*Unofficial* New Zealand Black Caps Thread

[cnerd123]

No contract for Chapman? So what, you poach our talent and then can't even be bothered to keep him on retainer?

For shame. Hope he comes back to play for HK. Its not like NZ are going to be playing any Tests anyways.

 

[Mr Miyagi]

No contract for Chapman? So what, you poach our talent and then can't even be bothered to keep him on retainer?

For shame. Hope he comes back to play for HK. Its not like NZ are going to be playing any Tests anyways.

Its not like he's making the test team soon even if NZ do

 

[The Hutt Rec]

i've always wondered if 20 contracts is too many and the likes of anderson and milne being contracted despite not playing for most of the previous year, and performing average at best provincially, is a bit silly really.

i'd rather a flexible number of contracts. keep the core, the test first XI specialists and the odi first XI specialists and pay the people you do contract more.

Usually it makes more sense to me ... I'm not sure if we typically have more differentiated test/odi/t20 sides, or there's a sudden lack of depth atm, or a bit of both, but I have to admit a few of these players are scraping the bottom of the barrel for national contracts.

Blundell is the only one I think is a tad unlucky ... considering tests are given twice the weighting of limited overs. He took his chance in the test side and then performed for NZA as well.

 

[straw man]

Astle/Santner with CDG?
Astle/Santner with Southee?
Sodhi/Santner with CDG?
Sodhi/Astle with CDG?
Sodhi/Santner with Southee?
Sodhi/Astle with Southee?

Santner + CDG + one legspinner is the most likely imo. Astle vs Sodhi to be decided on form leading in.

Santner + Astle + Southee might be an outside chance.

 

[straw man]

Blundell is the only one I think is a tad unlucky ... considering tests are given twice the weighting of limited overs. He took his chance in the test side and then performed for NZA as well.

That's true, I'd kinda forgotten about Blundell. Wouldn't have been upset if they'd given one to *****'s fav either - played a couple of handy innings before losing it completely.

Overall though, agree that it's a very uncontroversial squad. Should've contracted Kieran Noema Barnett just to get some discussion going.

 

[Mr Miyagi]

Santner + CDG + one legspinner is the most likely imo. Astle vs Sodhi to be decided on form leading in.

Santner + Astle + Southee might be an outside chance.

It is interesting right? It is compounded by the fact that Wagner despite being a certainty - isn't the best opening bowler.

So do you really want CDG to open the bowling over Southee, and hope he bats well enough against spin, when Santner and Astle could bat 7 and 8?
I'm not criticising you, CDG has done it well vs SA so he has form, I think it is a reasonable choice. That is why I made the initial post. This is actually an interesting selection dilemma.

Now obviously CDG could give batting to 7,8 and 9 with Astle, but I am not sure that is offset against Southee new ball bowling. It does however open the opportunity for Sodhi over Astle more.

And the skill differences between Sodhi and Astle really highlight different utility value between the two and impact on Santner, Southee and CDG's selection opportunities.

Anyone else gonna have a stab at it?

Oh and personally I have no issue with NZ batting to 9, just as long as the attack doesn't suffer too badly and CDG is actually looking like he won't be a walking wicket to Shadab and Yasir.

 

[SteveNZ]

i've always wondered if 20 contracts is too many and the likes of anderson and milne being contracted despite not playing for most of the previous year, and performing average at best provincially, is a bit silly really.

i'd rather a flexible number of contracts. keep the core, the test first XI specialists and the odi first XI specialists and pay the people you do contract more.

I hear you, but providing 20 contracts means guys who are out of form/upcoming young talent have the backing of a solid national contract to train and get better. Drop them down to a domestic one, which last I remember was a 30-40k difference from 21st to top in domestic (?) and you're placing them in a position where they're not able to provide the same sort of commitment.

I completely agree, my first reaction to Anderson being there was 'why', he hasn't played in what, a year and a half? But then if they're still thinking he'll be fit in the future, and some hope is still placed on Milne, I'd certainly rather see them given NZC contracts rather than potentially become T20 missionaries or give up the game early. If anyone outside the 20 was pushing them hard enough you could rethink that, but the 3 keepers didn't do enough and nor did Chapman. Only one maybe you'd make a case for is Blundell as a decent start to his career + BJs body getting on.

 

[Chewie]

https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/northern-districts-bound-wagner-thanks-otago-cricket

Wagner to ND

 

[Flem274*]

not sure how to feel - ND get the hero, but on the other hand howsie is forced to support him

 

[Athlai]

I for one look forward to the Howsie 180

 

[The Hutt Rec]

That's true, I'd kinda forgotten about Blundell. Wouldn't have been upset if they'd given one to *****'s fav either - played a couple of handy innings before losing it completely.

Overall though, agree that it's a very uncontroversial squad. Should've contracted Kieran Noema Barnett just to get some discussion going.

Tama Canning

 

[The Hutt Rec]

I for one look forward to the Howsie 180

From what I’ve seen he’s always been one of Wagner’s biggest fans.

 

[Mr Miyagi]

NZC - is they have any inkling of sense, will hire Wags post retirement for international talent recruitment. They could the role, NZC Operations Executive or something.

 

[Athlai]

NZC - is they have any inkling of sense, will hire Wags post retirement for international talent recruitment. They could the role, NZC Operations Executive or something.

Don't know if the corporate life would suit him, I hear he gets a bit short with people.

 

[NZTailender]

Don't know if the corporate life would suit him, I hear he gets a bit short with people.

Makes him the ultimate dealmaker though. Imagination tough negotiations, then they wheel in Wagner? Signatures would be down within 2 minutes.

 

[Mr Miyagi]

Don't know if the corporate life would suit him, I hear he gets a bit short with people.

Hardly has to be corporate. All he has to do is goto SA and sign up outside quota talent and bring them back. While over there, have a nosey around Zimbabwe too.

It isn't like the English counties aren't doing it.

For the rest of his annual pay check, he can do meet and greets or help bowlers with their fitness and game preparation.

All I am saying is that NZC should make and facilitate an easy pathway for non-quota qualifying talent to migrate to into NZC FC structures.

And Wagner is the obvious posterboy to lead it and for NZC to beat off some of the counties. Whether he has talent identification skills, I do not know. But he seems to have a good enough head on his shoulders to me.

 

[Athlai]

Hardly has to be corporate. All he has to do is goto SA and sign up outside quota talent and bring them back. While over there, have a nosey around Zimbabwe too.

It isn't like the English counties aren't doing it.

For the rest of his annual pay check, he can do meet and greets or help bowlers with their fitness and game preparation.

All I am saying is that NZC should make and facilitate an easy pathway for non-quota qualifying talent to migrate to into NZC FC structures.

And Wagner is the obvious posterboy to lead it and for NZC to beat off some of the counties. Whether he has talent identification skills, I do not know. But he seems to have a good enough head on his shoulders to me.

Whoosh

 

[Mr Miyagi]

Whoosh

No - I had already liked your post :P

I'm just clarifying that its not a corporate role despite a corporate title.

They could hardly call him "Pinch SA and Zimababwe talent Manager"

 

[The Hutt Rec]

Makes him the ultimate dealmaker though. Imagination tough negotiations, then they wheel in Wagner? Signatures would be down within 2 minutes.

And when they sign they get a patented Wagner cuddle.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

And when they sign they get a patented Wagner cuddle.

View attachment 24047

Technology fail by me has lead to an extremely small photo ... Wagner would bounce me for two hours straight for this.