Pitch Perfect
Roll on November 5 and the first test.
It has been 30 years since New Zealand won a test series in Australia but this Black Caps side might be able to right that wrong.
Former test opener Bruce Edgar shares his thoughts on how the team will go across the Tasman in our Summer of Cricket spread on October 9.
Crease Bound
Have New Zealand Cricket and Sky combined to ruin the domestic twenty20 competition?
Scheduling the tournament during November rather than in late December and January had a negative impact on crowds last season and it is hard to imagine they will return this summer.
NZC signed a seven-year broadcasting deal with Sky TV before last season, so nothing will be changed any time soon.
Feels like they have cooked the golden goose.
Clubbing It
Club cricket starts tomorrow, which seems awfully early.
Look out for the season preview in tomorrow's newspaper and also the new graphic which will accompany the match reports on Mondays.
As always, we are open to any news suggestions you have for this section - email us.
The Declaration
Word is there is a wee rugby tournament going on at the moment.
With that in mind, Notes from Slip wondered if he could name an All Black team from New Zealand cricketers.
Brian McKechnie faced the underarm delivery and kicked the winning penalty against Wales when Andy Haden dived out of the lineout.
He's fullback.
Jeff Wilson could play a bit and is on the right wing.
Eric Tindall is named at halfback while fellow halfback Curly Page is going to have to play out of position on the left wing.
Bill Carson is forgiven for scoring 290 against Otago and gets a role on the side of the scrum.
Otago fast bowler George Dickson scored three tries in five games for New Zealand and is our first five-eighth with Charlie Oliver outside him at second five-eighth.
That's all the ''double All Blacks'' used up and about half a team.
We need another eight.
Send us your suggestions but I'd opt for a front row of Ian Smith, Richard Reid and Jock Edwards.
