*Unofficial* New Zealand Black Caps Thread

[Howsie]

Why is Watling over there playing in these games?

 

[Kippax]

Why is Watling over there playing in these games?

Yeah Stead would want to be prepared for that tighter and tenser, more moderate-scoring knock-out game against an Asian team in the U.K. next year, and despite the bullying of him by Australia I think Larsen's said they're somewhat interested in World Cup Watling.

Back to being one of their few plausible ways of addressing the 'pitch can't be slow, otherwise so many dopey biffo tee-off merchants to come out and fall like skittles under our good top 4' problem.

 

[Moss]

The fact that Ronchi hung around until the Champions Trophy last year (with diminishing returns) meant that they didn't bring in any of the new crop of wicketkeepers into the ODI setup, and now they're at a stage where they are reluctant to throw them in the deep end (though I'd be interested to know what the forum thinks of Blundell as a limited overs prospect). I suppose they'll sidestep that problem by continuing to play Latham as keeper and middle order batsman, but come World Cup time they'll need a backup for the gloves so Watling is perhaps the only choice.

 

[SteveNZ]

Yeah Stead would want to be prepared for that tighter and tenser, more moderate-scoring knock-out game against an Asian team in the U.K. next year, and despite the bullying of him by Australia I think Larsen's said they're somewhat interested in World Cup Watling.

Back to being one of their few plausible ways of addressing the 'pitch can't be slow, otherwise so many dopey biffo tee-off merchants to come out and fall like skittles under our good top 4' problem.

We've been to the Watling well enough in ODIs to know he's not our middle order guy. No point of him being the backup guy either, unless he's covering for the top 3-4.

It's going to be flat as **** in England next year, with 330 being the sort of score you're happy with but not comfortable with. BJ Watling has no role in that sort of scenario. Latham keeps, and Phillips backs up. We haven't seen enough of Blundell, because as Moss rightly said the ridiculous Ronchi scenario where he got two years out of a single knock v Sri Lanka. Back-ups are a plenty in the middle order batting, so we don't need a keeper to patch that. If Latham goes down, Phillips plays.

 

[Flem274*]

watling is more likely to score clutch runs than phillips

 

[SteveNZ]

watling is more likely to score clutch runs than phillips

There's no doubt Watling is more mentally settled at international level...but at what run rate is he going to score those? If Latham goes down and Watling opens, then OK - but that's not where he's batting in the UAE is it? He's never shown any signs of being a lower order option. His career ODI strikerate is 68. His last 10 ODI scores are 12, 20, 2, 7, 1, 14, 0, 6, 17 and 8 and I don't think he's done enough List A work to suggest he's any different a player.

Anyway it's all purely hypothetical given Latham will most likely be the #1 option. No need for a Beaver just yet.

 

[TheBrand]

watling is more likely to score clutch runs than phillips

Do you really believe that? I definitely don't.

 

[Prince EWS]

If Latham goes down and Watling opens, then OK - but that's not where he's batting in the UAE is it?

Latham himself isn't opening though; he's playing as the strike-rotating #5 guy. Watling definitely seems like the most like for like replacement for Latham in that role should he get injured.

 

[Athlai]

Yeah seems fairly clear they want Watling as a strike rotating/partnership building cover batsman. Can bat up and down the order and can keep.

When we play blokes like Colin Munro, I honestly don't think it's a problem to have a couple guys like that.

 

[straw man]

There was an article the other day saying Watling is pushing for a spot in the World Cup squad, which was surprising.

I can see two possibilities where I want Watling in the World Cup squad:
- we're playing on tricky wickets where 230-250 is par score and he can play an innings like he did for NZ A the other night: 76(102). Par in England is what, 330?
- he finds some way of ticking along at SR 100-120, with ability to boost that closer to 150 at the end, as is required in England. Current List A strike rate is 74 and ODI strike rate is 68, so ah, double that?

So that's a no thanks from me. Keep giving chances to Phillips, Seifert, Blundell, Cleaver instead please.

 

[Moss]

Phillips has pretty much played himself out of contention for a limited overs slot with three ducks. Though if he goes well in the T20s who knows

 

[Moss]

Finally a substantial score for Young and a possibility of time at the crease for Ravindra (thanks to a below par top order performance). Fingers crossed for a better than middling score.

 

[nzfan]

Just saw the score, didn't know the game was on.

That seems like a top knock from William Young. He's batted well through out the series.

A good partnership for the 6th wicket of over 100 runs. Although Ravindra didn't set the world on fire it shows he can handle pressure. Coming in when 5 wickets down and barely any time or experience at this level under his belt. The lad can definitely bat. Hope he gets a good run with the bat.

 

[Flem274*]

phillips had no idea where off stump was against an average bowler like amir and seiferts glovework is awful. watling is well in the odi frame.

 

[nzfan]

Tim Seifert is the man with Latham as the first choice keeper for me. Although the experience of Watling in those conditions does help the think tank. I think it'll be Watling that'll make it.

8 months is a long time though, the form is quite fickle and guys may go out of the side you never know.

 

[nzfan]

I guess both Worker and Phillips are out of contention for the one dayers Vs Pakistan.

 

[Mike5181]

Based on performances you could almost just throw Will Young in there, assuming him and Ferguson are the two added to the squad after this. Watling could play there to get some game time but it is a different role than batting at 5-6 where Latham is.

 

[Moss]

Young has probably made a case for himself but not sure how he'd fit in at this stage except as cover for the top 4. What the side needs is someone who can bat in the top 6 and bowl 7-8 overs adequately, and a reserve keeper batsman.

Though with Guptill out he could come in as a specialist bat and Latham gets moved to opening. But to my knowledge his List A career hasn't stacked up just yet.

 

[Mike5181]

I assume CdG, Munro and Williamson will be the bowling options for that 5th block. Watling's already in the squad as the reserve keeper.

Picking Young in this series doesn't contribute to our long-term world cup goals, but I don't think UAE performances are going to be all that indicative of how players are going to go in England anyway. Play your best XI to win the series, even if that means a number 3 like Will Young playing as an opener. I wouldn't shuffle around the other players in the order either because ultimately it's just an injury replacement until Guptill gets back.

 

[straw man]

Well done Will Young - 134 should be enough to propel him into the NZ squad imo, given how poorly the rest of the batsmen have gone. Unless they are only looking to add a bowler and reserve keeper to the squad, I guess.

What the side needs is someone who can bat in the top 6 and bowl 7-8 overs adequately, and a reserve keeper batsman.

Yes, the same problems we've had for the last two years. Batting spots 1, 6, 7, one of whom can also keep and one of whom can also bowl.

At least Latham is more settled as first choice wicketkeeper batting 5 now - I wasn't sure that would work and have been a little sceptical about his slow-ish scoring for a roady world cup, but he's an all-round good player and looks the best choice. His 'slow' is also a career strike rate of 82, which isn't terrible.