v New Zealand 37 for 3
Close on Day 1
Thursday 16 February 2023
Played at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
New Zealand Beer Ticks 200
Still Jessop. Every time England get to bat nowadays, particularly Brook The H, there's a chance Gilbert Jessop's record will go. Jessop scored a ton in 76 balls against Australia in 1902. That is still the fastest test century by an English cricketer.
Brook took 80 balls for his ton in the first innings in Rawalpindi, Pakistan in December. And was out in sight of Jessop for 87 off 65 in the second innings there. At one stage, Jessop was also in sight this afternoon. But, that passed & Brook was gone at 89 off 81 balls. That put England at 298 for 6.
In the McCullum/Stokes Age, you also have to "off just" the scorecard. That put England at 298 for 6 OFF JUST 54.1 Overs. Indeed, with the current yardstick being six an over, England were actually a bit behind at that point.
The first dig only lasted another 4.1 overs. Stokes hauled them in to save Anderson the aggravation with just 58.2 overs on the clock. I'm hearing that's the second quickest first innings declaration in history. Duckett, Brook and Robinson had better than a run a ball strike rates over 100. Pope, Root, Stokes and Foakes were all striking over 60. Stu Broad, frankly, let me down with just two runs off six.
So, big score on already, nominally 29 overs to face, it's dark, the lights took over ages ago, it's a pink ball, and remember Southee won the toss. And double remember Southee bowled the only Maiden in the innings. Game on. Anderson reels a Maiden off. He's forty fucking one soon.
And Stokes hooks him after just two overs for two runs. And Robinson gets Latham with just his third ball and I don't fucking know what's happening either!!! Anderson brought back for the tenth. And Crawley puts one down (Conway) off the third ball. Williamson goes LBW on a review at 23 for 2. Run rate just 2.25. Another wicket. And time runs out at 37 for 3.
Beer Of The Day
That just happened to be my 200th New Zealand beer tick. It was sedate.
Mount Brewing, Shortboard Pale Ale from a Tin at 2.5%
Tales From The Taproom
Churly's Brew Pub & Eatery
1A Charles Street, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024
To warm up for our session at Churly's, one of the homes of Behemoth Brewing Co, the Carrier Bag Firm walked across New Zealand. Yes. Really. You read that right. We fucking walked across New Zealand.
"What Phil? You walked from the Ocean lapping the shore on the East of the country. To the other Ocean lapping the shore on the West? No way."
"Way. And get this, we didn't even walk East to West. We walked North to South."
And, if you know you're geography, you'll know that's just 16km.
In this, the first Blog from my latest NZ trip, we need to confront a controversial issue.
Trays. Paddles. Flights.
Before I set off from the UK, I had been managing my Blood Sugar levels. (I'm a Type II Diabetic). That had involved reducing my Ale & Alcohol intake. My 30 day average weekly units was down to just six. But, obvs, I'm here in NZ to tick beers. So, we can't sustain that.
Brewery Taprooms will often sell you Tasting Trays, Tasting Paddles, Tasting Flights. A few (usually four or five) smaller glasses of their different beers. Allowing you to taste more beers without starting World War fucking Three as a side project. Some beer tickers see those as a cop out. In my "reduced" circumstances, I'm going to use tasters to my ticking advantage. You got a problem with that? @ me.
I had a delightful two people, both apparently speaking English, but no idea what each other was really saying, experience in Churly's.
One of the kegs kicked off. And the barperson helpfully tried to explain what might be coming on next. She was quite excited. It was a beer which they were hoping would reach #1 in the Hottest 100 Kiwi Craft Beers. I listened carefully as she said the name.
"SorryWutPardon?"
"Say that again"
"BRAINS MILD"
Now, I'm verrrrry familiar with Brains Brewery from Cardiff, Original South Wales. Maybe more familiar with Brains SA Bitter than Brains Dark, their Mild, but familiar. What the actual fuck is happening with them pushing Brains Mild in a BrewPub in New Zealand (shrugging emoji).
AnyRoadUp. In the cold light of day, let me introduce you to the recently announced #1 Hottest Kiwi Craft Beer…
Behemoth Brewing Co, BRAIN SMILES, Hazy Pale Ale at 5.4% - FFS
Half Way Down, Japanese Rice Lager on Keg at 4.5%
Hopped Up On Pils, NZ Pilsner on Keg at 5%. Pacific Jade, Motueka, Riwaka
Smashable Low Carb Pale Ale on Keg at 4.2%
Sunday Sesh, Session IPA on Keg at 4%
Something Hazy, Hazy IPA on Keg at 5.9%. Citra, Mosaic, El Dorado, Galaxy
And, the best of an excellent bunch;
Napoleon Complex, Session IPA on Keg at a CBF Friendly 2.5%. Wai-iti, Cryo Pop, Motueka, Mosaic
A banging, old skool, hop forward beer at a gravity defying two and bits.
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Stats
I have now Blogged from 1,208 games in 3,103 days
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