*Unofficial* New Zealand Black Caps Thread

[Zinzan]

There is no way I'd trust santner as a no7. I feel he is a number 8 at best and apart from the series vs England last year he has never looked like he can score quick runs when needed.

Agree, Santner's a good 8, but an ordinary 7.

 

[Zinzan]

I was briefly slightly confident we might make the semis after those good warm up results (until WI), but I have to say looking at our possible sides, I think we’ve totally missed the boat this World Cup cycle in terms of team balance and personnel. My final prediction: 7th.

I was confident-ish 6 months ago before India spanked our bottoms at home, when we couldn't handle their flighty spinners. Now on top of this, the gutless decisions to pick Henry & Southee, both of whom have been below-par since 2015 (against decent opposition) in the squad. Now I think we'll likely miss the semis, and if we do manage to get there, I think we'll be easy beats in the knockout phase.

 

[thundaboult]

As i suspected, still no answer for the opener dilemma. Munro's troubles are well documented...but in fashion has Nicholls been convincing. Now I'm starting to think that sending cdg as a pinch hitter might be worth a try. But if Tahir is opening the bowling to go after roy today, that plan might backfire verrrrrry quickly.

 

[Meridio]

Think there's a chance of Blundell being used as a specialist bat? In which case he could be opening.

Which would be pretty crazy, because he doesn't do it domestically (maybe once or twice in T20s? cbf checking) but that's the kind of hole we've dug ourselves into.

 

[Dan]

Sodhi has the potential to properly Bracewell it up and become a workable NZ domestix FC #6 imo. Lot of worse options at 9.

 

[straw man]

A couple of years ago Sodhi was bowling very well in ODIs (as well as T20s) and I was starting to think we should pair him with Santner in the first choice XI more often than not. Didn't bowl as well last season and has been jerked around on the selection front (the strange Astle trial thing). Looks down on confidence and like he doesn't know his place in the side - it's pretty clear Williamson doesn't trust him and he seems to be someone who needs a confidence boost from his captain.

Since everyone else in is in Team Henry or Team Southee (ok just Athlai) then put me down for Team Sodhi . With the proviso that someone hypnotise Williamson so he believes Sodhi is the second coming of Warne (or Tahir at least).

 

[TheBrand]

I think we have to go with Nicholls opening the batting. Although I would love to see them do a 92 and open with CdG.

Boult and Ferguson a lock, probably Henry/Sodhi for that other spot.

 

[Chewie]

Southee didn't play the last warmup game because he was getting a wisdom tooth removed apparently. Maybe the pain and discomfort from that has been affecting him the past 4 years.......

 

[Prince EWS]

Since everyone else in is in Team Henry or Team Southee (ok just Athlai) then put me down for Team Sodhi .

Yeah I'll join up on this too, if only for the angry Albi posts we'd get when Kane decided de Grandhomme should open the bowling in that attack.

 

[NZTailender]

Since everyone else in is in Team Henry or Team Southee (ok just Athlai) then put me down for Team Sodhi . With the proviso that someone hypnotise Williamson so he believes Sodhi is the second coming of Warne (or Tahir at least).

I'm Team Bennett tbh. Also Team Wheeler even though his credentials are far less.

 

[_Ed_]

I'm Team Bennett tbh. Also Team Wheeler even though his credentials are far less.

Yeah, I'm a fan of both too. And, for the future, Team Jamieson.

 

[thundaboult]

Tickner, Jamieson, Kuggs, Bennett all appear to be a better option than Southee and even Henry at this point. I somewhat still believe in Henry. If he gets consistent game time he could be deadly with the new ball. Problem is, NZC has been anything but consistent with him. Reap what you sow lol.

 

[_Ed_]

Meanwhile, Jeetan Patel with a casual 8-36 for Warwickshire.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

Yeah I'll join up on this too, if only for the angry Albi posts we'd get when Kane decided de Grandhomme should open the bowling in that attack.

nah if there's any breeze it's worth giving colin a few over ferguson. happy to backtrack on that one.

 

[Athlai]

I'd be team Bennett if he was there, but with what we've got it's Southee all the way baby

 

[Flem274*]

if we're going to fantasize about southee being a good odi bowler then my fantasy pick is tickner flies over as injury replacement and does gud.

seriously tho after we come 5th here can we learn for the next cycle and give boult/southee more rest from odis so we can try a range of bowlers? we really backed ourselves into a corner this cycle by only starting to experiment at the last minute.

as much as i love some 2015 heroes, baz, hairy jav and ronchi should have been moved on immediately after the last world cup as well.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

Since no-one's posted it:

ENGLAND

November 1: 1st Twenty20 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, 2pm
Nov 3: 2nd T20 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 2pm
Nov 5: 3rd T20 at Saxton Oval, Nelson, 2pm
Nov 8: 4th T20 at McLean Park, Napier, 6pm
Nov 10: 5th T20 at Eden Park, Auckland, 2pm
Nov 21-25: 1st test at Bay Oval, Tauranga, 11am
Nov 29-December 3: 2nd test at Seddon Park, Hamilton, 11am

INDIA

January 24: 1st T20 at Eden Park, Auckland, 8pm
Jan 26: 2nd T20 at Eden Park, Auckland, 8pm (subject to resource consent)
Jan 29: 3rd T20 at Seddon Park, Hamilton, 8pm
Jan 31: 4th T20 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 8pm
February 2: 5th T20 at Bay Oval, Tauranga, 8pm
Feb 5: 1st ODI at Seddon Park, Hamilton, 3pm
Feb 8: 2nd ODI at Eden Park, Auckland, 3pm
Feb 11: 3rd ODI at Bay Oval, Tauranga, 3pm
Feb 21-25: 1st test at Basin Reserve, Wellington, 11.30am
Feb 29-March 4: 2nd test at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, 11.30am

AUSTRALIA

Mar 24: 1st T20 at University of Otago Oval, Dunedin, 2pm
Mar 27: 2nd T20 at Eden Park, Auckland, 7pm
Mar 29: 3rd T20 at Hagley Oval Christchurch, 2pm

 

[Hicheal Michael]

Yikes.

 

[Zinzan]

FFS all those T20s.. is this the future of NZC? 4-5 tests a year, 10 ODIs, and about 40 T20s?

I'd like to know how SL & the Windies still seem to play so many more Tests than us.

 

[Mike5181]

I've tried, I really have. But 14 years on and T20s are still kind of meh for me. I just don't think I'll ever be sold on the format.