*Unofficial* New Zealand Black Caps Thread

[nzfan]

Like @Flem274* said above wait up for the series' against the men's sides later this year + t20 WC in Aussie (on bouncy tracks and much bigger grounds) and you will see majority of the junk will be separated out. We will likely be left with a cream of say 6-8 quality players and then the rebuilding will start to happen around those players.

 

[Jezroy]

If Macewell makes the WC squad, I'm burning all my jerseys.

I reckon you’ll be burning a jersey or two then

 

[_Ed_]

I reckon you’ll be burning a jersey or two then

Yeah, he's a pretty likely inclusion in a lot of ODI and T20 squads in the years ahead. I hope he never plays another test, though.

 

[Athlai]

Is Macewell my new guy that Athlai likes that everyone hates?

 

[nzfan]

Is Macewell my new guy that Athlai likes that everyone hates?

I don't hate him. I want him to do well and like I've said before he's definitely got future in t20s. I don't hate any players but do have favorites like everyone does. I have a fetish for class batting and super quick bowlers. Both are hard to come by. Have to confess it does irk me how Macewell was handed over a contract with his **** numbers, his age and mostly based on a single good t20 season (probably didn't even have half as good a season Finn Allen had two seasons ago). Nowhere close to the quality of some deserving players. They had gotten rid of Ajaz last year from the contract list if you can believe that. At this rate Bharat Popli should have been awarded a contract few years ago based on a phenomenal season he had.

He was not even in the 15 but they kept him as the 16th player. Ajaz would have seen things coming from far. CDG gets injured and we get an off spinner as a replacement for a medium pace all rounder vs predominantly right handed England. How and why? Then Ajaz would have know he's played his last game on the tour. It's not even like Macewell was Conway like a gun player. A reasonable player at domestic and a low rate off spinner.

There was clearly a favoritism in the setup and that doesn't send good signals to up coming players. With one such extremely favoritism backed decision nzc snubbed out a lot of deserving players. Pretty much compromised the integrity of the system and a decision like this causes lack of loyalty among players in future. It'll take a lot to get right to win the confidence of players in future. You will start seeing our players now actively seeking outside opportunities (white ball leagues, signing up long term county gigs, rejecting domestic contracts etc) knowing fully well the system is not clean.

 

[Moss]

Less than half a year into retirement, the boss doesn't disappoint. Hope it's an insightful read:

Ross Taylor - Black & White - Upstart Press

If you will like a signed copy, please write in notes ‘Signed copy’ when you’re checking out! Click here for information on Ross Taylor's book tour

upstartpress.co.nz

 

[_Ed_]

Less than half a year since retirement, the boss doesn't disappoint. Hope it's an insightful read:

Ross Taylor - Black & White - Upstart Press

If you will like a signed copy, please write in notes ‘Signed copy’ when you’re checking out! Click here for information on Ross Taylor's book tour

upstartpress.co.nz

 

[Chubb]

Nathan Smith is playing for Radlett in the Hertfordshire League again this summer. This happens to be where my uncle and cousin live, though they play in the Essex League themselves. It's a funny coincidence.

Better with the bat than ball this year: https://www.radlettcc.com/memberprofile/memberID_330220/Nathan--Smith.aspx

 

[SteveNZ]

Nathan Smith is playing for Radlett in the Hertfordshire League again this summer. This happens to be where my uncle and cousin live, though they play in the Essex League themselves. It's a funny coincidence.

Better with the bat than ball this year: https://www.radlettcc.com/memberprofile/memberID_330220/Nathan--Smith.aspx

Haha whilst that's true, 12 with the ball is pretty outstanding. He didn't bowl in the most recent game (2 run win) so might be carrying an injury.

I've played in that league, it's a pretty competitive one. Radlett have always been an outstanding club. Beauuuuutiful ground, too.

 

[Chubb]

Haha whilst that's true, 12 with the ball is pretty outstanding. He didn't bowl in the most recent game (2 run win) so might be carrying an injury.

I've played in that league, it's a pretty competitive one. Radlett have always been an outstanding club. Beauuuuutiful ground, too.

It is, my uncle would definitely play there if he wasn't so loyal to the club he grew up with. I think he and my cousin have played a few friendlies there in the past.

 

[Zinzan]

Quick thoughts on our best line ups across the 3 forms with the T20 WC in Aust & the ODI WC in India in mind.

ODI side for SC conditions & WC in India:

Gutpill
Conway
KW
Phillips (7)
Latham + (only makes the team in SC conds otherwise Mitchell & Conway or Phillips takes the gloves)
Neesham (6)
Bracewell (5)
Santner (4)
Southee/Jamieson (2) depending on form & Southee is only considered for the ODI side in SC conds)
Ferguson (3)
Boult (1)

T20 side in Aust conds

Allen
Guptill
Conway +
KW
Phillips (7)
Mitchell 6)
Neesham (5)
Santner (4)
Milne/Jamieson/Sears (2) (depending on form and fitness)
Ferguson (3)
Boult (1)

Test side (assuming non-SC conds)

Latham
Conway
KW
Mitchell (6)
Phillips (7) (need an aggressive middle order option like a Bairstow)
Blundell +
Bracewell/Neesham (5)
Jamieson (2)
Ferguson (if fit) otherwise Southee/ Henry or Wagner (3)
A Patel (4)
Boult (1)

If SC, Bracewell over Neesham & possibly consider Southee.

Feeling both Wagner and Southee are past their best

Other notable omissions, Nicholls (Think we should take the positive punt with Phillips), Young (turning into Jamie How mark II and is not an opener) & Tickner (may he never play again)

Thoughts?

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Quick thoughts on our best line ups across the 3 forms with the T20 WC in Aust & the ODI WC in India in mind.

ODI side for SC conditions & WC in India:

Gutpill
Conway
KW
Phillips (7)
Latham + (only makes the team in SC conds otherwise Mitchell & Conway or Phillips takes the gloves)
Neesham (6)
Bracewell (5)
Santner (4)
Southee/Jamieson (2) depending on form & Southee is only considered for the ODI side in SC conds)
Ferguson (3)
Boult (1)

T20 side in Aust conds

Allen
Guptill
Conway +
KW
Phillips (7)
Mitchell 6)
Neesham (5)
Santner (4)
Milne/Jamieson/Sears (2) (depending on form and fitness)
Ferguson (3)
Boult (1)

Test side (assuming non-SC conds)

Latham
Conway
KW
Mitchell (6)
Phillips (7) (need an aggressive middle order option like a Bairstow)
Blundell +
Bracewell/Neesham (5)
Jamieson (2)
Ferguson (if fit) otherwise Southee/ Henry or Wagner (3)
A Patel (4)
Boult (1)

If SC, Bracewell over Neesham & possibly consider Southee.

Feeling both Wagner and Southee are past their best

Other notable omissions, Nicholls (Think we should take the positive punt with Phillips), Young (turning into Jamie How mark II and is not an opener) & Tickner (may he never play again)

Thoughts?

Can't agree.
Definitely wouldn't have either Neesham or Bracewell in the test team in non-SC conditions. Play another batter. Also woufor ld prefer KJ as 1st change rather than opening.

And Matt Henry is a certainty for the ODI side.

 

[Prince EWS]

Can't agree.
Definitely wouldn't have either Neesham or Bracewell in the test team in non-SC conditions. Play another batter.

Yeah, especially if Phillips is playing. I reckon him and Mitchell can cover fifth bowler relief between them as long as they're both being picked as a specialist batsmen.

 

[thundaboult]

Can't agree.
Definitely wouldn't have either Neesham or Bracewell in the test team in non-SC conditions. Play another batter. Also woufor ld prefer KJ as 1st change rather than opening.

I agree....and I think it should be Will young. He can slot in at no. 4...its his natty position anyways. Needs to be persisted with. Talent is there with him...although I'd love to see Ravindra get a run as an opener too.

 

[ataraxia]

Just to jot a couple of thoughts down: I think Mitchell has to be an all-format regular now, and that Ravindra needs to be fast-tracked into test cricket - especially if Ajaz isn't playing.

 

[SteveNZ]

Just to jot a couple of thoughts down: I think Mitchell has to be an all-format regular now, and that Ravindra needs to be fast-tracked into test cricket - especially if Ajaz isn't playing.

It'll be really interesting to see how they manage Ajaz, given they've managed him so poorly since Mumbai. You've got the tour to Pakistan in November, for which he has to be a certainty. Then back home, usually you'd think they'd pick him at the Mount v England given the history of that deck and how low/slow it plays, but that's a D/N game so it may not head that way. Then you have a couple of Tests at the Basin which isn't typically spin friendly and one in Chch where they've shown a reticence to pick spin. Does he play two Tests against Pakistan (probably quite underdone given he won't have much cricket before then) then get thrown back on the scrapheap, or has the plan changed?

 

[Zinzan]

Can't agree.
Definitely wouldn't have either Neesham or Bracewell in the test team in non-SC conditions. Play another batter. Also woufor ld prefer KJ as 1st change rather than opening.

And Matt Henry is a certainty for the ODI side.

My mistake, poor copy/paste job from my white ball teams, I actually meant de Grandhomme at 7 in the test side, not Bracewell

 

[James]

I got an email about this that I thought the community here might be interested in:

Finding Heath Davis

Heath Davis was a cult hero of New Zealand cricket in the 1990s thanks to his unpredictable performances and larger-than-life personality. Off the field, however, it was a different story – one that hasn’t been told until now.

thespinoff.co.nz

Selected for the Black Caps in 1994 at just 22 and one of the fiercest pace bowlers in the world, Heath Davis had the talent and charisma to be a superstar. But behind the scenes was a life hidden. During the days on tour, Davis opened the bowling. At night he went looking for *** in places where nobody would know him. Playing at home in Wellington, Davis kept his two lives separate until moving away from the city – and eventually the country – was the only way he could live openly as himself.

Away from the public eye since his retirement from first class cricket in 2004, Davis shares the truth behind his career, his infamous antics and the lonely life of the first gay Black Cap.

 

[SteveNZ]

Absolutely love the Raven. I watched that doco today, it is actually brilliant. Outstanding in its honesty.

From his time in Auckland, it was very, very open and out there that Heath was gay, and no one cared one iota. He was a great fella, funny as hell, could bowl - even when he lost his pace, he played for Auckland - and his ***uality was never an issue.

 

[Moss]

Nice to see that article, always interesting to know what players from yesteryear are up to. Didn't know about him being gay, and I guess it says more about the wider cricket community that it should be considered newsworthy.

He's most remembered in India for getting smashed by Tendulkar during that 1997 Bangalore ODI in the Independence Cup, which is a pity because his genuine pace and bounce wasn't a common trait in the 90s from memory. The selectors dropped him like a hot potato after that (went on a couple of tours including one to Australia, but wasn't trusted any more). A shame given the effort he'd put into regaining his spot in the team. Hope he's in a good place now.