AUCKLAND // After smiting Dale Steyn into Row Z to send New Zealand cricket supporters into unprecedented delirium, Grant Elliott said he had wanted to repay the nation’s hospitality.
He is not the only one who should be grateful to this country. The 2015 Cricket World Cup has thrived on these shores, probably more so than across the Tasman.
More matches, albeit in smaller venues with likely less funds recouped, have been staged in New Zealand than Australia over the past six weeks.
The atmosphere that has generally pervaded at New Zealand’s grounds has been of the type for which cricket was invented.
Hours after Elliott hit that six against South Africa, with all the 40,000 crowd on their way to their homes, Gavin Larsen was in the middle of Eden Park taking selfies in the half-light.
The former New Zealand bowler, who has been one of the main organisers of the country’s contribution to this event, could reflect on a job well done.
Here are some of the hits from the Kiwi experience:
Most scenic: Saxton Oval, Nelson
The UAE’s first World Cup fixture in 19 years could not have had a more beautiful setting. The only other footage of the national team playing in 50-over cricket’s premier competition had been of the 1996 side playing at some sparsely populated, utilitarian stadiums in Pakistan. The Saxton Oval, by contrast, has the relaxed feel of a village green, but a picture postcard backdrop, with the scenic Richmond Ranges on one side of the ground. The UAE rose to the occasion, putting up a fine display against Zimbabwe, too, so it was win-win.
Best shot 1: Kane Williamson, Eden Park
Given the otherworldly form he showed in the lead up, Williamson has probably underachieved from an individual perspective in this World Cup. He had his one, never-to-be-forgotten moment in the sun though, when he hit the six to win the epic group tussle against Australia by one wicket. Once it landed, the television feed cut straight to a home of a supporter in a state of near meltdown. It was that sort of shot. Surely, it could never be matched …
Best shot 2: Grant Elliott, Eden Park
Not for a few weeks, anyway. Eden Park, the biggest city’s largest stadium, has been like one giant shredding machine during the World Cup. Put your nerves in at the turnstile, then they will be guaranteed to be mangled to ribbons by the end of the match. The home supporters had just about recovered from Williamson’s exploits against their greatest rivals when Elliott laid the nation’s semi-final curse to rest on Tuesday night. Pandemonium ensued.
Best shot 3: Shaiman Anwar, Saxton Oval
This carried with it nothing like the raw emotion of Williamson and Elliott’s efforts. Many in the ground, in fact, would not have been aware of its significance. Anwar, a sales representative in Dubai, shuffled down the track and cracked a six to go to 50 against Zimbabwe, the first time a UAE player had reached a milestone in this tournament. It was aesthetically spot on, too — a clean, crisp straight drive back over the bowler’s head, which cannoned into the sight screen. The UAE were well on their way to respectability.
Best disco jockey Eden Park
This country was a nervous wreck in the final throes of the semi-final. Some people hid from the final deliveries, trying to escape unbearable tension. Steyn, the never-injured, super-fit, South African fast-bowling Übermensch, was overcome, his body giving way because of the emotion of it all. Then, suddenly, with wry timing, Freddie Mercury’s dulcet tones filled the airways, singing Under Pressure. It was said that Elliott was the coolest man in the ground, in fact he was second. The DJ was right on the ball, with a tune fit for every occasion — even the most gripping.
Best celebration: Shapoor Zadran, Dunedin
Classic, last-over drama followed by frenzied celebrations has not been the sole preserve of the host nation during the New Zealand leg of this event. The Associate nations showed they can do a good line in compelling theatre, too, when Afghanistan made history against Scotland. It was their first World Cup win, at their debut tournament, and the man who decided it, Shapoor Zadran, will be long remembered, not least for his celebration. The lanky, lank-haired fast bowler clipped the winning runs off his heels, then bolted straight towards the dressing room, before stopping just short, collapsed to his knees, arms outstretched, then fell forward onto his front.
Best catch: Air Vettori
The catch that launched a thousand memes. After his high-flying, one-handed grab to dismiss Marlon Samuels on the deep point boundary in the quarter-final against West Indies in Wellington, Daniel Vettori’s image quickly went viral. He was photoshopped landing slam dunks from the free-throw line, Michael Jordan style. That escalated quickly, as he was next pictured catching some air lined up alongside Ron Burgundy’s news team. Trent Boult and Martin Guptill, his teammates, said they did not realise “a 45 year old” (Vettori is in fact 36) could jump that high. Even his son, James, told him he does not go that far on the trampoline.
pradley@thenational.ae
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Donating your hair
• Your hair should be least 30 cms long, as some of the hair is lost during manufacturing of the wigs.
• Clean, dry hair in good condition (no split ends) from any gender, and of any natural colour, is required.
• Straight, wavy, curly, permed or chemically straightened is permitted.
• Dyed hair must be of a natural colour
The specs: 2018 Mazda CX-5
Price, base / as tested: Dh89,000 / Dh130,000
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder
Power: 188hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 251Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1L / 100km
The Disaster Artist
Director: James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan
Four stars
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
NINE WINLESS GAMES
Arsenal 2-2 Crystal Palace (Oct 27, PL)
Liverpool 5-5 Arsenal (Oct 30, EFL)
Arsenal 1-1 Wolves (Nov 02, PL)
Vitoria Guimaraes 1-1 Arsenal (Nov 6, Europa)
Leicester 2-0 Arsenal (Nov 9, PL)
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton (Nov 23, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt (Nov 28, Europa)
Norwich 2-2 Arsenal (Dec 01, PL)
Arsenal 1-2 Brighton (Dec 05, PL)
More from Neighbourhood Watch
The biog
Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
Best book: Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Food of choice: Sushi
Favourite colour: Orange
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
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More on Quran memorisation:
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The years Ramadan fell in May
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Feeding the thousands for iftar
Six industrial scale vats of 500litres each are used to cook the kanji or broth
Each vat contains kanji or porridge to feed 1,000 people
The rice porridge is poured into a 500ml plastic box
350 plastic tubs are placed in one container trolley
Each aluminium container trolley weighing 300kg is unloaded by a small crane fitted on a truck
Read more about the coronavirus
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
RESULTS
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Get Back Goldie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The five pillars of Islam
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
Company%C2%A0profile
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The biog
Nickname: Mama Nadia to children, staff and parents
Education: Bachelors degree in English Literature with Social work from UAE University
As a child: Kept sweets on the window sill for workers, set aside money to pay for education of needy families
Holidays: Spends most of her days off at Senses often with her family who describe the centre as part of their life too
The years Ramadan fell in May
