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*Unofficial* New Zealand Black Caps Thread

nzfan

International Vice-Captain
What's up with Neesh? I see he played on the 8th of Jan.

We're playing 3 ODIs and one random T20I so I don't see too many T20 specialists going just for one game.

If we go off the current contracted players list and those unlikely to play the test series:

de Grandhomme
Ferguson
Guptill
Henry
Neesham
Phillips
Santner
Sodhi
Taylor

Plus 6 guys from this list who are fairly regular in and around the T20I and ODI side:
Allen
Astle
Bennett
Bracewell
Chapman
Duffy
Kuggeleijn
Milne
Sears
Seifert
Tickner
Ravindra

Dunno if they'd go back to Bennett - he's 34, but he does have experience, ditto Bracewell, who can also "bat". Remains to be seen if they keep Rachin with the Test squad or cut him loose for some more overseas L/O experience

It may end up looking something like:
de Grandhomme
Ferguson
Guptill
Henry
Neesham
Phillips
Santner
Sodhi
Taylor
Allen
Chapman
Seifert+
Rachin/Astle
Fletcher/Cleaver+
Sears/Milne

Do we now when the squads announced? This is probably the first time in ages I've looked forward to a ODI series, purely because we'll be getting a good look at some non-regulars.
That is more of an accurate list than my wish list I suppose.

I've been hearing some of the series' likely not going to happen. That'll be a shame if that's true. Both the Aussie and the South Africa series under review. Chances are both could not go ahead due to covid and we could have the black caps playing for their domestic side. Guess it'll be some serious contests coming up in the domestic cricket. It'll be a good watch for sure.
 

TheBrand

First Class Debutant
Last I heard was that the Perth ODI is likely to be moved due to WA's border restrictions not lifting until the 5th Feb.
 

Bahnz

Hall of Fame Member
I actually think Boult looked to be a little on the decline about 2 years ago and in the last 2-3 months has been on a sneaky incline. But basically he’s still Trent Boult.
Boult’s been remarkably consistent with his career average since his 10fer v WI in 2013. Has pretty much always been in the 26-28 range. That ability to bowl magic balls that left handers just can’t deal with has kept him in the wickets even when he’s been out of touch.
 
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nzfan

International Vice-Captain
Last I heard was that the Perth ODI is likely to be moved due to WA's border restrictions not lifting until the 5th Feb.
I hope so... looking forward to it. Hope they take Sears and Smith to Aussie. They will likely play all the games and also will bowl good number of overs.

Our guys at Firebirds are messing around with Sears and Smith. They dropped Sears in one of the games recently and Nathan Smith has barely bowled. It was frustrating to watch Bennett, Van Beek, Newton and even Bracewell bowling over after over but never giving the ball to Nathan Smith. Surely he's not that bad to not bowl an over when we're conceeding 200+ Sears is the top wicket taker for firebirds and they dropped him :wallbash:
 
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ataraxia

International Coach
Still think Wellington have one too many bowlers. Get rid of, I dunno, a van Beek or someone and throw in a specialist bat, then the balance gets a lot better. Bowling would be Bennett-Smith-Sears-Neesham-Younghusband-Macewell/Rachin. Much more reasonable.

So in my mind the selection for each match isn't that bad - apart from playing Ollie Newton for no godforsaken reason for a few games and persisting with Jamie Gibson as a specialist bat.
 

nzfan

International Vice-Captain
Still think Wellington have one too many bowlers. Get rid of, I dunno, a van Beek or someone and throw in a specialist bat, then the balance gets a lot better. Bowling would be Bennett-Smith-Sears-Neesham-Younghusband-Macewell/Rachin. Much more reasonable.

So in my mind the selection for each match isn't that bad - apart from playing Ollie Newton for no godforsaken reason for a few games and persisting with Jamie Gibson as a specialist bat.
Yeah there are a lot of bowlers but surely Bracewell can bowl couple of overs less and give the ball to Nathan Smith at Pukekura park. Why is it that all the older guys have to bowl their full quota but the younger one has to be sidelined? There may have been a chance Nathan Smith would have been picked for the Aussie tour if he was bowling. I don't think he has a chance now. I feel the likes of Logan, Bracewell, Bennett are thinking they are sure shot at making the black caps side. Nothing wrong with that they have to aspire but hope they don't harm the long term younger players chances.

It'll be interesting when the likes of Devon, Blundell and Rachin are available to play. Hope they don't drop Smith or Sears to accommodate these guys. You can take it they will do something stupid such as drop Sears or Smith and likely not bowl Rachin.

And this year they appointed Hamish Bennett as captain for one dayers... absolutely stumps me why was he made the captain. Troy Johnson was the captain last year and did a great job but he was removed for Bennett for no reason. I'd rather see someone like Troy Johnson lead the side in all formats. He has always been a captain, whether at school, age group rep cricket or Wellington A. A good young natural leader and not a bad player either.
 
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NZTailender

I can't believe I ate the whole thing
I think he is, there was an article about how his experience vs NZ players on the domestic circuit would be an asset for the Dutch
 

NZTailender

I can't believe I ate the whole thing
Wouldn't be surprised if they called it off

Would be great though to have some full strength domestic cricket happening tho
 

Bahnz

Hall of Fame Member
How come ND is only playing Matt Fisher in T20’s? Seems to have a lot of good qualities that are at least worth a go in the Ford Trophy.
 

Flem274*

123/5
wouldn't mind postponing the chappell-hadlee this year as it stands tbh. it's already likely to be going full JAMODI with NZ reserves. Full strength Ford Trophy followed by the SA tests sounds legit.
How come ND is only playing Matt Fisher in T20’s? Seems to have a lot of good qualities that are at least worth a go in the Ford Trophy.
because they're dumb
 

nzfan

International Vice-Captain
In every center probably bar Otago the younger players take the cut. I wish it was otherwise.
 

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