SPORT/BET: Jet lag & cricket musings
Apparently the Kiwi rugby league team were going to tire against the British in this morning's international, let in a few late tries and thus justify the bookies who had the Brits favourites going into the match. To be fair, it is a worry when a team flies to the other side of the world and you wonder how well they will perform a few days after they step off the plane, especially in physical sports such as union and league. However, it was the Kiwis who scored the late tries and if it wasn't for them going on their usual slumber party for the 10 minutes after half-time, this would have been the most one-sided league international seen for quite some time.
Once again, the question marks were on the team who were playing their third hard match in three weeks (in three different countries), when perhaps the real question was how the British would shape up in their first international of the season. It seems more often than not, match fitness will win out against a team full of fresh legs but might be a bit rusty after a break. In two weeks time, when these teams play again, it will be the Brits playing their third match in a row (without the travel) while the Kiwis will have had a fortnight off. I'm expecting a much closer game.
You don't need to travel halfway around the world to get jet lag. My weekend so far has consisted of going to bed at about 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon, getting up at 8 p.m. to watch the first half of the India v Sri Lanka ODI followed by the South Africa v NZ ODI. By the time that had finished (9.30 a.m. Saturday morning), matchsticks were holding my eyelids open, crawled into bed and managed to sleep to about 4 p.m. After a few hours of doing nothing, back to bed and up at 6 a.m. to watch the league. A day's work today will be followed by another all-nighter for the next ODI from South Africa.
I'm not complaining, although I wish I could work out the Indian cricket team. They are one of the most unpredictable sides around, and I've taken a bath in the first 2 ODI's going against them. The way they've played so far they could beat anybody, but I know the moment I put some money on them, they'll do their Jekyll and Hyde act. It reminds me of their ODI series against Pakistan earlier this year; they won the first 2 games comfortably before losing 4-2. I'll keep backing Sri Lanka, which means India will probably win 7-0.
However of more immediate interest is tonight's game between New Zealand and South Africa. It's been disappointing to see the Kiwis chuck away two games from winning positions, although from a trading point of view they have been good for the bank balance. My main concern about the Kiwis is their frame of mind after two losses when they should have won. I hope I'm wrong, but there is the possibility of a 5-0 whitewash here. I'm not totally writing the Kiwis off, but in the past I have questioned their mental strength and tonight is a test of their self-belief and confidence more than anything else.
Finally, interesting to see the West Indies rattle up over 600 against Queensland. Hopefully they can be reasonably competitive against the Aussies when the first test starts Thursday. Chuck in the usual doubts about Brisbane weather (Gabba tests at this time of year always seem to be rain-affected) and I won't be taking the Aussies at 1.3 pre-test.
Once again, the question marks were on the team who were playing their third hard match in three weeks (in three different countries), when perhaps the real question was how the British would shape up in their first international of the season. It seems more often than not, match fitness will win out against a team full of fresh legs but might be a bit rusty after a break. In two weeks time, when these teams play again, it will be the Brits playing their third match in a row (without the travel) while the Kiwis will have had a fortnight off. I'm expecting a much closer game.
You don't need to travel halfway around the world to get jet lag. My weekend so far has consisted of going to bed at about 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon, getting up at 8 p.m. to watch the first half of the India v Sri Lanka ODI followed by the South Africa v NZ ODI. By the time that had finished (9.30 a.m. Saturday morning), matchsticks were holding my eyelids open, crawled into bed and managed to sleep to about 4 p.m. After a few hours of doing nothing, back to bed and up at 6 a.m. to watch the league. A day's work today will be followed by another all-nighter for the next ODI from South Africa.
I'm not complaining, although I wish I could work out the Indian cricket team. They are one of the most unpredictable sides around, and I've taken a bath in the first 2 ODI's going against them. The way they've played so far they could beat anybody, but I know the moment I put some money on them, they'll do their Jekyll and Hyde act. It reminds me of their ODI series against Pakistan earlier this year; they won the first 2 games comfortably before losing 4-2. I'll keep backing Sri Lanka, which means India will probably win 7-0.
However of more immediate interest is tonight's game between New Zealand and South Africa. It's been disappointing to see the Kiwis chuck away two games from winning positions, although from a trading point of view they have been good for the bank balance. My main concern about the Kiwis is their frame of mind after two losses when they should have won. I hope I'm wrong, but there is the possibility of a 5-0 whitewash here. I'm not totally writing the Kiwis off, but in the past I have questioned their mental strength and tonight is a test of their self-belief and confidence more than anything else.
Finally, interesting to see the West Indies rattle up over 600 against Queensland. Hopefully they can be reasonably competitive against the Aussies when the first test starts Thursday. Chuck in the usual doubts about Brisbane weather (Gabba tests at this time of year always seem to be rain-affected) and I won't be taking the Aussies at 1.3 pre-test.
posted by Rob Crawford at 9:25 AM
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