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5118 posts

Uber Geek

#3051450 18-Mar-2023 11:15

Good start to the day with the batsmen upping the run rate on a wicket not doing a lot for SL.

Nicholls as usual making the most of the let off yesterday by the wicket keeper.

Its going to turn to a road, going be hard for either side to win with the 5th day looking a right off at this stage. But for NZ to have any chance they have to score quickly.

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thermonuclear

185 posts

Master Geek

#3051462 18-Mar-2023 11:39

TeaLeaf:

Honestly if Nicholls needs players to drop catches to score at #4 he really shouldnt be playing cricket for NZ.

With the change of NZ selector, I'm hoping two things will occur. First, that Nicholls is dropped from the team and made to force his way back into the team (if he can) on the basis of runs. The way he continues to get picked despite consistent failure does make me wonder sometimes if there's some kind of weird nepotism going on with his brother being the team media manager. I do think this will be his last test provided he doesn't score double hundreds in both innings.

Second, that the new selector insists on this mickey mouse rule for Boult being dropped and they pick him again if available. The change of regime gives NZ cricket an opportunity to save face and make an exception for Boult. He's given plenty to the game in NZ and the success of the NZ team, he deserves the chance to freelance in the twilight of his career.

And, if we have learnt anything recently, it is that the newer crop of NZ bowlers need more time at domestic level to work on their skills and gain more experience. Aside from Jamieson in recent times, none of them have made much of an impact when they've come into the top side, and many have been caned.

TeaLeaf

5118 posts

Uber Geek

#3051471 18-Mar-2023 12:05

thermonuclear:

With the change of NZ selector, I'm hoping two things will occur. First, that Nicholls is dropped from the team and made to force his way back into the team (if he can) on the basis of runs.

Well said, I concur. And right on queue Nicholls is scoring runs after the let off by the keeper yesterday, and at a fair clip. He is simply useless vs quality bowling. His away record is abysmal, it was 25 a year ago, so its probably even lower now. The worst of it, he is blocking oppurtunities for younger players. I agree, if we are asking players to commit to domestic then it should be where players who start to fail go back to apply their craft and to allow young talent into the test squad.

Our 2 good younger bowlers are both injured which makes you wonder if our talented bowlers are not being challenged enough at domestic level, which given the pro rata means you do not get enough good players to not develop them further. I don't know how to counter that other than sending our good bowlers to play in County Cricket in the UK. In saying that Southee is auto picked yet his Avg is nearly 30 now which is not world class. Would love to know where Ben Sears injury is at, KJ 3 months away but we dont have any tests for a long time so thats ok.

This is how NZ should be batting every time, with intent (which doesnt mean reckless), Conway set it up at 6rpo and now these two are going at over 5rpo this morning. At this rate NZ can declare by Tea, leaving them 500 runs and 7 sessions to bowl SL out twice before the rain on Tuesday.

Edit: Absolute road out there even with the grass, some scalloping Rigga said, which will mean some diffrences in bounce later on, but SL are not bowling in a consistant enough area for that to help either team. NZ without Boult, KJ and Wagner may struggle to bowl SL out twice even with 7 sessions. There is no spin either. So it will be about forcing batsman errors, which is how the 2 NZ wickets so far occured, player error. The 2nd new ball I dont see doing much, if anything the hard ball comes off the bat faster.

Was great to see Kane hit those two 6s in a row, I think the kiwis know they have to advance the game to win it with Tues likely to be rain.

TeaLeaf

5118 posts

Uber Geek

#3051481 18-Mar-2023 12:41

Nicholls edges twice in the over falling short/to the side of slips, good bowling. There is movement off the grass. But Nicholls is just terrible when he has to play defensively at that 4th wicket area. I dont think he has great hand eye and I think that defense scenario is why he edges it so often.

Like the century against WI when they dropped him half a dozen times, he will probably go on to make 150 and not be replaced by Young/Phillips. At 32yo surely he would retire from Test Cricket if he was dropped.

FANTASTIC ton from King Kane, brilliant innings, its incredible how he goes from having the handbrake on (like yesterday) to putting the foot on the gas like he does.

Edit: Lunch ! Run rate first session 4.38, it was up close to 5 at one stage, the new ball usually dries things up as well. But if NZ can go at 4.38 for the rest of the day they will be near 450 at Tea. All going well they will probably bat another 15 overs after Tea and let the all rounders in the tail blast some boundaries, possibly adding another 100. Either way, they will want to get some use of the grass with a new ball, hopefully knock over a few poles, leaving 17 wickets over 2 days.

I thought they might give Scott K another selection, he did pretty good against Eng with 4 wickets, run rate was high but most were, his ability to bowl pace consistently could have been the wicket taker we needed. Tickner is high 130s though and after the 5fa last test, hopefully he repeats. Henry is a quality seamer with his accuracy. Southee is good with a new ball and Doug can do tough overs. Lastly M Bracewell might get more turn day 4, there is plenty of bounce for him.

TeaLeaf

5118 posts

Uber Geek

#3051510 18-Mar-2023 15:10

Nicholls DROPPED yet again, a simple caught and bowled, the umpire even looked horrified. That is 2 drops and 4 edges through slips. But of course, it doesnt matter how in the mind of the passed selector and Stead. Its absurd a guy keeps his spot every time by scoring a ton when dropped so often and then doesnt score again for a very long time. Frustrating is the word. Of course if you keep selecting him, eventually his luck will hold a few times for him to score a century.

Dochart

656 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3051513 18-Mar-2023 15:20

I hope whoever the new selector is takes into account the amount of chances Nicholls has had in this second test and now has scored a century. Would have been out in the low 10’s.

Time to bring in Young and Phillips in the test side permanently.

TeaLeaf

5118 posts

Uber Geek

#3051524 18-Mar-2023 16:06

Dochart: I hope whoever the new selector is takes into account the amount of chances Nicholls has had in this second test and now has scored a century. Would have been out in the low 10’s.

Time to bring in Young and Phillips in the test side permanently.

Not to mention he only averages 21 away. Avg 15 at #4 away. You are not going to win many tests away when your 4 is tail ender like.

Young should never have been asked to learn opening, and Phillips may decide to do a Boult and say screw you NZ selectors, I wouldnt blame him. They are running this aging side into the ground and there will not be 11 quality players to replace them, part of selection process should be to consider the future of not only the team results but what they mean for inspiring youth players.

Edit: Im with Rigga, Id have considered the Declaration with Williamson holing out. If they are going to play on they should have been putting Bracewell and Bracewell (sounds like a company haha) in next. If they asking Mitchell to sacrafice himself its a bit rough, I suppose they all jealous of his avg and want to drop it hahaha.

Edit: How cruel is cricket sometimes, Nicholls is dropped twice off regulation catches, Mitchell middles one back at the bowlers head and it just sticks. I still do not know why Southee is sending the batsmen in when they selected a tail full of big hitters. I hope Blundell doesnt just block it.

thermonuclear

185 posts

Master Geek

#3051589 18-Mar-2023 17:57

Dochart: I hope whoever the new selector is takes into account the amount of chances Nicholls has had in this second test and now has scored a century. Would have been out in the low 10’s.

Time to bring in Young and Phillips in the test side permanently.

I agree that Nicholls should go, and Young and Phillips should get their chances, but I think Nicholls has just saved his test career for a while longer with 200*. He's made it count when the blowtorch has been on the Y-fronts.

Will be even more secure if NZ go on to claim the win in this test.

TeaLeaf

5118 posts

Uber Geek

#3051590 18-Mar-2023 17:58

You beauty Henz, that is exactly the channel Im refering to with his accuracy, I dont know how he hasnt been more prolific, aside from pace perhaps, but Mcgrath was slower than Southee, so meh.

Just what NZ needed, but still have a worrying feeling they may have batted on for too long, we shall see, I hope not.

thermonuclear:

He's made it count when the blowtorch has been on the Y-fronts.

And not the first time, thats the real frustration. Phillips has a better FC and has played County cricket, hes not getting younger. Time for the new selector to make some tough calls before they all retire at the same time.

Edit: Uggh another edge just falls short off Henry.

TeaLeaf

5118 posts

Uber Geek

#3051652 18-Mar-2023 18:14

Wow Conway, that was a speccy catch. wow.

Bracewell should have got spanked there but Conway leaps, it looked like it would sail away for 4, some how he gets both hands to it.

Edit: Well, a fantastic days play for NZ. To be fair SL only have 3 pace bowlers and one injured non bowling shoulder and they were all over the shop like yesterday. In hind sight Id have picked Scott K for his pace. Bracewell can bowl a lot of overs, but what NZ need is 18 wickets and possibly in 1 day. I still think 500 was a better declaration, then if any runs need scoring at the end they can do so promptly if needed, but more so, 20 wickets is a lot if Monday also becomes a right off. Even then its a stretch on this pitch. I hope we are not left needing 1 wicket and its a washout. Time will tell. :-)

That 200 is going to save Nicholls, I can just see it. :-(

TeaLeaf

5118 posts

Uber Geek

#3051815 19-Mar-2023 12:08

Was a good start for NZ this morning, has dried up a bit. Henry is just a bowling machine, it reminds me of Hadlee, who really only became great once he started producing ball after ball passed the edge, Mcgrath similar. Henry's avg really sells him short, his FC avg of 24 is closer in line with how good he is.

Weather wise it looks like Tuesday "may" be improving, it went from rain all day to raining over night and a few showers by the looks. Tomorrow is a bit hard to predict with the extreme wind returning and some showers. So they may well get 4-4.5 days in. I guess tomorrow will tell us more.

thermonuclear

185 posts

Master Geek

#3052454 20-Mar-2023 18:41

Henry Nicholls - Man Of The Match

Yep, he's saved his career once again.

TeaLeaf

5118 posts

Uber Geek

#3052465 20-Mar-2023 18:59

An Innings and 58 runs Win. Not bad. Havnt had SL here for ages, they havnt toured outside home since about 2017.

Very Bizarre match. I would estimate 95% of the 20 SL wickets were player error, rather than edges etc. Of course the scoreboard pressure and the good field set (Happily surprised with Southee, that was much more aggressive). Out standing fielding from NZ, some very difficult catches and chasing down every run. I would put most of it down to SL being very unfamiliar with the Basins unique atmospheric differences and a pitch that looked Green but proved to be a road, they simply were put under so much pressure, given that the NZ bowlers had to put in massive efforts to get the 20 wickets. IMO that needs to be the focus of the back 4 in our 11, post Boult, what lineup is the best to take 20 wickets, which is the more difficult part of Test Cricket. Michael Bracewell was so very good all round, really surprised me.

This is the team imo that will score 400+ first innings consistently and be capable of taking 20 wickets consistantly.

1. Latham 2. Conway 3. Williamson 4. Daryl Mitchell (Avg of 16 since Taylor) 5. Phillips 6. Blundell 7.Jamieson 8. M Bracewell 9. Henry/Patel 10. Southee 11. Wagner/Tickner

Mitchell is too good to be asking to go t20, he deserves the opportunity to replace Taylor as he is an aggressor too. Phillips can play both roles of stop the rot and consolidate or he can finish a good start from the top 3 with an ODI style innings and he is a good Spin option, has a better AVG than Bracewell. Need an Ajaz type bowler (has he retired from internationals?) touring SEA countries. Its a VERY deep batting 11 and some bowlers with X factor for wickets, Mitchell as the 6th bowler relief option. That is 3 players under the age of 30yo with more to come, which must be somewhere in a succession plan.

The problem is, Nicholls was dropped under 10 by the keeper with a regulation catch and then again on about 90 which was a total sitter. So people will say, he scored 200, how can we drop him now. Simple, he does this far too often, scoring nothing in between saving his spot every time with a streaky Ton. So by the time they play the obvious Phillips, Foxcroft will probably be eligible to play for NZ as well, which will be 3 spin all rounders who can all bat, by then Nicholls should be retiring. I cant see them giving Will Young a fair go, I think like Guptil they might just give up on it.

NZ back to scoring big 500+ scores, so good to see, that #4 spot is critical. It takes pressure of Williamson who also was dry of runs before these 2 series just gone.

TeaLeaf

5118 posts

Uber Geek

#3053304 22-Mar-2023 14:09

Sounds like Foxy may be closer to playing for NZ than we thought. Which would be fair given Covid and subsequent lockdown was outside of his control and an unprecedented event. Supposedly they do take your intentions into consideration. He got stuck, his intentions were clear.

Dream of playing for Black Caps ever closer | Otago Daily Times Online News (odt.co.nz)

He made another solid 70 in FC, in which is Avg is rapidly rising, I mentioned his strange Avg given his ability a few months back, which was 29, is already up to 35 and I would expect having watched him play a lot, he should be a mid 40s FC player and possibly a 50+ Test avg player.

Not to mention his FC bowling avg of 20.9.

Him and Glenn Phillips would be lethal in the Test side for NZ, both can turn it on grass tops let alone SEA.

Ive already dropped Nicholls from my 11, but Foxy would have to put pressure on M Bracewell. Although all 3 touring SEA would be brilliant.

1. Latham 2. Conway 3. Wiliamson 4. Mitchell 5. Phillips 6. Foxcroft 7. Blundell 8. Jamieson 9. M Bracewell 10. Southee 11. Wagner/Henry

That is a seriously long batting lineup with only 2 tail enders. Thats 3 spinners (exluding Kane of course) and 4 pace bowlers. With an avg above 40 likely to #8.

Id be happy with that as my White Ball team. Henry, maybe Tickner, would have to replace M Bracewell in NZ and Eng Test conditions. But either way, that is 3 players under the age of 30yo and Tickner is only 100 days roughly into 29yo. I expect Conway, Mitchell, Blundell, Wagner, Henry to keep going late into the 30s given they have waited a long time to play internationals. I wouldnt be surprised to see Williamson join them. While he keeps scoring runs there is no reason Williamson cant go on to 40, plenty have done it all around the world.

Nicholls innings showed how much they have missed a performing Taylor at 4, we have Avgd 16 since he left, as soon as Nicholls gets a couple of catches dropped you can see the difference it makes to the scoreboard having a Solid #4. Mitchell avg of 70 last season is a waste, he plays #3 in FC, so Id be happy with him to replace Nicholls at 4 and then the 2 Batsman who bowl quality spin at 5 and 6. Blundell also avgd near 70 prior to NZ, so that is a lot of quality batsmen for the top order to know they have quality partners all the way down the team, with Jamieson and Beasty being able to partner with the mid order when necessary.

Lastly, Stead is pushing for NZ to have 3 coaches like most teams seem to be adopting, unfortunately he seems to want the Test role, which could see really dubious players like Nicholls being retained. Whatever happens he needs to aim at winning all tests that are not washed out. If it means we lose the odd one, so be it. Test cricket needs this positive mentaliy, which they did show the last tests against SL, but need to see it against Aus and Ind when we get the chance.

I think we have a good chance of this Golden age of cricket sticking around for another decade. Who knows what youngsters will pop up by then.

Dochart

656 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3053316 22-Mar-2023 14:27

I hope Foxcroft debuts soon but not sure how lenient ICC will be. In the article it was stated that he played no cricket in South Africa during the lockdown. That should show ICC how committed be was to play for New Zealand but I don’t see him being eligible this year.

Waiting for the day to see Young, Foxcroft and Phillips in the test side permanently.

ODI series vs Sri Lanka coming up. Allen gets another chance in the 1st ODI then goes straight to the IPL right after. They have selected Young and Bowes in the ODI squad. Would like to see them try this opening combination out.

When the ODI World Cup in India comes around this is who I would like to see playing.

1. Conway
2. Young/Chad Bowes
3. Williamson
4. Phillips
5. Latham (wk)
6. Daryl Mitchell
7. Santner/Neesham
8. Sodhi/M Bracewell
9. Henry/Southee
10. Ferguson
11. Boult

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