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804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2843161 4-Jan-2022 18:39

TeaLeaf:
What amazes me is Ebadot averaging I think 80 at SR100 with the ball, hes bowled 1000x better than those stats today.

Thinking about the Blundell and Ravindra connundrum.

If Young was asked to go away and turn himself into an opener, Blundell then moved to 6, and Ravindra who is an opener is at 7.

They could push Young to 5, Nicholls to 6, Cleaver to 7 and Ravindra to open. Im sure young would have no issue going back to middle order. I guess it just depends whether they think Ravindra is a blocking opener or if he can become a #4.

1. Latham 2. Ravindra 3. Williamson 4. Conway 5.Young 6. Nicholls 7 Cleaver 8. KJ (all rounder)

Only issue there is, expecting Ravindra to be the part timer and open the bat, but hes done it all the way through. Anyway that looks a lot stronger to me. Then drop Nicholls for AJ and move Cleaver and KJ down one when wanting to play Ajaz.

I think Young should continue as opener but if Williamson doesn’t recover in time for the SA series then they could possibly move Young to No 4 and get maybe Ravindra to
open the batting with Latham.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2843163 4-Jan-2022 18:48

Dochart:

I think Young should continue as opener but if Williamson doesn’t recover in time for the SA series then they could possibly move Young to No 4 and get maybe Ravindra to
open the batting with Latham.

Yep that could work. Its more of a mid term issue (next couple of years). Young was going to be Taylors replacement, but then NZ couldnt get an opener and Nicholls stole a spot and now Conway is there. So perhaps get the batsmen back to their original positions. But is a big ask for Ravindra at his age to open vs SA. They are trying to baby him into the team. The issue is, there isnt a spot there for him without weakining the team due to losing Watling you need a 6 or 7 who is SOLID.

Who knows he might bat it out tomorrow. I hope so.

I just think Watling was the big loss, Taylor had 2 or 3 players who could play 4, even if Young was meant to be it.

Richardson just said it, Young is still a makeshift opener but hes doing very well at it. Him and Latham had some good opening partnerships, now hes hit 2x50s in this test.

Whatever they do, they have to sort out the Middle order, 5, 6, 7. Which is where Will could fit back in. Or they could leave it as is for now and once Rachin if/when is ready to play open they can put Young to 5 and Ravindra to 2 in a couple years time.

Dochart

804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2843165 4-Jan-2022 18:59

TeaLeaf:
Dochart:

I think Young should continue as opener but if Williamson doesn’t recover in time for the SA series then they could possibly move Young to No 4 and get maybe Ravindra to
open the batting with Latham.

Yep that could work. Its more of a mid term issue (next couple of years). Young was going to be Taylors replacement, but then NZ couldnt get an opener and Nicholls stole a spot and now Conway is there. So perhaps get the batsmen back to their original positions. But is a big ask for Ravindra at his age to open vs SA. They are trying to baby him into the team. The issue is, there isnt a spot there for him without weakining the team due to losing Watling you need a 6 or 7 who is SOLID.

Who knows he might bat it out tomorrow. I hope so.

I just think Watling was the big loss, Taylor had 2 or 3 players who could play 4, even if Young was meant to be it.

Richardson just said it, Young is still a makeshift opener but hes doing very well at it. Him and Latham had some good opening partnerships, now hes hit 2x50s in this test.

Whatever they do, they have to sort out the Middle order, 5, 6, 7. Which is where Will could fit back in. Or they could leave it as is for now and once Rachin if/when is ready to play open they can put Young to 5 and Ravindra to 2 in a couple years time.

If I had to choose between Young or Nicholls I would definitely pick Young at No 5.

We need to wait and find out if Williamson would be fine for the SA Test series. If not NZC need to make a good decision on what team to pick and at what position. I really like Young as an opener so far as he has been consistent but needs help in converting those 50’s into 100’s.

I do hope they add Cleaver, Phillips and Chapman in the test squad for the SA series. They could fix our middle order problem.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2843491 5-Jan-2022 10:46

NZ need a 50 from Taylor or Rachin and support of 20-30 from KJ and Southee and maybe 20 from Wags and Boult, very very possible. If they do that, they can still win this.

But for a guy who averages ~100 with the ball after 11 tests (so not like hes new) to take 4 wickets within 8 overs is insane. But then its been a bit of an insane test match, bizarre perhaps. It started with what was meant to be green for 3 days burn off in day 1 leaving nothing for seam and then bouncing 11cm higher than last year. Not sure I like the Bay Oval lol, no dang shade either ;-p

Its also shown me how much NZ missed Wagner in Ind, especially the 2nd test pitch, only pace bowler capable of producing wickets on a batters pitch.

tdgeek

29749 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#2843497 5-Jan-2022 11:00

So just need 15 wickets in one day? :-) On a batters pitch?

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2843498 5-Jan-2022 11:00

Im going back to GP and asking him to put the gloves back on. He was in the 3 that were under consideration to replace Watling. Clearly Blundell was already in the team. But the team needs a really strong middle. The below is the team I would select for CCH if I could. I think they will go with Mitchell over Rachin regardless of how he goes today as it will be a NZ pitch in CCH and his home ground. GP solidifies the middle and adds positive intent to score. Normally you would pick your best specialist keeper but for me Blundell just hasnt delivered owning it behind the stumps and definitely has failed since moving down to 6. GP is also a young player who will give us continuity when the 30 somethings start to retire. He also got a 50 in his first and only test. But I know they will keep Blundell, NZ doesnt reward young talent, it sticks with old guard over the best players.

1. Latham

2. Young

3. Williamson

4. Conway

5. Nicholls

6. GP (WK)

7. Mitchell

8. KJ

9. Southee

10. Wagner

11. Boult

12th man. Rachin

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2843500 5-Jan-2022 11:08

There goes the neigbourhood. Well done Ebadot, you wouldnt believe that given his prior stats.

Edit: Bangers will be believing now if they werent already. Such is youth, they have had no fear, even when NZ was getting chance after chance, they didnt put their shots away.

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TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2843502 5-Jan-2022 11:14

Its like the bounce in spots has just been sucked out of the deck. Has accounted for the majority of the 6 wickets so far. As Baz said, NZ tail neds to start getting on the front foot unlike the top and middle order. Id also consider batting out of the pitch which negates the LBW largely.

I like it, but people saying beating NZ in NZ conditions, I wouldnt call this NZ conditions, brown concrete pitch since Tea day 1 dying after day 3.5.

Did NZC ask the curator to produce a pitch for Bang? lol. It is part of why it has just been an odd test. Likeable, but odd.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2843508 5-Jan-2022 11:25

What a cracker catch, ubelievably good, Jonty Rhodes esque. Bangers playing like the world champions. Baz is talking about beating NZ and Aus in t20s prior to the WC and then just not delivering at all.

Well they are delivering on that promise now.

These stats for Ebadot are going to change dramatically post this test.

Ebadot Hossain profile and biography, stats, records, averages, photos and videos (espncricinfo.com)

Well Southee, you were an all rounder when you started and have always wanted a century, its now or never. Im picking never haha.

Again the NZ middle, 5/24. That is pathetic.

Edit: There it is, Ebadot in 1 innings, has gone from averaging mid 80s to mid 50s with the ball.

Dochart

804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2843509 5-Jan-2022 11:29

I’ve had enough watching this test match lol.

Next test they better select a better squad that includes Cleaver, GP and Chapman.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2843511 5-Jan-2022 11:31

Rachin misses out again. Do they move Young back to 5 and Rachin to open, or do they simply let Rachin go back to FC ....

Its a hard one, opening is more pressure. And if hes getting out now for zip he would be getting out opening for NZ. I think its perhaps just a bit soon for him to be a main stay, but some how keep him around the team as hes shown the talent all the way through age groups to FC.

BUt right now what NZ needs is a stronger middle, especially with Ross retiring.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2843512 5-Jan-2022 11:37

Dochart: I’ve had enough watching this test match lol.

Next test they better select a better squad that includes Cleaver, GP and Chapman.

For me next test the pitch better actually be in favour of the home team. This is neutral at worst if not possibly in favour of Bang, definitely in favour of batting 2nd.

But they have delivered with their batting, not taken the foot off the pedal with chance after chance just not going NZs way (and 3 they flapped up that cost 200 runs) and then this stat from Baz, Ebadot had the worst stats of any test bowler of 10 tests or more prior to this innings and now hes taken a 6fa from the WTC's. Congrats to them.

I have no issue with it, it would be pointless having Bangers at the bottom forever, they had to win a match eventually and I just hope this gives them belief that they belong in the test teams.

tdgeek

29749 posts

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#2843513 5-Jan-2022 11:37

Dochart: I’ve had enough watching this test match lol.

Next test they better select a better squad that includes Cleaver, GP and Chapman.

Yeah but its a bit of history. They are young as too. Ashes was the same totally one sided but the AUS bowling was unreal. All I can say is well done Bangers, totally deserved, outplayed us in every way and when we batted we got plenty of "luck" as well.

tdgeek

29749 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#2843515 5-Jan-2022 11:40

TeaLeaf:

For me next test the pitch better actually be in favour of the home team. This is neutral at worst if not possibly in favour of Bang, definitely in favour of batting 2nd.

LOL, I prefer sport to fixing matches

Neutral at worst? That's fair then

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2843522 5-Jan-2022 11:46

tdgeek:

Yeah but its a bit of history. They are young as too. Ashes was the same totally one sided but the AUS bowling was unreal. All I can say is well done Bangers, totally deserved, outplayed us in every way and when we batted we got plenty of "luck" as well.

Yep I agree, its cricket, luck happens, its what you do between your luck that matters. Id rather see a result than a draw.

Regardless of getting a greater rub of the green and having the only green pitch day to bowl on, they didnt stop scoring, they had narrow escape after narrow escape but between them just kept scoring, they had intent. NZ often just stop the intent once things start to slide.

It is fairly obvious the middle is the issue. Obviously missing Williamson, but NZ could have won this if they had put on more than 70 for the final 5 wickets in the first innings. And now ~30 odd for the final 6.

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