*Unofficial* New Zealand Black Caps Thread

[ashley bach]

The lack of test cricket played by the Blackcaps is frustrating and it's made even more annoying when Kane doesn't play.

 

[Howsie]

Good for Fisher, he just needs to stay fit.

How the **** has that ****roach Nicholls snuck back into the setup…. I see he’s been having an absolute terrible time of it in county cricket. An average of 16 while everyone around the country plunders runs.

 

[Northerner]

Pretty much a full strength test squad minus Kane and possibly Sears, if the pitches are like the Bulawayo ones then Santner and Patel will probably both play,

 

[Skyliner]

 

[Skyliner]

Pretty much a full strength test squad minus Kane and possibly Sears,

And Jamieson, surely.

 

[NZTailender]

Great news on Fisher, less so on no Hay and the presence of Nicholls. Who, in true Nicholls fashion, will probably find himself in the side and jag an easy double hundred

 

[Northerner]

And Jamieson, surely.

So injury prone, so for me its a bonus if he is fit,

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Pretty much a full strength test squad minus Kane and possibly Sears, if the pitches are like the Bulawayo ones then Santner and Patel will probably both play,

4 man spin attack

 

[Mike5181]

Neither of Rhys Mariu/Mitch Hay in the squad? Crazy.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Really really disappointed for Hay and Mariu

 

[Bahnz]

Not that surprised about Mariu, especially with all three of Conway, Young and Latham participating. Guy hasn't made runs in domestic or A cricket since before Christmas. No Hay in the squad is a genuine shocker though. And Nicholls being back in the squad is ridiculous

 

[NZTailender]

I feel like for Conway it's a bit of a last chance saloon. I wouldn't be surprised if Mariu makes the squad for the WI tests if someone fails on this tour.

Fisher for the bowling is down to Jamieson and Sears being unavailable rather than a bold pick. That said, I honestly thought Foulkes might've been ahead of him in the pecking order, but I guess that's just white ball stuff.

Overall it really makes me feel for The Ship. Doesn't get injured and he's probably made his test debut by now.

 

[SteveNZ]

Yay Fisher, nay Nicholls

Seriously NZC. The guy has played 11 innings for Worcester, in a summer heat wave where everyone is filling their boots, not passed 50 once, was dropped as an overseas player, oh but he scored a double century for the 2s.

It's about nine steps behind ridiculous now

 

[SteveNZ]

Seriously, I'm going to write to my local MP.

We get told that introducing players to the environment is impactful, like when BJ Jacobs was picked and didn't play in our T20I side, as was Foxcroft for an away tour. Yet they're not allowing the same for Kelly or whoever else would be behind, or should be ahead, of Nicholls.

Speaking of my stat above, Henry Nicholls has played 20 innings' in Tests since Feb 2022, and passed 50 once (the downhill skiing 200 v Sri Lanka). And for that, he has a contract and a place on a Test tour.

The guy is actually a seriously good man, so I'm not attacking him, but his selection in numerous squads, sides, contract lists etc is the most bemusing thing to do with a side that's had a few over the last 5 years.

 

[Bahnz]

All I can say in the selectors defence is that Nicholls absolutely does clean up whenever he goes back to the Plunket Shield (averaged 100+ at no 3 last summer). Not saying I agree with the decision, I don't.

 

[DougieRydal]

All the fringe selections here, or those surely at the last chance saloon stage (Nicolls, maybe Conway, Blundell) will plunder the club bowling attack of Zimbabwe and then justify the selectors decisions and all is good in the world (groan).

 

[Skyliner]

All the fringe selections here, or those surely at the last chance saloon stage (Nicolls, maybe Conway, Blundell) will plunder the club bowling attack of Zimbabwe and then justify the selectors decisions and all is good in the world (groan).

This is exactly what will happen. Zimbabwe are a pathetically weak test side unfortunately. This is very much a 'fill your boots' tour.

 

[Athlai]

This is exactly what will happen. Zimbabwe are a pathetically weak test side unfortunately. This is very much a 'fill your boots' tour.

Did anyone hear a crack of ominous lightning at the sheer hubris

 

[Bahnz]

All the bats will be getting a reasonable examination next summer if the Josephs and Seales can stay fit (and hit the right length). If the selectors pick the wrong guys they won't be able to ignore it for long.

It's particularly frustrating, because we're at the point in the cycle now where the selectors really need to stick or twist: they either need to back the current mob to succeed in Australia next summer, or make changes to ensure the young turks have enough opportunities at the top level to get ready for the trials of an Aus tour. And it very much looks like they're going with the former, which in the case of guys like Blundell and especially Nicholls does not fill me with confidence.

 

[Skyliner]

Did anyone hear a crack of ominous lightning at the sheer hubris

I'm sure the BC's won't be taking the opposition lightly but when other posters describe them as having a club attack I don't think it's controversial to say they are very weak.