It's a chilly night in Dunedin, not so unusually chilly as
to force a compulsory allocation of shoes, pants, and three jackets, but crisp
enough to go for a brisk walk and soak in the fresh air.
Fresh air was exactly what I needed after almost a week in
this beautiful city.
Thoughts of a thoroughly active weekend outside of work
swirled through my head as I sat on a grassy paddock in front of my favourite
parts of Dunedin, the clock tower at Otago University.
I sat there, Just Juice box in hand, just sitting thinking
about my job, how fortunate I am and the challenges that will not be revealed
unless I feel comfortable enough to tell you in person.
Anyway, back to the clock tower.
I had the absolute privilege of walking through the
university every day en route to my working location for the week, the
University Oval.
It was almost a subconscious feeling of going back 100-odd
years or so and witnessing what it would have been like first-hand to attend university
in its early days.
Architectural designs of buildings aren't usually my thing,
but I could've sworn I felt right at home as I walked through the archway dissecting
two streets I strolled twice a day to and from the Oval.
I had the absolute honour of meeting, and freestyle rapping,
with someone I consider an idol: Dual international Suzie Bates and her Otago
Sparks cricket team.
Having represented New Zealand in basketball and cricket,
both of which I'm notoriously awful in, I was floored at the chance to finally
meet her after countless tweets.
What an opportunity, then, to hit up the ol' karaoke and do
some freestyle rapping! Never thought I'd say that this season will be theirs,
but if you say it, you've put it out there huh.
And to the others there that night – Crowley, Stiven, Liv,
Lis, Jimmy (haha) and anyone else I've
left out, thanks for a mega time. Hopefully the first impression of me wearing
a Sparks top to one of your Auckland games has since been erased.
As for the cricket, I don't think there really is anything
to take out of it aside from the fact that we can bat on a flat wicket.
On a track offering nothing we managed to find someone who
can score 170-odd on a flat track that everyone got starts on. This is
significant, but will not be anywhere near as flat as the one in Wellington.
Wellington's pitches traditionally favour pace bowlers, and
it'll be interesting to see whether Bruce Martin has done enough to keep his
spot at a ground not favourable for spin.
As for how they go I think this Test is where we will really
see if they have learned lessons from their horror showing in Paarl. England
got themselves all out for 167, and we shouldn't expect them to do it again for
the next four innings, so application and perseverance with set gameplans will
be just as important as winning the toss.
I reckon I'm going to miss Dunedin. In my first trip where
I've had a significant amount of time to take in the sights, sounds and smells
of the area, it's safe to say that I quite like this place.
Just remind me not to bring my jandals next time.
