General Blackcaps Chat

Forums › Sports › General Blackcaps Chat

1 | ... | 172 | 173 | 174 | 175 | 176 | 177 | 178 | 179 | 180 | 181 | 182 | ... | 265

744 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 599

#3013155 22-Dec-2022 16:42

What's going on guys, nobody want to talk some NZ cricket!?

Test cricket in Pakistan around the corner and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing if the New Zealand side has regained some form and consistancy. I'm going to name my side for the 1st test although I doubt they will play only one full-time spinner.

I hope Tim also sees it my way and asks Conway to move back to open to make some space in the middle order. Still really not enough room there for my ideal side but the captain has to play, even though he's probably my third choice seamer at the moment after Wagner and Henry.

Anyway, here's my side ...

Devon Conway
Tom Latham
Kane Williamson
Henry Nicholls
Daryl Mitchell
Glenn Phillips
Tom Blundell
Matt Henry
Tim Southee
Neil Wagner
Ajaz Patel

I'd really like to pick Bracewell as well but you'd have to leave a seamer out, and the three I've picked all deserve a go on ability and results. Patel, Phillips and potentially Williamson (does he get told he has to contribute a few overs now he's not captain?) bowl the spin, four bowlers to provide pace including Mitchell.

Hard luck for Young, Sodhi and Bracewell. Maybe I do have to drop a seamer to make room for Ish or Michael. The English have gone well with their spinners but I'm not sure if ours are as good as theirs?

Dochart

827 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 284

#3013159 22-Dec-2022 17:09

thermonuclear:
What's going on guys, nobody want to talk some NZ cricket!?

Test cricket in Pakistan around the corner and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing if the New Zealand side has regained some form and consistancy. I'm going to name my side for the 1st test although I doubt they will play only one full-time spinner.

I hope Tim also sees it my way and asks Conway to move back to open to make some space in the middle order. Still really not enough room there for my ideal side but the captain has to play, even though he's probably my third choice seamer at the moment after Wagner and Henry.

Anyway, here's my side ...

Devon Conway
Tom Latham
Kane Williamson
Henry Nicholls
Daryl Mitchell
Glenn Phillips
Tom Blundell
Matt Henry
Tim Southee
Neil Wagner
Ajaz Patel

I'd really like to pick Bracewell as well but you'd have to leave a seamer out, and the three I've picked all deserve a go on ability and results. Patel, Phillips and potentially Williamson (does he get told he has to contribute a few overs now he's not captain?) bowl the spin, four bowlers to provide pace including Mitchell.

Hard luck for Young, Sodhi and Bracewell. Maybe I do have to drop a seamer to make room for Ish or Michael. The English have gone well with their spinners but I'm not sure if ours are as good as theirs?

Agree that Conway should go back to opening. I would drop Nicholls and put Young at No 4.
Need at least another spinner in the squad. If Daryl bowls then can at least drop one of the seamers which I think Henry will be out of the XI and bring in either Bracewell or Sodhi. If Daryl doesn’t bowl then I would bring in Bracewell or Sodhi for Phillips.

tdgeek

30048 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9455

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3014113 26-Dec-2022 19:02

Nice start, just home when it just became 48-3

tdgeek

30048 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9455

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3014114 26-Dec-2022 19:10

Dochart: If Daryl bowls then can at least drop one of the seamers

Not necessarly disagreeing, but bowlers wise, we seem to move away from true bowlers, in favour of "a" bowler who can bat. Theoretically you remove the "true" bowlers. In favour of an average bowler who can score a few runs. Now, the average bowlers who can score runs arent going to be batting at 40%. If you played a "bowler" who cannot bat (but can learn) who bowls superb, isnt that a better option?

I still dont understand why Ajaz Patell was completely discarded after his 10 wicket haul (Yes I know some wickets dont suit spin bowlers, but if he was managed, he "should" be the best spin boller we have. Sodhi and Santner would never, ever get anywhere near 10 wickets if they played for a hundred years.

tdgeek

30048 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9455

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3014115 26-Dec-2022 19:45

No idea why Patel and Sodhi are bowling at speed and full. It spins on the ground not the air

FineWine

3115 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2447

Trusted

Nurse (R)

Lifetime subscriber

#3014168 27-Dec-2022 08:55

WOW - Just discovered this topic - do not know how I have missed it.

So, I just want to say I am 😆SOOOOOO deliriously happy😆 about TVNZ taking over FTA cricket in July 2023.

I will be able to read this and learn all about our Kiwi players. Lived in Aussie for 30 years all through the Border, Taylor, Ponting, The Pup, etc, Huges, Warne, Gilchrist, etc and I remember saying when Steve Smith debuted that he would go far and then I come back home and he did that huge FU.

But I am back home now and we are getting FTA cricket and I'm going to be a happier man now in my retirement.

PS: How can I watch IPL very cheaply or for free. Mine is an Apple household - iMac & TV box ??

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

thermonuclear

744 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 599

#3014412 27-Dec-2022 18:15

Finally got rid of Babar Azam without adding to his overnight score. Really think the Kiwi's need to replace Mitchell at first slip, he's dropped too many simple but crucial (as it turned out on this occasion) catches in this position. He obviously wants to do it and the team management seem to be fine with him taking the role, but we have seen what a rock Taylor was in the position now.

Surely there are better options in the side at slip ... Latham, Conway, Williamson, even Southee moving in one from second slip. This innings would have been over for 150 if Mitchell had taken Babar on 12. I really like Mitchell and his runs over the past 12 months have held the batting unit together so many times, but he's just not a slipper for mine.

TeaLeaf

6437 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#3018191 7-Jan-2023 15:21

Looking at Rosco Taylor playing at Puke Park, I still do not understand why he was not in the world cup t20 squad, we needed him with his very high Avg and SR, something like avg: 45 SR: 145. His ability to use his feet is a weapon we just do not have in the team, including the openers. He really puts the bowler off with his footwork pre delivery, and then he just lands on an open stance, ready to hauk it over to cow corner, or just put it over the onside boundary. It felt like he was asked to sit it out rather than him choosing to keep playing, which is very much how it seemed he felt 6 months prior. The team needs one less all rounder and somebody at 4 who has his abilities, and the batting length is too slim vs the likes of England.

Loving the Super Smash this year. Is a shame we have this cyclonic like weather moving down the country. Some really good new talent coming through both bat and ball. Feels like the Stags could almost be the NZ team. Bracewell is a beast all rounder too.

Auckland literally 4 runs away from being tied for 2nd on the table but due to the Tie and one wash out they at 2nd to last. Such an ironic game at times.

Pak tour, I feel like this is very close to the team I wanted for India last year. Im so happy Sodhi has been given a chance finally after being near equal with Lockie taking wickets in the prior few years, but couldnt crack the red ball team. He has put a lot of work into his batting, and he has been our best leggy for a long time. So happy Ajaz gets to play as well in the Sub Cont games. Feel we should have gotten the 1st and definitely the 2nd. We need to be winning in Sub Cont to prove we are up there with the top teams still, especially with so much talent in the team. Next haha.

Dochart

827 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 284

#3018240 7-Jan-2023 15:38

I was surprised that Sodhi was the leading wicket taker for the Pakistan Test series. I was expecting Patel to be ahead of Sodhi. Bracewell had an alright tour, was fine with the ball but could have done better with the bat. Nicholls on the other hand didn’t score much runs. I would have liked to see Young at No 4 now that Conway is opening and potentially seeing Phillips at No 5.

TeaLeaf

6437 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#3018594 8-Jan-2023 15:11

Dochart: I was surprised that Sodhi was the leading wicket taker for the Pakistan Test series. I was expecting Patel to be ahead of Sodhi. Bracewell had an alright tour, was fine with the ball but could have done better with the bat. Nicholls on the other hand didn’t score much runs. I would have liked to see Young at No 4 now that Conway is opening and potentially seeing Phillips at No 5.

I genuinely wasn't, I thought Sodhi would never get his chance despite being our premier white ball spinner for a long time. The guy can turn the ball sideways on a tacky pitch, but he tends to stick with the wrongn as his stock delivery. In some ways it makes sense as its harder to get to way as wicket to wicket delivery (or should be), where the leg side being used as the surprise ball where he gets so much turn may be the wicket taker but could go for a lot of runs in Sub Cont if players start expecting it to come.

Yes is a shame for Bracewell as he can bat. T20 domestic he has just been brilliant. As is Doug B this year.

Nicholls as Ive said so many times is a streaky player and his incredibly low avg away vs at home suggests its pointless continuing with him for tours imo. Not a fan at all.

I totally agree re Will, 4 is how he started first class, he excels in that position. Would be awesome to see GP link up with Will Young for some fast partnerships.

A lot of options to replace Nicholls and get the team with players Avg 40+ to #7 then 2 bowlers batting avg 20-30. Which given we lost 2 of our best batsman and our best ever test keeper/batsman not too long ago, is a good sign of the health of our domestic level and a number of players now fighting for spots, vs post Hadlee/Crowe era we entered the duldrums decades where we really struggled with talent who could step up to internationals.

Auckland are really struggling with their missing blackcaps players especially now Guptel and Munro no longer have central NZ contract and Will Young moved to Wellington. George Worker playing for Auck now is a major reason they were only 4 runs away from another 2 wins. But still need some more quality batsmen.

TeaLeaf

6437 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#3018630 8-Jan-2023 18:12

Auckland games so frustrating this year.

3 balls over being a washed out draw, the year of draws or very close to. Extremely bad luck after a great start vs Otago in Queenstown. Half way I think they will need to win their remaining matches and even then its unlikely for them.

Positives are Briggs appears a genuinely good opener and the young bowler Gibson is starting to hone is accuracy in and when he does he is extremely hard to get away. It seems all the young bowlers who come in get a pasting for a bit until they dial in the length more so than line. Delport and Ashok are two very fine spinners. Delport doesnt turn it a lot but he has a lot of gial, almost like a right hand Santner who takes wickets :-p.

For me the Stags should be fairing the best with 7 or so players who have either been in the Blackcaps or have just been on the fringe for many years (ie Cleaver).

The positive for teams who are missing many players is it improves the player pool quality with more club players getting some experience.

We have a huge potential to suck around the time the 30+ guys all start retiring around the same time in the BCs, so its good to see people getting experience internationally as well, we are going to need it when the likes of Kane and Conway are gone along with our bowling stalwarts. But I can see a lot of potential domestic younger players stepping up. Lets hope GP goes on with it and we find some young guys with avg 40+ ability to come through in the next 5 years.

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

TeaLeaf

6437 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#3037638 16-Feb-2023 14:22

Called Tickner last year, a matured performer now with some heat, something the selectors have not used in the likes of Lockie etc, more players to come with NZ having faster, harder pitches now in many of the domestic and international pitches, grass and pace, Sir Paddles (R Hadlee) would be enjoying NZ move toward such pitches.

Kuggeleijn love him or not, his cricket is perfect given he also has a bit of pace and he can bat, strengthening a side where we have been weak in the middle order, he might score some valuable runs in the tale. I was hoping they would go him over Duffy/Sodhi.

Bracewell as well, a competent batsman who can put in the overs with his decent spin.

KJ a massive loss to the team, both bat and ball in the tail.

Not a perfect team by any means, and far too many all rounders along with a intermittent performing WK, but we have to start introducing young talent with what is an aging team. Taylor, Watling, Boult, all now missing from that World #1 Test Team and more to follow.

A little dissapointed in the handling (or lack of) with Will Young. Clearly he has failed to live up to his potential, but he should have always been a #4.

We have one player I can not wait to make his residency who will strengthen the top order similar to how Conway has.

Dochart

827 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 284

#3037642 16-Feb-2023 14:29

I do want to see Will Young back into the XI at No 4 but it might be awhile unless Nicholls continues to not perform.

Is the player your talking about Dean Foxcroft. He’s done exceptionally well in the white ball formats so far averages over 40 in List A and T20 with the bat.

TeaLeaf

6437 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#3037649 16-Feb-2023 14:57

Dochart: I do want to see Will Young back into the XI at No 4 but it might be awhile unless Nicholls continues to not perform.

Is the player your talking about Dean Foxcroft. He’s done exceptionally well in the white ball formats so far averages over 40 in List A and T20 with the bat.

Yep Foxy, didnt think it would be too hard to figure out my mysterious statement given his performances :-). And a solid bowler, FC avg 19. Im sure the FC bat avg will climb rapidly. He has plenty of time as we tend to pick 25yo+ players for the Test team. Dean Foxcroft Profile - Cricket Player South Africa | Stats, Records, Video (espncricinfo.com)

Yes me too re Youngy. Will Young failed in the first 11 match, but for me, let him have a series at home at 4. Nicholls only performs in NZ or Eng, so he is likely to score another 160ish if Eng drop him 6 times in the innings like WI did here, when it was known his position was under serious scrutiny, that innings should have been looked at for what it was rather than the total runs scored. The old saying, its how many not how, shouldnt have applied to that innings.

Ben Sears and Lockie are the genuine heat bowlers, but we have a number of Fast-Mediums. mid 140+ bowlers Milne, Lockie, Kuger, Ben Sears, Tickner, KJ and a few others in Domestic, may well end up being where NZ bowling heads towards, KJ can clearly swing it too. Im sure Sears will get there.

Eng slaughtering us at the mo, Baz coaching said it will be offensive first, defensive in the back of the brain :-)

TeaLeaf

6437 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1241

#3037763 16-Feb-2023 15:38

I really dont enjoy Pink ball cricket. But this is not one of our pacey surfaces and the grass is benign. Add a t20 style mentality to the top order on this surface and this is the reality with Baz coaching Eng. He may have targeted the pink ball Test given he knows that pitch fairly well. Well played Eng.

DUCKETT GOONE, thankfully, but has destroyed our bowling at SR1.7 ish. This will be a 2 day test if the rest of Eng hitters play this way. Stokes will be interesting.

Edit: Well, session 1 done, Id have said a pretty OK 1st innings with 2 wickets in the shortest session in day/night game. Eng putting 130 on in 1 session at 5.8rpo. I think though given it was going at 8rpo for a large amount of time, NZ has been successful with Tickner and Wagner being more accurate, pegging it back just a bit. But really, Eng RR makes them dominant 1st session to them. Lets see if the lights bring the swing back later, it was all over the place first 2 overs. Wagner again a wicket on a No Ball, ugggh, that was costly.

1 | ... | 172 | 173 | 174 | 175 | 176 | 177 | 178 | 179 | 180 | 181 | 182 | ... | 265