Category Archives: New Zealand

A Singed Phoenix

Posted on August 28, 2015 by rightoffthebatbook

To England fans of many years (such as Martin), the team’s 3–2 victory over the Australians in the 2015 Ashes bears all the hallmarks of a very English success story—partial, inconsistent, worryingly incomplete: the eggiest of curate’s eggs. All the narratives proclaiming a resurgence … Continue reading →

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England Subside Again . . . and Again

Posted on July 20, 2015 by rightoffthebatbook

It is a truth universally acknowledged that when England win a Test match against opposition against whom they are “meant” to have lost, there will be much talk of “new beginnings” and “resurgence.” What is less universally acknowledged is that, a few … Continue reading →

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Bully for Brendon

Posted on July 12, 2015 by rightoffthebatbook

I (Martin) write this blog a day after England have beaten Australia in the first game of the 2015 Ashes competition. A few months ago, the sentence “England have beaten Australia in the first game of the 2015 Ashes competition,” although (almost) … Continue reading →

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March Madness . . . Cricket Style!

Posted on March 23, 2015 by rightoffthebatbook

We have now reached the semi-final stage of the cricket World Cup, and as some of our readers may remember, we predicted the final four teams on Day 2: India, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand. These teams were so much … Continue reading →

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Broad Agonistes

Posted on February 21, 2015 by rightoffthebatbook

Many years ago, I (Martin) was bowled by Sarfraz Nawaz, the Pakistan fast bowler. This is my greatest claim to fame as a cricketer. Our opposition—a team of modest talents if not attitude—paraded the genial Sarfraz before us with (I thought) an unseemly enthusiasm … Continue reading →

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Oh, England!

Posted on February 21, 2015 by rightoffthebatbook

It is now with great regret that we are compelled to talk about the England cricket team—soundly trounced, thrashed, taken to the cleaners (choose your metaphor) by New Zealand in the World Cup on Thursday. Now don’t get me (Martin) wrong; … Continue reading →

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In the Beginning

Posted on February 20, 2015 by rightoffthebatbook

To affirm that hope springs eternal, as the thermometer dips to 2 degrees F, a New York City/Right off the Bat HQ record for any February 20, teams are assembling to begin Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues training. Yesterday and today! … Continue reading →

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The Cricket World Cup: Day 2

Posted on February 15, 2015 by rightoffthebatbook

Martin here: We’ve now had four games in the World Cup 2015 and the shape of the tournament is already pretty clear (at least in my judgment). Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and India are, barring miracles or meltdowns, going to cruise through … Continue reading →

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The Cricket World Cup: A Preview, Part 1

Posted on January 29, 2015 by rightoffthebatbook

Every four years, the world’s top cricket teams gather to play a series of one-day internationals (ODIs)—the 50-over form of the game—to determine who is the best. It’s the nearest thing that cricket gets to a competition that the entire … Continue reading →

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Brendon Goes Big

Posted on February 17, 2014 by rightoffthebatbook

New Zealand’s cricket side has always punched above its weight—putting in performances that belie its small population and lack of financial resources relative to Australia. It currently ranks a lowly eighth (out of ten) in the ICC World Test Rankings, … Continue reading →

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