*Unofficial* New Zealand Black Caps Thread

[Bahnz]

If he's back in NZ on Saturday, and then has 3 weeks in NZ before heading back out to the UK, then it'll be extremely touch and go for the 2nd test. He could conceivably get out of MIQ by the 9th of June, though I'm not sure what kind of shape he'd be in to take part in the test match on the 10th. Having said that, if he was available you'd want to play him, just to give him some first class cricket before the WTC final.

 

[Kippax]

Making things unnecessarily tight for a big final....he's certainly been there before.

 

[honestbharani]

Think it was made clear that he wont be playing the series against England and will only be available for the WTC final.

 

[Bahnz]

Think it was made clear that he wont be playing the series against England and will only be available for the WTC final.

Nope, Boult's hoping to be able to play in the 2nd test, but that will depend on the availability of flights in late May.

NZ Cricket confirms plans for India evacuation of players, coaches after IPL postponement

Star bowler "absolutely" committed to flying to England for world test final, after opting to rejoin his family in New Zealand.

www.stuff.co.nz

Asked if Boult was having second thoughts about heading to England, White said: “No, quite the opposite. He’s got a plan in his mind and he absolutely wants to get back for possibly the second test, and definitely the test match championship final.”

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

JimmyGS is a CW man living in Blocky's world, of course he cops **** all the time.

Yep. How many New Zealand sportsmen have been criticised by the electoral commission for supporting the Labour Party?

 

[The Hutt Rec]

I really don't get this from Boult. Why even leave it to chance that he'll be in England for the second test?! If he doesn't make that then he'll be underdone for the final, no doubt about it.

Plus I'd have thought the first test at Lords would have held a bit of an appeal.

I know he's got a young family, but my dad ditched me for work as a kid growing up and I ended up ... well ... ok, fair point Boult.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Yep. How many New Zealand sportsmen have been criticised by the electoral commission for supporting the Labour Party?

Was he?

I remember Israel Dagg getting in trouble a few years ago after tweeting he'd voted National.

 

[Nintendo]

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/...ilar-to-the-windies-attack-of-the-80s-1262335 Opinions?

 

[honestbharani]

Remember when Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon were called the greatest ever Aussie attack? Guess something similar will happen now.

 

[Flem274*]

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/...ilar-to-the-windies-attack-of-the-80s-1262335 Opinions?

on reading it i see the interviewer said that, not jurgensen.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Was he?

I remember Israel Dagg getting in trouble a few years ago after tweeting he'd voted National.

Nope. I was implying that most NZ sportsmen are National supporters. Dagg, Bond, Murray, Jonah Lomu and a few others I think have all been in trouble for social media posts about National. I'm suggesting that Neesham is the odd one out. You know, having his own views about things. TJ Perenara seems to suffer a bit amongst a particular demographic for having 'views' too.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

I thought those guys got in trouble for tweeting their support on election day.

 

[_Ed_]

I thought those guys got in trouble for tweeting their support on election day.

Indeed, aka breaking the law.

 

[Bahnz]

I really don't get this from Boult. Why even leave it to chance that he'll be in England for the second test?! If he doesn't make that then he'll be underdone for the final, no doubt about it.

Plus I'd have thought the first test at Lords would have held a bit of an appeal.

I know he's got a young family, but my dad ditched me for work as a kid growing up and I ended up ... well ... ok, fair point Boult.

You don’t understand why after spending a month stuck in the middle of a public health catastrophe he’d want to spend a week with his family?

 

[nzfan]

It's all fair for Boult to head back to NZ recharge batteries and then to UK. I think that'll keep him fresh. Besides he can always train at mount. For bowlers they don't need to be bowling to batters to keep up the form. Target bowling is what most bowlers prefer rather than bowl at batters. I think he'll be all right for the WTC finals even if he doesn't get a game in prior.

 

[nzfan]

Listening to the latest episode of Coney and Waddle on iheart.

There was a chat about spin bowling in NZ and they had invited Evan Gray. I have to say the old timers are so way off mark with their assessment. Makes you wonder if they watch the games at all. Gray was pushing Bracewell for a spot as a spin bowling all rounder just because he has Bracewell as surname, he's tall and big. As if we are picking props or locks for All Blacks. He was like Bracewell is a young 30 year old

Bracewell barely got wickets this season. He can bat that's for sure and even a chance for Black Caps for one day and T20 but for test matches I don't know what is Gray even thinking. He made a mention of Younghusband and Rippon which is fair. If Bracewell can bowl Younghusband I think Younghusband will go all right. Rippon definitely is a shot but from what I have seen he does bowl some rank bad balls as well like any wrist spinners do. I think Black Caps were right in picking Ravindra, this year his bowling has been all right. Looked up the stats and his strike rate this year with the ball is 58 and averaging 34 which is very much acceptable for a spinner in New Zealand conditions.

For sure there is lack of out and out spinners. I guess Ajaz can do that job but he needs to play more consistently for Black Caps. He's not getting younger and he's not one of the fittest but no reason why he can't be. Too late to develop batting I guess but he is a quality left armer and hold his own if conditions suit. I am hoping Black Caps pick him for the tests in UK. I'd love to see Ravindra play no doubt but if we are looking at out and out spinner to play I guess Ajaz has to play so what if he's not our fittest player. Ravindra will be a long term solution if can keep fit but he's got a lot of time on hand to develop bowling. Spinners tend to become very good post 25.

 

[nzfan]

On that note I can't get why Santner doesn't look to turn the ball and rather relies on length. I know his action is not orthodox particularly the front arm doesn't help load up to use the body as well as he would like to but he does have long fingers and should have no problem imparting reasonable revs. Most of our finer spinners rely on over spin. Only Ajaz is able to bowl side spin which helps in turning the ball bigger and also natural variation from the deck. If Ajaz had few extra inches on him he'd have been amazing.... oh well. Ajaz has such an economical and repeatable action. Super smooth run up as well.

 

[nzfan]

On The Front Foot | iHeart

On The Front Foot is your weekly cricket podcast with Bryan Waddle and Jeremy Coney. Two of the most iconic voices of New Zealand cricket, keep you up to date with the leather on willow this summer. Powered by Newstalk ZB and iHeartRadio

www.iheart.com

 

[Kippax]

Bracewell barely got wickets this season. He can bat that's for sure and even a chance for Black Caps for one day and T20 but for test matches I don't know what is Gray even thinking.

I don't think Bracewell vs. good international batting will go very well either, but for an oldie who just clicks on scorecards and isn't watching the Shield ball-by-ball, I can easily see why MB's in the conversation in light of what NZ actually wants for 70% of the Tests they'll play. They just want someone who won't shoot for the moon and bowl too many weak freebies like Rachin has been doing throughout his young first-class career.

 

[nzfan]

I don't think Bracewell vs. good international batting will go very well either, but for an oldie who just clicks on scorecards and isn't watching the Shield ball-by-ball, I can easily see why MB's in the conversation in light of what NZ actually wants for 70% of the Tests they'll play. They just want someone who won't shoot for the moon and bowl too many weak freebies like Rachin has been doing throughout his young first-class career.

Isn't that the very reason we are in this state right now. Use spin bowlers like slow medium bowlers? Bowl wicket to wicket with nothing behind it and not as an attacking option? There's got to be an outlier surely. Maybe Ashok? Or is he going to be turned into a bowler that is supposed to hold one end as well? I hope not. I think Stead already mentioned Ravindra is an attacking bowler. In short it means he won't bowl in our conditions

Besides MB's economy is 3.3 this season, it's not like it is hugely economical. Younghusband bowled 69 overs @ 3.4. Not all that different but Younghusband bowled 69 overs in comparison to MB's 175.