***Official*** New Zealand Domestic Season 2016/17

[Kippax]

The only chart that really matters for New Zealand getting a batting boost in the 2020s, SeamUp -

Anyway, just on the slim chance we raise one or two of them ourselves, there's the last two Player MVP leaderboards at our First XI Cup:

2016

2015

Yeah, Ravindra may've asserted himself a bit more last year, but he was forced to play the tournament underpowered/injured.

 

[Kippax]

Jamieson on his way to an 8/74 last season, getting big on Brad Cachopa -

 

[Kippax]

Oh god, even in the middle of an 8/74, Munro's taken Jamieson for about 39 off 18 balls -

 

[nzfan]

The only chart that really matters for New Zealand getting a batting boost in the 2020s, SeamUp -

Anyway, just on the slim chance we raise one or two of them ourselves, there's the last two Player MVP leaderboards at our First XI Cup:

Yeah, Ravindra may've asserted himself a bit more last year, but he was forced to play the tournament underpowered/injured.

Mate I'd downplay the runs/wickets in the national school championship. Not the best of the barometer. It's just the best schools from each region not withstanding couple or three lads can change the course of the game. Barring the couple, rest of the squad are bystanders. If you are a big dude and can play some aggressive cricket you are bound to do well. I'd still take notice of a medium or small build players in those school tournaments if doing well. Under 19 can be a decent barometer as the best players from the region play notwithstanding what school they come from.

That said I'm not in disagreement with your assessment about Ravindra. My sources tells me he is now fully fit, stronger than ever before, in the firebirds squad getting heaps of batting and bowling opportunities which is a breath of fresh air for Wellington region cricket. He's already seen as a serious contender in the firebirds squad given the way he's gone about so far. NZ Cricket is doing a good job with him having him at Lincoln consistently through the winter and was among the NZ A players pre-India tour camp. I'm told he was quite impressive. A 17 year old facing the likes of Kuggeleijn, Matt Henry, Todd Astle and hold his own is great. Some observers reckon he was as good as the rest of the players in the camp if not better. Besides, his bowling is rated even better than his batting by some. However I feel being extremely good can have it's downfall. Flying under the radar is better for younger cricketers. People expect him to not fail given his skill set, that can weigh him down in the long run. The question now is can he handle the expectations? It's no more a question of whether he has it in him, it's whether he has the ticker and the ability to handle pressure. He's gone very well so far and expect him to do well in first class but he will need a lot of support and nourishing if NZ cricket needs to get the best out of him.

There's also Nathan Smith from Otago that was in the winter training squad and has made good progress I hear. He's a bloody good bowler and a decent bat as well. He's another one that is going to rise among the ranks in the next couple of years.

Josh Finn when fit again is one to look out for as well, terrific cricketer and if he can get his bowling to a decent extent he's a sure shot for future.

Finn Allen from Auckland is a gun player too. He's an aggressive bat and he's not going to be as consistent but a game changing player. He should get a look in from Auckland Aces this year surely.

Ben Sears has been dogged by injuries I hear and couldn't play many games appearing for MCC at Lords. Not sure where he's at but he's not in the firebirds mix. I wish he was but looks like the lad is struggling with back to back injuries. If he can get fit, he's another one for future.

 

[nzfan]

I'm not being hard on the players.

I'm recognising how unprepared they must be, it being September, and how rare an opportunity it is for any NZ A level player - that I'm therefore disappointed that they're not being given a better opportunity to learn and succeed. Seeing as that's the whole point.

This will be over before they've got their bearings.

But as I conceded further up, that's actually a very realist blackcaps scenario.

But the gist of my point - the economics: It's expensive flying 15 players plus staff to India, etc etc , not sure who pays accomodation costs though. Therefore having made that investment, it seems false economy to go straight into tests, a FC game v local state side if available , or a non-FC game v a club side. Adding 4 days to the start of the tour at our own cost, arranging a FC game against one of the 27 state sides (preferably the local one where first test is played)

If it was a 3 match test series, I wouldn't be bothered as there's still time to learn at he back end of the series. Or if we were like England Lions and doing this all the time I wouldn't be worried, as someone will get more chances over several years.


But because we can't bat v spin, Sodhi and Astle don't get to bowl on a day 3/4 Indian wicket v sub continent batsmen. We've come all this way, paid all this money (someone has) to give it a half-arsed crack.


Edit.
Btw, the balance; 2 tests and 5 List A's. NZ cricket don't need to be making a finically investment in giving our A level players Indian List A experience. ODI caps are handed out like confetti, foreign T20 leagues etc. we have a large pool of players with white ball experience in Asian conditions. The gaping hole we need plugging is red ball cricket in Asian conditions.

The host country pays for accommodation, food, daily stipend. This is the same whether for international, As or the 19s. Visiting side bears the cost of getting there and back. If NZ A had to fly earlier than schedule demanded it'll be us paying for all the expenses until the time tour starts.

I hear the pitch was absolutely rubbish. That's what you get in India though to be honest. No amount of extra preparation would have helped.

 

[Kippax]

Mate I'd downplay the runs/wickets in the national school championship. Not the best of the barometer. It's just the best schools from each region not withstanding couple or three lads can change the course of the game. Barring the couple, rest of the squad are bystanders. If you are a big dude and can play some aggressive cricket you are bound to do well. I'd still take notice of a medium or small build players in those school tournaments if doing well. Under 19 can be a decent barometer as the best players from the region play notwithstanding what school they come from.

Well yeah, I don't know if it's a 'grass is greener' misconception or not, but the South Africans SeamUp would be used to, the Matthew Breetzkes or Jiveshan Pillays, would obviously be more genuinely cherished in a South African school scene. They'd be quickly lured into one of the more prestigious 1st XIs in the country, then punish any weaker school's attack for a chanceless 150* to make sure that school reached the finals. We're basically admitting New Zealand teenagers are significantly less keen to stand out earnestly above their peers and be the man, just more or less on cultural grounds.

Have you still got NZ video vault access, nzfan? I've got a rugby nut on YouTube who keeps wanting Jordie Barrett video.

 

[nzfan]

Well yeah, I don't know if it's a 'grass is greener' misconception or not, but the South Africans SeamUp would be used to, the Matthew Breetzkes or Jiveshan Pillays, would obviously be more genuinely cherished in a South African school scene. They'd be quickly lured into one of the more prestigious 1st XIs in the country, then punish any weaker school's attack for a chanceless 150* to make sure that school reached the finals. We're basically admitting New Zealand teenagers are significantly less keen to stand out earnestly above their peers and be the man, just more or less on cultural grounds.

Have you still got NZ video vault access, nzfan? I've got a rugby nut on YouTube who keeps wanting Jordie Barrett video.

Our school cricket is not all that flash for luring good players. Besides, only private schools can do that to certain extent although I know the Christchurch boys do that all the time. In other parts of the world the lads get paid as well for swapping. I've seen too many big lads locally that just go about bashing the bowling to all parts of the park when young but cannot stand a chance even one level up or when the physique no more gives the edge.

This year the Schools First XI cup is a low affair played in Palmy not Lincoln. The regional A's has been scrapped as well I'm told.

Yeah still do have the access, did you want Jordie's bowling uploaded or what? Need to check if there are any clips.

 

[Immenso]

Mate I'd downplay the runs/wickets in the national school championship. Not the best of the barometer. It's just the best schools from each region not withstanding couple or three lads can change the course of the game. Barring the couple, rest of the squad are bystanders. If you are a big dude and can play some aggressive cricket you are bound to do well. I'd still take notice of a medium or small build players in those school tournaments if doing well. Under 19 can be a decent barometer as the best players from the region play notwithstanding what school they come from.

That said I'm not in disagreement with your assessment about Ravindra. My sources tells me he is now fully fit, stronger than ever before, in the firebirds squad getting heaps of batting and bowling opportunities which is a breath of fresh air for Wellington region cricket. He's already seen as a serious contender in the firebirds squad given the way he's gone about so far. NZ Cricket is doing a good job with him having him at Lincoln consistently through the winter and was among the NZ A players pre-India tour camp. I'm told he was quite impressive. A 17 year old facing the likes of Kuggeleijn, Matt Henry, Todd Astle and hold his own is great. Some observers reckon he was as good as the rest of the players in the camp if not better. Besides, his bowling is rated even better than his batting by some. However I feel being extremely good can have it's downfall. Flying under the radar is better for younger cricketers. People expect him to not fail given his skill set, that can weigh him down in the long run. The question now is can he handle the expectations? It's no more a question of whether he has it in him, it's whether he has the ticker and the ability to handle pressure. He's gone very well so far and expect him to do well in first class but he will need a lot of support and nourishing if NZ cricket needs to get the best out of him.

There's also Nathan Smith from Otago that was in the winter training squad and has made good progress I hear. He's a bloody good bowler and a decent bat as well. He's another one that is going to rise among the ranks in the next couple of years.

Josh Finn when fit again is one to look out for as well, terrific cricketer and if he can get his bowling to a decent extent he's a sure shot for future.

Finn Allen from Auckland is a gun player too. He's an aggressive bat and he's not going to be as consistent but a game changing player. He should get a look in from Auckland Aces this year surely.

Ben Sears has been dogged by injuries I hear and couldn't play many games appearing for MCC at Lords. Not sure where he's at but he's not in the firebirds mix. I wish he was but looks like the lad is struggling with back to back injuries. If he can get fit, he's another one for future.

The fact that Ravindra and Allen are almost identical in age, and both being the rare prospect of gun nz batters, should help. I'd think. The attention is halved, yet hopefully positive competition to be the best. Any other year, or decade, a single individual like either of them would be head shoulders above the rest of their age group peers.

Besides dealing with pressure and expectation is a good thing to learn if you're going to be a test cricketer.

I didn't mention them as they're still age grade pups. But I'm more excited about them than an icing role-player like Clarkson. NZ system doesn't struggle to produce hard hitting batting all-rounders who can bowl some 4th seamer overs.

The "exciting" aspect to Clarkson is that he has actually delivered in crunch situations in senior televised cricket. He hits a long ball. He has a ? on his U19wc flop, but I remember reading an interview where he conceded his head was in a bad space after injury which prevented him bowling.

Jamieson genuinely excites me though.

As did Sodhi and Milne when they started appearing on the scene, rarity value in nz cricket.

 

[Kippax]

Yeah still do have the access, did you want Jordie's bowling uploaded or what? Need to check if there are any clips.

Oh excellent. The NZA collapses might even be in there.

Yeah I think you'd have to dig back to 20 December 2015 for a couple of Jordie's wickets. The one at BSO is usually the video game, so I'm just going on that -
https://scoring.nzc.nz/livescoring/match3803/scorecard.aspx

 

[jcas0167]

Doing these drills at 24 is a bit too mid-career to matter, it seems. I look forward to NZC putting more money into adolescents.

Maybe, although did wonders for Matt Hayden in his late 20's.

 

[Immenso]

The schools tournament being on Palmy rather than Lincoln is no big deal. But the Provincial As being scrapped? That would be a whopper.

Can anyone answer my question further up? Has the ICC break up of the Big 3 model come through? Is NZC looking at an extra $6m revenue a year?

 

[Kippax]

Can anyone answer my question further up? Has the ICC break up of the Big 3 model come through? Is NZC looking at an extra $6m revenue a year?

There's the last news I read on this (April) -

New Zealand to benefit from overhaul of world cricket financial model | Stuff.co.nz

Under the new financial model and governance structure, the split of revenues from the ICC for the years 2016 to 2023 will be altered to address the imbalance currently favouring the three boards.

New Zealand, Australia and six other full members of the ICC will get US$132 million each over eight years, based on current forecasted revenues and costs. India will get US$293m and England $143m, while Zimbabwe will receive US$94m.

New Zealand Cricket chairman Greg Barclay, whose board will see an injection of funds because of the new ICC structure.

Under the Big Three model, NZC would have made between US$80m-$85m for the 2015-2023 rights cycle, so the increase is significant.

With the change signalled earlier, New Zealand Cricket chairman Greg Barclay said last month the extra funds would certainly be welcome.

"It would just enable us to do those few things that we can't afford to or wouldn't take a risk on at the moment.

"You've got to be careful not to spend it before you've got it but as an example we would be able to invest in A programmes, do more youth and development stuff and I certainly think the women's game would benefit at the level below the White Ferns."

The new measure was passed by 13 votes to one, the governing body said in a statement on Thursday after its meetings at its headquarters in Dubai.

The Indian cricket board (BCCI), according to local media, was the only one to oppose the new financial model, which would see their revenue share cut by almost half, Reuters reported.

 

[Immenso]

Actually the Provincial A tournament at Lincoln was just white ball stuff these days.

Not a whopper after all.

Half the players in each team were red ball 'specialists' filling in time , playing A level white ball cricket, as they were not in their Provincial white ball teams who are playing at that time .

Still had value, though.

Will it be replace with a non centralised at Lincoln structure? Incorporating some 3 day games scattered trough the season?

 

[Kippax]

Probably just that Taupo T20 quadrangular again, and Canterbury A playing Otago A even more often.

 

[nzfan]

Actually the Provincial A tournament at Lincoln was just white ball stuff these days.

Not a whopper after all.

Half the players in each team were red ball 'specialists' filling in time , playing A level white ball cricket, as they were not in their Provincial white ball teams who are playing at that time .

Still had value, though.

Will it be replace with a non centralised at Lincoln structure? Incorporating some 3 day games scattered trough the season?

Yup now that's with the respective centers to play their immediate neighbors or other provinces. That's good in a way, the provinces have to manage their cricket. NZ Cricket aids these provinces any ways and on top of that to run the As is asking too much of NZ Cricket. They'd rather better concentrate on national, NZ A and U19s.

 

[Kippax]

Btw SeamUp, Obus Pienaar won't be featuring in Wellington club cricket or Wellington A, I've read.

 

[nzfan]

Oh excellent. The NZA collapses might even be in there.

Yeah I think you'd have to dig back to 20 December 2015 for a couple of Jordie's wickets. The one at BSO is usually the video game, so I'm just going on that -
https://scoring.nzc.nz/livescoring/match3803/scorecard.aspx

No worries, will dig up and upload on youtube.

 

[nzfan]

Btw SeamUp, Obus Pienaar won't be featuring in Wellington club cricket or Wellington A, I've read.

That is correct, he's contracted by Dolphins in South Africa I think. Better for him anyways. Don't know what lures the South Africans to play cricket here, if they play in South Africa they get paid better, play much more competitive cricket and have lot more opportunities I thought.

 

[jcas0167]

Wellington Firebirds coaches Bruce Edgar, Glenn Pocknall extend contracts:

The team had their first open wicket session on the Basin last Friday, with new additions Michael Bracewell (from Otago) and Logan van Beek (from Canterbury) having joined the side who will look to defend their Twenty20 crown and try to lift their first Plunket Shield first-class title since 2004.

"The lads have worked hard over the winter and have hit the ground running. The vibe around the group is very positive and we have been fortunate to be training on grass at the Basin," Edgar said.

Edgar earlier named three captains for the first time, with Bracewell taking charge of the Plunket Shield side, last year's star recruit Hamish Bennett captaining the one-day team and Marshall continuing with the T20 reins after retiring from first-class cricket.

Mitchell said Edgar, a Wellington stalwart who played 39 tests and 64 ODIs for New Zealand from 1978 till 1986, and Pocknall were examples of the organisation's target of producing title-winning teams and creating pathways.

"Bruce developed his skills as a player here before making a mark in international cricket. It's great for his career in the game to continue in his hometown. That development, from player in to a sustainable career in the game, adds another layer to what he offers as a leader.

"In terms of coaching development within our region, Glenn epitomises someone who has made the most of the opportunities and pathways on offer. He's developed from a youth coach to his current role, where he's won three titles with the Firebirds."

Joining the coaches in the Firebirds' support staff are physiotherapist Paul Steele, strength and conditioning specialist Andrew Smith, video and data analyst Greg Butler, visual acuity trainer Renee Edgar (no relation), and mental skills coach Natalie Hogg.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/crick...s-bruce-edgar-glenn-pocknall-extend-contracts

 

[nzfan]

The fact that Ravindra and Allen are almost identical in age, and both being the rare prospect of gun nz batters, should help. I'd think. The attention is halved, yet hopefully positive competition to be the best. Any other year, or decade, a single individual like either of them would be head shoulders above the rest of their age group peers.

Besides dealing with pressure and expectation is a good thing to learn if you're going to be a test cricketer.

I didn't mention them as they're still age grade pups. But I'm more excited about them than an icing role-player like Clarkson. NZ system doesn't struggle to produce hard hitting batting all-rounders who can bowl some 4th seamer overs.

The "exciting" aspect to Clarkson is that he has actually delivered in crunch situations in senior televised cricket. He hits a long ball. He has a ? on his U19wc flop, but I remember reading an interview where he conceded his head was in a bad space after injury which prevented him bowling.

Jamieson genuinely excites me though.

As did Sodhi and Milne when they started appearing on the scene, rarity value in nz cricket.

Josh Clarkson is awesome. Terrific timer of the ball. I won't read too much into 19s scores. He has a good set up, hits a long ball, very well built and is in a good cricketing set up. He's had his share of injuries and we haven't sent the best of him yet I'd hope. Would be nice if he's bowling as well though. We'll continue to produce good fast bowlers no doubt. There's also good amount of medium pacers with hitting ability. Our problem is genuine top order batsman that's good enough in all the formats and wicket taking spinners.