***Official*** Pakistan in New Zealand 2016/17

[vcs]

True, not this match specifically, but general recent trend including the WI series.

What's the deal with Asad Shafiq.. he's an experienced Test player, but doesn't seem to bail them out of trouble much for a No. 6 batsman. Seems rather too content to get one or two big scores per series.

 

[Agent Nationaux]

Congrats NZ fans on the win.

Hopefully we can put in a better show in the next test and at least provide a challenge.

 

[honestbharani]

So who comes in for Misbah? And why can't any of the Pak batters bowl? They have the same problem that India has. Seems like none of the batsman can ever bowl even decent or passable part time stuff...

 

[Zinzan]

Still reckon we will see Guptill make another comeback, whether due to injury of others or a typical run of bad form on the merry go round. Only 30, and will likely continue to keep runs flowing in domestics and one dayers.

I don't get it? We've finally discarded the guy after all those years of pain watching him fail when he's clearly below Test standard, and 5 mins later you want him back?

Wasn't watching Raval a good lesson into what sort of game a proper Test batsman has?

 

[Athlai]

I don't get it? We've finally discarded the guy after all those years of pain watching him fail when he's clearly below Test standard, and 5 mins later you want him back?

Wasn't watching Raval a good lesson into what sort of game a proper Test batsman has?

Where did I say I was calling for him back? It's a prediction.

(Though I do want him back, Guppy 4 lyf)

 

[Zinzan]

Gupitll should never play a Test match again regardless of whether he averages 200 in NZ domestic cricket, He's had 7 years of chances to prove otherwise & he's now north of 30...time to move on.

 

[Blocky]

I'm saying Corey Anderson will play as a specialist batsman if Taylor is out of the next test. That's my hunch.

 

[Zinzan]

I'm saying Corey Anderson will play as a specialist batsman if Taylor is out of the next test. That's my hunch.

I hope not, I wish they'd look at a proper Test batsman for the future. Not some hard-hitting distinctly ordinary all-rounder, who's handy in coloured clothing.

 

[Blocky]

I agree, but this era seems to be all about selecting ND players who don't really belong at test level.

 

[Niall]

So who comes in for Misbah? And why can't any of the Pak batters bowl? They have the same problem that India has. Seems like none of the batsman can ever bowl even decent or passable part time stuff...

Smart money is on Sharjeel, where he bats who knows. I assume he will open with Azhar at 3, then Younis, Azam, Shafiq and Sarfraz. Rizwan is the other alternative and that would be a straight up swap. I think they will go with Sharjeel as from all accounts Azhar was never keen on opening. I am doubtful about Sharjeel, but its a interesting experiment at least

Azhar started his career as a leggie and has bowled now and then, but does seem to be underused. He is ok as a part time option.

I think Babar can bowl also, but he''d be very much a sixth bowling option from all accounts.

 

[Zinzan]

I agree, but this era seems to be all about selecting ND players who don't really belong at test level.

I couldn't give a **** what province NZ players play their domestic cricket for, & I've never understood anyone who does when it comes to what's best for the NZ national team.

Guys like Kippax hating players because they play their cricket north of the Bombay Hills & constantly preaching to us about what a myth Raval (or any Auckland player) is because they claim to understand domestic cricket better than anyone else.

Seems he's gone into hiding in conjunction with Raval's success. Funny that. Always the same with know-alls when they're wrong.

 

[Meridio]

Stephen Murdoch to replace Taylor for the next test

 

[Athlai]

s.o.s. luke woodcock

 

[Zinzan]

Not so thrilled we're trying a 33 year old, but better someone new than going back to a Guptill or Anderson.

Murdoch did have a good 2015/16 season tbf.

 

[Blocky]

I couldn't give a **** what province NZ players play their domestic cricket for, & I've never understood anyone who does when it comes to what's best for the NZ national team.

Guys like Kippax hating players because they play their cricket north of the Bombay Hills & constantly preaching to us about what a myth Raval (or any Auckland player) is because they claim to understand domestic cricket better than anyone else.

Seems he's gone into hiding in conjunction with Raval's success. Funny that. Always the same with know-alls when they're wrong.

Summarized my thoughts of most of the NZ Cricket group here.

 

[Howsie]

I couldn't give a **** what province NZ players play their domestic cricket for, & I've never understood anyone who does when it comes to what's best for the NZ national team.

Guys like Kippax hating players because they play their cricket north of the Bombay Hills & constantly preaching to us about what a myth Raval (or any Auckland player) is because they claim to understand domestic cricket better than anyone else.

Seems he's gone into hiding in conjunction with Raval's success. Funny that. Always the same with know-alls when they're wrong.

tbf it's just as funny reading posts like these after a guy has played one test.

 

[Blocky]

In which he showed more application and capability in defense than Guptill has shown in 48 tests.

 

[Zinzan]

tbf it's just as funny reading posts like these after a guy has played one test.

The point is so much bigger than that though. It's about people getting out of their petty domestic bubbles & actually wanting the best selections for NZ cricket. Not to glorify their provincial biases.

Regarding Raval, it is only one Test granted, but he looked more equipped to handle Test opener in either those two innings than Guptill did in his whole 7 year Test career.

 

[straw man]

What domestic bubbles? Howsie loves ND but also likes Henry and Nuttall. Everyone including Kippax discount EPOO runs somewhat because it is genuinely flat. There are several Wellington tragics on the board that nevertheless don't even bother advocating for Wellington players because Wellington are usually too **** for that. Think pretty much everyone just wants the best players picked for NZ tbh.

Also, gee our batting lineup looks awful without Taylor at 4. That's despite him not scoring many runs for the last two years. I struggle to think of who they should pick, though with the number of other inexperienced players in the side I think they'll go with someone who has already played a bit of test cricket, like Neesham, Ronchi or Anderson. Taylor's condition sounds really unpleasant.

 

[straw man]

Raval looked very solid in this match, so it's surprising he has struggled away from home for Auckland. Even if he only ends up averaging what Guptill does, if it's not heavily skewed towards easy opponents and if he can face a large number of balls in doing so, then that will be a major improvement for us.