*Official* Pakistan v New Zealand in the UAE 2018

[Hicheal Michael]

Nz seem to play their best whenever there is a number of injuries ie there are better players than the ones Larsen picks.

 

[Spikey]

he's kiwi tbf. played for otago, moved to oz because he was clearly on drugs then saw the light and returned to nz to cop it from that flem274 moron for being the subject of a random larsen pick

lol 3fer

I can't remember it all off the top of my head but born in NZ, family moved to Sydney when he was ~10~ (He went to a notable private school in the Eastern Suburbs so maybe the family moved for big job reasons), moved back to NZ for school and cricket, and I think moved back to Sydney after he sorta figured cricket wasn't gonna happen for him, contiuned playing Grade for years, got a NSW call-up when Lyon was playing tests and SOK was probably suspended or injured, always did well, and was contracted for NSW for this season when it seems NZ made a pitch to him and he decided to give it a shot (which is why I was confused he was 5th in line for this tour)

 

[BeeGee]

Pakistan imploding.

I was hoping for two wickets this session. ****ing awesome.

 

[_Ed_]

Well, that session was even better than my best-case scenario.

 

[straw man]

Very happy that Ajaz gets one too, WAG

 

[NZTailender]

ha **** me i really would not have guessed these two spinners would legit do this well. Ajaz didn't seem to be emulating his first test skillz and wasn't sure about somerville even after a decent first innings dig but **** me this is glorious

 

[Spikey]

it seems noted robot Prince EWS was right

 

[Moss]

Wow et tu, Imam? Pakistan are spooked here.

Just glorious this. Couldn't go more perfectly according to script.

 

[Howe_zat]

Pakistan imploding.

bear shits in woods

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Well, that session was even better than my best-case scenario.

You'd have hoped to get 2 wickets and make it a difficult nervy lunch break but that is beyond what anyone could have hoped for. Just need to keep calm heads and claim a famous series win.

 

[Spikey]

I thought Kane's declaration was right on the money so I'm glad it's been rewarded

 

[vandem]

Well, that session was even better than my best-case scenario.

The last three sessions were better than my best-case scenario. At lunch yesterday the NZers were 4-112, leading by only 38.

 

[Flem274*]

I can't remember it all off the top of my head but born in NZ, family moved to Sydney when he was ~10~ (He went to a notable private school in the Eastern Suburbs so maybe the family moved for big job reasons), moved back to NZ for school and cricket, and I think moved back to Sydney after he sorta figured cricket wasn't gonna happen for him, contiuned playing Grade for years, got a NSW call-up when Lyon was playing tests and SOK was probably suspended or injured, always did well, and was contracted for NSW for this season when it seems NZ made a pitch to him and he decided to give it a shot (which is why I was confused he was 5th in line for this tour)

this is a good yo-yo history

nz have enticed people before that never got a go because they were meh for their shield side. obviously somerville has avoided that risk (and it is in our fc comp which hates spinners) and capitalised on injuries and sodhi being crap

yessss ajaz

 

[Howsie]

Oh yeah baby

 

[Spikey]

this is a good yo-yo history

nz have enticed people before that never got a go because they were meh for their shield side. obviously somerville has avoided that risk (and it is in our fc comp which hates spinners) and capitalised on injuries and sodhi being crap

yessss ajaz

again I just don't get why they recruited him (which is great!) but then had him 5th in line anyway. it's all worked out anyway, but a bit odd considering he's not the age Wagner was. I suppose one person may have been done the recruiting but then didn't have a say at the selection meetings

anyway still a long way to go, etc

 

[Hicheal Michael]

Santner is a somewhat debatable selection given he doesn't take many wickets, which is I assume where you're coming from. At home though, he plus De Grandhomme are a good combination to boost both the bowling and batting.

I'll be interested to see how Ajaz (or maybe Somerville) goes at home in Santner's place, assuming Santner's not fit for the SL series.

IDK - just feel like CDG gets a bad rap at times. Some of the dismissals this series have been pretty bad, sure, but the guy will happily throw his wicket away when quick runs are needed. He seems to be quite an easy target for criticism, perhaps due to his rather innocent persona.

I actually think commentators and media have a huge influence in how players are perceived. All it takes is someone to be labelled 'a battler', or to be of 'great character' to the point where their flaws as players are overlooked.

 

[Moss]

again I just don't get why they recruited him (which is great!) but then had him 5th in line anyway. it's all worked out anyway, but a bit odd considering he's not the age Wagner was. I suppose one person may have been done the recruiting but then didn't have a say at the selection meetings

anyway still a long way to go, etc

He'll still face a battle for regular appearances, NZ don't play a ton of test cricket to begin with and 2 spinners at home is a rarity. Santner probably will remain first choice on account of his batting ability, in his absence it's going to be a toss up between Somerville and Ajaz. There's a tour to SL next year I think which will probably be a big chance for him.

 

[BeeGee]

bear shits in woods

It does indeed, but this is a magnificent grithy meter long steamer of a turd. Better than most.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

If we win, will it be our best ever away series win?

Contenders -

Aus 85/86

England 86 and 99

West Indies 2002

Thoughts?

 

[NZTailender]

IDK - just feel like CDG gets a bad rap at times. Some of the dismissals this series have been pretty bad, sure, but the guy will happily throw his wicket away when quick runs are needed. He seems to be quite an easy target for criticism, perhaps due to his rather innocent persona.

I actually think commentators and media have a huge influence in how players are perceived. All it takes is someone to be labelled 'a battler', or to be of 'great character' to the point where their flaws as players are overlooked.

For whatever reason it seems like any overseas lure that comes to NZ get s a gig anyway. Ronchi got a gig in the Test side out of seemingly nowhere. It's almost as if they sign a contract with NZC where they guarantee them one test if they move.