HITTING THE MARK

Clearly, Australian batting great David Boon has being paying close attention to an obscure weekly cricket column in the

Otago Daily Times. Notes From Slip has raged about slow over rates for years. It had been like spitting into the ocean. But we are expecting a thank you card from the Black Caps in the mail during the next few days. New Zealand owes its spot in the World Test Championship final in part thanks to a decision made by Boon. He was the match referee during Australia’s Boxing Day test against India. He docked his old team four points in the championship because of a slow over rate. Without the penalty Australia, would be ahead of the Black Caps in the standings. You are welcome.

The attention now shifts to which side Zealand will meet in that WTC final. The fourtest series between India and England will provide the answer. The boffins over at tragicland have crunched the numbers and India needs to win the series by at least a 21 margin. For England to secure the spot it will need to win the series 31, 30 or 40.

And Australia can still bellyinch its way into the spotlight if the series is drawn or if England wins 10, 20 or 21 — or if India wins 10. But it is going to be India, right?