It's all about setting up a relationship with the Melbourne Stars, getting some better players in future and getting some Firebirds a few Big Bash games. But Fleming recommended this guy, anyway, so he must have something going for him.Hard to say when you don't know the politics of that situation obviously...so if Gulbis isn't holding anyone back, it's still a horse **** signing - Auckland got Tymal Mills, surely SURELY there is a better all-rounder in the UK who's keen for a go? Even at a cut price, which I presume is the premise of Gulbis being signed?
Yes. Aces potential batting line up in the Super Smash when Guptill, Munro, C de G, (and Ferguson) return ! ? Nice problem to have. With the first ODI v Bangladesh on Boxing Day these guys might want to be in the Domestic T20 mix for a game or two. Plus a One Day NZ XI to select to play Bangladesh at Cobham Oval on 22 December.Auckland's batting has such riches, even though they're carrying Rob throughout another season. Young talent aplenty.
His 157 in an innings where hardly anyone else could get going wasn't a bad one. He is a very canny cricketer, and there's a lot to be said for those.Some very good highlights there of Chapman's innings - first time I've seen him play an innings worthy of how highly some people rate him.
I'd hope so too. Need to nurture the talent in the right direction rather than just waiting and hoping someone appears.What I'd like to see, is guys clearly earmarked for positions at the top level that need filling. Ie say Tim Seifert is the man we see as the incumbent limited overs keeper, and work hard on him to make sure he's ready when required. If it's Blundell, or if he's the guy seen as the longer version option, all well and good. Then, we see Glen Phillips, Chapman, Cleaver, whoever as the next wave of ODI talent. You'd like to think that was happening rather than 'oh Player X did well in this List A campaign, let's throw him in'. Back your talent ID now, say to them 'we see you in the set-up in 2-3 years time, you need to work on x, x and x, work hard and you're there.
Yeah while I'd give Watling some more ODI time at five for now, he may or may not be successful and even if he is, the side may still be better served by bringing someone more attacking in like Seifert, especially when we also have players like Santner down the order who aren't great boundary hitters either.You'd have to think a keeper isn't far out of the equation. Blundell has taken his chances better this season and was picked over Seifert - albeit in a longer-version NZ A team. So yeah, I reckon one of those guys.