Open mike 13/11/2023

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, November 13th, 2023 - 65 comments
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65 comments on “Open mike 13/11/2023 ”

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  1. tsmithfield 1
    13 November 2023 at 9:14 am

    For those of us who are cricket tragics, we are in the semi-finals against India, the game on Wednesday starting at 9.30 pm.

    The game is a huge challenge for us. India have been awesome, and have gone through the round-robin stage unbeaten. Looking at it objectively, India are clear favourites, and I would probably only give us around a 20% chance of winning.

    However, there are reasons to be optimistic that we could cause a huge upset.

    Firstly, India carry a huge burden of expectation, whereas there is absolutely no pressure on us as everyone expects us to lose.

    Secondly we do come close to them in batting now that Williamson is back.

    Thirdly, our bowling is coming right. Especially Trent Boult who has not been at his best, but had a great game against the other night against Sri Lanka. So, hopefully he is back in form. Also, Ravindra had an impressive game with his bowling in that game as well, and appears to be getting better and better.

    Fourthly, we did have a good game against them in the Round Robin phase, and were able to pressure them a bit.

    Our best chance to win I think would be to bat first and score over 300 if we can. Then if we can grab a couple of quick wickets, the pigeon will really be thrown amongst the cats.

    • Stephen D 1.1
      13 November 2023 at 9:21 am

      Love your optimism, TS.

      I wholeheartedly agree. With our team, and the pressure of expectation on them, anything is possible.

      It only takes one standout performance, backed up by the rest of the team , and we're in.

      • tsmithfield 1.1.1
        13 November 2023 at 9:55 am

        Yes, and there have already been some much bigger upsets in the tournament. The biggest probably being the Netherlands beating South Africa.

        We actually were doing really well batting against them in the pool game. But, then we weren't able to push on during the last 10 overs due to their fantastic death bowling. If we can solve that problem, then we could be a good chance.

        For as well as India has been doing, they haven't had to chase anything over 300 yet. So, that will be unknown territory for them in this competition.

        • AB 1.1.1.1
          13 November 2023 at 10:10 am

          I'd suggest a pre-match Zoom call with our PM elect. He could let slip some gems from his upcoming likely best-seller: "High-energy inanities for tight situations".

        • Patricia Bremner 1.1.1.2
          13 November 2023 at 1:35 pm

          We agreedevil Hopefully it will be a nail biter.

          • tsmithfield 1.1.1.2.1
            13 November 2023 at 4:21 pm

            I hope it won't be a nail biter. I hope we score 300+ and skittle them for under 100. LOL.

            • Jilly Bee 1.1.1.2.1.1
              13 November 2023 at 5:47 pm

              I hope it won’t be a nail biter as well. To coin a song title from Lerner and Lowe's wonderful show 'My Fair Lady' – 'Wouldn't it be loverly'. It would certainly make my day or rather night and I could sit up and watch the entire game if it's a humdinger and it would give me the perfect excuse to cancel my Thursday and simply have a long sleep in. At my age (80 next birthday) I reckon I'd deserve it. Go the Black Caps.

    • newsense 1.2
      13 November 2023 at 12:48 pm

      So to inject the politics- how is the propaganda value holding up for Modhi’s government in your opinion?
      India have been incredibly dominant.

      Aren’t all our bowlers injured?

      • tsmithfield 1.2.1
        13 November 2023 at 1:05 pm

        Henry is out of the tournament. He has been replaced by Southee. So, not too much lost there. And Fergusson is back and played in the last game.

        But, yeah, our bowler problems didn't help us when we made 400 against Pakistan and still lost.

        • Craig H 1.2.1.1
          13 November 2023 at 9:49 pm

          That was a bit unlucky – DLS obviously is the system and everyone knows what they were getting by playing, but even being on pace at halfway is no real guarantee of winning.

      • Jilly Bee 1.2.2
        13 November 2023 at 5:49 pm

        Not that I'm aware of – there was a full muster available for the last game. Just hope none of them injure themselves in practice for the semi-final.

    • Sandra Le Cron 1.3
      13 November 2023 at 5:36 pm

      The stars are lining up for us. Firstly, we do not seem to fear the Indians and really look forward to the challenge. They are due for a slip up and we are surely a danger to them. Our losses, with the exception of the game against a red hot South African team, have been near misses and do show that we can score 400 against good sides.In with a KIWI chance !

  2. Adrian 2
    13 November 2023 at 11:57 am

    Could the conditions associated with late Autumn in India be a help for us. As an aside, I do like the way we Kiwis call one of the very best teams in world "us ", we, mostly, being incapable of knowing one side of the bat from another and having dined out for decades on a scratchy 13 runs at number 7 for a 3rd grade school side suddenly elevating ourselves to being an indispensible member of the said world class side. Long may it be so, because,well..it feels good . Anyway a little bit more moisture, bit of a nip in the air, a cheeky clingy sou-easter knibbling at the ears. It could just be our conditions.

    • bwaghorn 2.1
      13 November 2023 at 12:28 pm

      13 !! Impressive, 5 was my best, did get the odd wicked though

      • AB 2.1.1
        13 November 2023 at 1:37 pm

        I assume the "wicked" was after the game and possibly involved beer?

        • bwaghorn 2.1.1.1
          13 November 2023 at 5:20 pm

          I was playing cricket when wicked was still a bad thing😉

        • SPC 2.1.1.2
          13 November 2023 at 5:31 pm

          A stockpile of cans behind the wicket to keep the umpire happy is wise policy (it was practice to have a player from the other team as umpire).

      • Patricia Bremner 2.1.2
        13 November 2023 at 1:41 pm

        Him indoors scored 40 playing a young Lance Cairns in Blenheim in a B grade club game. That has been his "claim to fame" laugh

        • Adrian 2.1.2.1
          13 November 2023 at 4:35 pm

          Lance was a big boy from an early age, he probably moved out of B-grade before he was even 14!. All the Picton boys at Marlborough Boys college were tough as well. I probably knew Him Indoors, I'm 73.

          P.s, thanks bwag, yeah, i'm still awaiting the call from the selectors.

          • Patricia Bremner 2.1.2.1.1
            13 November 2023 at 6:15 pm

            Hi Adrian, Norm managed McKenzies Store in Blenheim 67/68. He played for United and Lance played for Picton in Club competition. He also near knocked Norm out when he bowled a ball off the concrete wicket and hit Norm above the eye. Norm was proud about getting 40 runs in the game. Norm is 81. Lance was born in 49 Norm in 42. Cheers.

            • Adrian 2.1.2.1.1.1
              13 November 2023 at 10:34 pm

              Ah Mckenzies, I knew it well, never pinced anything from there though or anywhere for that matter, a good God-fearing Doolan boy, but i knew others who did. This has been a lovely cricket conversation, theres something about cricket with its implied violence hence your old mans scone on the head, combined with the smothering of gentility. About the only gift of any value bequeathed by colonialism. Thanks Patricia, that was nice to read. 67/68 were my last two years at MBC.

        • bwaghorn 2.1.2.2
          13 November 2023 at 5:21 pm

          I.played against Jeremy Coneys nephew, that was still close enough to royalty for this sporty 13 year old.

        • SPC 2.1.2.3
          13 November 2023 at 5:33 pm

          I batted a team to draw against the other city school, seeing off DR a bowler who later played a game of provincial cricket …

          While an all-rounder I ended up opening the batting – but never got a 100, preferring to play like one day cricket was 20 over.

          I did note when playing myself in once, how one could easily get a second 50 really quick … but time expired.

        • Jilly Bee 2.1.2.4
          13 November 2023 at 5:54 pm

          I recall going to a game at Eden Park No 2 ground many years ago when Lance Cairns was still playing, I think he played for Northern Districts, though I stand to be corrected. He was fielding at third man close to the bounday where I and a few family members were camped. Lance saw me light up a cigarette and came over to me at the end of an over and asked for a couple of drags – I was happy to oblige. I'll never forget that day!

    • SPC 2.2
      13 November 2023 at 5:36 pm

      I got 7-13 bowling once, including a hat-trick (bowled the last one down leg side and he got a touch to the keeper, probably his best shot of the season).

  3. Muttonbird 3
    13 November 2023 at 12:39 pm

    There'll be another APEC

    – Chris Buxton, leader of the opposition.

    Incredible scenes as the National Party leader dismisses the most important forum in our region.

    In these uncertain times, the coalition of chaos would rather argue about how many public servants to sack, and whether or not those soon to be sacked should pay for their Christmas party, than attend APEC.

    https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/11/13/therell-be-another-apec-luxon-says-hes-unlikely-to-make-forum/

  4. newsense 4
    13 November 2023 at 1:15 pm

    Labour should offer Winston a trip to APEC as foreign minister assumed as part of a governing deal tbn…just to check…

    • Patricia Bremner 4.1
      13 November 2023 at 1:42 pm

      Cheeeeky laugh

      • newsense 4.1.1
        13 November 2023 at 2:54 pm

        Hmm I have a solution to the Hipkins issue as well (ie most cars have an engine and a handbrake, not two handbrakes.)

        How about a NZ First, Green, TPM coalition with Labour offering confidence and supply? Deals with any threats of the globalists that Winnie’s lot might worry about. Winston PM obviously…

        And Winston’s lot should trust him to wrangle a bunch of Greenies and Maori. First Maori PM. Tell me it’s not deserved.

  5. Barfly 5
    13 November 2023 at 2:35 pm

    Uugh Bloody dentists It'll cost $170 to get a price for a filling – bite me – huh well I guess they are trying to 5 and a half mounths till the MSD Dental grant rolls over so waiting 5 and a half months it is ….I hope it still exists by then

    • bwaghorn 5.1
      13 November 2023 at 5:24 pm

      It's been costing me $800 ish a year to keep mine in my head, have decided removing them is short term pain for long term gain 🙃

  6. SPC 6
    13 November 2023 at 4:31 pm

    NZF says that National will not be financing their tax plan with $700M from stamp duty from foreign buyers (most say the amount is only half that anyhow). NZF will not allow foreign buyers.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/nz-first-deputy-shane-jones-says-jagged-edges-of-tax-a-sticking-point-as-nationals-christopher-luxon-all-but-gives-up-getting-deal-done-for-apec/Y2UTM2JK3VC7NCRDTYK36MB3VM/

    NZF could suggest raising the money via windfall profits tax on banks

    ANZ 2B BNZ 1.5B ASB 1.5B WESTPAC 1B 6B at 5% extra in tax is $300M.

    Only tax the larger ones to encourage competition in the marketplace).

    Windfall profits tax supermarkets for more …..

    Oz has a 5% stamp duty on houses over $2m – 3000 a year sold here in that category.

    $2M at 5% * 1500 ($150M) 3M at 5% * 1500 ($225m) = $375M.

    That's how it is done.

  7. SPC 7
    13 November 2023 at 4:49 pm

    More evidence that adding salt and sugar to cheap (processed) foods is causing health problems for the poor.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/lifestyle/2023/11/cutting-1-teaspoon-of-salt-works-as-well-as-blood-pressure-meds-study-finds.html

    Why we need a public health policy to have manufacturers reduce added sugar and salt

    In a surprise move, the Food and Grocery Council (FGC), which represents food manufacturers and suppliers including the large multinationals, says it supports reductions in sugar and salt – a process known as reformulation

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/off-the-shelf/story/2018907594/sugar-salt-and-portion-size-limits-pushed-by-health-officials

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/300974021/sugar-salt-and-portion-size-limits-pushed-by-health-officials

    https://extranet.who.int/nutrition/gina/en/node/43874

    https://www.otago.ac.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0021/321609/food-reformulation-the-hsr-system-prof-cliona-ni-mhurc-695977.pdf

  8. Johnr 8
    13 November 2023 at 5:32 pm

    Does any body believe that spud head is in control of the coalition talks.

    I can well see twerker and rodeo rider sorting out a deal and spud head saying, with hands clapsed in a prayer mode saying "please guys anything you want. Just sort it so I can get to APEC for a photo op"

    • Grey Area 8.1
      13 November 2023 at 5:45 pm

      And provide a "strong and stable government". We've got three years (maybe) of this.

    • ianmac 8.2
      13 November 2023 at 7:08 pm

      He must be in control John. Why else would his mate Jessica and other cuddlers of her ilk be so kind and thoughtful and so trusting of the gilded Luxon excuses.

      The slowness of negotiation by the highly skilled Luxon Negotiator, is the Labour losers fault anyway.

  9. Grey Area 9
    13 November 2023 at 5:32 pm

    I'm trying to find an online link but RNZ National reported just now that Interislander's Kaiarahi will be out of action for a week after hitting the wharf last night and a week ago a Bluebridge ferry had to return to Wellington after it punctured a hole in its hull before leaving.

    FFS! We live in a shit hole.

    There are so many fundamental infrastructure processes and services we can't provide. With neoliberalism and the climate crisis (and a government that looks anything like strong and stable), we're fucked basically.

    And no-one is accountable.

  10. bwaghorn 10
    13 November 2023 at 5:35 pm

    https://tkr.ro/e/EMoNXGD0Vh32024r

    Finlayson tells seymour not to push for a referendum, he always seemed like decent chap despite being a nat!

    • Grey Area 10.1
      13 November 2023 at 5:48 pm

      Finlayson was never one of my favs at the time ( more than a bit ascerbic) but seems to have surprising depth when it comes to Treaty issues. I've rated him better in the rear view mirror. Hopefully Mr Potato Head will listen.

    • pat 10.2
      13 November 2023 at 6:36 pm

      Finlayson!…the epitome of an elite who thinks he knows whats best for everyone.

      His case…
      "It would bring all the nutcases out of the woodwork… and it would cause unnecessary division."

      Ignoring the disquiet will do the opposite?

      FFS…that pompous twat is now being cited by 'the left'?

      • Muttonbird 10.2.1
        13 November 2023 at 6:50 pm

        I'd look forward to the huge protests against the government if Luxton were to bend to ACT's racist demands.

        NZ would have not seen anything like it.

        ACT have been emboldened by the rejection of The Voice, but it's worth noting NZ is not anywhere near as racist as Australia.

        A referendum on The Treaty would sound the death of the ACT Party. We'd have to euthanise using their own legislation!

        Good luck, you'll need it.

        • pat 10.2.1.1
          13 November 2023 at 6:52 pm

          A former Attorney General, and a KC, and the best he can come up with is 'division and nutters'…..its the sort of argument I expect from you Muttonbird.

        • Belladonna 10.2.1.2
          13 November 2023 at 7:29 pm

          I have heard comment made that while ACT won't get their Treaty referendum (referenda are too expensive, apart from the whole politically divisive issue, and National are still burned from the (completely unnecessary) flag referendum) – all of the negotiating parties would agree to having the phrase "according to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi" removed from all legislation.

          Peters and Seymour would both regard this as a victory. Luxon, would happily sacrifice this, in order to gain other wins.

          • Muttonbird 10.2.1.2.1
            13 November 2023 at 7:44 pm

            So 'centrists' are wanting the term, "Treaty of Waitangi" removed from all legislation.

            It betrays the state of 'centrist' thought.

            But perhaps I'm not being clear. To be clear I believe anyone proclaiming themselves to be centrist is in fact right wing pretending to be centrist and your comment history backs that up in spades.

            Even the comment I'm replying to drips right wing, Maori sceptic, thought.

            Good luck in the coming societal war…

            • Belladonna 10.2.1.2.1.1
              13 November 2023 at 9:08 pm

              Oh, FFS. Reporting that I've heard something doesn't mean that I agree with it, or support it in any way.

              While I recognize that your one-eyed support of TPM makes it effectively impossible for you to understand that Centrists not only can, but do, exist. The fact is, that they do (and in considerably greater numbers than your much vaunted 'successful' TPM.

              Really, political debate is impossible if you insist in casting all commentary with which you disagree in the light of "really a right wing shill"

              Is it possible for you to engage with the topic?

              Given your past history on TS – I'd say, the answer is, sadly, no.

              Is this the same "societal war" that you denied that Willie Jackson was forecasting?

          • Grey Area 10.2.1.2.2
            13 November 2023 at 8:04 pm

            You've lost me there. It's not hard.