Hello and welcome to channel 4 cricket.
I'm Mark Nicholas and with me, i'm delighted to welcome Ian Bishop to the team. Channel 4 are excited to be able to bring you full coverage of the West Indies tour of New Zealand. We will be bringing you both of the Tests between New Zealand and the West Indies, as well as the two limited over One Dayers.
The line up, for you cricket fans, looks like this:
28th September - 3rd October - 1st Test Auckland
8th October - 1st ODI Dunedin
18th October - 2nd ODI Christchurch
30th October - 4th November 2nd Test Wellington
20th November - 25th November 3rd Test Dunedin
M: Today, we're in the beautiful city of Sails, Auckland. It's a scorcher of a day here at Eden Park, the temperature is well into the 30s and it feels muggy. We're not really sure what the weather's going to do, talking to a chap on the way here today, he assured me it would be pouring down later. So, this should be an exciting match. We're here in the middle, let's take a look at the track.
Ian, what do you make of it?
I: Well, it looks as though the pitch is already cracking due to the high temperatures we've had here in Auckland recently and that is going to be key. You need to win the toss here to take full advantage of the conditions.
M: Thanks Ian.
I have both captains with me so before we make the toss, a quick word with them.
M: Excuse me if i talk first to Brian, er, Stephen. So Brian, eager for this one? Your team ready?
B: Absolutely, this is our last test series before the World Cup and New Zealand will, i'm sure, give us a tough challenge.
M: Yes indeed and looking at this pitch, it looks like a vital toss to win.
B: I should say so, especially with the weather being so unpredictable.
M: And turning to you Stephen, what's the mood amongst the Kiwi camp? Feeling excited or intimidated having the West Indians here on home soil?
S: Oh mate, let me tell you. It's a great feeling playing at home against such a great team as the West Indies, we're all really excited.
Well, in that case, let's not hold up proceedings any further.
Here is the coin toss.
U: Stephen, you have the call.
S: Tails.
U: It is a Tail.
M: So, New Zealand have won the toss. Stephen, what are you going to do?
S: Well, we're gonna have a bowl mate. We're pretty sure with these conditions and Danny in good form, we can do some early damage. It's been pretty hot but overhead right now, it's looking far from certain, plus with the pitch already being cracked a lot, it's another reason why we've decided to bowl, give danny a go early and see what happens.
M: Well Brain, you said it was a vital toss to win. You lost, worried?
B: No, we would have liked to have won the toss, but I still think we stand a great chance. Should be a great match.
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