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#3432768 10-Nov-2025 14:27

thermonuclear:

The ability to stay on the park for many of NZ's top flight cricketers is a continuing issue.

Absolutely, if NZ quicks could stay fit it would be absolutely devastating, but with O'rourke undergoing a long rehab, KJ being fit one day, not the next, Sears injured, then you have two if the fastest quicks in the world currently in Milne and Ferguson having been through a similar fate to these other names, does it raise any questions, Im not sure, outside the players trying to bowl fast, which Shane Bond reckons you have to WANT to do and it comes with injuries. Id be happy with two of those quicks joining Henry, Foulkes, Duffy maybe Nat Smith, then when GP who is also injured with a groin rejoins the Test squad, maybe we dont bring 5 quicks and choose to bowl Beastie along with GP and Ravindra, which gives 7 genuine bowlers and a very deep batting lineup. The type of team has changed very quickly due to both retirements and injuries I feel.

The WI Test Squad is going to be very telling of our capability to beat either Eng or Ind and thats a big assumption of being WI, which Im personally not taking lightly. Then the biggest tour for BCs for years, 4 tests in Aus including Boxing day. Its not an "easy" upcoming schedule to manage with so many injuries thats for sure.

One thing I do notice is how many quality players the Canterbury head coach Fulton pumps out.

thermonuclear

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#3433320 11-Nov-2025 12:14

TeaLeaf:

One thing I do notice is how many quality players the Canterbury head coach Fulton pumps out.

Probably doesn't hurt that NZ Cricket HQ is based in Canterbury, everything is laid on for aspiring cricketers in Christchurch and surrounds. Talent will be quickly spotted and given every opportunity through the excellent facilities and programmes based there.

As previously stated, not really a fan of T20 cricket for various reasons. With that said, not sure what NZ is up to with the current T20 side. This idea that NZ "bats deep" looks a bit silly when no-one aside from Santner has been able to trouble the WI bowling in the mid-lower order. Bracewell has been out of form with the bat, and what is Neesham still doing in the side when he only contributes with the bat once in a blue moon as a supposed "all-rounder". He failed to step up and get it done in the 2019 World Cup Super Over, NZ should have been blooding Jacobs or Clarkson or half a dozen other younger all-rounders in this series rather than persisting with a player who no longer offers that much.

Contrast that with the lower order batting of the Windies in this series and you have to wonder, they look skilled and dangerous and NZ has been fortunate to get out of those last two matches with wins after the death bowling has been shown to be pretty average. Maybe it's a case of some of these NZ guys won't be the guys to make the World Cup squad.

TeaLeaf

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#3433654 12-Nov-2025 10:10

thermonuclear:

Probably doesn't hurt that NZ Cricket HQ is based in Canterbury, everything is laid on for aspiring cricketers in Christchurch and surrounds. Talent will be quickly spotted and given every opportunity through the excellent facilities and programmes based there.

Maybe it's a case of some of these NZ guys won't be the guys to make the World Cup squad.

Good point re NZ Cricket HQ in CCh. Maybe we should give other teams a handicap in FC due to this obvious advantage hehe ;-p. I wonder if there is any chance Fulton wants the NZ Coach job? I

think we "may" need to look elsewhere for strength/conditioning specifically for our 140+ kph bowlers. We use to struggle getting fast bowlers, now we have them, we have to be world leaders in avoiding those back injuries even if it is part and parcel of the job, having every single one develop the same injuries is not ideal fairly early on, Im no expert in it, but thats just how it looks and as a fan of how 6ft3+ 140-150kph bowlers, I want to see some have longer careers in Tests. Nothing beats tall fast yorkers. I think Milne did a pretty good job with his injury, he slowed it down a bit. Maybe we should have 140kph being the stock delivery and 150kph being an effort ball rather than bowling mid-high 140s regularly.

I think its a certainty that will not be our squad come World Cup. NZ does this every time, play like rubbish in T20s to test out new talent while the good ones are off getting paid million$ in various leagues, then some how out of nowhere we look a better team. Although im not sure that will be the case the next one.

thermonuclear

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#3433713 12-Nov-2025 11:38

TeaLeaf:

Good point re NZ Cricket HQ in CCh. Maybe we should give other teams a handicap in FC due to this obvious advantage hehe ;-p. I wonder if there is any chance Fulton wants the NZ Coach job? I

think we "may" need to look elsewhere for strength/conditioning specifically for our 140+ kph bowlers. We use to struggle getting fast bowlers, now we have them, we have to be world leaders in avoiding those back injuries even if it is part and parcel of the job, having every single one develop the same injuries is not ideal fairly early on, Im no expert in it, but thats just how it looks and as a fan of how 6ft3+ 140-150kph bowlers, I want to see some have longer careers in Tests. Nothing beats tall fast yorkers. I think Milne did a pretty good job with his injury, he slowed it down a bit. Maybe we should have 140kph being the stock delivery and 150kph being an effort ball rather than bowling mid-high 140s regularly.

I think its a certainty that will not be our squad come World Cup. NZ does this every time, play like rubbish in T20s to test out new talent while the good ones are off getting paid million$ in various leagues, then some how out of nowhere we look a better team. Although im not sure that will be the case the next one.

Yeah, hard to understand how NZ is ranked 4th in T20 cricket when they have been losing fairly regularly.

You look across the Tasman and it does sometimes feel like their quicks are never injured when they are often taller and faster guys. That's probably a false perception but the Aussies don't seem as injury-prone as our guys and they play far more cricket than NZ. Might be something to do with the harder grounds, or maybe they just have better programs for managing their players.

Just a reminder to all the cricket fans here that the Ford Trophy matches are being streamed live on the New Zealand Cricket YouTube channel currently. This round we have Wellington v Auckland, ND v Otago and CD v Canterbury. Hopefully we will give Fulton's boys a hiding today.

TeaLeaf

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#3436049 19-Nov-2025 18:57

thermonuclear:

You look across the Tasman and it does sometimes feel like their quicks are never injured when they are often taller and faster guys. That's probably a false perception but the Aussies don't seem as injury-prone as our guys and they play far more cricket than NZ.

Yeh, I think also they havnt had a 150kph bowler since before Starc did his back. Cummins is a channel bowler like Henry but can get over the 140s. I think sustainably for back issues, 140kph is where its at with that 150+ effort ball being used sparingly for yorkers and the such.

KJ has slowed down a bit, still bowls mid 140s now and then but he mixes it up with 130kph more often, but he has skills that anything 130kph and over is going to scare batsman.

Speaking of, he was bowling it around corners today, he is looking in better form so I think he might get the nod for the Tests.

Im dissapointed they drop Zac Foulkes on day made for swing bowlers, with KJ geting 3.4 deg, as an example the seam bowlers were only getting 0.4deg in the air.

Tickner came on and Nat Smiths first over (to be fair hes come back to make up for it) which had WI go from 2.5rpo to 5.5 rpo in those 3 overs. Tickner is just too loose and doesnt have anything worrying aside from high 130s pace.

Smith at least moves it a lot off the deck. He did really well to come back from the 12 runs in first over to end up around 5rpo with a few wickets. I dont see why Smith and Foulkes cant bowl in the same team, if anything its a good thing, KJ bats a bit too.

I know they wanting to test bowlers out but I just thought today was not the day to leave Fouikes out.

TeaLeaf

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#3436070 19-Nov-2025 19:58

NZ deserved that ~110 off the last 9 overs, firstly bowling too slow left our death bowlers with only 2 on the boundary, but they should have bowled KJ through his 7 when he was going for only 2.5rpo and before the other bowlers bowled WI into form. Also again, messing around with the bowlers on a day where you needed all the swing you could get was really dumb and lastly NZ often have played far from their best side and this time its largely due to injuries but it is the kind of team we probably would have played anyway.

Hope is just a freak, in the top 10 fastest to 6000 in ODI history and 2nd in WI only behind the legend Richards. Just a glorious innings to watch, once KJ and Henry were put to the side by Santner, he just climbed into the rest of the bowlers, as did the tail. They were 5 down for not that many, so to put another 130+ on the board for the final 4 wickets was brilliant.

I dont have much hope without our genuine batsmen in the team, very much a team of all rounders.

Dyson

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thermonuclear

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#3436253 20-Nov-2025 20:02

TeaLeaf:

NZ deserved that ~110 off the last 9 overs, firstly bowling too slow left our death bowlers with only 2 on the boundary, but they should have bowled KJ through his 7 when he was going for only 2.5rpo and before the other bowlers bowled WI into form. Also again, messing around with the bowlers on a day where you needed all the swing you could get was really dumb and lastly NZ often have played far from their best side and this time its largely due to injuries but it is the kind of team we probably would have played anyway.

Hope is just a freak, in the top 10 fastest to 6000 in ODI history and 2nd in WI only behind the legend Richards. Just a glorious innings to watch, once KJ and Henry were put to the side by Santner, he just climbed into the rest of the bowlers, as did the tail. They were 5 down for not that many, so to put another 130+ on the board for the final 4 wickets was brilliant.

I dont have much hope without our genuine batsmen in the team, very much a team of all rounders.

Decided to go to the match yesterday last minute after the weather started to clear a little. Nothing like cricket in Hawke's Bay to bring the rain to town, fine as and 30C today after the cricketers have now left. On McLean Park, it's no longer fit for purpose. With the 65K residents in Napier and the 65K residents in the greater Hastings area, we should be served with a proper cricket venue. Still astounds me that Tauranga built Bay Oval for 10 million I believe. It's long overdue that we get a ground with decent sized boundaries, leave McLean Park to the rectangular sports.

Thought the innings from Shai Hope was pretty impressive, even allowing for the assistance he was getting from some average NZ bowling. Happy I got to see that in person. Devin Conway - perhaps that was the innings which finally turns his form around? He looked like the cricketer of old. Santner likewise played a blinder at the end, his batting has been top drawer the last couple of months.

Dochart

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#3436635 22-Nov-2025 14:26

As much of a fan of Will Young, I believe his last chance to perform is today. He hasn’t been too consistent since the tri series before the Champions Trophy early this year. If he does not perform today in the long run I would try Chapman if possible.

thermonuclear

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#3436951 23-Nov-2025 12:38

Dochart:

As much of a fan of Will Young, I believe his last chance to perform is today. He hasn’t been too consistent since the tri series before the Champions Trophy early this year. If he does not perform today in the long run I would try Chapman if possible.

Yeah, he's been in poor form recently. I'd rather see Robinson come into the ODI squad at least though not sure if he makes the final XI. New Zealand keeps winning so I doubt there will be much appetite from the selectors to make changes. They are reluctant to drop underperforming players at the best of times, though I see Wells left as selector and Larson is now back in the role.

As commendable as the Black Cap's performances have been in white ball tournaments generally over the past half a dozen years, the trophy cabinet still remains empty. Though, if the umpires had been doing their jobs properly in 2019, NZ would have won that final and we wouldn't have had to listen to the English crowing like they smashed NZ by 150 runs.

Speaking of which, pleased to see they got a belting in the 1st Ashes test from an understrength Aussie side. If you listen to the podcasts they obsess about winning the Ashes to the exclusion of everything else. Still look well short of it this time around on the evidence from Perth.

thermonuclear

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#3437250 24-Nov-2025 20:04

The NZ squad has been named for the 1st Test next week in Christchurch.

Tom Latham (capt), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young

Really good to see Williamson back in his best format. The bowling looks light with so many of the better seamers out with injury. Don't agree with Tickner getting another go as he doesn't have it, even worse to see Blundell retained again. Not sure why both Bracewell and Santner are there when Hagley is a seamers track.

The XI I think they should field

Latham
Young
Conway
Williamson
Ravindra
Mitchell
Blundell
Smith
Foulkes
Henry
Duffy

No spinner in my side, as above, I don't think they will get much of a go in Christchurch to warrant a place. Ravindra can bowl a few overs if the seamers haven't already done the job.

Williamson, Ravindra and Mitchell will need to score the bulk of the runs in this side. Has to be question marks over Latham, Conway and Blundell providing much to the batting, hope I'm wrong. Do wonder if Latham should drop down the order, take the wicketkeeping gloves and make room for another top order bat.

Does look like a make-shift squad with all the injuries though.

Dochart

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#3437253 24-Nov-2025 20:12

This is the XI they will most likely field:

Latham
Conway
Williamson
Ravindra
Mitchell
Blundell
Bracewell/Santner
Smith
Foulkes
Henry
Duffy

Will Young probably had too many chances now and I would be very surprised if he is the playing 11 over Conway if we are talking about form in multiple formats. Conway has been in better form than Will Young recently. Still unsure who they will select as their spinner so it will be a toss up between Bracewell and Santner but they could potentially play both if Daryl Mitchell also bowls as well and if they do one of Foulkes or Smith has to be out of the XI not sure who.

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thermonuclear

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#3437381 25-Nov-2025 12:27

Dochart:

This is the XI they will most likely field:

Latham
Conway
Williamson
Ravindra
Mitchell
Blundell
Bracewell/Santner
Smith
Foulkes
Henry
Duffy

Will Young probably had too many chances now and I would be very surprised if he is the playing 11 over Conway if we are talking about form in multiple formats. Conway has been in better form than Will Young recently. Still unsure who they will select as their spinner so it will be a toss up between Bracewell and Santner but they could potentially play both if Daryl Mitchell also bowls as well and if they do one of Foulkes or Smith has to be out of the XI not sure who.

Interesting. I had a look at the last two tests played in Christchurch, against Australia and England. In both they played Phillips as the "spinner", though his contribution in that role was minimal and his selection has to be seen retrospectively as a batsman who bowled a few overs if needed. Against Australia he bowled 17 overs and took 1 wicket, that of Alex Carey. Against England he bowled 9 overs and took no wickets.

On Will Young, you are being a little hasty perhaps. While his recent white ball form has been poor, no doubt, his last three test series for NZ have been pretty solid. Versus India in the famous series clean sweep he was outstanding with the bat and a big part of those victories, 244 runs @ 48.80. Versus England in NZ he scored 102 runs @ 51.00 average. And, most recently against Zimbabwe over there he put on 115 runs @ 57.50.

By comparison, Conway in the same three series produced 227 runs @ 37.83 (India), 21 runs @ 5.25 (England), and 245 runs @ 81.66. Latham's record was 145 runs @ 24.16 (India), 171 runs @ 28.50 (England), and did not tour Zimbabwe.

On the balance of his recent test batting performances versus Hagley being a seamers ground and unlikely to require more spin bowling than could already be provided by Ravindra, I think Young deserves that spot in the playing XI over Santner or Bracewell.

All that said you're probably right and NZ will conservatively pick a spinner at the expense of Young or one of the seamers unfortunately, despite the recent stats not supporting a spinner playing (or Young sitting this one out).

And, what is with the test starting on a Tuesday? Are NZC trying to minimise the spectators in attendance or watching at home?

thermonuclear

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#3438514 29-Nov-2025 14:08

While we await the start of the 1st Test next week, has any of the Geekzone cricket community got a comment on this ruckus that has been bubbling away for the past few months about the "private sector" replacing the Super Smash with some impressive new shiny T20 competition?

Not surprisingly, it looks like it's all about money. A little disappointed to see former players like Fleming and Vettori talking about the "good of the NZ game" when they are generally looking the other way when NZC is canvassing for new coaching staff.

The money seems to be emanating from the subcontinent. Will it actually result in much more money going into the pockets of local players or associations, or result in "marque players" being involved in the competition. Will local fans be expected to pay more at the gate to attend, and/or lose their ability to view the T20 via FTA TV. Will it become little more than a farm team league with an influx of development players from the corporate backers to support the richer competitions.

Don't see that there's a lot of up-side to the proposal, don't see it being significantly better than what already exists. Thought trying to get a franchise side in the BBL might be a better route to go. But that's my two cents and I'm not the target market when it comes to T20. Nor probably are the NZ cricket-following public, and this is just a scheme to provide more content to the Indian broadcasters to fill their schedules and drive subscriptions and advertising.

TeaLeaf

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#3439453 2-Dec-2025 10:56

thermonuclear:

Latham
Young
Conway
Williamson
Ravindra
Mitchell
Blundell
Smith
Foulkes
Henry
Duffy

Nice one, spot on aside form the order. Im happy enough with the team, but not with Blundell, I thought we had finally moved on with the young Mitch Hay who is very close to a FC avg of 50 and in his 7 ODIs has averaged ~42. Is he injured? Blundell was a short term fix as an opener, like Nicholls he has dribbled his way through his career. We need another book end WK like Watling again, somebody who can stop the rot and or organise 150-200 runs with he mid to tail.

Im also not a fan of a team of all rounders. on paper the only true Batsman is Williamson, everybody else is/was an all rounder/WK. I like both Smith and Foulkes, but Im really surprised with such a dominant performance by KJ in the ODIs he isnt playing, if hes fit he should be bowling. I also think in these conditions the captain should give the brand new ball to the swing bowlers to start, 3-5 overs, then to Henry/Duffy.

Im guessing GP still recovering from the groin injury?

Im glad not to see Young opening, Conway should be there and is, nice to see Young in the position he should always have been in the middle order.

thermonuclear:

Will it actually result in much more money going into the pockets of local players or associations

Thats the key to me, I was happy enough with how SM was progressing NZ cricket, if not it seems like some of our ex players are doing a Coutes and putting their names behind, are they genuine?

Edit: Ugggh Conway no leg movement waving want finds the edge rather than the bowler finding his defensive edge. Disappointing after what feels like a come back from him of late. This is a pitch you dont want to lose the toss on, but such is the nature of NZ being the hardest team in the world to beat at home, by a big margin. But, I think the movement should be there for NZ come their turn to bowl. This is exactly the kind of conditions you want KJ in your team for.

thermonuclear

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#3439471 2-Dec-2025 11:07

TeaLeaf:

Im glad not to see Young opening, Conway should be there and is, nice to see Young in the position he should always have been in the middle order.

You were saying? ;)

Batting line-up looks very weak, Mitchell is a big loss given he's been in decent form so far this summer in the white ball stuff.

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