***Official*** New Zealand Domestic Season 2017/18

[straw man]

It's quite disappointing that Ferguson and Henry are missing this round of Plunket Shield to get carried around the country in the ODI squad and not play. Not only can they not get into the ODI XI but they miss out on more chances to push for a Test spot.

 

[Bahnz]

Let's be honest though - if Southee's managed to hold onto his place in the ODI team, there's no way in hell he's getting dropped from the test side. He's actually produced some decent numbers in tests in the last couple seasons.

 

[Athlai]

Why in hell would we drop Southee in Tests? He’s been gun lately

 

[Bahnz]

Not really, but he hasn't been terrible either. Certainly doesn't deserve to be dropped.

 

[Flem274*]

against the might of the west indies?

his record wickets season was one of the biggest abuses of statistics i've ever seen. he's been a complete passenger in all forms since 2015

 

[straw man]

Injuries also happen and it's good to have someone fit and in form. Not sure why at least one of Henry or Ferguson couldn't have been released for this round of FC.

Good to see Young score runs. Munro giving up FC is disappointing when he may have been close to earning that test number 5 (or 6?) spot. Nicholls, Guptill, Young and Chapman all improved their chances though.

 

[Flem274*]

ND and their three bowlers are doing the job so far.

hopefully young can do this more than once this year

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Surely you wouldn't go back to Guptill in tests yet again, he has had an extremely long rope test selection wise and failed to kick on every single time. It has always been baffling how someone who is clearly quality against the white ball can be so inept against the red one.

 

[straw man]

Surely you wouldn't go back to Guptill in tests yet again, he has had an extremely long rope test selection wise and failed to kick on every single time. It has always been baffling how someone who is clearly quality against the white ball can be so inept against the red one.

Never never never again as opener, he's now mooted as a potential #5. I was initially against it as thought we had better options, but he's matured as a player, was in amazing form all last season and undoubtedly his hard-hands wouldn't be as exposed at number 5. He's mediocre against spin but so are most NZers. It's really a question of whether there are better options if Nicholls doesn't perform. I wouldn't count Guptill out.

 

[SeamUp]

For New Zealand's sake I think Nicholls is a player proving us all wrong and keeps doing alright. Which will hopefully keep Guptill out until possibly some of the younger batsmen are pushing more.

Looking at domestic it may have to be that if Will Young finishes the season strongly he can be first reserve. Interested to see Glenn Phillips keep progressing & I see Finn Allen is in the Auckland 4 day team which is great.

Any idea what is happening with the keeper situation ? Watling, Blundell, Seifert ?

 

[Flem274*]

If Watling is fit to keep I'll be fuming if he's left out for one of the younger keepers. Even without his keeping he's the third best test batsman we have available. Pisses all over half the blokes above him in the order.

 

[Gnske]

undoubtedly his hard-hands wouldn't be as exposed at number 5.

I'm not convinced hiding him down the order would help him that much that the move to 5 would be considered a success.

 

[Immenso]

3 way race fir the tootle between Wellington, CD and Auckland.

CD pantsing Auckland so far this round is huge.

Wellington behind in their game but is low scoring and may be close enough to still come out with a win.

Looks like McPeake must have picked up an injury.

 

[Flem274*]

Raval and Wagner aren't having good games so far right before the test series.

Neesham currently 83* in a low scoring game and has tidy bowling figures as well.

Ajaz Patel continues to quietly go about taking 5fers almost every game and surely Greg Hay has to be the test reserve opener.

 

[vandem]

Also Phillips 2nd FC middle order 50 in 3 innings. Useful timing.

Who will they pick for the 1st test if Taylor still injured? Watling as a specialist and Blundell keeping? Debut for Phillips / Young (unlikely, Hesson has gone for experience for short term injury batting cover in recent seasons, e.g. Broom, Brownlie). My 2c on Guppy.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

Do they have concussion subs in the Plunket Shield yet? Looks like Michael Rae has been added to the Otago side mid game

 

[vandem]

Do they have concussion subs in the Plunket Shield yet? Looks like Michael Rae has been added to the Otago side mid game

Good spotting. In the comments of the scoreboard:

MD Rae replaced S Hicks at the beginning of Day 2 as a concussion substitute on medical advice.

 

[Immenso]

Seems strange tactics by Wellington in their third innings. 107/1 after 44 overs. They now lead by 12 with just a day to go. Surely they need to force a result to not let CD leap ahead?

 

[vandem]

Seems strange tactics by Wellington in their third innings. 107/1 after 44 overs. They now lead by 12 with just a day to go. Surely they need to force a result to not let CD leap ahead?

2 days to go. Started a day later than the other games. Plenty of time to build a lead and let Jeets win it on day 4, although day 4 weather forecast has some showers.

 

[Immenso]

2 days to go. Started a day later than the other games. Plenty of time to build a lead and let Jeets win it on day 4, although day 4 weather forecast has some showers.

ah, good point.

Anyway. The cyclone may thwart/rob CD of outright points.