December 12, 2025 • 18 mins
On Sports Fix with D'Arcy Waldegrave and Jason Pine for 12th December 2025, the Black Caps 2nd test against the West Indies wrapped up early on day 3, with the bowlers ripping through the West Indies batting lineup. The Black Caps only needed to score 56 runs which they did with ease. Devon Conway helped see the team to victory and he joined D'Arcy to discuss.
Piney shares his thoughts on cross country in school
And D'Arcy and Piney discuss whether Tom Blundell has played his last game as a Black Cap and the chances Auckland FC and the Wellington Phoenix come away with wins this weekend.
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Speaker 1 (00:09):
You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
this and our wide range of podcasts now on iHeartRadio.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Hi there and welcome into Sports Fix. In association with GJ.
Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder. Every weekday,
Monday through Friday, we bring you your fix of sport.
Today is Friday, December the twelfth. I'm Jason Pine.
Speaker 4 (00:35):
My name is Darcy Walter Grave, and here I am
riding shotgun with the Pine Man and looking forward to.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
It, looking forward to another big weekend of sport.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
Cricket.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
We want to talk about a cricket today, the Test
match at the Basin Reserve. As we record this is
pretty much reaching its conclusion. As you're listening to this,
it may well be done. All done. We can talk
of the black Caps a bit of a league as
well as far as a guest is concerned.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
Today, Dars who are hearing from Honey, we'll be talking
with black Cats opening bat Devin Conway and the way
things are going. I'm sure we'll be talking.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
About victory and the latest and sports years come in
your way too, so let's get into.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
It in other news.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
As always, let's kick things off for a look at
some of the big sports stories around today. Arnie Savia Braxton,
Sorenson McGee and porsche Woodman Wickliffe the major recipients at
last night's New Zealand Rugby Awards Poorsche Woodman Wickliffe Super
Rugby O Thickey Player of the Year and also the
Tom French Memorial Malti Player of the Year. There was
(01:37):
a one.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
And I never say that right like I've never done
the students her chief these goals in Cheethy's awards, but.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
That one was one that I've Island Dame Lydia Coe
is content with her golf year. She's had a mixed
to twenty twenty five on the LPGA Tour, the New
Zealand Great lone win coming in February at Singapore.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
You know, sometimes you just look at the results. You know,
you know, today make a top ten, to make the cut, today, win.
Speaker 5 (02:04):
But I think there's a lot of takeaways that you
get from events and I feel like I had a
lot of growth in that in that sense.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
And Luke Littla has begun as well. Darts Championship title
defense with relative ease at London's Alley Pally strolling to
a three million win over Lithuania and Darius Lobanasquez on
the opening night of action.
Speaker 6 (02:23):
That's well stand on the Road, the Rep Dory Teacher,
Blue Cla Club coming through his opening test.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Us and a Vinion.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
It's Sports Fix with Jason Hine and Dussy Walter Grave.
Speaker 4 (02:41):
Goods day for the black Caps. They got the job done,
which I'm sure what makes up for what happened in
christ Jets one at Milnound the series one test to
go and we're joined by a man who's found some
form with the blade. He has Devon conways with us
now first up, congratulations Devon. Two and a half days.
It's t twenty Test cricket, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (03:02):
Yeah, thanks Darcy. I'm pretty happy with our results. You know,
as you mentioned two and a half days you yeah,
you static with a wind like that?
Speaker 4 (03:09):
What do you put it down to? Because people would
say that you played particularly well. I say that with
the bat you're a little reckless yesterday. Was it more
what you could do or what the West Indians couldn't do?
Speaker 5 (03:21):
I think the way we bowled in that first innings
was great. You know, I think we're put on the
back foot in that first session, but then I think
after lunch the way the balls turned, the balls turned
up put the West in his batters under pressure. For us,
it was fantastic bounce back. And you know, at the
end of the day's play, you know, sort of tip
the table on its head. So it was great for
(03:41):
us to be in a position after that first day's
play in a strong position of the way we started.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
You're talking to me now because you're not a bowler,
Otherwise you'd be in a limo going to the top
of Mountain Vick, wouldn't you.
Speaker 5 (03:52):
Yeah, a little bit jealous. I'm sure the boys are
looking forward to that little tradition that they do. But yeah,
massive credit to them, and they're thoroughly deserve to be
in that limit going up Mount Vick.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
Yeah. Now, I can't hide behind what I said, knowing
that you didn't hear it, But I want to reflect
on that now, you Siday on air, I was talking
about the opportunities lost within that New Zealand team in
that first innings, A lot of starts but not a
great deal finished. Is it unfair to say there was
a little gung ho reckless batting toward the middle and
(04:22):
the end of that innings.
Speaker 5 (04:24):
Yes, sir no, I think you know, we certainly addressed
it at the end of play yesterday where we sort
of fell short in terms of really nailing the game
and putting it in our favor with the bat As
you say, there were a couple of guys it sort
of got starts and could have really put the West
in these bowlers under some pressure. So we did miss
(04:44):
a trick with that, but we acknowledged it, and we
know it's part of the game at times, and we
sort of bounced back and just sort of parked it
there and hopefully we can learn from that experience going
into the third Test.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
So personally when that happens, I know each player is
very much an individual about how they digest that. Is
it simple enough because you've been around the block, your
experience to take that on board and then just put
it down somewhere and walk away from it.
Speaker 5 (05:08):
Yeah, certainly. I mean, you know, by the time batters
generally cross the ropes getting out, they've sort of worked
out in their mind what they should have done or
where they could have improved in that certain all that
particular delivery. So you know, we mentioned it as a
batting group that it was a trick that we missed yesterday.
But you know, individually guys will be having comms with
(05:29):
you know, Luke Bronki or Rob Walters or other experienced
batters within the group to just sort of nail down
what they could have done better, and you sort of
rectify that and pride yourself to do the job in
the second innings.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
All right, I got to ask you about this too.
I hope you don't hang up in me on this.
What's with your guys down the leg side? I keep saying,
what's happening down the leg side? Described to me about
being dismissed out in that particular area.
Speaker 5 (05:53):
Yeah, it's a very frustrating way to get out, you know,
I think personally yesterday I was gutted when I got
out in that manner. It's not a dismissal that you
sort of think is in play. You know, quite often
it's actually a bad delivery from a bowler. To to
get out to a ball like that's obviously very disappointing.
So you know, I think the nature of the wicket
(06:14):
sort of just keeps its pace and you know, with
a little bit of the swing and the deviation brings
in that leag side edge. But again, as bad as
you sort of don't look into it too much. It's
just a frustrating way to get.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
Up and I'm not going to go there anymore. If
you've told me why, and that'll do. That's enough. What
about your own form, Devin, how are you feeling up
there at the top of the order? Your contribution with
the bat?
Speaker 5 (06:35):
Yeah, it's been good, you know. I think I've been
playing nicely the last couple of months, you know, and
the white balls as well as the red ball. Yeah,
for me, it's been, you know, nice contributing. I think
it's important to not look at it as form, but
look at it as an opportunity to keep doing a
job for the team, you know, and keep doing it
my way. I think I think I've been priding myself
(06:55):
to do lately, to play with freedom, put bowlers under
pressure and you know, that way. If I can stay
true to that, you know, regardless of the results, as
long as I stay true to that, then I'll be
giving myself the best opportunity to do it off of
the team. So that's something I'm trying to focus on
each ball and each day as it comes.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
Senior member of the team and you've gone through ups
and downs in cricket, and then what we like about
this team is you don't feel like you're batting for
your career every time you go out there. There is
a sense that they look at the bulk of your work,
not just one individual and so you've got comfort to
a degree. Is that right?
Speaker 5 (07:34):
Yeah, yeah, there is an element of that. I mean,
I have been left out of a couple of squads,
so it is the reality and it is part of
the game. I think, you know, one thing you've got
to do is just trust what you do as a player,
keep giving to the team day and day out, and
you know, I think through that, you know you'll deliver
performances that contribute to the team. And I think credit
(07:57):
must go to the support staff and the selection panel
that you know, trust the guys to go and do
a job and they understand that it's part of the
game going through these sort of forms in people's careers.
So you know, forem mestious about doing that day and
day out and understanding that it's part of the game
and just keep you know, giving to the team as
(08:17):
much as much as I can.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Dissecting the sporting agenda.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
It's Sportsfix with Jason Vine and Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
I saw some stats or figures or facts the other day.
Can't even remember where about kids and cross country at school.
Apparently there's been a study done another one and one
in four kids between the ages of six and thirteen
don't like doing cross country. That's not really surprising. Running
isn't everybody's favorite thing. In fact, I think if you
asked adults, it'll been way more than one in four
(08:48):
of us. But for kids, I do like the idea
of them doing something which is healthy, gets them active,
and has them striving to achieve something, whether it's winning
the thing or simply finishing in every class at every level.
Between those ages six and thirteen. There are natural athletes,
the ones who don't mind it, and the reluctant participants.
(09:09):
But that is true of a lot of subjects. It's
called maths, reading, writing. Every kid has things they like
and don't like. And before you say yes, but those
things reading, writing, maths will help later in life. They're
educational things, they're not just running. I reckon teaching kids
the value and benefits of exercise is also pretty important,
(09:31):
and cross country can be about more than just running
around a field a couple of times and up some hills.
I was at my son's cross country many many years ago,
and is what struck me the most the support the
kids gave to one another. And it wasn't just the
older kids chairing for the younger ones as they came
down towards the finish line. And more than one of
the races, the kids who finished near the front went
(09:54):
back out onto the course to run alongside and help
their friends who were still running. In the year six
girls race, I remember this so clearly, ten and eleven
year olds A bunch of the move blame. The same
netball team realized that one of their teams mates were
struggling a bit, so they all all of them went
back onto the course and ran with her all the
(10:14):
way to the finish line. It was enough to make
at least one of the parents tear up a little bit,
and I guarantee that young girl will remember what her
friends did for her that day long after she's forgotten
what book they were reading in class.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
Into the chamber we go while the black Caps are
close to or have sewn up the series, sorry, sewn
up the Test match, not the series. Still one to
come in Mount Montganui, of course against the West Indiest.
But interested to her thoughts on Tom Blundell. Darcy has
been the Test wicket keeper for quite some time. He's
taken the gloves from bj Watling, who himself was black
Caps Test keeper for a long time. So, Mitch Hay,
(10:54):
is I think the first New Zealand wi could keeper
to debut in Test cricket since twenty seventeen, Given how
he's gone very tidy behind the stumps sixty odd with
the bat, how likely or not is it that Tom
blund Or might have played his last Test match for
New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
Well, I put this question to you, primarily, what is
Tom Blundele's job?
Speaker 3 (11:16):
He his main job is to keep wicket and add
valuable runs in the middle order.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
Okay, so first and foremost keep wicket. Yep, all right,
you can do that, can't he? Yep? Very well? Okay,
As far as adding runs in the middle order when
there's a crisis, he's good as gold. Outside of a crisis,
maybe not so sharp and his average has I think
saying plummeted is probably unfair, but is definitely shrending down
(11:43):
the hell in quite a hurry. So when you look
at his age and it's fresh me being an age,
just being that I'm at level fifty six. Now do
you get rid of players when they've just hit their
peek or just dropped off the back or do you
let them go on when you've got a guy like
Mitch Hay waiting in the wings. That's a decision I
(12:04):
can't make. You will have seen it before, Piney. Do
you get rid of just as they drop? Do you
give him a little I'm going to drop a bit further?
And do you take age into account?
Speaker 3 (12:14):
I think also you take long service into account, and
you take into account what Tom Blundell has contributed to
this New Zealand cricket team since he took the gloves.
He's approaching forty. He's had forty three Test matches before
this one. As you say, his average is coming down
a bit, but he's still scored five centuries and a
further eleven fifties. He's done everything. Alke, if I think
(12:35):
you've can open the batting in one Test didn't he
and you know when asked to do so. So I
guess the thing to look at is if the New
Zealand selectors he probably won't play in Mount Monganerui hamstrings
do tend to take a bit of time to heal.
So but if they were to say in the next
Test series, which is England in the middle of twenty
twenty six, Mitch hay is going to keep wicket, that
(12:55):
effectively ends Tom Blundell's career, doesn't it. And I don't
reckon the selectors are close to making that call just yet.
With a big twelve to fifteen months of Test cricket
coming up, this.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
Is always a really tender area in selection for long
term players. I look to the fact that do we
look at long term? Do we look at what they've
brought to the team, And I think maybe that doesn't matter.
It's about the current Test team winning and getting the
best players up there. So terrific career, But do you
(13:29):
lengthen his time in the Jersey just because he's been
great for the team. And I look to a player
like dare I say it. Tim Southey probably should have
gone a year earlier, but they loved him so much
they let him go out on his own terms. I
don't think that's good for the team.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
Good comparison though, does really really good comparison. Well, I
guess we wait and see exactly what they decide to do. Look,
Mitch Hay, I think we can all agree it's probably
going to play a lot of games from New Zealand,
probably in all three formats actually, depending on other options
et cetera, if they go with someone like Seifer and
the T twenties, whatever. But Mitch Hay has proven himself
in this Test match to be a pretty handy player.
(14:08):
He's been a very very good first class batsman for
Canterbury for a while now, so you know he will
play a lot more Test matches. But yeah, I just
feel as though Tom Blundele has earned the right to, perhaps, yeah,
to perhaps the other one other part of this is
he was not dropped. He was injured and unavailable. I
think there's a distinction to be made there and there
(14:30):
are players, and I'm not saying Tom Blundell is definitely
one of them, but there are players who are when
they're fit, they play, They live above a selection line.
So if you're injured and you're out. When you're not
injured and available, you come back in. I'm not saying
Tom Blundell is necessarily in that group, but I think
he's in and around that group.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
You're right, But I've been pumping the tires of Mitchey
for the last couple of years, and not because I've
seen a great deal of him play. Talk to a
lot of people in the Canterbury region who rate him
highly and he has made huge strides. What gets me
about that? And this might be an unpopular opinion, but
like after so long, I don't even care anymore. But
(15:08):
the Test match should have been won by now. If
it's not, as we're recording, it's not too far away.
I thought that the batting of it from the black
Caps yesterday was average, and I thought that match Hay
had an opportunity to really stamp his mark on it
and he got a bit trigger happy and he shouldn't done.
I think that's a very slight smudge on his name,
(15:30):
but a smudge all the same here and the opportunity
to do something extraordinary, but him and the rest of
the team decided to fanny at stuff down the leg
side and then hoot the ball into the throats of
the players, and I struggle with that. Yeah, I really do.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
Yeah, sixty one is good, but if it's got one hundred,
that's a far more compelling proposition, isn't it. And as
you say, he was one of a number of players who,
perhaps that they look back, won't be particularly proud of
the manner in which they were dismissed. I was going
to talk to my leg, but I think we're out
of time. I'm not sure there's a lot of time.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
We might have a couple of minutes go and throw
us the mefc at.
Speaker 3 (16:06):
Us or aught FC Tonight's Central Coast Mariners. The main
part about this stars is it's the first of five
away games in the next six weeks. Auckland lefts Eve
enjoyed some home comforts over the last little while, although
they did lose to Newcastle a couple of weeks ago.
But traveling in the A League means trans tasman travel
across time zones, into a different country, take your passport,
(16:27):
you know, different food, all that sort of stuff. And
they've got to do it five times in the next
six games. So how will that affect them? I guess
we'll find out for the Wellington Phoenix. They take on
Newcastle on Sunday, looking to bounce back from the disappointment
of the derby. They should beat Newcastle. They should win
their next game as well before Christmas against the Mariners,
both at home, and I feel like they're going to
(16:49):
need a spring board into the new year. So a
couple of wins for Wellington Phoenix are pretty vital over
the next two weeks. Have I used up the available
time on the A League.
Speaker 4 (16:58):
I hate it when someone says they should win. To me,
that's huge red flags and alarm bells every aha running
don't do it. So yeah, we can wind up there there.
I suppose I'll ask you, do you back either team
to win? Yes?
Speaker 3 (17:12):
I bet them both to win. I think Auckland FC
will win tonight and I think the Phoenix will win
on Sunday and on Monday or not a Monday, when
choose it or not Chooseday, I'm not here, not Wednesday.
On Thursday, when we recomvene together in the chamber, you
can tell me how wrong I was. I'm sure we'll
get back to get rid at some point. That is
us out of the chamber today though.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
Leading a X we've got just the ticket.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
It's Sports Fix powered by News Talks IVY and.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
That brings the curtain down on Sports Fix for today
and for the week as well. We greatly appreciate those
of you who subscribe. We have one more week of
Sports Fix for you next week. We look forward to
to bringing you Sports Fix around about this time every
single day.
Speaker 4 (17:50):
And Jason, just to find a word. I can't help myself.
Regardless of metchav It has scored a ton blundered with
that in his first Test match at Wellington. Right, he
scored a century on debut yep, but Mitchey couldn't have
caught a bus home and his whites.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
That's a loving Wellington the start.
Speaker 4 (18:10):
Blundell deserves all the credit in the world for that.
Help give them another couple of years in the Main Sea. Hey,
if you enjoyed the podcast, please share the facts with
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on a weekdaily basis Monday through Friday on news Talk
z EB from seven to eight payments. Sports Talk Piney's
got the Monday job. I do Tuesday through Friday and
(18:30):
then on Saturday, Jason Pine, what have you.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
Got weekend Sport midday through three, and if that goes
well Sunday, we repeat the dose Weekend Sport on Sunday
between midday and three. Have a top weekend folks.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
For more from News Talk ZEDB, listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
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You're listening to a podcast from News Talks EDB. Follow
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Speaker 2 (00:17):
This is Sportsfix Howard by News Talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:20):
Hi there and welcome into Sports Fix. In association with GJ.
Gardner Holmes, New Zealand's most trusted home builder. Every weekday,
Monday through Friday, we bring you your fix of sport.
Today is Friday, December the twelfth. I'm Jason Pine.
Speaker 4 (00:35):
My name is Darcy Walter Grave, and here I am
riding shotgun with the Pine Man and looking forward to.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
It, looking forward to another big weekend of sport.
Speaker 4 (00:45):
Cricket.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
We want to talk about a cricket today, the Test
match at the Basin Reserve. As we record this is
pretty much reaching its conclusion. As you're listening to this,
it may well be done. All done. We can talk
of the black Caps a bit of a league as
well as far as a guest is concerned.
Speaker 4 (01:01):
Today, Dars who are hearing from Honey, we'll be talking
with black Cats opening bat Devin Conway and the way
things are going. I'm sure we'll be talking.
Speaker 3 (01:10):
About victory and the latest and sports years come in
your way too, so let's get into.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
It in other news.
Speaker 3 (01:16):
As always, let's kick things off for a look at
some of the big sports stories around today. Arnie Savia Braxton,
Sorenson McGee and porsche Woodman Wickliffe the major recipients at
last night's New Zealand Rugby Awards Poorsche Woodman Wickliffe Super
Rugby O Thickey Player of the Year and also the
Tom French Memorial Malti Player of the Year. There was
(01:37):
a one.
Speaker 2 (01:39):
And I never say that right like I've never done
the students her chief these goals in Cheethy's awards, but.
Speaker 3 (01:47):
That one was one that I've Island Dame Lydia Coe
is content with her golf year. She's had a mixed
to twenty twenty five on the LPGA Tour, the New
Zealand Great lone win coming in February at Singapore.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
You know, sometimes you just look at the results. You know,
you know, today make a top ten, to make the cut, today, win.
Speaker 5 (02:04):
But I think there's a lot of takeaways that you
get from events and I feel like I had a
lot of growth in that in that sense.
Speaker 3 (02:11):
And Luke Littla has begun as well. Darts Championship title
defense with relative ease at London's Alley Pally strolling to
a three million win over Lithuania and Darius Lobanasquez on
the opening night of action.
Speaker 6 (02:23):
That's well stand on the Road, the Rep Dory Teacher,
Blue Cla Club coming through his opening test.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Us and a Vinion.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
It's Sports Fix with Jason Hine and Dussy Walter Grave.
Speaker 4 (02:41):
Goods day for the black Caps. They got the job done,
which I'm sure what makes up for what happened in
christ Jets one at Milnound the series one test to
go and we're joined by a man who's found some
form with the blade. He has Devon conways with us
now first up, congratulations Devon. Two and a half days.
It's t twenty Test cricket, isn't it.
Speaker 5 (03:02):
Yeah, thanks Darcy. I'm pretty happy with our results. You know,
as you mentioned two and a half days you yeah,
you static with a wind like that?
Speaker 4 (03:09):
What do you put it down to? Because people would
say that you played particularly well. I say that with
the bat you're a little reckless yesterday. Was it more
what you could do or what the West Indians couldn't do?
Speaker 5 (03:21):
I think the way we bowled in that first innings
was great. You know, I think we're put on the
back foot in that first session, but then I think
after lunch the way the balls turned, the balls turned
up put the West in his batters under pressure. For us,
it was fantastic bounce back. And you know, at the
end of the day's play, you know, sort of tip
the table on its head. So it was great for
(03:41):
us to be in a position after that first day's
play in a strong position of the way we started.
Speaker 4 (03:47):
You're talking to me now because you're not a bowler,
Otherwise you'd be in a limo going to the top
of Mountain Vick, wouldn't you.
Speaker 5 (03:52):
Yeah, a little bit jealous. I'm sure the boys are
looking forward to that little tradition that they do. But yeah,
massive credit to them, and they're thoroughly deserve to be
in that limit going up Mount Vick.
Speaker 4 (04:01):
Yeah. Now, I can't hide behind what I said, knowing
that you didn't hear it, But I want to reflect
on that now, you Siday on air, I was talking
about the opportunities lost within that New Zealand team in
that first innings, A lot of starts but not a
great deal finished. Is it unfair to say there was
a little gung ho reckless batting toward the middle and
(04:22):
the end of that innings.
Speaker 5 (04:24):
Yes, sir no, I think you know, we certainly addressed
it at the end of play yesterday where we sort
of fell short in terms of really nailing the game
and putting it in our favor with the bat As
you say, there were a couple of guys it sort
of got starts and could have really put the West
in these bowlers under some pressure. So we did miss
(04:44):
a trick with that, but we acknowledged it, and we
know it's part of the game at times, and we
sort of bounced back and just sort of parked it
there and hopefully we can learn from that experience going
into the third Test.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
So personally when that happens, I know each player is
very much an individual about how they digest that. Is
it simple enough because you've been around the block, your
experience to take that on board and then just put
it down somewhere and walk away from it.
Speaker 5 (05:08):
Yeah, certainly. I mean, you know, by the time batters
generally cross the ropes getting out, they've sort of worked
out in their mind what they should have done or
where they could have improved in that certain all that
particular delivery. So you know, we mentioned it as a
batting group that it was a trick that we missed yesterday.
But you know, individually guys will be having comms with
(05:29):
you know, Luke Bronki or Rob Walters or other experienced
batters within the group to just sort of nail down
what they could have done better, and you sort of
rectify that and pride yourself to do the job in
the second innings.
Speaker 4 (05:39):
All right, I got to ask you about this too.
I hope you don't hang up in me on this.
What's with your guys down the leg side? I keep saying,
what's happening down the leg side? Described to me about
being dismissed out in that particular area.
Speaker 5 (05:53):
Yeah, it's a very frustrating way to get out, you know,
I think personally yesterday I was gutted when I got
out in that manner. It's not a dismissal that you
sort of think is in play. You know, quite often
it's actually a bad delivery from a bowler. To to
get out to a ball like that's obviously very disappointing.
So you know, I think the nature of the wicket
(06:14):
sort of just keeps its pace and you know, with
a little bit of the swing and the deviation brings
in that leag side edge. But again, as bad as
you sort of don't look into it too much. It's
just a frustrating way to get.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
Up and I'm not going to go there anymore. If
you've told me why, and that'll do. That's enough. What
about your own form, Devin, how are you feeling up
there at the top of the order? Your contribution with
the bat?
Speaker 5 (06:35):
Yeah, it's been good, you know. I think I've been
playing nicely the last couple of months, you know, and
the white balls as well as the red ball. Yeah,
for me, it's been, you know, nice contributing. I think
it's important to not look at it as form, but
look at it as an opportunity to keep doing a
job for the team, you know, and keep doing it
my way. I think I think I've been priding myself
(06:55):
to do lately, to play with freedom, put bowlers under
pressure and you know, that way. If I can stay
true to that, you know, regardless of the results, as
long as I stay true to that, then I'll be
giving myself the best opportunity to do it off of
the team. So that's something I'm trying to focus on
each ball and each day as it comes.
Speaker 4 (07:14):
Senior member of the team and you've gone through ups
and downs in cricket, and then what we like about
this team is you don't feel like you're batting for
your career every time you go out there. There is
a sense that they look at the bulk of your work,
not just one individual and so you've got comfort to
a degree. Is that right?
Speaker 5 (07:34):
Yeah, yeah, there is an element of that. I mean,
I have been left out of a couple of squads,
so it is the reality and it is part of
the game. I think, you know, one thing you've got
to do is just trust what you do as a player,
keep giving to the team day and day out, and
you know, I think through that, you know you'll deliver
performances that contribute to the team. And I think credit
(07:57):
must go to the support staff and the selection panel
that you know, trust the guys to go and do
a job and they understand that it's part of the
game going through these sort of forms in people's careers.
So you know, forem mestious about doing that day and
day out and understanding that it's part of the game
and just keep you know, giving to the team as
(08:17):
much as much as I can.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Dissecting the sporting agenda.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
It's Sportsfix with Jason Vine and Darcy Waldgrave.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
I saw some stats or figures or facts the other day.
Can't even remember where about kids and cross country at school.
Apparently there's been a study done another one and one
in four kids between the ages of six and thirteen
don't like doing cross country. That's not really surprising. Running
isn't everybody's favorite thing. In fact, I think if you
asked adults, it'll been way more than one in four
(08:48):
of us. But for kids, I do like the idea
of them doing something which is healthy, gets them active,
and has them striving to achieve something, whether it's winning
the thing or simply finishing in every class at every level.
Between those ages six and thirteen. There are natural athletes,
the ones who don't mind it, and the reluctant participants.
(09:09):
But that is true of a lot of subjects. It's
called maths, reading, writing. Every kid has things they like
and don't like. And before you say yes, but those
things reading, writing, maths will help later in life. They're
educational things, they're not just running. I reckon teaching kids
the value and benefits of exercise is also pretty important,
(09:31):
and cross country can be about more than just running
around a field a couple of times and up some hills.
I was at my son's cross country many many years ago,
and is what struck me the most the support the
kids gave to one another. And it wasn't just the
older kids chairing for the younger ones as they came
down towards the finish line. And more than one of
the races, the kids who finished near the front went
(09:54):
back out onto the course to run alongside and help
their friends who were still running. In the year six
girls race, I remember this so clearly, ten and eleven
year olds A bunch of the move blame. The same
netball team realized that one of their teams mates were
struggling a bit, so they all all of them went
back onto the course and ran with her all the
(10:14):
way to the finish line. It was enough to make
at least one of the parents tear up a little bit,
and I guarantee that young girl will remember what her
friends did for her that day long after she's forgotten
what book they were reading in class.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
The Chamber is now in session on Sportsfax.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
Into the chamber we go while the black Caps are
close to or have sewn up the series, sorry, sewn
up the Test match, not the series. Still one to
come in Mount Montganui, of course against the West Indiest.
But interested to her thoughts on Tom Blundell. Darcy has
been the Test wicket keeper for quite some time. He's
taken the gloves from bj Watling, who himself was black
Caps Test keeper for a long time. So, Mitch Hay,
(10:54):
is I think the first New Zealand wi could keeper
to debut in Test cricket since twenty seventeen, Given how
he's gone very tidy behind the stumps sixty odd with
the bat, how likely or not is it that Tom
blund Or might have played his last Test match for
New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
Well, I put this question to you, primarily, what is
Tom Blundele's job?
Speaker 3 (11:16):
He his main job is to keep wicket and add
valuable runs in the middle order.
Speaker 4 (11:20):
Okay, so first and foremost keep wicket. Yep, all right,
you can do that, can't he? Yep? Very well? Okay,
As far as adding runs in the middle order when
there's a crisis, he's good as gold. Outside of a crisis,
maybe not so sharp and his average has I think
saying plummeted is probably unfair, but is definitely shrending down
(11:43):
the hell in quite a hurry. So when you look
at his age and it's fresh me being an age,
just being that I'm at level fifty six. Now do
you get rid of players when they've just hit their
peek or just dropped off the back or do you
let them go on when you've got a guy like
Mitch Hay waiting in the wings. That's a decision I
(12:04):
can't make. You will have seen it before, Piney. Do
you get rid of just as they drop? Do you
give him a little I'm going to drop a bit further?
And do you take age into account?
Speaker 3 (12:14):
I think also you take long service into account, and
you take into account what Tom Blundell has contributed to
this New Zealand cricket team since he took the gloves.
He's approaching forty. He's had forty three Test matches before
this one. As you say, his average is coming down
a bit, but he's still scored five centuries and a
further eleven fifties. He's done everything. Alke, if I think
(12:35):
you've can open the batting in one Test didn't he
and you know when asked to do so. So I
guess the thing to look at is if the New
Zealand selectors he probably won't play in Mount Monganerui hamstrings
do tend to take a bit of time to heal.
So but if they were to say in the next
Test series, which is England in the middle of twenty
twenty six, Mitch hay is going to keep wicket, that
(12:55):
effectively ends Tom Blundell's career, doesn't it. And I don't
reckon the selectors are close to making that call just yet.
With a big twelve to fifteen months of Test cricket
coming up, this.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
Is always a really tender area in selection for long
term players. I look to the fact that do we
look at long term? Do we look at what they've
brought to the team, And I think maybe that doesn't matter.
It's about the current Test team winning and getting the
best players up there. So terrific career, But do you
(13:29):
lengthen his time in the Jersey just because he's been
great for the team. And I look to a player
like dare I say it. Tim Southey probably should have
gone a year earlier, but they loved him so much
they let him go out on his own terms. I
don't think that's good for the team.
Speaker 3 (13:47):
Good comparison though, does really really good comparison. Well, I
guess we wait and see exactly what they decide to do. Look,
Mitch Hay, I think we can all agree it's probably
going to play a lot of games from New Zealand,
probably in all three formats actually, depending on other options
et cetera, if they go with someone like Seifer and
the T twenties, whatever. But Mitch Hay has proven himself
in this Test match to be a pretty handy player.
(14:08):
He's been a very very good first class batsman for
Canterbury for a while now, so you know he will
play a lot more Test matches. But yeah, I just
feel as though Tom Blundele has earned the right to, perhaps, yeah,
to perhaps the other one other part of this is
he was not dropped. He was injured and unavailable. I
think there's a distinction to be made there and there
(14:30):
are players, and I'm not saying Tom Blundell is definitely
one of them, but there are players who are when
they're fit, they play, They live above a selection line.
So if you're injured and you're out. When you're not
injured and available, you come back in. I'm not saying
Tom Blundell is necessarily in that group, but I think
he's in and around that group.
Speaker 4 (14:47):
You're right, But I've been pumping the tires of Mitchey
for the last couple of years, and not because I've
seen a great deal of him play. Talk to a
lot of people in the Canterbury region who rate him
highly and he has made huge strides. What gets me
about that? And this might be an unpopular opinion, but
like after so long, I don't even care anymore. But
(15:08):
the Test match should have been won by now. If
it's not, as we're recording, it's not too far away.
I thought that the batting of it from the black
Caps yesterday was average, and I thought that match Hay
had an opportunity to really stamp his mark on it
and he got a bit trigger happy and he shouldn't done.
I think that's a very slight smudge on his name,
(15:30):
but a smudge all the same here and the opportunity
to do something extraordinary, but him and the rest of
the team decided to fanny at stuff down the leg
side and then hoot the ball into the throats of
the players, and I struggle with that. Yeah, I really do.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
Yeah, sixty one is good, but if it's got one hundred,
that's a far more compelling proposition, isn't it. And as
you say, he was one of a number of players who,
perhaps that they look back, won't be particularly proud of
the manner in which they were dismissed. I was going
to talk to my leg, but I think we're out
of time. I'm not sure there's a lot of time.
Speaker 4 (16:03):
We might have a couple of minutes go and throw
us the mefc at.
Speaker 3 (16:06):
Us or aught FC Tonight's Central Coast Mariners. The main
part about this stars is it's the first of five
away games in the next six weeks. Auckland lefts Eve
enjoyed some home comforts over the last little while, although
they did lose to Newcastle a couple of weeks ago.
But traveling in the A League means trans tasman travel
across time zones, into a different country, take your passport,
(16:27):
you know, different food, all that sort of stuff. And
they've got to do it five times in the next
six games. So how will that affect them? I guess
we'll find out for the Wellington Phoenix. They take on
Newcastle on Sunday, looking to bounce back from the disappointment
of the derby. They should beat Newcastle. They should win
their next game as well before Christmas against the Mariners,
both at home, and I feel like they're going to
(16:49):
need a spring board into the new year. So a
couple of wins for Wellington Phoenix are pretty vital over
the next two weeks. Have I used up the available
time on the A League.
Speaker 4 (16:58):
I hate it when someone says they should win. To me,
that's huge red flags and alarm bells every aha running
don't do it. So yeah, we can wind up there there.
I suppose I'll ask you, do you back either team
to win? Yes?
Speaker 3 (17:12):
I bet them both to win. I think Auckland FC
will win tonight and I think the Phoenix will win
on Sunday and on Monday or not a Monday, when
choose it or not Chooseday, I'm not here, not Wednesday.
On Thursday, when we recomvene together in the chamber, you
can tell me how wrong I was. I'm sure we'll
get back to get rid at some point. That is
us out of the chamber today though.
Speaker 2 (17:30):
Leading a X we've got just the ticket.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
It's Sports Fix powered by News Talks IVY and.
Speaker 3 (17:36):
That brings the curtain down on Sports Fix for today
and for the week as well. We greatly appreciate those
of you who subscribe. We have one more week of
Sports Fix for you next week. We look forward to
to bringing you Sports Fix around about this time every
single day.
Speaker 4 (17:50):
And Jason, just to find a word. I can't help myself.
Regardless of metchav It has scored a ton blundered with
that in his first Test match at Wellington. Right, he
scored a century on debut yep, but Mitchey couldn't have
caught a bus home and his whites.
Speaker 3 (18:06):
That's a loving Wellington the start.
Speaker 4 (18:10):
Blundell deserves all the credit in the world for that.
Help give them another couple of years in the Main Sea. Hey,
if you enjoyed the podcast, please share the facts with
your mates. Subscribe so it comes straight to your inbox
on a weekdaily basis Monday through Friday on news Talk
z EB from seven to eight payments. Sports Talk Piney's
got the Monday job. I do Tuesday through Friday and
(18:30):
then on Saturday, Jason Pine, what have you.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
Got weekend Sport midday through three, and if that goes
well Sunday, we repeat the dose Weekend Sport on Sunday
between midday and three. Have a top weekend folks.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
For more from News Talk ZEDB, listen live on air
or online, and keep our shows with you wherever you
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