Review of Tsunami Relief Series by Jim Ellingham

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Event:

FICA World XI in New Zealand 2004/05

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DateLine: 13th March 2005

 

Following the abandonment of the Sri Lankan tour, New Zealand cricket initiated a series of three unofficial one-day matches to raise money for the Srilankan tsunami relief efforts. The series proved to be a roaring success with the Black Caps winning 2-1, there being some fantastic cricket being played by both sides, Jeff Wilson proving his selection was on merit and not on reputation, over 50,000 people attending the matches and most importantly over $1 million dollars being raised.

 

However, on a negative note the Hamilton pitch for the third game was not up to standard and heavy criticism of the pitch following the match resulted in Westpac Park losing the rights to stage the one-dayers against Australia on Match 2, which will now be played on March 1 at Wellington’s Basin Reserve. State cricket will also be removed from Hamilton for the remainder of the series. Also, it is interesting to note that the team batting second in each game came away victorious raising questions about using fresh pitches for international cricket.

 

The series got underway slowly in Christchurch as the rusty visitors looked out of sorts with only Hick and Rhodes showing their class. All the New Zealand bowlers were impressive with much interest surrounding the return of Wilson, who after a nervous start settled back well into international cricket after a twelve-year absence. In reply Fleming was the architect at one of New Zealand’s most astonishing batting blitzes of all time as he scored 106 runs of 57 balls including 10 fours and 9 sixes.

 

The second game saw New Zealand reach a good score in at times difficult condition on a pitch where no play looked likely until the sudden clearing of the Wellington showers mid afternoon. Only Astle played a substantial innings for New Zealand as he scored a polished hundred. Sinclair, McMillan and Vettori all supported well but in the end New Zealand total was no match for a world team that featured match winning innings from two Australians; the unlucky Elliott and Bichel. Once again Wilson bowled impressively but there was concern about Tuffey and Mill’s waywardness. Also concerning was Vettori’s back injury that was at one stage feared to be season ending.

 

The final game on a terrible pitch at Hamilton didn’t even last forty overs as the World XI struggled to 81 thanks to some early innings clubbing by Knight. Cairns and Wilson cleaned up the last 9 wickets for 22 runs. In reply New Zealand found the going just as hard in reaching the total with Marshal guiding them to victory with a very significant 16 not out. To appease the crowd a friendly 10 over a side game was played and ended in a contrived tie.

 

Game One at Jade Stadium, January 22: World XI 159 all out in 39.3 overs (G.Hick 44, J.Rhodes 36, D.Tuffey 8-0-25-2, J.Wilson 7-1-27-1, D.Vettori 9.3-1-33-3) lost to New Zealand 160/1 in 16.1 overs (S.Fleming 106, N.Astle 36 not out, M.Muralitharan 3.1-0-57-0, S.Warne 3-0-26-1) by 9 wickets.

 

Game Two at Westpac Stadium, January 24: NewZealand 256/9 in 50 overs (N.Astle 109, C.McMillan 33, A.Bichel 10-1-56-3) lost to World XI 257/7 in 47.5 overs (M.Elliott 57, K.Sangakkara 52, A.Bichel 37 not out, J.Wilson 8-0-27-1) by 3 wickets.

 

Game 3 at Westpac Park, January 26: World XI 81 all out in 20.5 overs (N.Knight 43, C.Cairns 5.5-1-12-6, J.Wilson 4-0-6-3) lost to New Zealand 83/6 in 15.2 overs (N.Astle 23, I.Harvey 4.2-1-17-4) by 4 wickets.

 

NewZealand win series 2-1.

 

(Article: Copyright © 2005 Jim Ellingham)