Long time between innings

Peter Ryder, of Williams Signs and Graphix, paints a logo on the ground surface in preparation...
Peter Ryder, of Williams Signs and Graphix, paints a logo on the ground surface in preparation for today’s T20 between New Zealand and Australia at the University Oval. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH
Hands up if you threw bottles and cans on to the field at Carisbrook last time Australia played an international in Dunedin.

You will have to make do with paper cups if a crucial call goes against New Zealand in today’s T20 at the University Oval.

Quick disclaimer — the Otago Daily Times in no way endorses littering. And do not throw a full cup — it is a terrible waste.

But there will be 5400 or so souls cramming into the ground this afternoon and passions are sure to run high — just as they did 21 years ago.

Australia boasted an all-star team in 2000, with the likes of Adam Gilchrist, the Waugh brothers, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and, of course, Brett Lee.

Lee bowled a bouncer which knocked Adam Parore’s helmet on to the stumps.

The no-ball call never came. Parore was out hit wicket and a section of the crowd erupted, sending debris on to the field.

The game was delayed for 10 minutes.

But we have all matured since then, right?

The Black Caps posted a comfortable win in game one of the series in Christchurch on Monday night and are undefeated at the University Oval in eight tests and eight one-dayers.

New Zealand swing bowler Tim Southee was looking forward to the occasion.

"We don’t play a lot down here, so it is nice to get down here," he said.

"We are very lucky at the moment to be one of the few countries in the world where we can have people come in and have full stadiums."

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