Our correspondent is relieved at not having to report on England. That way he can admire the beauty of New Zealand, and catch with up Curtly Ambrose
Andrew McGlashan23-Mar-2015February 8
Will this flight ever end? Ah, touchdown, thank goodness. Oh, it’s Sydney. One more leg to go. Eventually arrive in Auckland and immediately feel energised as I clear immigration and exit into the mild, fresh air. It had been about two degrees on leaving London. Now, where are those shorts?Base for the World Cup is Onehunga, a suburb about 15 minutes from the airport. I’m the first one to arrive; colleagues from India land later in the evening.February 11
On the road for the first time in tournament (or should that be our hashtag, #ontheroad?) and it’s Christchurch-bound to build up to the opening match of the tournament at the new Hagley Oval. Returning to the city brings a mixture of emotions – it’s both sobering to see how much work remains to be done following the earthquake but also uplifting to see how far it has come. The cricket ground is testament to that, a lovely venue that has not over-stretched itself and so retains a character perfectly suited to New Zealand.The day turns into something of a reunion. Meet Firdose Moonda, our South Africa correspondent, for the first time in two years, and as the day wears on, bump into three former ESPNcricinfo colleagues – Anand Vasu, Jamie Alter and Sriram Veera. These days you are never really out of touch with people, but one of the great aspects of a tournament such as this is meeting face to face.Bagpipers march down a road in Dunedin•Andrew McGlashan/ESPNcricinfo LtdFebruary 12
Visit Chris Harris at his home just outside of Christchurch to help film some material for ESPN’s TV coverage of the tournament. He and his family were heavily affected by the earthquake. Chris was overseas at the time but recalls the harrowing phone calls and describes how his wife was outside with his children, screaming for help. He is still waiting for repairs on his home, which could take another 18 months. He must have spoken about the events many times, but despite also having to get ready for his part in the opening ceremony he is eloquent and forthcoming. Then he is happy to take his kids out on the drive for an impromptu game of cricket to give us some B-roll material. Such a welcoming family.February 13
Preview day for the opening game. First part of it is spent running around Christchurch getting various interviews with those involved in rebuilding the city. Fantastic pride and passion on show. New Zealand, meanwhile, are just keen to get the show on the road following their nine matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, plus two further warm-up fixtures. You sense they are ready.February 14
This is it. All the planning and preparation is finished. Sri Lanka stick New Zealand in on an overcast morning. This could be tricky. Well, not for Brendon McCullum. He slams his first ball of the tournament for four. The sun starts to emerge. Such is McCullum’s power to influence events. There’s no pitch invasion as in 1992 when the final wicket falls, although a couple of streakers do break through the fence. Disappointing footwork on show, given this is a rugby nation.Eden Park: not a bad place to celebrate ten years on the job•Getty ImagesFebruary 15
On to Nelson. The views from the air as we skip up South Island are stunning. Snow-capped mountains in the distance; lakes, gorges and valleys below us. This is very much small-town New Zealand. Your luggage is driven up to the front of the airport and you pick it up straight off the trolley.Saxton Oval is another of those grounds made for a postcard. Darren Sammy is struggling a little with his back but is in good spirits. Hard to know who are favourites between Ireland and West Indies, given the shifting fortunes of both.In the evening the small group of journalists attending this game – there are two from Ireland and two from West Indies, who compare notes over the distance covered to reach New Zealand – are entertained by the mayor of Nelson and the local tourist board. Everyone is keen to show off their town, and rightly so.Tick off another in the unexpected-cricketer-you-meet-on tour category when I find Richard Harden, the former Somerset and Yorkshire batsman, is also at the dinner. He now lives in Nelson and is engaged to the mayor. Briefly discuss his time in county cricket, which included facing Muttiah Muralitharan and Allan Donald. Those were the days.February 21
The morning after New Zealand dispatched England with indecent haste in Wellington. Terrific to see so much space given to the cricket in the local papers; there’s competition for pages – the rugby season has already started, while there is also a big story about the captain of the America’s Cup team being dumped. A few years ago the country’s cricket side went through similar turmoil. Hard to imagine at the moment.Can’t escape England’s bad showing even with a trip to the past•Andrew McGlashan/ESPNcricinfo LtdFebruary 22
Another quirky sight around this tournament. Walking to University Oval I see that roads are blocked off in Dunedin town centre. Then I hear bagpipes. Ask a local what is going on and they say it’s a marching-band competition. After three visits in three years I’ve grown quite fond of the town.Brace for a major upset when Sri Lanka are 51 for 4 against Afghanistan, whose pace bowlers are mighty impressive. Mahela Jayawardene’s calm oozes through, but it needs some hefty biffing from Thisara Perera to see the side home. Expectations for the Sri Lankans are low, but they seem to like it that way. Their bowling does look a little light.February 28
It’s something of an anniversary for me. Ten years to the day since I joined ESPNcricinfo. Much has changed in that decade, but much has also stayed the same. New Zealand v Australia at Eden Park is a heck of a way to mark the day. The most hyped cricket match the country has experienced – helped by a week-long build-up. And one of those occasions where the hype is matched. The noise during Tim Southee’s first over is incredible and barely subsides, although by the time New Zealand are nine down in the chase, it’s the noise of tension. Kane Williamson then strikes an iconic boundary.March 7
An evening chewing the fat with some of the Kiwi cricket writers while watching South Africa against Pakistan unfold in Churchills, a bar that is full of character. A Rothman’s tour guide on the bar catches my eye. Then the barman opens up a scrapbook full of newspaper cuttings from the 1980s, chronicling the feats of Hadlee, Howarth, Coney, Crowe and many others. It’s the type of thing I can spend hours flicking through, although at a time when the England team is going through another crisis the picture of the scoreboard from the 1984 Test in Christchurch, when they were bowled out for 82 and 93, is slightly untimely viewing.The Waikato River flowing into the Huka Falls•UniversalImagesGroupMarch 9
A chance to get off the cricket beat for a day with a trip to Taupo on the way to Hamilton. Reminds me a little of Queenstown without quite as stunning a vista. A friend from the UK happens to be in town at the same time, so a pleasant evening is had catching up while checking the phone for updates of the England score. Get back to my motel in time to see the demise. Doze off, then am woken by Jos Buttler’s late bid for survival. He and England fall short. A miserable campaign. Can’t say I’m sorry to have not been on their beat.March 10
Take a trip to Huka Falls on the Waikato River, the only waterway in the southern hemisphere that flows from south to north. Jump on a jet boat and spend half an hour shooting up and down the river, skimming past rock faces and annoying the local wildlife. The falls themselves have a notorious chapter in New Zealand crime history. In 1989 the body of cricket umpire Peter Plumley-Walker was discovered at the base of the falls with his ankles and wrists tied.March 13
New Zealand complete an unbeaten group stage but not before they are pushed by Bangladesh, who are still riding on the high of toppling England. Almost as troublesome as Mahmudullah or Shakib Al Hasan, though, are the Hamilton flying ants, which have flourished on a humid day. Tom Latham is as active as any of the players ferrying spray out to the middle. “It was a bit messy at one point,” says Mike Hesson.March 19
Perhaps the final trip of the World Cup. Lovely to be back in Wellington. Straight from the airport to a chilly, blustery Basin Reserve, where New Zealand have an intense net session. Arms, fingers and toes are hit by a combination of net bowlers and the dog thrower in the hands of Craig McMillan and the strength and conditioning coach, Chris Donaldson. Grant Elliott leaves the nets straight after being struck, but there is no lasting damage. “On the triceps,” he says, “which I don’t have any of.” Later, there is a chance to listen to two legends of the game, and two knights, Richard Hadlee and Curtly Ambrose. “Ambi” is especially entertaining. Doesn’t look 51, either. Bet he could still land it on a length.