 3: to climb about one hundred and fifty stairs and you're 30 00:01:26,067 --> 00:01:28,427 Speaker 3: at the back of the arrow outstand and you fight 31 00:01:28,467 --> 00:01:31,467 Speaker 3: the pigeons. So luckily we've had some good records there. 32 00:01:31,507 --> 00:01:33,707 Speaker 3: I'm going to wind up the Wellington listeners, but I 33 00:01:33,787 --> 00:01:36,187 Speaker 3: do call it New Zealand's spiritual home. Like you said, 34 00:01:36,267 --> 00:01:39,507 Speaker 3: it's the historical part. But it certainly wasn't my favorite 35 00:01:39,507 --> 00:01:41,547 Speaker 3: ground to play on. One of the major benefits though 36 00:01:41,547 --> 00:01:43,427 Speaker 3: behind it used to be it was a great betting surface, 37 00:01:43,787 --> 00:01:47,147 Speaker 3: so used to love batting there, so as a cricketer 38 00:01:47,187 --> 00:01:48,787 Speaker 3: you used to look forward to turning up as a batter. 39 00:01:49,347 --> 00:01:52,147 Speaker 3: But overall experience it was never the best one other 40 00:01:52,227 --> 00:01:54,787 Speaker 3: than they were the best with the toasty pie machine, 41 00:01:55,107 --> 00:01:57,987 Speaker 3: always the first to have the toasty pie machine. Tiny 42 00:01:58,387 --> 00:02:00,627 Speaker 3: it was the big plated one they used to have 43 00:02:00,747 --> 00:02:03,387 Speaker 3: all the fillings in the chiller. So that was the 44 00:02:03,427 --> 00:02:04,667 Speaker 3: best part of the Basement Reserve. 45 00:02:04,747 --> 00:02:06,867 Speaker 2: Well, that's so like a key part. Are the sounds 46 00:02:06,867 --> 00:02:08,867 Speaker 2: of it for pore enjoyment and comfort? 47 00:02:08,947 --> 00:02:09,147 Speaker 1: Yeah? 48 00:02:09,147 --> 00:02:11,547 Speaker 2: Absolutely? What about what about looking down? I mean, you're right, 49 00:02:11,627 --> 00:02:13,227 Speaker 2: the commentary box is right at the top of the 50 00:02:13,347 --> 00:02:16,707 Speaker 2: ra vance stand. Once you're there, the view's pretty good, 51 00:02:16,747 --> 00:02:17,027 Speaker 2: isn't it. 52 00:02:17,427 --> 00:02:20,067 Speaker 3: Oh, it's amazing. One of the things with commentary there's 53 00:02:20,067 --> 00:02:22,587 Speaker 3: two parts. You've got to commentate off the screen. But 54 00:02:22,707 --> 00:02:24,707 Speaker 3: one of the great things about the Basement Reserve because 55 00:02:24,747 --> 00:02:27,867 Speaker 3: of your behind the bowler's arm and you can look 56 00:02:27,947 --> 00:02:30,187 Speaker 3: up and you can see where the ball's going. You 57 00:02:30,227 --> 00:02:31,947 Speaker 3: can see the field in front of you, so you've 58 00:02:31,947 --> 00:02:34,187 Speaker 3: got the ability to call off the screen, but then 59 00:02:34,307 --> 00:02:37,427 Speaker 3: look and predict what's going to happen because you can 60 00:02:37,467 --> 00:02:40,427 Speaker 3: actually see the whole field. So you did, right, That's 61 00:02:40,467 --> 00:02:42,227 Speaker 3: one of the beauties there. It was just getting there 62 00:02:42,307 --> 00:02:45,307 Speaker 3: was the challenge getting up those stea especially in for shoes. 63 00:02:45,667 --> 00:02:48,627 Speaker 3: But no, that was I mean people probably realize like 64 00:02:48,667 --> 00:02:51,867 Speaker 3: some other grounds like Napier beautiful commentary box, but you're 65 00:02:51,907 --> 00:02:54,427 Speaker 3: in the corner down by third man and you're at 66 00:02:54,467 --> 00:02:56,627 Speaker 3: ground level. So when the ball gets hit you look up, 67 00:02:56,667 --> 00:02:58,387 Speaker 3: you actually can't tell if it's going to go to 68 00:02:58,387 --> 00:03:00,307 Speaker 3: a fielder or land in the space or go for 69 00:03:00,347 --> 00:03:02,307 Speaker 3: six or four. That is the great thing at the 70 00:03:02,307 --> 00:03:04,907 Speaker 3: base in Reserve that you've got that ability. So yeah, 71 00:03:04,947 --> 00:03:07,787 Speaker 3: from that perspective, yeah, a lot of fun. And also 72 00:03:08,107 --> 00:03:10,747 Speaker 3: you can get quite close to radio people, TV people, 73 00:03:10,787 --> 00:03:12,227 Speaker 3: so you get to have a lot of interaction during 74 00:03:12,227 --> 00:03:12,507 Speaker 3: the day. 75 00:03:12,587 --> 00:03:14,707 Speaker 2: All right, So that's the basin Reserve and it's pros 76 00:03:14,747 --> 00:03:17,307 Speaker 2: and cons. Let's go to Hagley Oval. How does that 77 00:03:17,427 --> 00:03:20,547 Speaker 2: compare along similar lines? Are similar metrics. 78 00:03:21,587 --> 00:03:23,907 Speaker 3: I'm going to say this tongue in cheek, piney, and 79 00:03:23,907 --> 00:03:26,067 Speaker 3: I'm saying I'm leaving the country in a month's time. 80 00:03:26,947 --> 00:03:29,027 Speaker 3: The number one problem and this used to be me, 81 00:03:29,107 --> 00:03:31,107 Speaker 3: so I'm actually throwing stains. The worst thing about going 82 00:03:31,107 --> 00:03:33,227 Speaker 3: to Hagley is you've got to go to Kantaps. You've 83 00:03:33,227 --> 00:03:34,107 Speaker 3: got Cantap Brown. 84 00:03:37,347 --> 00:03:38,907 Speaker 4: So again tug and cheek. 85 00:03:39,027 --> 00:03:40,627 Speaker 3: I mean, I've got family there, I grew up there, 86 00:03:40,627 --> 00:03:41,787 Speaker 3: I represented that province. 87 00:03:41,787 --> 00:03:43,467 Speaker 4: But I'm allowed to say that with a tongue in cheek. 88 00:03:43,507 --> 00:03:47,947 Speaker 3: But Hagley a beautiful ground, absolutely beautiful ground done an 89 00:03:47,987 --> 00:03:51,627 Speaker 3: amazing job. Again, a wonderful commentary box. But you're down 90 00:03:51,707 --> 00:03:53,867 Speaker 3: in the corner again, you're not quite don't quite have 91 00:03:53,907 --> 00:03:56,147 Speaker 3: the same view. But one thing about it as big 92 00:03:56,187 --> 00:03:59,827 Speaker 3: and as spacious, you know, from a playing point of view, 93 00:03:59,827 --> 00:04:01,307 Speaker 3: I got to play on it at the very start. 94 00:04:01,387 --> 00:04:03,267 Speaker 3: I used to play there a lot at Canterbury when 95 00:04:03,307 --> 00:04:06,987 Speaker 3: it was just the old grounds. Absolutely wonderful I know 96 00:04:07,027 --> 00:04:09,347 Speaker 3: from a spectator's point of view because I've got family 97 00:04:09,387 --> 00:04:11,467 Speaker 3: to go. They're really tough there when it's hot because 98 00:04:11,467 --> 00:04:13,547 Speaker 3: you can't get away from the sun because there's not 99 00:04:13,547 --> 00:04:16,267 Speaker 3: a lot of shade on those banks. I know the 100 00:04:16,307 --> 00:04:18,947 Speaker 3: players love it. The pictures fantastic, The changing rooms are 101 00:04:18,987 --> 00:04:21,667 Speaker 3: very good and the viewing rooms are excellent. So yep, 102 00:04:21,827 --> 00:04:23,067 Speaker 3: you know, if you're going to do a ground and 103 00:04:23,107 --> 00:04:26,227 Speaker 3: do it right, Hagley, you have picked all those boxes. 104 00:04:26,267 --> 00:04:28,587 Speaker 3: So yet, while I wind up the Cantasa saying that 105 00:04:29,027 --> 00:04:30,987 Speaker 3: it's a great place to go whether you're playing, you're 106 00:04:30,987 --> 00:04:34,307 Speaker 3: commentating and you're coaching, but I'm not calling it my 107 00:04:34,507 --> 00:04:36,667 Speaker 3: favorite ground or best ground in New Zealand. 108 00:04:36,707 --> 00:04:38,147 Speaker 2: All right, we're going to come to that because just 109 00:04:38,187 --> 00:04:40,187 Speaker 2: on Hagley, the other part of it is its location, 110 00:04:40,307 --> 00:04:43,827 Speaker 2: and I saw the England team took scooters to the ground. 111 00:04:43,867 --> 00:04:46,747 Speaker 2: I mean, whereas the basement reserves basically a big round 112 00:04:46,787 --> 00:04:49,587 Speaker 2: about Hackley Oval. You're walking through Hagley Park and all 113 00:04:49,587 --> 00:04:52,147 Speaker 2: of a sudden, no, here's an international cricket ground. Yeah. 114 00:04:52,187 --> 00:04:52,707 Speaker 4: Absolutely. 115 00:04:53,067 --> 00:04:55,467 Speaker 3: The thing I think about is the practicality. Piney and 116 00:04:55,547 --> 00:04:58,547 Speaker 3: Wellington is bad because car parks. So we used to 117 00:04:58,587 --> 00:05:01,387 Speaker 3: have to back in Wellington College. That's a long walk 118 00:05:01,387 --> 00:05:04,427 Speaker 3: in dress shoes down down around the roundabout. Trying to 119 00:05:04,467 --> 00:05:08,507 Speaker 3: get over that roundabout dangerous. And then if you think 120 00:05:08,667 --> 00:05:12,387 Speaker 3: a car park warden is around the country are tough, 121 00:05:12,427 --> 00:05:13,947 Speaker 3: well you try and get a park at Hagley. 122 00:05:13,947 --> 00:05:15,707 Speaker 4: If you haven't got the right permit, you will not 123 00:05:15,787 --> 00:05:17,027 Speaker 4: get past that first gate. 124 00:05:17,187 --> 00:05:19,667 Speaker 3: And where you park the Hagley if you don't get 125 00:05:19,667 --> 00:05:21,627 Speaker 3: in that first gat, there is nowhere to park. You 126 00:05:21,747 --> 00:05:23,907 Speaker 3: end up behind the hospital. Sometimes you're going to pretend 127 00:05:23,947 --> 00:05:26,067 Speaker 3: you've got a limp and a broken finger to park. 128 00:05:25,907 --> 00:05:26,307 Speaker 4: An A and e. 129 00:05:26,507 --> 00:05:29,867 Speaker 3: So that's actually one of the downsides of Hay even 130 00:05:29,867 --> 00:05:31,347 Speaker 3: though from a walking point of it, you are. 131 00:05:31,267 --> 00:05:32,227 Speaker 4: Better to take a scooter. 132 00:05:33,467 --> 00:05:34,987 Speaker 3: But I was dressed in a suit and if I 133 00:05:35,067 --> 00:05:37,587 Speaker 3: fell off I've written a suit the difference in Wellington. 134 00:05:37,627 --> 00:05:38,307 Speaker 4: If you try and take a. 135 00:05:38,307 --> 00:05:40,147 Speaker 3: Scooter you've got to go into the breeze, you actually 136 00:05:40,147 --> 00:05:42,427 Speaker 3: go nowhere. So you know those two things aren't great 137 00:05:42,467 --> 00:05:43,507 Speaker 3: for both of those grounds. 138 00:05:43,667 --> 00:05:46,747 Speaker 2: All right, So we've had the basin in Hagley. You 139 00:05:46,827 --> 00:05:50,587 Speaker 2: alluded to it mysteriously. What is your favorite ground? 140 00:05:51,827 --> 00:05:54,747 Speaker 4: Well, interestingly, it's not University of Tago Oval. 141 00:05:55,147 --> 00:05:57,987 Speaker 3: My favorite ground to play on was actually Queenstown because 142 00:05:57,987 --> 00:06:01,427 Speaker 3: of heaps of different reasons. But actually my favorite ground 143 00:06:01,467 --> 00:06:03,987 Speaker 3: as a commentator and as a spectator, believe it or not, 144 00:06:04,107 --> 00:06:09,147 Speaker 3: was Bayoval Covers One. Again very much like Hagglee. They 145 00:06:09,267 --> 00:06:13,427 Speaker 3: have set it up beautifully, car parking right beside the ground, 146 00:06:13,507 --> 00:06:15,467 Speaker 3: so we always got that there was a whole lot 147 00:06:15,467 --> 00:06:17,627 Speaker 3: of food trucks behind the commentary box. But I always 148 00:06:17,667 --> 00:06:20,307 Speaker 3: thought from a perspective that when you turn up there 149 00:06:20,347 --> 00:06:22,947 Speaker 3: Piney in the middle of summer, it's always warm. So 150 00:06:23,147 --> 00:06:25,187 Speaker 3: I think from a fan experience, you turn up, you 151 00:06:25,307 --> 00:06:29,747 Speaker 3: enjoy the conditions so much like Hagley, and like the 152 00:06:29,747 --> 00:06:32,387 Speaker 3: Base Reserve, you don't have a bad advantage spot because 153 00:06:33,027 --> 00:06:36,387 Speaker 3: you basically sit all around it. I love the fact 154 00:06:36,427 --> 00:06:38,707 Speaker 3: that from a commentary. We were behind the bowler's arm, 155 00:06:38,787 --> 00:06:40,667 Speaker 3: but it was a new commentary box. It wasn't big, 156 00:06:41,067 --> 00:06:44,267 Speaker 3: but we felt a little bit closer than those other two. 157 00:06:44,347 --> 00:06:46,627 Speaker 3: So you know, bo, maybe it's because of the weather, 158 00:06:47,307 --> 00:06:49,387 Speaker 3: the atmosphere. You know, you're close to the beach, you've 159 00:06:49,387 --> 00:06:53,067 Speaker 3: got nice swimming pools, good accommodation. To me, that was 160 00:06:53,147 --> 00:06:55,547 Speaker 3: just and I played there a couple of times, just 161 00:06:56,067 --> 00:06:57,827 Speaker 3: had a really lovely feel. It was one of those 162 00:06:57,827 --> 00:07:00,347 Speaker 3: places that could pour down and the outfield has made 163 00:07:00,387 --> 00:07:02,427 Speaker 3: of sand. You're literally back on it. So I don't 164 00:07:02,467 --> 00:07:04,587 Speaker 3: know what there was, just a reason why I love it, 165 00:07:04,587 --> 00:07:05,907 Speaker 3: and I think it might be to do with the 166 00:07:05,907 --> 00:07:08,467 Speaker 3: weather from Dunedin where it's colder. You know what it's 167 00:07:08,507 --> 00:07:11,467 Speaker 3: like in Wannington, even christ in a day night can 168 00:07:11,507 --> 00:07:13,787 Speaker 3: get quite cold. So I think that's probably the only 169 00:07:13,867 --> 00:07:16,907 Speaker 3: reason why from a fan experience and from a personal experience, 170 00:07:16,947 --> 00:07:18,827 Speaker 3: why I put that as my number one all right. 171 00:07:18,907 --> 00:07:19,067 Speaker 1: Yeah. 172 00:07:19,227 --> 00:07:20,747 Speaker 2: The other part about the mount though, is there's not 173 00:07:20,747 --> 00:07:22,507 Speaker 2: a heck of a lot of shade on that band either. 174 00:07:22,587 --> 00:07:24,227 Speaker 4: No, there's not. No, you did right. 175 00:07:24,307 --> 00:07:25,987 Speaker 3: There seems to be a nice breeze, but it's always 176 00:07:25,987 --> 00:07:28,147 Speaker 3: a warm breeze Pony even if you know whichever a way, 177 00:07:28,227 --> 00:07:30,547 Speaker 3: Unlike you know Wellington Dunedin, we get the easterly or 178 00:07:30,547 --> 00:07:33,587 Speaker 3: the southerly. G was you're reaching for your rugs so 179 00:07:34,267 --> 00:07:36,187 Speaker 3: but not much to separate them, to be honest. But 180 00:07:36,347 --> 00:07:38,587 Speaker 3: I think actually, I mean we've left out Probably the 181 00:07:38,587 --> 00:07:40,667 Speaker 3: most important one is Timory Boys High School victory. 182 00:07:41,027 --> 00:07:42,947 Speaker 4: I mean that is at the Home and Champions. 183 00:07:43,307 --> 00:07:46,147 Speaker 3: I was thinking about it just before Pony, that produced 184 00:07:46,147 --> 00:07:48,667 Speaker 3: Brendan Laney as a rugby player, that produced Hate and 185 00:07:48,707 --> 00:07:50,307 Speaker 3: Padden in a rally car. I mean you have not 186 00:07:50,347 --> 00:07:51,827 Speaker 3: a great from around the rictory. 187 00:07:52,347 --> 00:07:53,787 Speaker 4: Tom Walsh was doing the shot. 188 00:07:53,627 --> 00:07:56,307 Speaker 3: Putting on that and you know the great Jack Glove 189 00:07:56,387 --> 00:07:58,387 Speaker 3: Loots used to run around it and prepared to go 190 00:07:58,387 --> 00:08:00,747 Speaker 3: to running races. To be fair, the most important and 191 00:08:00,827 --> 00:08:03,587 Speaker 3: most influential ground in New Zealand has to be Timory 192 00:08:03,587 --> 00:08:04,507 Speaker 3: Boys High School Victory. 193 00:08:04,627 --> 00:08:07,027 Speaker 2: Look, I think it probably is. It's off to one 194 00:08:07,147 --> 00:08:09,667 Speaker 2: side as far as this conversation is concerned, probably, but 195 00:08:09,947 --> 00:08:12,627 Speaker 2: the history of it is magnificent. Just can I ask 196 00:08:12,667 --> 00:08:16,587 Speaker 2: you about the University of Otago Oval a ground you know, well, 197 00:08:16,987 --> 00:08:19,147 Speaker 2: I haven't had a Test match there for seven or 198 00:08:19,187 --> 00:08:22,587 Speaker 2: eight years. White ball matches have played there. How do 199 00:08:22,787 --> 00:08:25,867 Speaker 2: the players like the University of Otago Oval. 200 00:08:26,547 --> 00:08:28,667 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's a lovely ground, a beautiful ground. I mean, 201 00:08:28,827 --> 00:08:30,787 Speaker 4: the problem you get it's the old stereotype. 202 00:08:30,827 --> 00:08:33,347 Speaker 3: Tim Souley, Trent Bolt used to turn up here and 203 00:08:33,387 --> 00:08:34,547 Speaker 3: talk about how cold. 204 00:08:34,267 --> 00:08:34,827 Speaker 4: It always was. 205 00:08:34,867 --> 00:08:37,187 Speaker 3: It could be thirty degrees and they always were a 206 00:08:37,187 --> 00:08:40,267 Speaker 3: sweater and I would act like it's always cold and 207 00:08:40,307 --> 00:08:42,227 Speaker 3: no sort of things. But no, no, it's an awesome 208 00:08:42,227 --> 00:08:45,147 Speaker 3: ground to play on. Again, from a fans point of view, 209 00:08:45,187 --> 00:08:47,347 Speaker 3: you are so close because it's not as big as 210 00:08:47,387 --> 00:08:49,987 Speaker 3: those other grounds. The change rooms are good, the viewing 211 00:08:50,027 --> 00:08:52,547 Speaker 3: area is good, so yeah it is. And it's got 212 00:08:52,547 --> 00:08:54,747 Speaker 3: a wonderful pitch. Now it's probably you know, it's more 213 00:08:54,747 --> 00:08:57,107 Speaker 3: of a batting pitch than a bowling pitch, especially in 214 00:08:57,147 --> 00:08:57,867 Speaker 3: one day cricket. 215 00:08:58,027 --> 00:08:59,867 Speaker 4: The only challenge we've got with the UNI. 216 00:08:59,747 --> 00:09:02,787 Speaker 3: Oval now it's just the size, because the especially in 217 00:09:02,787 --> 00:09:05,427 Speaker 3: the male game, the guys at the ball so far 218 00:09:05,947 --> 00:09:08,507 Speaker 3: that you know, you can sort of clonk a sex. 219 00:09:08,547 --> 00:09:09,707 Speaker 4: From a female point of view. 220 00:09:09,707 --> 00:09:13,587 Speaker 3: Wonderful ground, wonderful size, and you get rewards. So yeah, 221 00:09:13,587 --> 00:09:16,747 Speaker 3: now it definitely would be all the also University Oval 222 00:09:16,747 --> 00:09:20,827 Speaker 3: Piney have got the best training facilities, best quality pictures 223 00:09:20,867 --> 00:09:23,707 Speaker 3: in the country bar Nune and I say that not 224 00:09:23,907 --> 00:09:26,507 Speaker 3: just because I'm biased, from all the reports probably for 225 00:09:26,507 --> 00:09:29,267 Speaker 3: the last three or four years. The training pictures are 226 00:09:29,307 --> 00:09:31,827 Speaker 3: as good as anywhere in the country. So that's a 227 00:09:31,947 --> 00:09:34,067 Speaker 3: huge plus, especially when you're here as an international team. 228 00:09:34,107 --> 00:09:36,787 Speaker 3: You're training for three or four days, and the beauty 229 00:09:36,827 --> 00:09:38,827 Speaker 3: with Dunedin is as you know, it's not far. You're 230 00:09:38,827 --> 00:09:40,587 Speaker 3: in your hotel, you're a couple of minutes walk down 231 00:09:40,587 --> 00:09:42,387 Speaker 3: to the main streets, so everything's nice and close. 232 00:09:42,387 --> 00:09:43,027 Speaker 4: So it's a good. 233 00:09:42,907 --> 00:09:44,507 Speaker 3: Place to come from a touring point of view, but 234 00:09:44,547 --> 00:09:45,707 Speaker 3: also from a home point of view. 235 00:09:45,907 --> 00:09:47,227 Speaker 2: Do you like book a cutter park? 236 00:09:47,947 --> 00:09:50,947 Speaker 4: No? Hate it? How's that? 237 00:09:51,387 --> 00:09:53,467 Speaker 2: Well, it's a short answer. Can you elaborate? 238 00:09:53,867 --> 00:09:55,627 Speaker 3: Well, I started with there in a one day game 239 00:09:55,667 --> 00:09:58,587 Speaker 3: against Central Districts and I was at cover and the 240 00:09:58,587 --> 00:10:00,627 Speaker 3: ball roll bounced up, happening in the mouth and knocked 241 00:10:00,627 --> 00:10:01,347 Speaker 3: out four teeth. 242 00:10:04,867 --> 00:10:07,027 Speaker 4: So no, I hate it. 243 00:10:07,107 --> 00:10:10,347 Speaker 3: And so yeah, I literally asked four teeth, I've got 244 00:10:10,347 --> 00:10:12,067 Speaker 3: four implants and that was they were all lying on 245 00:10:12,107 --> 00:10:12,467 Speaker 3: the pitch. 246 00:10:12,547 --> 00:10:13,787 Speaker 4: Wow. So that's why I hate it. 247 00:10:13,827 --> 00:10:15,307 Speaker 3: And the other reason I hate it was. We used 248 00:10:15,307 --> 00:10:17,947 Speaker 3: to turn up there and the young Ross Taylor used 249 00:10:17,947 --> 00:10:20,507 Speaker 3: to get one hundred against us every time we played there. 250 00:10:20,507 --> 00:10:22,387 Speaker 3: He literally just stood there and hit every ball on 251 00:10:22,427 --> 00:10:24,747 Speaker 3: the bank. So never had a positive experience of Pooka 252 00:10:24,787 --> 00:10:25,867 Speaker 3: Cure of Park, Piney, So. 253 00:10:27,387 --> 00:10:27,747 Speaker 4: I did that. 254 00:10:27,867 --> 00:10:29,547 Speaker 3: It was Actually I don't like it so much for 255 00:10:29,627 --> 00:10:31,907 Speaker 3: one day because it's too small. But I did play 256 00:10:31,947 --> 00:10:34,427 Speaker 3: a few four day games there and the boundary size 257 00:10:34,467 --> 00:10:36,867 Speaker 3: isn't as important. And the beauty thing about Pooka Cure 258 00:10:36,987 --> 00:10:38,707 Speaker 3: Park is I think Martin cur said there are two 259 00:10:38,707 --> 00:10:41,307 Speaker 3: things guaranteed in life. One hundred at Prokacure Park in Texas, 260 00:10:42,307 --> 00:10:44,187 Speaker 3: but I think I didn't get a hundred. I nicked 261 00:10:44,227 --> 00:10:46,507 Speaker 3: out early, actually, but you've got the gardens behind you 262 00:10:46,507 --> 00:10:49,387 Speaker 3: could go for a lovely thirty minute run, flush the flush, 263 00:10:49,427 --> 00:10:52,107 Speaker 3: the mental torment of getting out for a duck, and 264 00:10:52,147 --> 00:10:54,147 Speaker 3: then you come back and always enjoy a good lunch. 265 00:10:54,227 --> 00:10:55,147 Speaker 4: So that was a good part. 266 00:10:55,187 --> 00:10:56,947 Speaker 3: But from a ground point of view, I've had no 267 00:10:57,067 --> 00:10:59,307 Speaker 3: positive experiences. And every time I brush my teeth in 268 00:10:59,347 --> 00:11:01,187 Speaker 3: the morning, I get a reminder of what it was 269 00:11:01,187 --> 00:11:01,827 Speaker 3: like to field there. 270 00:11:01,747 --> 00:11:04,787 Speaker 2: Which I'm glad I brought that up. Can we just 271 00:11:04,827 --> 00:11:07,747 Speaker 2: finish with Aden Park, which again has steeped in history. 272 00:11:07,787 --> 00:11:10,667 Speaker 2: You think about the historical Test matches New Zealand has 273 00:11:10,667 --> 00:11:13,867 Speaker 2: played there, but these days you know cavnous and look, 274 00:11:13,907 --> 00:11:15,707 Speaker 2: I don't know with the Test cricket will ever return 275 00:11:16,027 --> 00:11:18,547 Speaker 2: to Eden Park. But as a as a ground for 276 00:11:18,627 --> 00:11:20,307 Speaker 2: a player, what are your memories of Eaton Park? 277 00:11:21,347 --> 00:11:23,267 Speaker 4: Yeah, well I I played. 278 00:11:23,307 --> 00:11:25,627 Speaker 3: I don't think I played with the new dimensions. I 279 00:11:25,747 --> 00:11:27,707 Speaker 3: played when it used to go to the corner to 280 00:11:27,747 --> 00:11:30,907 Speaker 3: a corner. And I actually played my first ever one 281 00:11:30,987 --> 00:11:33,987 Speaker 3: day game at Eden Park in New Zealand Fortney Jelland 282 00:11:33,987 --> 00:11:36,187 Speaker 3: I've been to Pakistan, came back and played and to 283 00:11:36,227 --> 00:11:38,067 Speaker 3: remember it well, two things are three things. I remember 284 00:11:38,107 --> 00:11:39,987 Speaker 3: one on this field of one on the best outfield, 285 00:11:40,027 --> 00:11:42,747 Speaker 3: and will and my stuffed to run up out The 286 00:11:42,827 --> 00:11:44,187 Speaker 3: next time I went out there in the batting of 287 00:11:44,227 --> 00:11:46,947 Speaker 3: Stephen Fleming and he ran me out and he called yes, 288 00:11:47,027 --> 00:11:49,427 Speaker 3: I could have called Doe Piney. Who ever says no 289 00:11:49,667 --> 00:11:52,947 Speaker 3: says no to Stephen Fleming and runs out the skipper. 290 00:11:52,987 --> 00:11:55,067 Speaker 4: So I just sacrificed myself and. 291 00:11:55,107 --> 00:11:56,987 Speaker 3: He did come up after he got out, put a 292 00:11:57,027 --> 00:11:58,787 Speaker 3: hand on my shoulder and said you know they're us, 293 00:11:59,147 --> 00:12:00,187 Speaker 3: And I said, yeah, I do thing. 294 00:12:01,467 --> 00:12:02,827 Speaker 4: Scott Star has got one hundred that day. 295 00:12:02,867 --> 00:12:05,587 Speaker 3: But I do remember being about twenty twenty three, twenty 296 00:12:05,627 --> 00:12:07,867 Speaker 3: four thousand, and it was a wonderful atmosphere. 297 00:12:08,027 --> 00:12:09,547 Speaker 4: It was so so good. 298 00:12:10,467 --> 00:12:13,187 Speaker 3: The other the dimensions were and remember the World Cup 299 00:12:13,307 --> 00:12:15,067 Speaker 3: nine he won the short third man to the left 300 00:12:15,107 --> 00:12:16,787 Speaker 3: hander and the same the other way. 301 00:12:16,827 --> 00:12:18,107 Speaker 4: But the pitch. 302 00:12:18,507 --> 00:12:20,667 Speaker 3: What the problem with I think Eden Park is the 303 00:12:20,747 --> 00:12:23,787 Speaker 3: pitch is too fast and bouncy, bouncy for the size 304 00:12:23,787 --> 00:12:25,987 Speaker 3: of the ground. It's such a good pitch there and 305 00:12:26,067 --> 00:12:28,747 Speaker 3: so much pay and bounce. That's why, you know, the 306 00:12:28,787 --> 00:12:30,827 Speaker 3: boundaries get made to look smaller than they even are. 307 00:12:31,627 --> 00:12:33,507 Speaker 3: But I don't know, I don't know if we ever 308 00:12:33,587 --> 00:12:34,787 Speaker 3: get I think, you know, if we want to have 309 00:12:34,907 --> 00:12:38,467 Speaker 3: a proper ground, you know, it's also a fan experienced 310 00:12:38,467 --> 00:12:40,867 Speaker 3: sitting in the grandstands. You know, we talk about Basin, 311 00:12:41,547 --> 00:12:45,067 Speaker 3: Hagley Bay Oval. The beautiful part of that is sitting 312 00:12:45,107 --> 00:12:47,627 Speaker 3: on grass banks, being able to walk round, whereas you know, 313 00:12:47,707 --> 00:12:50,787 Speaker 3: you get the old Calcreek jungle. I mean my favorite ground, pointy, 314 00:12:50,827 --> 00:12:52,387 Speaker 3: if we want to go back, my one was was 315 00:12:52,467 --> 00:12:56,867 Speaker 3: Lancaster Park. I grew up watching a Test cricket there. 316 00:12:56,907 --> 00:12:58,667 Speaker 3: I went to my first Test match there. I saw 317 00:12:58,747 --> 00:13:00,587 Speaker 3: John Wright get one hundred against Australia. I went to 318 00:13:00,667 --> 00:13:02,987 Speaker 3: my first rugby Test which was the British Lions and 319 00:13:03,027 --> 00:13:05,867 Speaker 3: eighty three Cowboys. Shaw scored the only try that was 320 00:13:05,907 --> 00:13:09,347 Speaker 3: we all dreams were made about playing for Canterbury back 321 00:13:09,387 --> 00:13:12,147 Speaker 3: then and also playing for New Zealand, and lucky enough 322 00:13:12,147 --> 00:13:14,307 Speaker 3: I got to make my first class debut there for 323 00:13:14,427 --> 00:13:16,347 Speaker 3: Canterbury and I got to make my Test dayboot there 324 00:13:16,387 --> 00:13:18,427 Speaker 3: from Zealand at Lancaster Park and you. 325 00:13:18,507 --> 00:13:20,067 Speaker 4: Know that was a ground that was the dates of 326 00:13:20,107 --> 00:13:23,507 Speaker 4: the old embankment that was you know, like Carrisbrook. 327 00:13:24,067 --> 00:13:26,507 Speaker 3: I still remember those days and they were my favorite grounds. 328 00:13:26,547 --> 00:13:28,027 Speaker 3: They were the favorite grounds to watch and the other 329 00:13:28,067 --> 00:13:30,027 Speaker 3: favorite grounds to play on and we missed them. 330 00:13:30,067 --> 00:13:32,987 Speaker 4: But you know, the game has moved on. So I 331 00:13:33,067 --> 00:13:34,067 Speaker 4: just don't know about him Pack. 332 00:13:34,107 --> 00:13:37,027 Speaker 3: I think Auckland do need to find a specific ground 333 00:13:37,067 --> 00:13:39,747 Speaker 3: that works for cricket, for international cricket, and then they 334 00:13:39,747 --> 00:13:40,787 Speaker 3: would get this cricket back. 335 00:13:41,227 --> 00:13:43,707 Speaker 2: Indeed, you've given Alis there's plenty of food for thought. 336 00:13:43,747 --> 00:13:45,427 Speaker 2: The lines will be lighting up very shortly. 337 00:13:45,547 --> 00:13:46,667 Speaker 4: Craig and I apologize. 338 00:13:46,707 --> 00:13:48,507 Speaker 3: I just said I got some great memories of playing 339 00:13:48,507 --> 00:13:51,507 Speaker 3: for Canterbury and obviously Lancaster Park. So hopefully, Piety, I've 340 00:13:51,587 --> 00:13:53,907 Speaker 3: pulled my back, my past, you know stuff back after 341 00:13:53,987 --> 00:13:54,707 Speaker 3: that early statement. 342 00:13:54,827 --> 00:13:57,627 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm not sure you have, but well we're about 343 00:13:57,707 --> 00:14:01,227 Speaker 2: to find out. Hey, Craig, and you've got an exciting 344 00:14:01,267 --> 00:14:03,107 Speaker 2: twenty twenty five ahead. You're heading off shore to take 345 00:14:03,187 --> 00:14:04,867 Speaker 2: up a new coaching challenge. I wish you all the best, 346 00:14:04,867 --> 00:14:07,547 Speaker 2: but that thanks for your contributions across the year. Merry 347 00:14:07,587 --> 00:14:09,187 Speaker 2: Christmas to you and your family. Might more catch up 348 00:14:09,227 --> 00:14:09,587 Speaker 2: next year. 349 00:14:10,187 --> 00:14:11,627 Speaker 4: Likewise, Plani, thank you very much, No. 350 00:14:11,707 --> 00:14:14,867 Speaker 2: Thank you, Craig. Craig coming there with great analysis of 351 00:14:14,907 --> 00:14:16,147 Speaker 2: the grounds of New Zealand. 352 00:14:16,707 --> 00:14:19,867 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 353 00:14:19,987 --> 00:14:23,267 Speaker 1: to News Talk Set B weekends from midday, or follow 354 00:14:23,307 --> 00:14:24,907 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio