*Official* New Zealand in Zimbabwe 2025 (Tests)

[Paranoid Kendroid]

What happened to Ben Sears?

 

[James]

Resting O'Rourke, a huge talent, is a no brainer for mine. When you have a long history of seamers breaking down in a slight breeze there's no reason to risk him in a series that we draw at worst with no WTC points on the line.

I'd like to see

1. Latham*
2. Conway
3. Young
4. Ravindra
5. Mitchell
6. Blundell+
7. Santner
8. Henry
9. Duffy
10. Patel
11. Fisher

I'd go with the below, don't risk injury to Henry or Latham.

Conway
Young
Rachin
Mitchell
Blundell
Santner
Foulkes
Duffy
Fisher
Lister
Patel

 

[ataraxia]

I'd go with the below, don't risk injury to Henry or Latham.

Conway
Young
Rachin
Mitchell
Blundell
Santner
Foulkes
Duffy
Fisher
Lister
Patel

Lol the gymnastics to not play Nicholls. Going into this game with Blundell at 5 is asking to lose it.

 

[Skyliner]

What happened to Ben Sears?

Injured.

 

[James]

Lol the gymnastics to not play Nicholls. Going into this game with Blundell at 5 is asking to lose it.

Even with the team I listed, I can't see how we'd lose to Zimbabwe, and even if we did, it's pretty meaningless given its outside the WTC. That's my opinion anyway along with don't risk injuries and give the whole squad a game.

 

[NZTailender]

Even with the team I listed, I can't see how we'd lose to Zimbabwe, and even if we did, it's pretty meaningless given its outside the WTC. That's my opinion anyway along with don't risk injuries and give the whole squad a game.

By this logic rest everyone except Blundell and Nicholls.

 

[trundler]

there's no reason to risk him in a series that we draw at worst with no WTC points on the line.

Thus, the JAMTest was born.

 

[ataraxia]

Even with the team I listed, I can't see how we'd lose to Zimbabwe, and even if we did, it's pretty meaningless given its outside the WTC. That's my opinion anyway along with don't risk injuries and give the whole squad a game.

With that balance, it's a worse batting lineup than Zimbabwe's tbh. Thankfully we've got four uncapped seamers to challenge Williams, Raza, Ervine, and Taylor.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I'd go with the below, don't risk injury to Henry or Latham.

Conway
Young
Rachin
Mitchell
Blundell
Santner
Foulkes
Duffy
Fisher
Lister
Patel

Considering how terribly we batted in the 1st test, that lineup could get rolled for 150

 

[Calm_profit]

Ajaz deserves to play at 2nd test since there are no subcontinent tours upcoming.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Ajaz deserves to play at 2nd test since there are no subcontinent tours upcoming.

Agree. It may be his last test

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Agree. It may be his last test

Last test you say? Quick! Dust off the bunting and start negotiations to rename one end of the ground.

 

[Skyliner]

Will O’Rourke ruled out of Zimbabwe Test

‘BLACKCAPS pace bowler Will O’Rourke has been ruled out of the second Test in Bulawayo with a back injury.

O’Rourke experienced back stiffness on day three of the BLACKCAPS nine-wicket victory last week after taking three for 28 from his 10 overs in the second innings.

He departs Zimbabwe today and will undergo further medical assessment on arrival in New Zealand.

Auckland Aces left-arm seamer Ben Lister, who was called in to provide additional pace-bowling cover, will remain with the squad for the series.’

 

[Skyliner]

Very little coverage of this tour by the NZ on-line and print media, the articles are basically whatever NZC puts out and not a lot else.

 

[Skyliner]

"We are hopeful it's nothing too serious," New Zealand bowling coach Jacob Oram said. "When he's so important to our side for the next six to eight months but also next year with all the Test cricket, we've got some big tours, we need to make sure we look after the big guy and make sure that he's OK. So we have our fingers crossed for him and hopefully he'll be back on the park soon."

 

[SteveNZ]

"We are hopeful it's nothing too serious," New Zealand bowling coach Jacob Oram said. "When he's so important to our side for the next six to eight months but also next year with all the Test cricket, we've got some big tours, we need to make sure we look after the big guy and make sure that he's OK. So we have our fingers crossed for him and hopefully he'll be back on the park soon."

Great insight, thanks Jake. Official word from the physios is they hope it's not serious, we're crossing fingers, and hopefully those two pieces of sports physiology will have him back on the park soon.

NZC really does operate in a scrutiny-free zone, most of the time. I'm not suggesting this needs it, but it's a very strange situation for a national side that the public generally does care about

 

[Skyliner]

This injury situation just shows the dangers of going into a 5 day test off the back of a diet of intermittent T20 matches and air travel. It's too cavalier and a recipe for disaster. Not sure what the solution though.

 

[SteveNZ]

This injury situation just shows the dangers of going into a 5 day test off the back of a diet of intermittent T20 matches and air travel. It's too cavalier and a recipe for disaster. Not sure what the solution though.

I don't mind it, countries have to throw Zimbabwe a bone but it's too hard to open up a massive window to travel and prepare to play them. I think it's great we are there, playing them with a nigh-on full strength side or close enough to

 

[NZTailender]

This injury situation just shows the dangers of going into a 5 day test off the back of a diet of intermittent T20 matches and air travel. It's too cavalier and a recipe for disaster. Not sure what the solution though.

By this do you mean there should've been a 3/4 day warm up match? Because I agree.

 

[Immenso]

But, the Test was a 3 day match.