*Official* New Zealand in Zimbabwe 2025 (Tests)

[Paranoid Kendroid]

Do not declare tomorrow.

 

[Shortodds]

What part is unfair, that KW is better than Rachin? Cos yeah

I looked it up. Kane Williamson averaged 33 from his first 33 innings (18 tests), Ravi averages 36.51 from 31 innings, 16 tests. Williamson was younger I guess? I don't think Rachin is better, but I dont think stats are the place too look to demonstrate that fact.

 

[Athlai]

Williamson played a lot of cricket internationally early on, but you do see that age often plays a big role too.

At age 25 KW was already one of the 'fab four' and on his path to becoming the #1 batsman in the world in a competitive era.

Rachin is still fairly far away from even being definitively our 2nd best Test batsman right now and while I wouldn't be surprised if he might one day become a #1 batsman, I wouldn't be betting on it either.

 

[Athlai]

That said if Rachin scores 391* here he will be averaging 50+

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Just woke up and saw the score. No need to declare. Bat until the end of day 3 and try to beat SL's 952 imo.

 

[Shortodds]

That said if Rachin scores 391* here he will be averaging 50+

I ag

Williamson played a lot of cricket internationally early on, but you do see that age often plays a big role too.

At age 25 KW was already one of the 'fab four' and on his path to becoming the #1 batsman in the world in a competitive era.

Rachin is still fairly far away from even being definitively our 2nd best Test batsman right now and while I wouldn't be surprised if he might one day become a #1 batsman, I wouldn't be betting on it either.

Yeah Rachin doesnt have the same Aura as ealy Williamson, but he DOES have that stats so far. Seems a bg game player, which is a plus, and has a bi of spin bowling.
Who is our seccond best batsman? Young or Martin?

 

[Athlai]

Rachin would be well on track for the fastest double ever if he gets the chance.

 

[Athlai]

Yeah Rachin doesnt have the same Aura as ealy Williamson, but he DOES have that stats so far. Seems a bg game player, which is a plus, and has a bi of spin bowling.
Who is our seccond best batsman? Young or Martin?

Williamson > Mitchell > Rachin/Conway > Young/Phillips/Latham

 

[Athlai]

Rachin would be well on track for the fastest double ever if he gets the chance.

If he scored the remaining 35 runs in 35 balls this would be 4th fastest. Within 14 would tie the record, and under 23 would get him to 2nd.

 

[Shortodds]

Williamson > Mitchell > Rachin/Conway > Young/Phillips/Latham

Predicting future performance, I'd rate Young a little higher with Conway, And I think Rachin competes with Mitchell.

 

[trundler]

Hopefully those other guys don't sell NZ cricket out to play The Hundred

 

[Athlai]

Predicting future performance, I'd rate Young a little higher with Conway, And I think Rachin competes with Mitchell.

I think Rachin will end up higher than Mitchell, Young might end up a bit better than Conway but their ages are pretty similar so I don't think it'll be too significant a gap.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I'd be disappointed if we don't try to beat 952. We may never lose the "26" record, so might as well go for the other one.

 

[Prince EWS]

Thought it was ridiculous that at 162-1 he was afforded a nightwatchman.

Especially since it was Day 1 and they batted second. Duffy in debut will never have a better opportunity for a Test ton.

 

[Silver Silva]

I'd be disappointed if we don't try to beat 952. We may never lose the "26" record, so might as well go for the other one.

Think there is way too much pressure on current teams to not go for huge totals , people just want to use the term spirit of cricket for every damn thing ..It's simply maximising your batting opportunity, it's not NZ's fault Zim got bowled out for 125 on Day 1 , you want to play with the big boys this is the reality check

 

[straw man]

Think it's right to compare Foulkes to Nathan Smith, and compare both to Sam Curran, who ultimately wasn't quite good enough to hold a place in England's test side.

All are on the shorter side as fast bowlers, and don't have easy 135+ pace that some bowlers have. But I think it's still possible to be a very good test cricketer if you do pretty much everything else right. Be ultra-fit and strong so you're consistently 3-5km/h faster and zippier than you otherwise would be. Feast when conditions are in your favour (swing for Foulkes, seam for Smith) and be able to bowl dry when they're not. If you're a short-ish fast bowler your control of length has to be that much better than anyone else. Have a knack for breaking partnernships - I don't know if that's a learnable thing but Foulkes being unorthodox might have an advantage here. Bat well, strong number 8 at least, if not 7. Field well.

I'm optimistic on both Smith and Foulkes, though tbh I can't really seeing us playing both together. They're in competition for one spot imo.

 

[ashley bach]

Just woke up and saw the score. No need to declare. Bat until the end of day 3 and try to beat SL's 952 imo.

Bugger it we may as well push on to a thousand while we're at it.

A T H O U S A N D

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Would be a grand achievement.

Zimbabwe require 875 to make NZ bat again.

 

[straw man]

Anyway this match looks a huge stat-padding exercise now. I haven't seen Muzarabani for a few years since he had that T20 WC where he looked strong and promising. Maybe hasn't improved as much as hoped? Though I get that it's tough when you have no support from the other end.

 

[Darwin Award]

3 batsman in the same innings pass 150 in a test match.

Can't remember the last time that happened.

Williamson missing out not playing here & trying to bridge that century gap between himself & Smith.

 

[NZTailender]