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804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2854518 21-Jan-2022 10:30

I think people saw Ravindra as a Santner in U19 Cricket. If I remember I think he did well bowling and batting wise in the U19 World Cup. After that I think when he started to open the batting in first class cricket people see him more as opening batsman/spinner then a lower order allrounder.

I do believe he will do well but just needs to spend more time in domestic and A tours. I thought it was too early for him.

2nd ODI SA vs India is going to be good. I really thought India was going to win with the lineup they have. It’s quite ironic that Bavuma ODI average is better than his list A similar to what’s happen to Conway as well with his international stats being better than domestic. I don’t see Bavuma as better than Conway but Bavuma has done well in limited overs international cricket than domestic.

When SA tour NZ it’s probably going to be NZ biggest challenge in awhile. I don’t think we have ever won a series against SA in Tests at home.

Jas777

838 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2854521 21-Jan-2022 10:49

TeaLeaf:

Auckland really missing Guptil, but both the O'Donnell brothers can bat, Worker is there, Chapman averages near 40 a $150, same with Phillips, but they just dont look the same without Guptill. Would be nice to have Guptill, Munro and Finn Allen back to Auck now haha (although that would mean dropping some good batsmen). What has happened to Jamieson, is he injured?

Worker is a journey man, this is his level, you can rely on him 1 in 4 or 5.

The fact neither Chapman or Philips have stepped up when Auckland without Guptill must be a worry about their ability to be international players consistently.

Finn Allen has been disappointing this time around. He is going to have to change or he will be a one hit wonder

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2854537 21-Jan-2022 11:34

Dochart: It’s quite ironic that Bavuma ODI average is better than his list A similar to what’s happen to Conway as well with his international stats being better than domestic. I don’t see Bavuma as better than Conway but Bavuma has done well in limited overs international cricket than domestic.

PRECISELY what I am saying about selecting form players even if they seem there or there abouts the same as say "Nicholls", its a phenomena seen all the time where players score well above their FC avg, they may well average 45 in tests while averaging 38 in FC. It happens all the time. Marnus for Aus is one of the extreme examples, at one stage he was averaging nearly 20 more than his first class avg. He did have a very good FC avg to start, but nobody expected him to perform how he has. He was just there or there abouts with many other Aus middle order players. More importantly is when they have the mental strength to tour and produce consistently. Its not easy being away for half a year at times. It requires a strong positive mindset. You need people who want to be challenged.

This is why we cannot just say they will all do just the same as Nicholls, I think that is BS. For a start Phillips is far more mentally tough than Nicholls, Nicholls looks timid every time he is interviewed. Like he is waiting to be dropped. And I think the same of both Cleaver/Fletcher over Blundell, both appear far more positive, Cleaver averages 10 more than Blundell in FC. Who knows what he could have been in Test cricket for NZ. Ive seen them all play live and all the people we have mentioned in contention are far more positive players than Nicholls or Blundell. Yet you could keep Nicholls, throw GP in at 6 as the guy who bowls a few overs like Mitchell and just replace Blundell. I think that mental fortitude is what we lack not only in the middle at home, but away. Nicholls with his away avg of 25 is just not good enough. I believe we have players with more desire and anger to be able to not cave under mental pressure away. Look at how GP for example carries himself, super confident. I think if Blundell fails (averages less than 40 at home) against SA, hes a done sausage, too charred, old and was always out of his depth as a guy who was really only a fill in for Will Young but some how managed to stick around. Its time that was corrected. Blundell also averages the same as Nicholls away, 25, but that avg includes when he was opening and made a century. I think that would likely slip to 15 if he is given more than 10 away tests.

Yes this 2nd ODI is going to be a ripper, Ind looked to be cruising to the 298 but that middle order collapse was the current NZ team esque, bang bang bang and from there the tail tried but were above 12rpo within 5 overs and from there done.

Dochart

804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2854543 21-Jan-2022 11:49

I think if both Nicholls and Blundell don’t do well in SA series at home I think they deserved to be drop and replace them with Phillips, Cleaver/Fletcher and Mitchell at 5,6 and 7 respectively. Phillips or Mitchell could also be a 5th bowler option at home but most of the time the 4 seam bowlers we use at home should be enough but it’s up to them whether it’s worth keeping both Phillips and Mitchell in the Test XI at home or get rid of one of them and add another batsman to make the middle order better.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2854556 21-Jan-2022 12:09

Dochart: also be a 5th bowler option at home but most of the time the 4 seam bowlers we use at home should be enough but it’s up to them whether it’s worth keeping both Phillips and Mitchell in the Test XI at home or get rid of one of them and add another batsman to make the middle order better.

Ive said this for a while, just pick your 7 best batsman, one of them who is a good wicket keeper, imo Blundell is not good enough to be considered a specialist, just because his batting isnt that great. Fletcher is my pick of NZ keepers an his age offer continuity. Mcullum would throw Seifert in there.

But on form its hard to pick anyone better than Mitchell and Phillips ironically, aside from Fletcher and Cleaver who have both delivered in Plunket and this year in t20. The main thing is to pick mentally strong players who are positive batsmen and runs hungry, thats how you get somebody averaging 43 (or more) in tests when FC is 38.

I was hoping Nicholls would harden up, but he is just too soft natured. I think being away from mum and dad touring is hard on him. At home he has been inconsistently fantastic. Not counting last year 170 which saved him from being dropped, ironically being dropped 6 times in the innings was ignored. But he can deliver when he has no pressure on him. He has delivered the rare innings where he did have pressure, like the one vs Pak in UAE. But too few and far between. I dont even know if being dropped would be a bad thing for him, it might be the kick up the whatsit that hardens him up mentally a bit. Hes has it pretty lenient in the NZ test team, thanks to having Ross in front of Him and Watling behind him. He doesnt have that now and he needs to be the Ross and we need a new Watling at keeper. Otherwise picking up Conway and Young delivering as opener will not improve on what we have already delivered. We need a long, strong, middle order. If we can bat to 8, we are in for a better period than prior to Watling. But that will take guts from the selectors, although fairly obvious what needs to be done imo.

Id rather they consistently scored and averaged less than the rare big century. If 5, 6 and 7 can score 40-50 consistently with the occasional miss, and KJ can deliver 30 consistently and 50 from the tail. Thats the 200 we need. Its not that hard surely. But it does take positive mental intent. Possibly if we were to ask Nicholls to work on his game, that would be the number one thing, go out with the intention to score runs. Technically, stop waving the wand around at 6/7th stump balls, let them go. Sometimes he looks like hes going to hammer one and the bat just gets hung out as he changes his mind and he edges behind. But i think that would be solved by the intent to score. You either play at the ball or you let it go, clearly blocking anything around top of 4th stump, thats too close to leave, but letting go on height as well. Sometimes he gets one that is going to bounce there to be hit but is the wrong line, that screams inside edge onto the stumps. When he is positive, he looks a very different player, truely beautiful shots that crack off the middle of the bat, or cuts that cannon away to the boundary. I'd love to see him improve his consistency, but I dont think test level is the place for him to do it.

Dochart

804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2854557 21-Jan-2022 12:12

Definitely I would prefer someone who can constantly get 40-50 runs in each innings then someone who only score a big innings and that’s it from them for awhile. This is what needs to happen in the middle order.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2854565 21-Jan-2022 12:31

Dochart: Definitely I would prefer someone who can constantly get 40-50 runs in each innings then someone who only score a big innings and that’s it from them for awhile. This is what needs to happen in the middle order.

Yep, your top order are the technically masterful players. Your middle are the guys who are not quite as talented but are significantly enthusiastic, looking to prove themselves by scoring runs. Thats why I mention positive intent sooooo much. There is no place in a middle order for players who do not have this or display it while playing. Look at how much better blundell looked scoring at close to sr100 for that 50. Whats the point of blocking 50 balls in the middle order, outside having to save a test in the final session.

Just aim for a 50 at a good rate and if they score 100 all the better. Because occasionally somebody is going to miss out and occasionally all are going to, that is cricket, hopefully the top order has already put on 300.

But look at Aus, how many times their middle order has saved tests, heck even in our tour in 19/20, we had chances with them 5 down below 200, Tim Paine the keeper saved the innings and in the end won the test. Head and Green in the last test. To be able to do that you need bookends though at 4 and 7, which was Taylor and Watling.

But if the top has put on 300+, there is no point holding back, outside a mini middle or collapse, which is where somebody like Fletcher FC 35 ay avg 39-40 in tests, can wrestle a partnership with KJ and the tail. Id love to see KJ produce more with the bat. He has a century in him one day. But just not fall into being part of the tail with Southee, because he is a better batsman than that. Asking him to avg 30 would be asking a lot, but would make him a genuine all rounder. But happy enough if he scores 40 odd consistently and continues this record breaking path he is on with the ball.

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TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2854741 21-Jan-2022 19:20

Surprised Latham went to sweep that, hes a great sweeper but that was a huge reach.

Now Mitchell, carried the team last year, bit different with the BCs back etc, but Id love to see him impress again. I think in BC's hes more a #6 but he does a good job with a reasonable ~SR145, without being a king hitter, but can tonk a 6 if needed. A thinking t20 player.

Mitchell showing why he shouldnt be #3 at international level, too much expectation to hit sr200 immediately with not enough time in the middle at the top order. Needed Munro to come in at 3 or somebody Conway like. Mitchell is a grafter.

Shame Auckland lost Guppy, they had massive loss of players start of the comp too, so to even be in the mix was great, but feel they should have been in 3rd position.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2854763 21-Jan-2022 21:08

Seifert simply back to his brilliance where he was at 18 months ago and it all unravelled back at home. Good keeper and a big hitter, but hes not done anything outside of great cricket shots this innings.

I didnt watch the Canterbury 2nd half of innings, how did they not post 200 from the position they were in....

Raval has matured in all 3 formats, great talent.

This ND side with all the BCs back with a team with a number of ex BCs no wonder they dominate the comp. Not sure why any one wants to live in Tauranga but seems popular for them.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2854851 22-Jan-2022 14:12

Brilliant keeping by Glenn Phillips, Will Young was looking good, 9/10 he would have had his foot back but Phillips keeping was brilliant. (watching Tom Blundell). Im sure Phillips would rather not be keeping, means he wont be bowling.

Cleaver on face now, hope he has a good score, although if Auckland smash CD they in theory could still make it, but has been a season of injuries, the start was all about trying to hit the 6s no matter how many wickets they lost. Then 2 close losses. A season that could have been. Thats cricket.

Still no Jamieson, it cant be resting for Sa, that is far to long away. Will see what I can dig up.

Last years effort from Finn Allen spoilt us, Cleaver leading with ~45 at a mere SR175 lol. Brilliant season.

Dochart

804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2854852 22-Jan-2022 14:16

Was shocked to see Phillips keeping. Thought the reason he stopped wicketkeeping was cause of his back.

Who usually keeps for Auckland?

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2854866 22-Jan-2022 15:03

Dochart: Was shocked to see Phillips keeping. Thought the reason he stopped wicketkeeping was cause of his back.

Who usually keeps for Auckland?

Whoever says bags not last pretty much lol. Not sure about his back, but hes always been a spin bowler so he really does not enjoy having to WK no matter how good he is. He nearly made another briliant run out, that one was just home one frame, out in the prior frame, had it had a half frame he was gone. Has been very tidy and quite brilliant with the gloves. Auck are packed with spin bowlers though, so I guess for t20 hes just doing what the team needs first.

Im looking at Adithya Ashok as a future BC bowler, similar to a permanent spinner like Vettori if he carries on with it. 3 wickets today, carries on taking them. Averaging 18 with the ball at econ 6.4, that is in t20, avg 18 Econ 6.4. He has mad some of our black caps look silly with his capability of variety. And what is best is he is a Right Hand LEG spin. Ajaz would be thinking this much be turning how is this kid doing this.

If NZ can produce a genuine Leg Spinner early on, one who isnt afraid to use the leggy, we could be very dangerous in later test matches and obviously on tour. You got Ravindra, Phillips, Chapman you could play as batsmen, put Ashok as the dedicated spinner and still have 3-4 of our best pace bowlers in Ind. Now that would be a team that would not only look to draw but possibly dominate. I guess depends on how long Ajaz is still around for. But Ashok has come out of nowhere as this is his first season, 2 List As and 9 t20s lol, and looks like a 25yo pro. Shame he cant bat, but we got a few middle order batsmen who can bowl good spin.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2854867 22-Jan-2022 15:15

CD will be dissapointed with that 100-1 at 10 overs, should have been 220 but finish with 176.

If Auck get close at 10 overs and not too many wickets down they will put the hammer down with the hope of moving that NRR for 3rd place, but big dreams there.

Not good seeing Fergusson limping.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2854893 22-Jan-2022 16:24

Phillips REALLY needs to step it up now and improvise, I like that hes shown the last couple of innings that he can stick around for the team. But now that is over, so he needs to charge Tickner or ramp him or step back (but that exposes the stumps which is what Tickner is bowling too)

Edit: On que Phillips smacks 20 in 4 balls. One of them a borderline full toss no ball.

Edit: Sad end for Auckland, could have won 3 of these close ones in another year. Need to have more poise in the start of the comp, they tried to beat Northern by hitting 6s when wickets continued to fall. They have got it right now with Phillips and Robbie stopping the rot with consolidation which has gotten them close a number of times now. Will be losing Robbie O'Donnel next year which will be a HUGE loss. Hopefully they get Guptil for a decent percentage of the tournament. They have some good young talent along with Phillips and Chapman etc. A bit more structure and luck with injuries next year and they could win the tourn potentially.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#2855758 24-Jan-2022 15:21

Has been a weird 12 hours of cricket/sport.

I thought Adelaide got immensely lucky last night, thought SThunder had that game under control. West Indies got robbed IMO today, the #9 scored something like 40 of 15 but 2 of those balls were definitely wide and WI lost it by 1 run. Then the LA Rams let T Brady and the Bucs back into an extra time, letting 3TDs in he last 7 minutes, but strangely got a hail mary down field and spiked the ball to stop time to setup for the field goal and the LA Rams won with 0 time left on the clock,

Now Finn Allen is looking to be back in form after last week and today he has crushed Southee and Boult and Sodhi. 54/21,

Bracewell going with him at ~12rpo after 7

And now its Santners turn.

ND Brave, with all these BCs, hardly Brave with a stacked team getting smashed. And nothing t20 like, its just all great classic cricket shots from Finn and Bracewell. 100 up in 8.4ov.

Edit: ND buy a wicket with Joe Walker bowling, how often does the part timer stop an onslaught.

Wicked hitting from Finn Allen though, you score near 70 that quick and your team has to try hard not to score 200. Will Blundell, blunders it.

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