Kiwis don't sledge? That's news to Ricky Ponting. New Zealand players, as well as their coach Mike Hesson, have made a point of insisting that verballing opponents is not their go in the lead-up to Saturday's match against Australia, who do have a few chirpers. But Ponting, who played a lazy 51 ODIs and 17 Tests against the Black Caps, says that is not his experience. "I have been amused a little by talk emanating from New Zealand that they have given up on sledging. Any New Zealand side I played against always had a bit to say and Brendon [McCullum] was usually one of them," he wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo. "Tim Southee is another who was always talking, so much so that he reminded me of James Anderson for how competitive and 'in your face' he could be."
Patel call for Vettori to attack
A half-dozen members of the Australian and New Zealand teams that played at Eden Park in the 1992 World Cup were at a gala dinner in Auckland on Friday night, among them Dipak Patel, the spinner who famously opened the bowling. With the attack at their disposal now Patel doesn't see Daniel Vettori doing the same on Saturday, but believes the Kiwis could benefit from using him earlier, even in the first 10 overs. "I'd like to see him used more as an attacking option rather than to defend, which we've tended to do for the last couple of years," Patel said. "Personally, I'd like to see him bowl in the power plays and see if we can get some wickets. He's certainly got all the tools. I just feel at times we get a little too defensive with him." New Zealand's team from 23 years ago is having a reunion at the game, where their captain Martin Crowe will be entered into the ICC Hall of Fame.
Moin feels wrath of fans
Pakistan's underperforming players been given a sample of what's to come at home if they do not lift their games. Chairman of selectors Moin Khan was given a hot reception by angry fans in Karachi after being sent home for visiting a casino. The group of youths waited for him outside Karachi airport with eggs and banners, reports said, though fortunately for the former wicketkeeper he was able to give them the slip. Moin, 43, was provided security by police after complaining that more protesters had gathered outside his house. He has said he went to a casino in Christchurch the night before Pakistan's heavy loss to the West Indies to have dinner with friends "but in hindsight it was an inappropriate judgment on my part given the disappointment in the team's performance at the World Cup". But that excuse has not washed with several former players, one of whom, Sarfraz Nawaz, has called for the 1992 World Cup hero and former captain to be blacklisted from Pakistani cricket while another, former quick Shahid Nazir, demanded the Pakistan Cricket Board hold a judicial inquiry. There has also been a petition submitted to a local court demanding action be taken against Moin, a report said.
Afghans fired up by success
There were happier scenes in Afghanistan where fans took to the streets to celebrate after the war-torn nation's historic victory in the World Cup. Fans in Kandahar, once a Taliban heartland, danced and fired weapons, which is a traditional form of celebration in Afghanistan. There was similar jubilation in Jalalabad though six people were wounded by celebratory gunfire, a report said. Batsman Samiullah Shenwari, whose 96 rescued his team from what appeared a lost cause, said cricket had come a long way in the country in a short time. "You can look 10 or eight years ago, there was nothing in Afghanistan," Shenwari said. "But now you can say the streets, school, everything you go, it's just cricket and cricket."
Crowe in club farewell
There was sadness in Auckland on Friday as Martin Crowe played what he expects will be his last game for his old side, Cornwall Cricket Club. The 52-year-old New Zealand batting great has advanced lymphoma but took part in a Twenty20 match marking the club's 60th anniversary. He made an unbeaten 25 from 20 balls. "My dad's ashes are up there on that bench, so I thought it would be nice to bat an over, if I last the over," he said. "I was going to treat this as my last outing on the old ground."
McCullum warms up
It's not the most orthodox preparation for a big game but Brendon McCullum on Friday jumped in the ring with one of the country's top boxers, Joseph Parker. The two had a sparring session after cricket training. The Black Caps captain is hoping to land a few more blows on Mitchell Johnson and co at Eden Park on Saturday. There were suggestions the Black Caps were unhappy with the session but a New Zealand Cricket spokesman told The Tonk they were aware of it and had no dramas.
