Black Caps Black Book .../Diary - Sanga The Artist
Brendon McCullum dabbles in a bit of art with willow in hand, but his art is a unique brand where it's an onslaught. You can't do much about that onslaught either. Kumar Sangakkara's art is more commonly found in Test cricket than that of our skipper's style, it's the mastery of a Test cricket innings that ensures Sangakkara keeps rare company in the record books.
Rare company such as the Don, Don Bradman who has 12 double hundreds. Sangakkara now has 11.
Whether you're strictly a Black Cap fan, or a cricketing nerd, you had to admire. Sangakkara endured a tough patch, where the bowling from Trent Boult especially and the rest of the Stable was high quality. Test cricket allows you enough time to see out these periods where the bowlers are on top and Sangakkara just endured and absorbed, reaping many a reward afterwards.
I think the ability to understand that the bowlers are on top and bat accordingly is highly under-estimated. Not only do you put a high price on your wicket, but you ensure that you'll be there to cash in later on. Sangakkara showcased his ability as a stroke player (cue a beautiful-cover-drive-on-one-knee orgasm) and his infinite knowledge of the art of batsmanship.
His innings has put a spin on this Test match, with many Kiwi cricket fans reminded that there are other cricket teams that go alright in Test cricket.
The Black Caps must bat for the majority of the day tomorrow, but in doing so they might only find themselves 200 runs ahead (they're 113 runs behind). This my friends is where we learn about the Black Caps. What are they made of? Who is willing and good enough to stand up if our 3 key lads have a bad day? Which of the 3 key lads are keen to but the team on their back as Sangakkara did?
Can our openers bat for a really long time?
Tomorrow we will learn a lot about our national cricket team. Tonight, I'll just watch highlights of Kumar Sangakkara.