Sideline Sid Sports correspondent & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

Sideline Sid got to watch two very different ends of the cricket spectrum last weekend.

On Friday, I caught the first session of the four-day match between New Zealand A and India A at the Bay Oval. The following day, I spent time watching some youngsters learning the very basics of the cricket game.

A special treat was provided for the cricket fans at the Bay Oval, with half a dozen Indian cricket stars on show, before departing immediately after the four-day encounter in the Western Bay to join the rest of the Indian test squad as they get ready to play Australia in the first test that kicks off this week.

Murali Vijay has been regular member of the Indian test side since making his debut against Australia a decade ago.

Fifty-nine test appearances tell the tale of a high quality international batsman, who has scored 3933 test runs at average of 39.33.

Twelve centuries and a highest score of 167, suggest that Murali is one of the best credentialed batsmen to play at the Bay Oval.

At the other end of the (experience) spectrum is Prithvi Shaw, who captained India to victory in the ICC Under 19 Cricket World Cup final against Australia at the Bay Oval in February.

Shaw showed he's headed for cricket super stardom in the future, when he became the youngest Indian player to score a test century on debut against the West Indies in October 2018.

Bay cricket fans had the opportunity to catch Prithvi's talent on display during India's four appearances at the Bay Oval, during the U19 CWC at the start of the year.

He opened his Bay Oval campaign with a sterling 94 off 100 balls, as his side easily dispatched Australia in pool play.

Another superb knock came where he belted 57 not out in India's total of 67/0 against Papaua New Guinea.

Prithvi Shaw reconfirmed his tag as a cricket superstar in waiting with two solid scores of 62 and a neat half-century, opening his sides innings at the Bay Oval.

His second turn at bat gave an indication of what is to come in the future, with eight 4's and a big shot over the picket fence in his total.

The Bay Oval looked a treat, as the ground gets ready to welcome the Black Caps match-ups with Sri Lanka and India later in the season.

Testament to quality of the batting strip, was provided by over eleven hundred runs being scored over the four days of cricket.

Saturday morning saw me changing my three-times-a-week walking schedule, to swing by Fergusson Park to catch up with some junior cricket action.

Amongst the games on show was the Western Bay Super Stars Cricket Academy which caters for the newbie's to the game.

Designed for four to six and seven year olds, the program is about youngsters learning the fundamental movement skills of striking, throwing, catching and bowling the ball.

There were heaps of laughter and squeals of delight on display at Fergusson Park on Saturday morning, with Western Bay of Plenty Cricket organizers confident that many of the youngsters having a good time, would be hooked on the game for life.