General Blackcaps Chat

Forums › Sports › General Blackcaps Chat

1 | ... | 247 | 248 | 249 | 250 | 251 | 252 | 253 | 254 | 255

577 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3329606 9-Jan-2025 15:44

Sounds like Ben Sears is going to get a trundle today in the Super Smash against CD. Will be great to see him back from the long-term injury break, especially when Jamieson has also returned after his big spell on the sidelines. I hope they can both maintain fitness and force returns to the national team through weight of performance.

Also seems the NZ Champion's Trophy squad will be named on Sunday. Fifteen players to be selected with the ability to make injury changes up until Feb 13th. The tournament gets underway on Feb 19th.

The fifteen players I'd select

Robinson
Ravindra
Young
Chapman
Mitchell
Phillips
Hay
Santner
Henry
Ferguson
O'Rourke

Latham
Bracewell
Smith
Sears/Duffy

Not sure how much the wickets are going to turn, think pace bowling is NZ's strength in any event and they should go in with the quicks. No place for Conway, Williamson, Milne, Boult, Allen, etc. They are plying their trade elsewhere now and I'm not sure they are any better than what's in my suggested squad.

Thought about Williamson a bit but would rather see him concentrate on test cricket for NZ, and he can line his pockets at other times on the T20 circuit. Jamieson not considered either, still working his way back from a fairly serious injury and would rather he concentrated on test cricket for NZ also.

Dochart

804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3329611 9-Jan-2025 16:09

My playing 11 for the Champions Trophy:

1. Young
2. Ravindra
3. Williamson
4. Mitchell
5. Phillips
6. M Bracewell
7. Hay (wk)
8. Santner (c)
9. Henry
10. Ferguson
11. O’Rourke

Backup:
12. Chapman
13. Sears/Jamieson??? Depends if they are match fit if not then select Duffy.
14. Conway
15. Latham (wk)

I really hope this time they persist with Young instead of dropping him for Conway/Ravindra. I can see the selectors still retaining Williamson but uncertain if Conway will receive the same treatment.

thermonuclear

577 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3329626 9-Jan-2025 17:20

Yeah, I fully expect Uncle Gary will pick his guys, Williamson, Conway and even Southee! What's the story with Tim, I thought his retirement was only from test cricket? Was a little surprised not to see his name in the white-ball squads to play Sri Lanka. Hasn't been sighted in the Super Smash so far, don't think he's got a SA20 contract, is he sitting on the family farm up in Northland taking a break?

They should stick with Young, the keyboard warriors will be steaming up the Stuff sports comments section if he's dropped again in favour of the names I've already mentioned. Conway and Williamson are due to turn out in the SA20 over the next 30 days, will be interested to see how they go and how often they make the playing XI's of their respective sides. Don't think either are in form (Conway) or explosive enough (Williamson) to succeed at modern day T20 cricket.

Know that's not a popular opinion here but, still, happy to be proven wrong should they both go through the SA20 like a dose of the salts. Robinson absolutely caning the CD attack on a Basin belter as I type, 71 off 41. Will be an absolute travesty if he doesn't get selected for the Champions Trophy, and the playing XI at that. He looks the goods and did score runs in Pakistan last time when he stood in for the incumbents. Dropped in favour of Conway and Allen for the big dance and we all know how NZ went in that tournament.

TeaLeaf

6305 posts

Uber Geek

#3329643 9-Jan-2025 18:38

thermonuclear:

Jamieson not considered either, still working his way back from a fairly serious injury and would rather he concentrated on test cricket for NZ also.

Yep, plus he kinda got typ cast after a that failed IPL around when he was destroying Ind and Eng in a number of Test series, but hes still a good white baller, just, we have so many players, cant fit everyone. Im happy enough if he just makes it back to Tests as our fastest player in history to 50 wickets and even with the injuries is not far from the first to 100, ahead of Hadlee and Wagner (who was one wicket behind Hadlee, but not quite the same class).

First ball wicket for Sears. Hes just got the body for high pace Test cricket too, Fergusson has the accolades in white ball comps though, however I think Sears wont be left out if he can force his way back into ODI.

Tim Robinson is another forcing his way in, just a pure heater today. 89 from 57balls SR156, only out due to a stumping trying to move things up yet another gear.

I think we all seem to agree on a bunch of players as a squad for the CT, with plenty of high quality players being left out sadly.

I have the same playing 11, the rest of the squad is what Im still trying to reconcile as so many players are pushing for a place.

Young is simply a must have in all 3 formats for me, he deserves the chance to get that Test record up closer to the reality of how good he is too. His aggression with classic cricket shots, no trickery, reminds me of Taylor at his peak crushing the ball.

Bruce form is hard to argue with avg 86 at high SR in his last 6 matches. He too simply crushes the ball, consistently I mean, they can all hit, but players like Bruce, Young, Ravindra are hitting the leather off consistently.

Bowler wise, its hard to replace the pace of a Fergusson blasting his way through defense.

Edit: CD in good position at half way to chase this 193 total down. Cleaver and Boyle have also been consistent this year along with Bruce and Clarkson in the middle, its a long batting lineup of real deal tonka's.

TeaLeaf

6305 posts

Uber Geek

#3329658 9-Jan-2025 19:18

Nice one Boyle, 77 @ 179. Him and Cleaver (going at 143 currently) have this run rate well under control for Bruce and Clarkson to easily finish off.

Edit: Sears gets the dangerous Cleaver, could there be a twist in this, in theory it should be a doddle with Bruce/Clark

Edit: Brilliant T20 game, soooo many twist an turns. Will Clark puts away what we needed in the 2019 ODI WC Final, 15 off the last. The youngster is looking like a potential world class all rounder, time will tell.

William Clark Profile - Cricket Player New Zealand | Stats, Records, Video

Some big scores but simply big strike rates.

thermonuclear

577 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3329687 9-Jan-2025 20:04

Nice win for us CD supporters, didn't think they had a chance with Wellington putting 190+ on the board but they did it well albeit with a couple of stumbles along the way.

Should also mention the national team have a tri-series in Pakistan prior to the Champion's Trophy. NZ, the home team and South Africa play each other once with the top two sides going through to a final. Kicks off on Feb 8th. Good to see NZ have learnt from last time and will have a potential three match warm-up to get organised for the main event.

TeaLeaf

6305 posts

Uber Geek

#3329735 9-Jan-2025 21:51

thermonuclear:

Nice win for us CD supporters, didn't think they had a chance with Wellington putting 190+ on the board but they did it well albeit with a couple of stumbles along the way.

yeh it was awesome to watch both sides. and good to see Sears take a couple of wickets with no issues. Supposedly they have applied extreme care in his rehab, sounds like he is in the mix, health dependent. Its good having so many quality bowlers, way too many to fit the squad but a good problem to have.

imagine if Will Young had been back playing Super Smash with CD today, they seemed one batsman short to usual but they are still a very deep batting lineup.

great to watch a game that goes down to the final delivery, especially a high scorer. Welli are prob gutted.

the Welli Women won another one with ease, another stacked side, but more so when all their internationals are playing Super Smash. I love watching J Kerr play, that in swing is crazy to watch and she can really tonk the ball. Becoming a high quality genuine all rounder.

Backblaze

Backblaze Unlimited Backup. World’s easiest cloud backup. Get peace of mind knowing your files are backed up securely in the cloud (affiliate link).

TeaLeaf

6305 posts

Uber Geek

#3330088 10-Jan-2025 19:31

Canterbury were setup for a 200+ here, Auckland have reigned that in with wickets. He didnt perform today but nice to have KJ come in at 8 with 30avg at SR133. He appears to be looking to get hold of it more, but clears the hip for a big hit but gets a perfect yorker, not much you can do there.

Sodhi caught on the final delivery. fairly consistent runs from most players around that 20 run mark. 173, not a terrible score.

Auckland would prob cruise with Guppy up top but he looked to have injured that hammy again, left the field. Could just be precautionary.

Edit: Lovely one handed cut shot square to the boundary from Guppy. Foulkes with an excellent avg of 16, doesnt give a lot away.

Oh boy that was definitely an edge down leg side, umpire didnt hear it, but clearly not pad which umpire says, he has the ability to send it up to look for the edge but doesnt. Bad luck for KJ.

Edit: Cant Kings would be some bowling team with the internationals back. KJ, Zak Fouilkes, Shipley, Orourke, Henry, Ish Sodhi.

TeaLeaf

6305 posts

Uber Geek

#3330122 10-Jan-2025 21:03

Foulkes is knocking the sticks over more than any other bowler. Reminds me of a slower Shane Bond with that in swinging yorker from out wide, just perfect line and length.

Fisher is dang quick but due to height its more skiddy type fast than our taller bowlers.

TeaLeaf

6305 posts

Uber Geek

#3330272 11-Jan-2025 16:28

SL were rocketing along with only 1 down, now they need to reform and get new partnerships going. But with 17 overs to go and the opener who was injured with 51 off 30 balls was looking to destroy us. I think really they can just cruise 6-7 runs an over until the 40 over mark, then have one of them go T20 on it while the other just feeds the strike. 300 should be easy.

Matt Henry, I just love watching his seam bowling, hes really a stand out in world cricket the last 18 months.

Good to see GP also getting some overs on a turning pitch. Hes not going for runs but I would like to see him try to bowl at top of off through the gate. I like this squad.

TeaLeaf

6305 posts

Uber Geek

#3330343 11-Jan-2025 21:07

Very well played by SL. NZ just didnt have an answer to it. But Chapman was fantastic again.

TeaLeaf

6305 posts

Uber Geek

#3338098 1-Feb-2025 17:51

SST20 Eliminator

It seems almost unfair having a big chunk NZs best bowlers with a few moving down from Auck, Henry/KJ/Orourke/Foulkes/Shipley/Sodhi

Henry and KJ broke the back of the Brave innings, was 7-5 with crazy figures for Henry 2/2 off 4 overs and KJ was impressive with his 3 wicket for 19 runs. Orourke is more the consistent red baller but good to see KJ talking to him about what to try. Foulkes gets an over then Shipley gets 3 wickets. I have to say, its an absurdly green pitch for a t20 Elimination final.

Jeet Raval the only one to stick around on the scorecard. Out for 45 on the boundary, but had little help at the other end.

Dochart

804 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3338115 1-Feb-2025 19:03

TeaLeaf:

SST20 Eliminator

It seems almost unfair having a big chunk NZs best bowlers with a few moving down from Auck, Henry/KJ/Orourke/Foulkes/Shipley/Sodhi

Henry and KJ broke the back of the Brave innings, was 7-5 with crazy figures for Henry 2/2 off 4 overs and KJ was impressive with his 3 wicket for 19 runs. Orourke is more the consistent red baller but good to see KJ talking to him about what to try. Foulkes gets an over then Shipley gets 3 wickets. I have to say, its an absurdly green pitch for a t20 Elimination final.

Jeet Raval the only one to stick around on the scorecard. Out for 45 on the boundary, but had little help at the other end.

I was expecting the overall game to last 20-40mins when they were at 7-5. If they were all out for 10. Only need 10 runs to win which would have taken 1-2mins to finish off.

TeaLeaf

6305 posts

Uber Geek

#3338151 1-Feb-2025 22:56

Dochart:

I was expecting the overall game to last 20-40mins when they were at 7-5. If they were all out for 10. Only need 10 runs to win which would have taken 1-2mins to finish off.

Yep same, how crazy was that. Good to see KJ back at the top of his game. His bowling stats in T20 are awesome as are his batting, I can see why he got a go in IPL, he may end up playing circuits later on if his body holds up. Shipley keeps performing. I think with the tests in Zim we have found our pace attack for the Aus tour and most are tall and fairly quick. Id still like to see a consistent 150kph bowler in the team, or Sears, essentially the Cant t20 bowling team with Sears if hes fit.

thermonuclear

577 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3340542 8-Feb-2025 14:36

Well the Champions Trophy build-up begins tonight in earnest with the Pakistani Tri-Series featuring NZ, South Africa and the home side. NZ have selected the following squad for both comps at this stage

Mitchell Santner (c)
Michael Bracewell
Mark Chapman
Devon Conway
Jacob Duffy (travelling injury reserve for Ferguson)
Lockie Ferguson
Matt Henry
Tom Latham
Daryl Mitchell
Will O’Rourke
Glenn Phillips
Rachin Ravindra
Ben Sears
Nathan Smith
Kane Williamson
Will Young

The squad has to be reduced by one player for the Champion's Trophy, likely Duffy goes if Ferguson can get fit in time. I personally would have selected Mitch Hay and Tim Robinson at the expense of Latham and Conway. It would have strengthened the squad in both cases in my view.

Conway had a workman-like SA20, 272 runs in ten at-bats for an average of 30.22 rpi. Williamson scored 233 runs in seven at-bats for an average of 46.60 rpi. I think this will be a big tournament for Phillips, his form dropped off a bit towards the end of last year and he hasn't been scoring the game-changer runs of late that his reputation has been built on.

Happy to see Sears get the call-up though. I hope he can maintain fitness and it will be great to see him in tandem with O'Rourke. Nothing beats sheer pace and I expect these two to make batting very uncomfortable for the opposition. Hopefully Mitchell doesn't continue dropping catches at slip.

It's NZ v Pakistan at 10pm tonight to kick the tri-series off. It doesn't appear that any local broadcaster has picked up the rights but, according to The Post, live coverage might be available on Pakistani broadcaster's "Sports Central" YouTube channel.

From the squad selected, this is my playing XI

Young
Ravindra
Williamson
Chapman
Mitchell
Phillips
Latham
Santner
Henry
Sears
O'Rourke

The runs production from Mitchell/Phillips/Latham is a concern going in, it looks a fragile middle order on recent form. However, they have all done it in the past and will need to step up over the next month if NZ are to be contenders in the CT.

1 | ... | 247 | 248 | 249 | 250 | 251 | 252 | 253 | 254 | 255