6000 test runs

Stephen Fleming became the first New Zealander to score 6000 test runs last night. In typical fashion the skipper was then dismissed when it looked like a century was there for the taking. Nathan Astle had no such trouble, although his unbeaten 116 was a more subdued innings than normal. As Astle later explained to the New Zealand Herald one of the better aspects of this innings was that he usually starts the season poorly. A few innings for Durham warmed him up nicely and he has hit the cricket season already in top gear.

It is difficult to watch the cricket in Zimbabwe. The fact that the matches are so one-sided is one issue. The fact that you find yourself willing on the wrong team is another (did anyone else cheer when debutant Keith Dabengwa got off the mark with a six from Dan Vettori?). But by far the most problematic is the complete lack of atmosphere. This article on Cricinfo discusses the issue. I guess we should remember that test matches in New Zealand have attracted similarly tiny crowds though.