*Official* New Zealand in Zimbabwe 2025 (Tests)

[Immenso]

Objectively.

I'd think a flight. Then 2 weeks of T20. Before a test is probably perfectly fine from a physical POV.

Assuming you are also doing nets. Etc

I'm Captain Warmupmatch. But, that captains hat is for when we are going somewhere difficult (as in high ranked) or totally foreign surfaces.

 

[Immenso]

BTW. Nathan Smith, getting constantly hit on the body was a bit of a worry from a skill/technique pov.

Hopefully, it was just a case of one bad hit that then scrambled his brain and technique, which allowed the subsequent hits to keep getting through. Rather than a more in-grained technical flaw.

 

[Skyliner]

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

Definitely not saying we should never play Zimbabwe, my comment was about how bowlers are often severely underdone going into some red ball series'.

 

[Skyliner]

But, the Test was a 3 day match.

Yes, it was indeed.
Henry still got through 36.3 overs in the time available & showed the benefit of his recent time playing country cricket.

 

[Immenso]

O'Rourke was also playing county cricket, though.

As was Nathan Smith.

 

[SteveNZ]

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

I bitch and moan as much as anyone about lack of quality warm-ups and how it used to be different, but not a Board in the world is going to schedule a warm up game in Zimbabwe. Even in places like NZ the touring team might play a two dayer then into it. It's just not feasible with the heavy calendar

 

[Skyliner]

O'Rourke was also playing county cricket, though.

As was Nathan Smith.

I think it was mainly white ball cricket O’Rourke played for Yorkshire.

 

[Skyliner]

‘Tom Latham has been ruled out of the second Test against Zimbabwe after failing to recover from his left shoulder injury.
Latham, who was withdrawn from the first Test, had been rehabilitating the injury but was unable to pass a fitness test on the eve of the match.
Auckland Aces batter Bevon Jacobs, who has been playing cricket in Johannesburg, has been called in as fielding and batting cover.’

 

[NZTailender]

Canny from Jacobs to be playing in Seff Effrica. Really is a bizarre squad when you think about it. Hauling Nicholls back, leaving out Kelly and Chapman, then bringing in someone who is seen as predominantly white ball as cover (not that I'm opposed to Jacobs in red ball at all).

Also, the squad should check the bottles of massage oils and see if Nicholls hasn't sneakily swapped them out for, idk, nitric acid.

 

[Skyliner]

Chapman is playing in The Hundred in England.
Nicholls failed in the last test, he is halfway out the door again.
The batsmen heading away on the NZ A tour should know their assignment: it is time for someone to beat the door down with consistency and sheer weight of runs. Someone needs to put their hand up and claim a spot a the test squad and make sure that the selectors jettison Nicholls once and for all.

 

[Skyliner]

Reported in The NZ Herald -

'Santner confirmed that Jacob Duffy will make his test debut, replacing O’Rourke.
“He’s been so good, especially in the white-ball stuff for us the last couple of years. He’s been in the hatches waiting and he’s getting his opportunity which is outstanding. With potentially maybe one more or a couple more debutants as well,” Santner said.'

 

[Immenso]

What cricket do they even play in Johannesburg in winter?

I know they have the climate for it.
But, surely there's no cricket going on?

Not, that it matters. Just seems a bit bizarre.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

With Smith, Bracewell and O'Rourke out, how is there only a single debutant? Fisher, Lister, Duffy and Foulkes all have no caps. Even if they pick Ajaz, they still have to take two of those bowlers, don't they?

Foulkes is the more like-for-life for Smith. If Duffy's coming in for O'Rourke then it'll be between Fisher, Lister and Ajaz for the Bracewell position? Unless there's another late call up I've missed.

 

[Skyliner]

With Smith, Bracewell and O'Rourke out, how is there only a single debutant? Fisher, Lister, Duffy and Foulkes all have no caps. Even if they pick Ajaz, they still have to take two of those bowlers, don't they?

Foulkes is the more like-for-life for Smith. If Duffy's coming in for O'Rourke then it'll be between Fisher, Lister and Ajaz for the Bracewell position? Unless there's another late call up I've missed.

"With potentially maybe one more or a couple more debutants as well,” Santner said.'

 

[Howsie]

So has Nicholls only seemingly jumped ahead of Chapman again because Chapman has decided to play in this 100 tournament? Pretty crazy really if true because doesn’t he have a national contract?

 

[Skyliner]

So has Nicholls only seemingly jumped ahead of Chapman again because Chapman has decided to play in this 100 tournament? Pretty crazy really if true because doesn’t he have a national contract?

Chapman might be playing The Hundred because he wasn't selected for this test series, rather than the other way around.

 

[ataraxia]

With Smith, Bracewell and O'Rourke out, how is there only a single debutant? Fisher, Lister, Duffy and Foulkes all have no caps. Even if they pick Ajaz, they still have to take two of those bowlers, don't they?

Foulkes is the more like-for-life for Smith. If Duffy's coming in for O'Rourke then it'll be between Fisher, Lister and Ajaz for the Bracewell position? Unless there's another late call up I've missed.

As far as I can work out, there are 14 non-injured players in the squad and 5 uncapped players. It would be impressive if Stead Walter could manage to keep it to one debutant.

 

[Skyliner]

ICC Test Rankings: 'From the two-Test series going on in Zimbabwe, Daryl Mitchell went up four places to ninth among batters while his team-mate Matt Henry went up to fourth spot among bowlers.'

 

[Fuller Pilch]

As far as I can work out, there are 14 non-injured players in the squad and 5 uncapped players. It would be impressive if Stead Walter could manage to keep it to one debutant.

NZC Press Release: After much thought and a number of injuries, it has been decided that Black Caps bowling coach Jacob Oram will make a return to test cricket for the second test in Zimbabwe. Oram's experience, height, and allround skills make him a must pick for this vital test as the side chases a rare test series win on the African continent. If he performs to expectation, Oram is likely to come into contention for a full-time spot in all 3 formats in what promises to be an exciting next 24 months of cricket.

Edit: Just in. Batting coach Luke Ronchi is also expected to return to test cricket when the playing XI is revealed at the toss.

 

[Immenso]

Heath Mills approves of Oram's selection.