Sports After Dark

New Zealand’s top sports blog

Archive for December, 2007

Even without Gilchrist, Australia set to regain Chappell-Hadlee trophy

Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 19th December 2007

Australia have chosen to rest star batsman Adam Gilchrist for the final Chappell-Hadlee ODI in Hobart on Thursday. But even without Gilchrist, Australia look to be cruising to an easy victory as the Black Caps’ batsmen look horribly out of form.

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Posted in Australia, New Zealand, cricket | No Comments »

Latest bowling controversy shows ICC have tied their own hands

Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 17th December 2007

After the Twenty20 game in Perth the Black Caps camp subtly raised questions over the legality of Australian tearaway bowler Shaun Tait’s action. While Tait angrily denied these allegations, it would seem the ICC’s own rules leave officials hamstrung for the time being.

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Posted in Australia, New Zealand, cricket, opinion | No Comments »

Black Caps must improve batting ahead of Chappell-Hadlee

Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 13th December 2007

The loss in the Twenty/20 international against Australia showed that New Zealand have a long way to go if they are to defend the Chappell-Hadlee trophy. The biggest improvement must come from the batsmen, who struggled in the Australian conditions.

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NZRU set to score own goal over Crusaders’ coach

Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 13th December 2007

The NZRU board met yesterday to discuss whether Super 14 coaches Robbie Deans and David Nucifora should be allowed to remain in charge of New Zealand franchises for the 2008 Super 14 should one of them be appointed to the vacant Wallabies coach’s role. However, the loss of a head coach will be devastating for either franchise, should the board decide to oust them.

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Posted in All Blacks, Australia, New Zealand, Super 14, opinion, rugby | No Comments »

Black Caps stumble ahead of Chappell Hadlee defence

Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 12th December 2007

In their last warm up match before the Chappell-Hadlee Series, New Zealand and Australia met in a Twenty/20 international at the WACA Ground in Perth. Amid the party atmosphere at the game, Australia won by 54 runs on the back of a brilliant innings by Andrew Symonds.

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What has Beckham-mania done for New Zealand football?

Posted by Hamish McBrearty on 3rd December 2007

There was only one name on the lips of New Zealand sports fans this weekend: David Beckham. Overshadowing the New Zealand Golf Open and two ODI cricket matches, it was the exhibition match between the LA Galaxy and the Wellington Phoenix which everyone was talking about, but will this one game vault football into the nation’s national consciousness? Or is it just celebrity chasing by fans for whom football hold little appeal?

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Posted in Football, New Zealand, Wellington Phoenix, opinion, rugby | No Comments »