Thing is though, he wasn't really ducking out of the limelight. That interview was hilarious because his answer to every question can be cut down to "No, I just bat."Sadly though, in test cricket, selfish obsession with statistics is what you want in your Top 4. I appreciate the sentiment he's trying to throw out there but in my view, there is no question that guys who are selfishly obsessed with their statistics they generate are the ones who generally do the best.
"If averages come as a result of me improving" - yeah, that's a nice sentiment, but averages come as a result of being obsessed with them. Building in the whole "I'm not willing to expand my game or be rash until I'm 35 runs..." -
Whilst Taylor is a shadow of his former self in the T20 format, this is a ridiculous exaggeration. Ironically, Taylor would have been in the top 5 T20 in the world around 2009/10, certainly at club/provincial level. Was carving in up in the IPL in 2008-2010 from memory.To be honest, Taylor wouldn't be in our Top 10 in terms of T20 batsmen in my view. Guptill is even a better T20 player than he is but lets test that
1. Baz
2. Ryder
3. Anderson
4. Neesham
5. Guptill
6. Latham
7. Ronchi
8. Williamson
9.
Ok - Taylor 9th.
Not a chance in hell, NMac's t20 batting relies almost entirely on premeditation and he's utterly awful under any form of pressure because of this. Even when premeditating, he always seems to pick the wrong shot for the delivery. Meanwhile Kane is tragically underrated in the T20 format. He may not hit a long ball, but has superb footwork to be able to manipulate the bowling in a similar way as Jayawardene does in T20s....with quick feet, using angles & touch. I'll never forgetI agree with Howise about Taylor. Kane in particular should ideally not be picked for T20s at all. NMac is a better T20 batsman than Kane in my opinion.
Haha, nobody (except Blocky) is implying he's not in NZ's top 10, but you must admit his T20 batting has deteriorated significantly in the last couple of years. Hasn't been able to buy a run in the last couple of IPL seasons, saying nothing of his recent international T20 efforts.let's not let facts get in the way of a good taylor bashing session. first he's the main culprit in the test side for throwing starts away, now he's not even in the NZ top 10 T20 batsmen.
yeah he's been crap recently, but im calling blocky out.Haha, nobody (except Blocky) is implying he's not in NZ's top 10, but you must admit his T20 batting has deteriorated significantly in the last couple of years. Hasn't been able to buy a run in the last couple of IPL seasons, saying nothing of his recent international T20 efforts.
Would be interesting to see some numbers on how that correlates with his test form.Haha, nobody (except Blocky) is implying he's not in NZ's top 10, but you must admit his T20 batting has deteriorated significantly in the last couple of years. Hasn't been able to buy a run in the last couple of IPL seasons, saying nothing of his recent international T20 efforts.
Yep, he was an extremely slow scorer in his first couple of years playing the format, but improved immensely in the last couple of years upon the realisation that he doesn't just need to slog to be successful. Even his last HRV domestic season (admittedly 3 only games) saw him averaging 50 with a SR of 137.Good points Zinzan especially about NMac's premeditation. I just think Kane's sr of 120 in T20is and 111 in domestic is too Michael Clarkeish.
KW can easily get 50 off 35, and do it far more consistently than most other batsmen.I agree with Howise about Taylor. Kane in particular should ideally not be picked for T20s at all. NMac is a better T20 batsman than Kane in my opinion. And the fact that Kane top scored in some T20 match where everyone else failed proves nothing. We want guys who can score 50 off 35 and not guys who can show guts and character and make "tough runs" - that is what test cricket is for.
It's a great point and I'd suggest the correlation would be very strong without even looking at the numbers. His Test batting, with the help of Crowe has improved from having a good solid defensive base and playing each ball on it's merits. Whilst that recipe has very much helped in test game, it seems he hasn't been able to easily switch back to T20 mode and hence looks to be batting with a fear of being dismissed in the T20 format.Would be interesting to see some numbers on how that correlates with his test form.
yusss was a great game that. From memory everyone was expecting Southee to come to the crease, then KW turned up and smashed half-volleys to all parts of the ground.Not a chance in hell, NMac's t20 batting relies almost entirely on premeditation and he's utterly awful under any form of pressure because of this. Even when premeditating, he always seems to pick the wrong shot for the delivery. Meanwhile Kane is tragically underrated in the T20 format. He may not hit a long ball, but has superb footwork to be able to manipulate the bowling in a similar way as Jayawardene does in T20s....with quick feet, using angles & touch. I'll never forget
this little cameo from Williamson when he came with NZ requiring 21 off 8 deliveries against Zim and he got us home with 2 balls to spare.
Jimmy Neesham sets his sights on top order | Stuff.co.nzSo just to confirm, NZ are not flying any T20 specialists over for the two games?
...New Zealand will use their 15-man test squad for the T20 internationals, with player of the series Kane Williamson likely to partner Neesham at the top, Hesson said.