Earlier this year I wrote about Otago Sparks optimism as they came out of last summer with a 3-17 record across Hallyburton Johnston Shield and Super Smash. This summer the vibe is vastly different and the seed of optimism has started to sprout into a fun kiwi cricket team.
Another game of international cricket and another opportunity to see Aotearoa's Blackcaps showcase all the same traits that have been instrumental in success across all formats.
Two games into the Men's Super Smash and two very different trends popped up as Finn Allen led Wellington to victory over Canterbury and CD defeated Otago thanks to T20 batting from Greg Hay and Dane Cleaver.
Wellington and Otago started the Women's Super Smash with wins this weekend as Amelia Kerr and Suzie Bates continue to bounce back from a tricky starts to 2021.
Northern Districts wrapped up the Plunket Shield's first stanza with a hefty win over Otago and Aotearoa cricket now moves into a limited overs extravaganza.
Ahead of Aotearoa Blackcaps Test series in India, much of the focus has been around the margins.
Each round of Hallyburton Johnstone Shield cricket is introducing something new whether it’s Northern Districts breaking out of northern restrictions to play their first games of the summer, or Abby Gerken scoring big runs for the first time with Canterbury.
Central Districts Stags grabbed their first win of Aotearoa's Plunket Shield, defeating Wellington Firebirds to jump up to 2nd on the ladder.
Northern Districts Knights made their first Plunket Shield appearance of the summer against Canterbury and juicy Tauranga conditions created a funky game in which both teams stacked up wickets.
Three different formats, three finals and Aotearoa's Blackcaps now enter a new phase of trying to sustain their excellence.
What happens when Trent Boult has his most expensive bowling performances of the T20 World Cup without a wicket, while Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson combine for 9 runs? Aotearoa wins!
Otago Volts grabbed their first win of the Plunket Shield season, defeating Central Districts Stags in Nelson and jumping up to 2nd on the ladder.
Canterbury grabbed their second win over Wellington in back to back games, while the Otago vs Central Districts game moves into the final day today (Wednesday).
There is no need to over complicate what the Blackcaps are up to. Aotearoa has Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Kane Williamson as the core of their 1st 11 and for all the chat about different Blackcaps pieces, three of Aotearoa's greatest cricketers ever are the key players.
Another round of Hallyburton Johnston Shield games means our first sighting of Wellington Blaze and Canterbury Magicians this summer.
Recipes are like instructions. They are useful, really helpful in fact but with all our wisdom we usually take a quick squiz of the outline and biff those instructions away.
Last summer Canterbury were a dominant force in Aotearoa cricket, including a Plunket Shield championship where Canterbury were the only team to register more than three wins and 70 points.
Round rua of Aotearoa's Plunket Shield is underway and big boy runs are being scored.
Aotearoa's move to open the batting with Daryl Mitchell at the T20 World Cup was a surprise, although Mitchell's quality shouldn't be a surprise to anyone sipping on a twist of kiwi cricket juice.
Aotearoa's Hallyburton Johnstone Shield began over the weekend with two fixtures between Otago Sparks and Central Districts Hinds.