*Official* New Zealand in England 2021

[Niall]

I think Ali has no business batting above 7 in test cricket. If he plays again really he bats 8

Agreed.

I was one of those morons adamant he should open in the UAE as its fun for openers over their thus Hafeez scoring a zillion runs, when it happened it didn't go well to say the least.

 

[NZTailender]

Henry man of the match! Would love to see what the odds on that were a few days ago.

Just going to wheel this out again

 

[hendrix]

Was just thinking about this again. I know this is a largely rubbish england side but still...

We rested the best batsman in the world
Two of the best bowlers in the world
The best wicketkeeper batsman in the world

And still won in 3 and a bit days. Not bad.

 

[Bahnz]

Again, you'll disagree with me on this, but I don't think BJ is the best keeper bat in the side anymore, let alone the world. Blundell and Mitchell would imo both get into the starting XI on current form alone. At the very least, the absence of Watling and CdG was only ever going to have a minor impact on the team given how strong the reserves are.

 

[TheJediBrah]

This shows how much England rely on Stokes IMO. All credit to NZ of course but a lot of this England side doesn't look Test standard

 

[vandem]

Again, you'll disagree with me on this, but I don't think BJ is the best keeper bat in the side anymore, let alone the world. Blundell and Mitchell would imo both get into the starting XI on current form alone. At the very least, the absence of Watling and CdG was only ever going to have a minor impact on the team given how strong the reserves are.

Watling agree, since watching a couple of scratchy domestic innings earlier in summer (live + video). Footwork and timing and decision making not as good as previous season.

 

[Flem274*]

i think cdg still has it tbh. we just haven't seen him bat for 12 months before lords. he looked at ease until he got out in the first dig, then did lord colin things until the declaration second knock.

 

[jcas0167]

Interesting throwback. IIRC Latham and Rutherford were facing off for the test opener’s slot then. Ken Jr was preferred, scored 171 on debut and Latham had to wait a year longer for his debut. Quite a few names from the A side just faded away - Rutherford, Broom, Anderson, Brownlie, Gillespie, Neesham (though still going strong in white ball).

That England side was really strong on paper though I think it was the start of their “falling out of love with the game” phase. the team would be turned inside out after the Ashes at the end of the year.

That was also the beginning of the new approach to how the Black Caps played that I think Latham referenced after the game. At that point de Grandhomme was also behind Anderson and Neesham in the pecking order. As the older player it looked like his future opportunities might be limited.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Just saw some highlights why was Ravi Jadeja bowling for NZ

 

[honestbharani]

Coz he is the answer to everything.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

this is the second time tom latham has captained nz to a win against england in a red ball game. he was skipper for NZ A back in 2013 when they won the tour match*

*NZ A fielded first teamers bj watling and dean brownlie to get them time in the middle, and they were very influential.

edit - here https://www.espncricinfo.com/series...s-england-xi-tour-match-569236/full-scorecard

My boi Rae taking three catches as a sub fielder is a nice touch too

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

My boi Rae taking three catches as a sub fielder is a nice touch too

It's A Shame About Rae

I've never been too good with names.
Cleaver, Clarkson, Tickner, I see his fantastic hat trick.
I know it's prob'ly not my place.
But that headband makes him look a real dick.

It's a shame about Rae.
In Dunedin, and nowhere else
He's on the sheet to play.
Some balls seemed to go astray.
It's a shame about Rae.

If he makes it through the tail,
I'll be pleasantly surprised I'll tell you what
I'll might think his bowling's grand.
I've never been to good with names,
But I recall the headband.

It's a shame about Rae.
In Dunedin, and nowhere else
He's on the sheet to play.
Some balls seemed to go astray.
It's a shame about Rae.

(with profuse apologies to the Lemonheads)

 

[Binkley]

Ironically Evan Dando wore a headband better.

 

[NZTailender]

So, combined XI from the series? Bit thin on performances, apart from Conway and some bowlers. Apart from Burns and Conway most of the batsmen are borderline in who should get a nod. Decided to go a long tail.

1. R Burns
2. D Conway
3. W Young/D Sibley
4. R Taylor
5. H Nicholls/D Lawrence
6. T Blundell+
7. O Robinson
8. M Wood
9. N Wagner
10. T Southee
11. M Henry

 

[BoyBrumby]

I'd probably swap Wood for Patel, thus lengthening the tail even more, but otherwise I think that's probably about right.

 

[CricAddict]

Again, you'll disagree with me on this, but I don't think BJ is the best keeper bat in the side anymore, let alone the world. Blundell and Mitchell would imo both get into the starting XI on current form alone. At the very least, the absence of Watling and CdG was only ever going to have a minor impact on the team given how strong the reserves are.

While he has not yet looked like it, De Kock is currently the best wicketkeeper bat in the world.

 

[Athlai]

Rizwan IMO

 

[honestbharani]

They are all good and I think QdK, Pant and Rizwan stand out but QdK has done it for longer and has played in more varied conditions, so others have to prove themselves more than he does IMO.

 

[Flem274*]

While he has not yet looked like it, De Kock is currently the best wicketkeeper bat in the world.

'he isnt, but he actually is plz believe me'

 

[wellAlbidarned]

De kock's true calling is as a Paul McCartney lookalike imo