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*Official* New Zealand in England 2021

Chewie

International Vice-Captain
Everyone writing Santa off forever despite him not even being 30 yet. FMD. Utter spuds
Mitchell Santner - 'If you have a big day in the field, you can have an ice-cream' (espncricinfo.com)

If you could reward yourself with a cheat meal after a five-for, what would that be?
If we've won the match, might be McDonald's and a couple of beers after that. I'm sure everyone will be in the same boat in our team.
I found this kind of funny since he's only had one five-for in his whole career
 

straw man

Hall of Fame Member
According to stuff.co.nz NZ has now cut things to 12 for the first test:

Conway, Latham, Williamson, Taylor, Nicholls, Watling, CDG, Santner, Jamieson, Southee, Wagner, Henry

One out CDG, Santner, and Henry to miss out.
England favourites at the NZ TAB.
The Herald thinks Henry is the probable 12th man. #bat deep
Santner, Jamieson, Southee, Wagner is a very strong 8-11
Ah Santner, I guess there needs to be one player to bring feelings of ambivalence to those sitting up wrapped in blankets in the middle of the night watching this from the other side of the world.
I would keep CDG over Henry.
 

The Hutt Rec

International Vice-Captain
I'd be surprised if Henry didn't play tbh, he had a good test debut at Lords.

I'd be leaving Santner out of that 12, will be interesting to see what they do.

Can't believe it's just a few hours away!!! Working from home the rest of the week, so might see if I can manage to watch most of it lol.
 

Moss

International Captain
Boult is a loss for sure, he was consistently good on the last two test tours to England. Still, it’s a chance for the attack to show they can get by without him.
 

Howsie

International Captain
If Santner plays I hope when he comes out to bat he just looks to play his shots. He’s a much better batsman when’s he’s looking to attack than coming on and being 10 off 40 before fiddling at one and being caught behind.

Won’t say much about his bowling but I hope he does a job.
 

nzfan

International Vice-Captain
Super stoked for Devon though, can't wait to watch. A big one coming up. I just want us to bat first 8-)

Everyone I've spoke to today and some messages on my phone about Santa is not good... some are utterly pissed. There's a lot of red ball hate for Santa. Almost feels like Steady picks him so that there's lot more interest with people watching and wanting him to fail :D
 

kaetor

U19 Cricketer
I believe enough in these two tests to have gotten a month of Spark Sport.

Not huge on Santner, feel like he doesn't offer enough of either batting or bowling. Does have an ability to come in clutch though which can be valuable, look at Stokes (though an obvious quality difference..) .Would rather he played a full season of NZ domestic and proved something in FC cricket first. But the selectors see things in him, so willing to give it a go. I guess we won't see Rachin playing this series unless something freakish happens.

Very excited for tonight. May be a late bedtime tonight.
 

straw man

Hall of Fame Member
Boult is a loss for sure, he was consistently good on the last two test tours to England. Still, it’s a chance for the attack to show they can get by without him.
Usual question when Boult is absent is who takes the wickets of left-handers, but England only have one in the top six.
 

Moss

International Captain
Super stoked for Devon though, can't wait to watch. A big one coming up. I just want us to bat first 8-)

Everyone I've spoke to today and some messages on my phone about Santa is not good... some are utterly pissed. There's a lot of red ball hate for Santa. Almost feels like Steady picks him so that there's lot more interest with people watching and wanting him to fail :D
Yeah happy alright for Conway and would be cool if he has a great debut, but I really don’t envy him having to front up against Anderson and Broad on their turf.

Santa is more Kane’s pick than Stead’s I thought. He’s an okay enough option at home where he can fill in overs while the pacers do their thing, plus deepening the batting. Abroad, he hasn’t really shown that he can shoulder responsibility (the Galle test in 2019 was an example). Still, NZ play so few away tests that in a way you’re right; the sample size probably doesn’t merit the amount of red ball gate he gets.
 

nzfan

International Vice-Captain
Yeah happy alright for Conway and would be cool if he has a great debut, but I really don’t envy him having to front up against Anderson and Broad on their turf.

Santa is more Kane’s pick than Stead’s I thought. He’s an okay enough option at home where he can fill in overs while the pacers do their thing, plus deepening the batting. Abroad, he hasn’t really shown that he can shoulder responsibility (the Galle test in 2019 was an example). Still, NZ play so few away tests that in a way you’re right; the sample size probably doesn’t merit the amount of red ball gate he gets.
Yup not going to be easy for Devon, would have loved to see him in the middle order but rather see him play than not. The man has a way to adapt to any situation and challenges. Although not a natural keeper he did a wonderful job in T20s. Performed like no other player from the past despite having been drafted in when he's nearly 30. Michael Hussey vibes...

I think Santner can bat. He can definitely score some decent runs. Maybe he's improved his bowling, maybe he's bowling better than the other two spinners in the nets. He could be Kane's pick but he barely bowls him though. I'm not sure why Kane would back Santner but not bowl him enough. Even the test we won at mount vs Pakistan he was hesitant to bowl Santner. Santner's away record is not great but a chance to redeem that.
 

nzfan

International Vice-Captain
Now that team is selected and done with time to move on.... Hoping we dominate this test. It'll be awesome to start the tour with a good win. Lots at stake. We have this reputation of not traveling well despite winning in UAE, SL etc.. Time to change that perspective and show we deserve the top billing. On the back of that will come 3 test match tours. Sick of these 2 test match series
 

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