***Official New Zealand Domestic Season Thread 2009/10

[Smudge]

Trying to find out details about North Otago's Hawke Cup challenge - apparently they had Manawatu on the ropes going into today. Will be the biggest moment ever in North Otago cricket if they manage to pick up the Cup today.

 

[Howsie]

Must say, Hamish Bennent has been rather impressive lately. Seems to be picking up two/three wickets an innings and only going for around three runs an over, sometimes less.

 

[Bahnz]

Must say, Hamish Bennent has been rather impressive lately. Seems to be picking up two/three wickets an innings and only going for around three runs an over, sometimes less.

Don't try and invent stuff. His match figures from his previous two games have been:

2/127 (at around 4.7)

3/141 (at around 3.2)

Admittedly the pitches are often flat at this time of the year (and that was especialy the case during the first of those two matches listed above), but barring that game against ND where he picked up 4, he's been steady at best.

 

[Smudge]

North Otago one wicket away from glory, if my spy is to believed. You little rippers.

EDIT: It's all over - North Otago win! What a night it'll be in Oamaru tonight (and probably tomorrow when the team gets back).

 

[Howsie]

Don't try and invent stuff. His match figures from his previous two games have been:

2/127 (at around 4.7)

3/141 (at around 3.2)

Admittedly the pitches are often flat at this time of the year (and that was especialy the case during the first of those two matches listed above), but barring that game against ND where he picked up 4, he's been steady at best.

3-60 of 21 overs
2-51 of 18 overs
1-71 of 27 overs
2-70 of 17 overs

His last four bowling innings. Other then one innings he's had a very, very good RPO.

 

[Bahnz]

3-60 of 21 overs
2-51 of 18 overs
1-71 of 27 overs
2-70 of 17 overs

His last four bowling innings. Other then one innings he's had a very, very good RPO.

I'm sorry, but I don't equate an RPO of 3 and an average of 30 in New Zealand domestic cricket as impressive, especially for someone who's been around as long as Bennett (nearly 5 years now). You wouldn't give a record like that a second glance if he wasn't rumoured to be a shade quicker than the rest.

Arnel's record of 29 wickets at an average of 19.5 and an economy of 2.4 is impressive. If Bennett started churning out figures like that on a regular basis, then I'd start giving him a bit more attention.

 

[Howsie]

North Otago one wicket away from glory, if my spy is to believed. You little rippers.

EDIT: It's all over - North Otago win! What a night it'll be in Oamaru tonight (and probably tomorrow when the team gets back).

Last couple of games Manawatu has had a very strong squad as well. Last I heard they had picked up a massive first innings lead so it sounded like they might have game them abit of a hiding.

 

[Howsie]

I'm sorry, but I don't equate an RPO of 3 and an average of 30 in New Zealand domestic cricket as impressive, especially for someone who's been around as long as Bennett (nearly 5 years now). You wouldn't give a record like that a second glance if he wasn't rumoured to be a shade quicker than the rest.

Arnel's record of 29 wickets at an average of 19.5 and an economy of 2.4 is impressive. If Bennett started churning out figures like that on a regular basis, then I'd start giving him a bit more attention.

I consider anyone capable of bowling 140+ and still only going at three runs an over pretty impressive, especially when the said bowler is usually bowling in batsmen friendly conditions. Your've got rocks in your head if you expect Bennent to be as tight as Arnel when it comes to giving away runs, Bennent looks to blast batsmen out, Arnel looks to work them over and tie them down.

 

[Bahnz]

I consider anyone capable of bowling 140+ and still only going at three runs an over pretty impressive, especially when the said bowler is usually bowling in batsmen friendly conditions. Your've got rocks in your head if you expect Bennent to be as tight as Arnel when it comes to giving away runs, Bennent looks to blast batsmen out, Arnel looks to work them over and tie them down.

Given that he looks to blast batsmen out, it's rather disappointing that his strike rate is 7 higher than Arnel's.

And quality pace bowlers have no difficulty keeping it tight against cannon-fodder FC batsman. You just have to think of the armada of mediocre fast men who've come to our shores over the years and made our batsmen look clueless, before being bossed around everywhere else. At the same time, other quickish bowlers on the domestic circuit, such as O'Brien and McKay haven't had too much trouble keeping it tight either.

Finally, Bennett is only purportedly 140+. He's never been tracked on the speed radar, and never been singled out by any members of the international side as being unusually quick. It might well turn out, once he's on the speedball radar, that he's no faster than Martin/Southee types.

None of this is to say that Bennett is a no-hoper or that he won't eventually flower into a quality player. I also agree that he's clearly improved a lot over the last couple of seasons, and that it's pleasing that he's no longer going at 6 runs an over in FC cricket and only picking up 1 or 2 wickets a match. But right now, his record/performances aren't impressive enough to suggest he's anywhere near the selectors thoughts.

 

[Hurricane]

33 today for Williamson. For those following him.

 

[Bahnz]

And for those following Bennett, he's buggered his shoulder and it sounds like he'll be out for some time.

 

[Flem274*]

A lot of the teams today looked really weak. A pity, especially compared to some of the quality 20/20 and List A sides that took the field.

And we wonder why we suck at multiple day cricket. All the internationals playing only limited overs might have something to do with it.

 

[lockton2skipper]

lots of popgun attacks floating around now another promising pace bowler, bennett crocked. looks like the bracewells and milne's will get there chances sooner than expected at top level.

 

[Bahnz]

Central are fielding a spectacularly young bowling attack. Bracewell, Milne and Wheeler all in their teens.

 

[Flem274*]

It's because we're awesome.

 

[Bahnz]

It's because we're awesome.

So awesome you don't even need to take wickets?

 

[Flem274*]

So awesome you don't even need to take wickets?

Yes

 

[Howsie]

Bevan Small coming to ND

If he wants a decent career that is

 

[Flem274*]

Bevan Small coming to ND

If he wants a decent career that is

Last I heard Graeme Aldridge and Bradley Scott were getting games ahead of all this bowling talent that is hidden away up there.

On a serious note, it's a bit fustrating. Trent Boult is injured true, but he and Davis and others have been left on the sidelines when NZ really needs to know what some of these young guys can do so we can sift the gold from the sand. Scott and Aldridge are worthy bowlers and will produce solid returns, but they aren't Black Caps. Would be great if some of NDs guys moved to other provinces for opportunities.

 

[Bahnz]

Sigh...Cumming crunching out another 100 for Otago. Given his age there really would be no point in selecting him, but his treatment by the selectors still leaves a bitter tast in the mouth.