*Official* New Zealand in England 2015

[Flem274*]

Extra incentive for Brendon McCullum, Mark Craig and Neil Wagner to do well in the first test (if all are selected), following the news today that Albion legend (and that phrase isn't used lightly) Warwick Larkins died overnight. Brendon in particular (and Nathan) knew Warwick very well - Nathan has already tweeted about him.

25 years as club president until he stood down in 2000 and he did everything around the club up until the last few months - will leave a massive gap.

Wow that's a productive club. Rudds the only non-Albion Otago Black Cap

 

[otagoman]

odd team selection, you would imagine the imports should be Warner, Williamson, Steyn, and Boult....and then build around those 4

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Wow that's a productive club. Rudds the only non-Albion Otago Black Cap

It wasn't that long ago that Craig was the no3 spinner in his club team (behind NMac & Beard)

 

[Zinzan]

Still can't help feel that all the great test momentum NZ have had in recent times will be somewhat negated with our top 4-5 players flying in literally hours (in some cases) before the first test. Why Tom Moody didn't release Wliiamson early is beyond me. What an utter waste of time (not money though) that was for him sitting on the sidelines for a month. My biggest concern is Boult and Southee, not even getting a practice game with the 'Dukes' ball.

 

[SteveNZ]

It wasn't that long ago that Craig was the no3 spinner in his club team (behind NMac & Beard)

He was about 4th or 5th at Howick, and only one of them ahead of him had played any FC cricket. He actually bowled a bit of seam at that time as well. That's not to pump the clubs tyres one bit, just that he's honed his craft in a short period of time and done it bloody successfully.

 

[Kippax]

Hesson wants another late look at Ronchi.

 

[Kippax]

Now Craig. Anderson not fit to hold a bat it seems.

 

[Zinzan]

So we may get belted by Worcestershire. Guptill the only one to vaguely turn up with the bat.

 

[NZ Guy]

Love that from Gup! Karn boy

 

[Flem274*]

went to check the score after reading the might lose bit. jesus.

king guptill.

 

[Zinzan]

Fair to say Guppy's in nick ... since arriving in England has scores of 161, 0, 32, 227, 31* and now 119*

And that's saying nothing of his 237* in the WC.

 

[Dan]

Hesson wants another late look at Ronchi.

Hesson ain't a fan of BJ, that's for sure.

 

[Zinzan]

Lost pretty much any confidence I had in Ronchi during the world cup. Offered absolutely nothing when the pressure came on in any big games.

 

[Meridio]

None of Boult, Williamson or Southee playing for their respective IPL teams in their latest games. **** you, IPL.

 

[Zinzan]

None of Boult, Williamson or Southee playing for their respective IPL teams in their latest games. **** you, IPL.

Yep, It's ludicrous, especially Williamson, who only played the first couple of games. We may be ranked 3rd in Tests atm, but we're still treated like 5th-rate citizens.

Could you imagine 4-5 of the Australian players turning up for their Ashes series 1-2 days prior to the 1st test having only played T20 cricket in completely foreign conditions?

 

[GGG]

If Williamson was Australian he would have played every game.

 

[harsh.ag]

Wow, that was a close game. Well done to Henry, but why did Wheeler only bowl 3 overs?

 

[Hurricane]

If Williamson was Australian he would have played every game.

If Williamson was Australian his name would be Kaneh

 

[Frost]

Based on preparation and form of some of the key nz players the first test is Englands to lose imo

 

[Hurricane]

Did Ross opt out of the IPL or was there no interest in him due to the decline of his T20 play.