General Blackcaps Chat

Forums › Sports › General Blackcaps Chat

1 | ... | 218 | 219 | 220 | 221 | 222 | 223 | 224 | 225 | 226 | 227 | 228 | ... | 255

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3199854 25-Feb-2024 14:25

thermonuclear:

On the positive side, Sears is money. He'd have half a dozen Aussie wickets to his name if his teammates backed him up the last couple of matches. They need to get these quicks into the test side, it's overdue to put the older guard out to pasture. Nothing beats pace, even those Aussies aren't immune to it.

I suggested this with Lockie, but people said he will tire too easy in red ball which i think was BS but each to their own. But especially now with a well balanced side that includs 3 spin all rounders who all have potential for greatness (Rachin just needs more than a single delivery, which is why he got destroyed in Ind).

Lockie, Orourke, Sears, KJ (Henry while KJ rehabs) and then hopefully in the future matt fisher. That is high quality with 4 strike bowlers, the shortest being Orourke at 6ft3. You cannot beat tall and fast as height of delivery is its own weapon.

Dochart

804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3200548 27-Feb-2024 15:37

Wagner is retiring from international cricket. NZ selectors told him he wasn’t going to be selected for the test series against Aus.

So that means Kuggs is most likely going to play which I believe will be good to extend the batting lineup but at the expense of Wagner. Recent decisions they have made don’t make sense. It would have been crucial to have Wagner and O’Rourke both in the side. If Jamieson was still fine then I understand dropping Wagner but with him injured Wagner should have been part of the Test XI.

1st Test against Aus at the Basin will most likely be this depending on Conway, Rachin and D Mitchell injury.

1. Latham
2. Conway/Young
3. Williamson
4. Ravindra/Young
5. D Mitchell/Young
6. Blundell
7. Phillips
8. Kuggs
9. Henry
10. Southee
11. O’Rourke

thermonuclear

601 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3200577 27-Feb-2024 18:02

Dochart: Wagner is retiring from international cricket. NZ selectors told him he wasn’t going to be selected for the test series against Aus.

So that means Kuggs is most likely going to play which I believe will be good to extend the batting lineup but at the expense of Wagner. Recent decisions they have made don’t make sense. It would have been crucial to have Wagner and O’Rourke both in the side. If Jamieson was still fine then I understand dropping Wagner but with him injured Wagner should have been part of the Test XI.

1st Test against Aus at the Basin will most likely be this depending on Conway, Rachin and D Mitchell injury.

1. Latham
2. Conway/Young
3. Williamson
4. Ravindra/Young
5. D Mitchell/Young
6. Blundell
7. Phillips
8. Kuggs
9. Henry
10. Southee
11. O’Rourke

Disappointing end to an outstanding career. Will never forget him helping bowl NZ to victory against Pakistan and gaining the No.1 spot in test cricket for the 1st time, or the incredible one run win against England. Perhaps the other aging bowler should follow Wagner's lead.

Side I would pick for the Basin in batting order

Latham (c)
Young
Williamson
Ravindra
Mitchell
Phillips
Blundell
Henry
Ferguson
Sears
O'Rourke

Dochart

804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3200580 27-Feb-2024 18:14

Too bad Sears and Lockie aren’t selected. As much as I want them to be in the side I think they should focus on the shorter formats due to injury concerns. Sears still has many years to give to the Blackcaps I just hope he can have a great long test career when the time comes when the likes of Southee and Boult retire.

Bowling lineup of Sears, O’Rourke, Jamieson and Ferguson is going to be a lethal and should help us win many games to come.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3200588 27-Feb-2024 18:31

thermonuclear:

Disappointing end to an outstanding career. Will never forget him helping bowl NZ to victory against Pakistan and gaining the No.1 spot in test cricket for the 1st time, or the incredible one run win against England. Perhaps the other aging bowler should follow Wagner's lead.

Side I would pick for the Basin in batting order

Latham (c)
Young
Williamson
Ravindra
Mitchell
Phillips
Blundell
Henry
Ferguson
Sears
O'Rourke

yeh, he had an incredibly good run, retiring nearing your 40s as a fast bowler is not how most see their careers lasting, such is late to the plate. I expect if Conway finds some runs, he could go on to 40yo. Mitchell could. Id expect Kane definitely should depending on his own ambitions of course.

Boy I like a lot about that lineup. The only thing missing is batting at #8. So I too think they may go the Kugs, and likely keep Conway. The sore thumb wont hold him out. No doubt southee is in. Which sucks as we lose both of our weapon bowlers barring the selector talking common sense into Steads limited expansive brain. What a season GP is having bat and ball, he is showing he clearly should be up the line. In Tests most definitlely 6 at least, but id be tempted to drop Rachin back to 6, Id say Mitchell to 4 but his stats at 5 are incredible, which is where I see GP batting long term, and possibly giving GP a go at 4 to see if we can get some quick tons, hes pretty damn sensible vs 4 years back.

But GP is THE all rounder in the team, thats his role, bowl the guy or stop calling him all rounder and label him batting all rounder like Rachin. Left hand Right hand is whats dependant end of the day. If the lefties are on, bowl GP with is avg of 19 ha. ;-p. Would love to see GP start turning it the other way though, like Sodhi can, with the 3 main deliveries.

This is what I expect from Stead. If we could rely on our batting Id expect kuds out and Lockie in.

Latham (c)
Conway
Williamson
Ravindra
Mitchell
Phillips
Blundell
Kugs
Henry
Southee
O'Rourke

thermonuclear

601 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3200841 28-Feb-2024 13:50

TeaLeaf:

Boy I like a lot about that lineup. The only thing missing is batting at #8. So I too think they may go the Kugs, and likely keep Conway.

This is what I expect from Stead. If we could rely on our batting Id expect kuds out and Lockie in.

Latham (c)
Conway
Williamson
Ravindra
Mitchell
Phillips
Blundell
Kugs
Henry
Southee
O'Rourke

Batting at #8 is over-rated in my view, it's a defensive mindset which I don't think should be encouraged. You pick a top six to do the batting and you put the hard word on them to go out there and score the blimmin runs. I think if you're relying on big numbers from your number eight, then your innings is very likely already munted. Anybody in the side below number seven is there for the explicit purpose of getting twenty wickets, that's their job and should be the only consideration when selecting them.

Yeah, your side is probably pretty close to the conservative mind of Stead. I still think he will find a way to select Santner in the side at the expense of Kuggeleijn probably, with the proviso that I haven't seen the Basin wicket yet. The other consideration is the fitness of Conway and Henry. I've seen it reported in the media that Mitchell and Ravindra will start, so it's really those other two with question marks around them.

If Conway's finger is only bruised I'm still not convinced he should play. The Aussie attack is quick, accurate and relentless. It'll only take one blow on that hand in the wrong place for him to be out for the remainder of the test and the NZ batting down to 10 guys. If he's nursing a severely bruised finger, he shouldn't play, give Young the spot.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3200897 28-Feb-2024 14:54

thermonuclear:

Batting at #8 is over-rated in my view, it's a defensive mindset which I don't think should be encouraged. You pick a top six to do the batting and you put the hard word on them to go out there and score the blimmin runs. I think if you're relying on big numbers from your number eight, then your innings is very likely already munted. Anybody in the side below number seven is there for the explicit purpose of getting twenty wickets, that's their job and should be the only consideration when selecting them.

Yeah, your side is probably pretty close to the conservative mind of Stead. I still think he will find a way to select Santner in the side at the expense of Kuggeleijn probably, with the proviso that I haven't seen the Basin wicket yet. The other consideration is the fitness of Conway and Henry. I've seen it reported in the media that Mitchell and Ravindra will start, so it's really those other two with question marks around them.

If Conway's finger is only bruised I'm still not convinced he should play. The Aussie attack is quick, accurate and relentless. It'll only take one blow on that hand in the wrong place for him to be out for the remainder of the test and the NZ batting down to 10 guys. If he's nursing a severely bruised finger, he shouldn't play, give Young the spot.

Yes I don't disagree, of course its a nice to have provided its not for the reason you said. The issue is, it is exactly our situation.

When you pick a Test team with Conway and Blundell and no Williamson and Blundell at 5, what did they think would happen.

I feel GP's form demands his elevation. Sure he might get out before 50, but I would say Blundell, Conway, Rachin are much more likely to do so.

Its never bad carrying Genuine all rounders like GP, Mitchell. Kugs has potential though to be a solid book end with the bat, he is also rapid, which on a green type can never be under rated.

The basin is known for turn starting end of day 4, personally I feel GP's recent success and Rachin's somewhat more streaky success is enough to keep Santer out. Otherwise drop Rachin. Santner is clearly a bowler with a lot more capability and far more accurate from ball one, he also has incredible control of dropping 12kph, for those that read this and havnt played cricket, this is a lot more to face than it suggests, but more so when the batsman is trying to take Sants to the cleaners. Santner also does this with zero change to action or visible arm speed, he is also very very good at changing where he wants it to land at the last second if he sees footwork from the batsman, which is a WK's delight. Rachin has one delivery and essentially one speed, he has become more accurate with it, but the aussies will trounce his soul. GP whilst still not turning it back into the left a lot (he can bowl the straight ball though), he has a lot more gile and confidence than Rachin. Santner bat avg of 28, like Kugs (who is essentially 30) is handy runs. But do you drop the guy you are expecting to deliver consistent large totals in exchange?

Rachin I feel is easily distracted and not capable yet of applying low risk hig scoring innings (aka waiting for your ball). I so hope he turns that around, he showed with Kane guide him, he can apply himself, all be vs a very weak Sa bowling team (best bowler avgs 40 in FC). But he has to keep contributing, not one off mamoth totals vs FC teams. The question will be how long do you give him, 30 innings? So far 1/10, lets hope thats more like 21/30 contributions and an avg mid 40s up.

I believe Conways thumb should heal by start of test, they dont take much time. I know, I want to see more of Young too haha.

Wise

Send money globally for less with Wise - one free transfer up to NZ$900 (affiliate link).

thermonuclear

601 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3200994 28-Feb-2024 17:55

TeaLeaf:

I believe Conways thumb should heal by start of test, they dont take much time. I know, I want to see more of Young too haha.

Conway has been officially ruled out for the 1st Test, Young to open. Wonder if we'll see Nicholls called up as batting cover.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3201001 28-Feb-2024 18:17

thermonuclear:

Conway has been officially ruled out for the 1st Test, Young to open. Wonder if we'll see Nicholls called up as batting cover.

Dang I looked this morning and couldnt find any news.

I think they will ask Young to open, not sure about Nicholls, if they do go the Kugs route, its still a lengthy lot of "potential" batting.

Blundell really needs to get back to being somewhat of a book end regardless, like Watling was during the Baz era. Let GP have some real partnerships at 6.

thermonuclear

601 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3201011 28-Feb-2024 19:04

TeaLeaf:

Dang I looked this morning and couldnt find any news.

I think they will ask Young to open, not sure about Nicholls, if they do go the Kugs route, its still a lengthy lot of "potential" batting.

Blundell really needs to get back to being somewhat of a book end regardless, like Watling was during the Baz era. Let GP have some real partnerships at 6.

Southee said at the press conference that the only decision remaining was whether to play "the spinner or an extra seamer". Given that we expect Southee, Henry and O'Rourke will play and Wagner has already been told he wasn't going to play, then the decision is between Kuggeleijn and Santner. Therefore, the playing XI will be

Latham
Young
Williamson
Ravindra
Mitchell
Phillips
Blundell
Santner or Kuggeleijn
Henry
Southee
O'Rourke

Pretty crap for Wags, having been in the original squad, then likely to be replaced by Kuggeleijn if they go with pace. Hope I'm wrong but I can't see the Aussies quaking in their boots at the bowling attack. They will play Lyon because they always play him, I just hope NZ doesn't feel obliged to play Santner as a result, as he's not in the class of Lyon.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3201022 28-Feb-2024 19:42

thermonuclear:

Latham
Young
Williamson
Ravindra
Mitchell
Phillips
Blundell
Santner or Kuggeleijn
Henry
Southee
O'Rourke

Pretty crap for Wags, having been in the original squad, then likely to replaced by Kuggeleijn if they go with pace. Hope I'm wrong but I can't see the Aussies quaking in their boots at the bowling attack. They will play Lyon because they always play him, I just hope NZ doesn't feel obliged to play Santner as a result, as he's not in the class of Lyon.

I honestly dont know what was said behind closed doors but with Wags workload, his point of difference left arm swing, even with losing a yard of pace, its regrettable for sure.

Is Boult definitely committed to a league somewhere else in the world?

Ideally you want minimum 3 bowlers avg under 30 (well under). Lets assume O'rourke will go on to mid 20s, Southee is pretty much on 30. Henry 36 (although thats come down a lot this year), Kugs maybe will hover around 130 like his FC avg (maybe not), ignoring Phillips 19 as its too small a sample size. If it swings early Southee maybe strikes, I just dont see the 20 wickets without the fear of KJ or possibly Lockie and Sears. Southee at 35yo is also kind of holding the succession up. I know anderson went on forever for Eng, but he is also significantly better than Southee. If we get thumped because we couldnt finish the aussies off like the last two first innings in aus when we had them about 200-5, then I can see a shake up if Stead has any nouse with the aussies.

What HORRID timing to lose KJ, him and Orourke together would have been brilliant. Lockie was in that tour of aus and didnt do that great, but he is ten times the strike bowler he was then. Sears was born for Test cricket, look at his whippet body, nice and light, slightly slingy with the arm action.

Cric info labelling a lot of bowlers I would call medium fast as fast medium. Henry I must take more note of his speeds.

I think they are looking for Draws here to stay on top of aus on the WTC. The bowling attack with Kugs not Santner, appears to be conceding 280-300 on paper, which is a lot given not every bowler is going to perform to their avg.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3201988 1-Mar-2024 13:15

Thiis utterly embarrassing. Same as what happened touring aus last time, NZ lacks a strike bowler due to injury and aus just kept at it, admittedly not with just one batsman for the most part.

If we want the wicket, get the catches in and get Orourke bowling mid 140s at Hzlwoods head.

and Im so tired of seeing these lucky wickets go to Rachin encouraging Southee to bowl him with a new ball.

If Rachin is our all rounder, put him in at 6, drop GP and keep Young at 4, Conway to 6.

Now the ball is 35+ overs is when the spinner should be thrown the all on a GREEN top.

Rachin has to deliver runs on this batting surface, its becoming increasingly easier, but we really need Latham to have a good dig, it feels like he is somewhat short of runs even if his role is to see off the new ball, that too.

Thank goodness it looks like rain in day 3-5 (always hard to say but the front is coming).

On a positive note, very well played Cam Green, deserved this score, and hes not a tool, which is refreshing in an aussie side :-p

Dochart

804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3201991 1-Mar-2024 13:23

I think Aus should win this unless rain causes a draw.

Should have got them out for under 280. Even though previous test scores in this ground average 400-500 for the 1st innings batting score this has been due to weaker opponents. I expect Aus to keep Blackcaps under 300 with their bowling.

TeaLeaf

6325 posts

Uber Geek

#3202001 1-Mar-2024 13:48

Dochart: I think Aus should win this unless rain causes a draw.

Should have got them out for under 280. Even though previous test scores in this ground average 400-500 for the 1st innings batting score this has been due to weaker opponents. I expect Aus to keep Blackcaps under 300 with their bowling.

Yep, we needed a Starc type impact bowler to finish it off, even better if faster ie Lockie or Sears, we have channel bowlers like Cummins and Hzlwood with Henry/Orourke, but not somebody who can bowl through your defenses/reaction times.

Southee now back over avg of 30, surely they wont keep him in the team beyond this current WTC period? (37yo etc).

Dochart

804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3202069 1-Mar-2024 14:32

It will be a miracle if we can get to 200 runs. Lost of 3 wickets in under 6 overs is not good. Need Young and Mitchell to score double hundreds or rain helps us out.

So glad we extended the batting for this test. Should have selected Wagner over Southee though. Selectors are making poor decisions time and time again.

1 | ... | 218 | 219 | 220 | 221 | 222 | 223 | 224 | 225 | 226 | 227 | 228 | ... | 255