Wicket |
In preparation for match day, I did some Wikipedia research on cricket and tried to learn the basics so I'd know what was going on. I did pretty well, and was not only able to follow the match, but really thoroughly enjoyed it. The only rule I wished I'd learned about but didn't was the power play. Otherwise, it was great fun!
It probably helped that the match was 2 hours shorter than normal, and that it was a NZ home game with a lively crowd. The boy sitting next to us was so excited to be there and stayed engaged in the game the whole way through. It was nice to see kids getting into something other than their iPad (the kids behind us were on their iPads the whole game).
Brendon McCullum at bat for New Zealand |
Australia was at bat first, and they got out (10 wickets) in less innings than anticipated. A great start for New Zealand! All we had to do, was score more runs than Australia, without getting out.
The Black Caps captain and star player Brendon McCullum was at bat first. He was quickly hit by the pitcher with a stray ball. What an outrage! There wasn't even really a penalty for it. Brendon was a true champ and went on to play for 50 runs. Unfortunately he got out shortly after that, and New Zealand ended up needing 6 runs with only one wicket (out) left! Everyone in the stadium was on the edge of their seats, myself included.Williamson bats it out of bounds for 6 points to win the game for New Zealand.