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6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3039637 20-Feb-2023 20:06

Yep, that is certainly our best period ever, the NZ test team for the Test World Champs was our peak.

However the downward level is also largely retirements, bad selections and injuries. In between phase, will take time.

Our main issue is bowling. If KJ and Sears can repair their injuries, we should be back to a similar level. But adding Phillips and Foxcroft (in time) will fix the soft and slow SR middle order. Hard to not see Will Young in there too, in the Squad. Back to batting above 40+ with a SR of 70 or so to # 7 again and KJ at 8. Plenty of potential there to get back in the top 3.

KJ's operation set to put him out for 3-4 months. Sears I havnt followed up on. Looks like Henry might get a bowl the next test, he is an excellent seam bowler, but can go for a lot of runs on a dead wicket. We will see Friday if we can make a fist of the daytime test.

Wonderful to see our ladies turning their T20 WC fortunes around a little smashing SL, a slight possibility of the finals. I sometimes enjoy the female t20 matches more, often tight and wow women seem to get so much more late swing, seam presentation and a bit on the fuller side to give it a chance to swing back in. Some very crafty spin bowlers too.

Im enjoying the Aus tour of Ind.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3040769 23-Feb-2023 10:04

I see James "Jimmy" Anderson at age 40 is back to world #1 Test Bowler. His longevity is incredible, even if his Avg is far from the greats.

He is the type of bowler NZ has struggled to produce, a true seamer who takes wickets (aside from the GOAT, Hadlee). We had Chris Martin but he could never produce the Avg required. We have Matt Henry, but he has struggled to take wickets at Test level too. despite being one of our most accurate seam bowlers in the "channel" (perfect length, top of 4th/5th stump). The big difference imo is Anderson also has the ability to hurry the batsman up with his pace. Something we see in KJ even if KJ doesnt rely on line and length (in fact his accuracy was wayward for Auck for many years), at times he does land it on that length and we have seen him clean bowl many a player just like Broad did to us the first test.

Statically you do not need pace, rather unrelenting accuracy (Mcgrath for example), but it helps. I think perhaps the real issue is Henry being in and out of the squad so frequently. I expect him to open the bowling with Southee tomorrow, I hope he gets some nibble and knocks some poles over. Along with he adds some strength to the tails batting with a Test Avg of 22 (similar to his FC avg)

The reality is, Eng only have a very short time frame where they get their eye in with defense before they Tee off. And when they do, there are not many bowlers who are safe from a pounding. Captaincy needs to dictate bowling line and length but adapt fast when the onslaught occurs, not feed it like we saw Southee do with Wagner during that 20 overs for ~140 runs.

Intriguing to see if NZ can adapt and change fortunes on our best Test pitch with its larger boundaries. One thing is certain, NZ batsmen will not have to deal with the 0.3 degrees of movement change under lights. Nor will Baz have that tactic of scoring fast during daylight to have NZ batting large periods under the lights. But I still expect the BazBall train to keep on rolling through regardless of conditions.

PS: Interesting to see McMillan talking about what we did, re NZ need to be getting out on attack not defense.

tdgeek

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#3040772 23-Feb-2023 10:15

TeaLeaf:

PS: Interesting to see McMillan talking about what we did, re NZ need to be getting out on attack not defense.

No such thing as Bazball. Its just the mentality of using the advantages of playing free. If we don't lose some of our timid cricket play, sobeit. Most sports have the same issue, you play not to lose or you play to win, and get the risk and reward nailed as best you can

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3040818 23-Feb-2023 11:35

tdgeek:

No such thing as Bazball. Its just the mentality of using the advantages of playing free.

Its just the mocker it has been given, as it has not been seen in Test cricket before, and because it is due to McCullum that is what media have dubbed it.

Yes clearly it is a mental thing, we get the point you make re sport psych. It takes fortitude and commitment, but it isnt just the batting etc. Its the ability to change strategy so quickly which goes against "tradition" that has people talking. Eng tour of Pak prior to NZ is a very good example and was intriguing viewing. Especially the last test. He will definitely lose some games, but against less powerful teams, will win more than he loses.

Ranking England's 11 Tests under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes by their level of 'Bazball-ness' | ESPNcricinfo

Eng have the perfect squad for it outside Crawley, but with Bairstows return it will be mitigated.

NZ are still ODI #1, pick that squad haha.

The Basin is a different beast, but it is going to rain in Welly (typical timing), so I expect strategy of make hay while the sun shines much like the first test. Can NZ do the same, I hope they at least try to fight fire with fire.

If NZ win the toss, do they have the courage of conviction to Bat first, ignoring the likely swing conditions and day 1 green top... I hope so. No point dying wondering :-)

Edit: Oops correction, Ind and Aus just snuck ahead of NZ on the ICC ODI rankings by a point or two.

tdgeek

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#3040827 23-Feb-2023 11:55

Mocker or not, it works. ENG doenst have copyright on it

Test is sold out, as while everyone knows we will again be hammered, there will be good cricket to watch, instead of a 1.9 RR borefest

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3041187 24-Feb-2023 09:38

tdgeek:

Mocker or not, it works. ENG doenst have copyright on it

Yep agree. In fact shortening tests to 4 days is one way to insentivise batting ODI for each innings like Eng are applying, which is a much better way to keep or improve crowd participation numbers. Rather than the absurdity that is pink ball. The crowd today is an obvious testament to the style of test cricket people want to observe. In an ideal world I'm a purist, but Id rather Test cricket survived than gave way to white ball only.

So looks like the weather forecast has improved somewhat, with some showers around this morning but no rain forecast between 11am and 6pm, it is said to be dry at the basin presently. But Saturday is not looking great and then scattered showers again Sunday, with the rest of next week looking lovely (typical haha).

NZ have not lost a home test series in 6 years with that horrible 1-0 loss to SA. If they are going to keep that going, they are going to have to find a way to take wickets without gifting Eng the sort of deliveries they require to keep the pedal down. Accuracy is paramount as is the ability to change strategic gears within a few overs, not an entire session. And then we will need some heaving hitting of our own, vs an extremely accurate Eng pace attack. Sounds like a mountain too tall, but NZ have the batting capability (outside Nicholls) but Im not sure we have the strategic capability with Southee and the bowling.

Henry is back which will help as he is an accurate seam bowler with some nouse and adds some more runs with his handy avg of 20 in the tail, but if we are not going to give G Phillips another go after a single test now, Im not sure when, oh I know when, when we are touring SEA and then we will say he didnt perform. The NZ selection process and personnel are really getting long in the tooth now.

Interesting insight to Harry Brooks start to Test cricket and his obvious buying in to Mccullums coaching. Also interesting to see CDGH's SR was very similar, NZ vs England, 2nd Test, Wellington - Believe the hype, Harry Brook is heading where few have gone before | ESPNcricinfo

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3041197 24-Feb-2023 10:26

Suggestions Tickener will get the nod over Scott K. Economy being the differential, Scott took 4 wickets, very unlucky not to be 5, Tickener also took 4, the big difference was Tickener went for approx 1rpo less each innings, however Scott provides an obvious ability with the bat and clearing the rope. Henry is likely replacing Kuger, much of a muchness batting wise, but should have a similar run rate to Tickener.

In fact if you look at Economy, the 2nd innings was predominantly Wagner who went for runs at ~8.5rpo and Kuger at ~5.7rpo. The rest were reasonably economical with Southee and Bracewell in the low 3s. But the 1st innings, every bowler bar Bracewell went for over 5rpo.

Full Scorecard of England vs New Zealand 1st Test 2022/23 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

NZ do not have to change a lot holistically, apply some urgency in the batting, focusing on attacking anything that looks like it should go for runs and putting the kitchen sink into it, with any edges more likely to go over the slips than meekly into their hands.

Bowling is where the fast adaptation is required, rather than using Wagner belligerently to bang it in when clearly this was gifting Eng the deliveries they were after. With nearly every Kiwi fielder on the onside, they either hit it between them, over them, or more impressively used the predictability to baseball it over the bowler for six. Wags has the abiliy to go across the face of the right handers.

One bit I thought was brilliant from Mccullum and Stokes strategically, was almost sarcastic spite, Eng using NZ's exact fielding setup for Wagner against NZ, where Eng managed to slaughter that setup, NZ were unable to see the opportunities.

Edit: oh WOW, they got that expected NZ team wrong, Will Young returns (yay) and Matt Henry, in replacement for Kuger/Tickener. Mitchell as the 4th seamer is a real gamble, needing accuracy. How many chances does Nicholls get, he abysmal away from home and is now failing once again in NZ, its not like he is youthful either.

NZ won toss, bowling again.

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Dochart

804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3041200 24-Feb-2023 10:44

Will Young is back. I think this playing 11 is much better. I always thought they needed an extra batter and Daryl Mitchell at 5 was too high. He’s better at no 6 with Blundell at 7.

This is a solid batting line-up minus Nicholls. Now we have batting covered from Latham at 1 to Bracewell at 8. I’m happy with this team selection for this game.

I would replace Nicholls with Phillips in the future.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3041221 24-Feb-2023 10:59

Dochart: Will Young is back. I think this playing 11 is much better. I always thought they needed an extra batter and Daryl Mitchell at 5 was too high. He’s better at no 6 with Blundell at 7.

This is a solid batting line-up minus Nicholls. Now we have batting covered from Latham at 1 to Bracewell at 8. I’m happy with this team selection for this game.

I would replace Nicholls with Phillips in the future.

Yeah same, as Rigga just said "Will Young at 4, what I consider his rightful position". I just dont see the point of Nicholls at 5, he is either failing or not. It is definitely a better squad. Phillips at 5 would round it off so well, hard to think of a better squad, aside from Foxcroft replacing a retiree when he has residency. Both give you that 2nd spinner option as well.

It feels a positive change none the less.

Edit: Immediate swing from Southee. Can Henry stem the runs at the other end that we didnt in the first test. Or will Wags be given it with his ability to swing it back into the right hander for LBW. NZ took near 50 overs to bowl a maiden first test, first over 2nd test and a maiden.

Dochart

804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3041223 24-Feb-2023 11:08

TeaLeaf:
Dochart: Will Young is back. I think this playing 11 is much better. I always thought they needed an extra batter and Daryl Mitchell at 5 was too high. He’s better at no 6 with Blundell at 7.

This is a solid batting line-up minus Nicholls. Now we have batting covered from Latham at 1 to Bracewell at 8. I’m happy with this team selection for this game.

I would replace Nicholls with Phillips in the future.

Yeah same, as Rigga just said "Will Young at 4, what I consider his rightful position". I just dont see the point of Nicholls at 5, he is either failing or not. It is definitely a better squad. Phillips at 5 would round it off so well, hard to think of a better squad, aside from Foxcroft replacing a retiree when he has residency. Both give you that 2nd spinner option as well.

It feels a positive change none the less.

Will Young deserves the same amount of tests as Nicholls at No 4 to see if he can click at No 4. I was disappointed when they decided to drop Young in the Pakistan tests and the 1st test against England.

Nicholls has had too many opportunities in the side similar to Guptill when he was in the test side.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3041226 24-Feb-2023 11:18

Henry is bowling Jaffas and their is the 1st one to go, cmon NZ, lets roll them for the 56 they scored here in recent years.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3041230 24-Feb-2023 11:24

Dochart:

Will Young deserves the same amount of tests as Nicholls at No 4 to see if he can click at No 4. I was disappointed when they decided to drop Young in the Pakistan tests and the 1st test against England.

Nicholls has had too many opportunities in the side similar to Guptill when he was in the test side.

Spot on Dochart, its really gutting to see our selectors do this, which is why I think we need a selection overhaul both people involved and the process, especially with an aging side.

Nobody I know is a fan of Nicholls, he seldom scores when the team really needs it and he keeps his spot, its absurd given we do not lack FC batsmen with capabiity. #5 and you are execting somebody who can get on with it, rather than block and nick it to the keeper.

And there it is, Duckett attacking, we get the edge but due to the lusty swing it flies out over cover.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3041234 24-Feb-2023 11:30

Bahaha Pope treating Henry with no respect and now hes gone. Gorgeous bowling from Henry, those images showing the difference of trajectory between the ball that carries on vs the off cutter is just perfect from Henry.

Edit: Oh this is a close one, damn hit just outside, height may have been clipping but for me was suspect live, I thought it hit him inline. Southee asking was it straight ie inline, Henry yes. But wow that ball moved a lot off the seam. As I mentioned we have lacked a seamer Test 1, where Eng had 2 with Broad being a bit of both swing and seam.

Edit: OMG ANOTHER. What a rippa catch Bracewell !

Eng 21/3, surely Brook cant just go guns blazing now, risking the mid-tail opening.

Wow. that catch again on replay is unbelievable, fingertips outstreched, ball comes out as he hits the ground but he regains it.

Edit: Ugggh Brook another edge nearly carries to Gully. Prior edge onto pad baloons to short leg but we do not have one set, as Mcmillan points out, often when its seaming its almost a given. Southee is too text book for my liking and doesnt adapt, its worrying. Would Kane refuse the role back?

Edit: Southee relieving all the pressure with 3 rank deliveries gifting Brook three boundaries.

Edit: Well 10 overs down, I think Eng will be feeling a bit lucky to be 45/3 and not 30/3, just a few loose deliveries costing some boundaries, but NZ definitely beating the edge consistenly. Henry is the accuracy we needed, landing a perfect line and length, just allowing the nibble off the seam to take the wickets, which it has and could easily be 30/5 with a more attacking field.

Edit: Brilliant from Mitchell, bowls a maiden to Brook, no easy feat. He adapted his length on the go to Brooks foot work, where Southee was a little put off by Brook who clearly tries to do so.

OH MAN, Brook again his luck is supreme. NZ need to get some catchers in close.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3041242 24-Feb-2023 12:03

Matt Henry is a quality seamer, his Test Avg of 40ish really belittles his ability as a seamer. Where most players step up from FC to Test, Henry FC Avg of 24 is a closer indication of his capability. I hope his final Tests for NZ prove his most fruitful.

Surprised Wagner didnt get the 3rd use of the ball with Southee getting swing early on. Hes not just a bang it in the pitch bowler, hes far better than that. Given we were missing the left hand right hand Combo of Southee/Boult, Id have thought Wags left hand would have been the go to with a righty bowling the other end.

Edit: WT heck Southee, didnt move off a mistimed shot by Brook, another life, Brook is batting ala Nicholls here, difference being he is making NZ pay at a good clip in between chances. But I think Southee could have caught that had he moved. Bizarre.

NZ accuracy a LOT better, with Eng run rate of 3.6 a lot more normal. Brook is the danger and we cant keep gifting him 9 lives.

Dochart

804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3041248 24-Feb-2023 12:29

TeaLeaf:
Matt Henry is a quality seamer, his Test Avg of 40ish really belittles his ability as a seamer. Where most players step up from FC to Test, Henry FC Avg of 24 is a closer indication of his capability. I hope his final Tests for NZ prove his most fruitful.

Surprised Wagner didnt get the 3rd use of the ball with Southee getting swing early on. Hes not just a bang it in the pitch bowler, hes far better than that. Given we were missing the left hand right hand Combo of Southee/Boult, Id have thought Wags left hand would have been the go to with a righty bowling the other end.

He’s definitely a better bowler than what his test bowling average is currently. You have to remember the times that he has played he has always had to play with the old ball. Now with Boult gone his test bowling average should be much better than what it is currently.

He done quite well in both NZ and English conditions. He has played county cricket for a few years in English and has always average around 24 or lower.

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