Pakistan is still touring NZ, playing One Day International matches as well as the 5 day test matches like the one we saw. We went to one in the park 3 blocks from Michael's house. The ODI has slightly different rules that almost guarantee that someone will win at the end of the day. And they get to wear colorful uniforms. The park had the features of American baseball stadiums (loud crowds cheering and jeering, snacks and overpriced souvenirs) and then some, like the Pakistani contingent waving flags, and the mascot that we think was a possum but might have been a bad Kiwi.
The famed Eden Park, home of many a Kiwi heartbreaker, but not this day
The Black Caps prevailed in a nailbiter, needing something like 36 runs to win with 24 pitches (I meant bowls) remaining. They won with 5 bowls to spare.
- Skip the 7th inning stretch. Who can't help love a sport that breaks for tea?
- Well-rounded athletes - most players can bowl, bat and field. No DH rule.
- Two offensive batters in play - always a chance for a force out.
- No foul balls to slow things down (ok, it is pretty slow, but every hit can turn into a 'dismissal').
- The umpire as coat rack - he holds the bowler's sweater, cap, sunglasses, etc. folded neatly over his arm while the bowler delivers his over. Returns same when bowler goes back to fielding.
- Civility: when the beer-drinking bleacher bums get rowdy, the announcer reminds them to behave because "this is a game of cricket."
- Seagulls land on the field while the ball is in play. I saw a photo of the NZ players diving for cover on the field when the Indian cricket ground was swarmed by bees.
- The bowlers sign autographs when it is their turn to field.
- The outfits are cute - dress whites for 5 day matches, team colors for one day matches. May include a sweater, vest, and choice of ballcap or broadbrim hat.
- Every ticket buys the equivalent of a double-header - 8 hours in the sunshine.
