*Official* World Test Championship Final 2021

[The Hutt Rec]

I've been torn up about what our side should be for the final, but I've had an awakening. We don't need a spinner ... we've got Wagner who is an insane long-spell bowling fourth innings beast. He sort of plays the spinners role in our side (if we're not playing in the subcontinent). Side should be:

Latham
Conway
Williamson
Taylor
Nicholls
Watling
CDG
Jamieson
Wagner
Southee
Boult

 

[Flem274*]

I'll only be satisfied if India are bowled out for less than 26. Twice.

this is the only correct answer

i've had my fair share of hot air balloon deflations like anything in australia 2015 or constant close games like our entire 2019 wc campaign. all i want to do is drop my pants and rub one out to a glorious new zealand wtc final victory where we crush the enemy like the world crushes our dreams.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

this is the only correct answer

i've had my fair share of hot air balloon deflations like anything in australia 2015 or constant close games like our entire 2019 wc campaign. all i want to do is drop my pants and rub one out to a glorious new zealand wtc final victory where we crush the enemy like the world crushes our dreams.

I want us to have a comprehensive win, but I wouldn't have put it like that ...

 

[Noumenon]

lmao

 

[Manee]

I've been torn up about what our side should be for the final, but I've had an awakening. We don't need a spinner ... we've got Wagner who is an insane long-spell bowling fourth innings beast. He sort of plays the spinners role in our side (if we're not playing in the subcontinent). Side should be:

Latham
Conway
Williamson
Taylor
Nicholls
Watling
CDG
Jamieson
Wagner
Southee
Boult

I think the only way India can win is if NZ don't play a spinner and its a flat pitch which turns (and there isn't much swing on offer) - which is possible knowing the venue.

I'd put NZ as heavy favourites though. I think India's batting line-up is very shaky and the top order haven't consistently gone big in a long time (or at all, such as Gill).

 

[Manee]

I want us to have a comprehensive win, but I wouldn't have put it like that ...

Top quality exchange.

 

[Apex Predator]

Indian lineup is full of stroke makers barring Pujara. I don't think they will play a patient game. Especially both openers. They will go for quick runs most likely.
This is gonna be extremely watchable contest. Indian attack is more hit the deck kind but someone like Siraj is a tempting option & TM is very keen to play him.

 

[CricAddict]

But it doesn't rain in England in June.

 

[honestbharani]

View attachment 28232

But it doesn't rain in England in June.

I hope it doesn't.

 

[Flem274*]

i think i just came across former cwer welalbidarned on my fb friend suggestions and i wish he'd come back for this final. he was a massive good ****. we've got several mutual friends unsurprisingly.

ftr if it is him then since leaving us punishing nerds it appears he's got a good life and some solid white boi style going.

 

[harsh.ag]

Can we pool some money and entice Howe to get the comms going for this game

 

[Bahnz]

At this point isn’t there an argument that Wagner is a better bowler than Boult not just on current form, but in general? Boult is our 4th picked seamer and the only argument is whether he ranks above KJ because of sample size lol. Southee and Wags #1 and #2 imo

Also, lol at Howsie letting this go unchallenged. Stunning transformation for Wagz to go from a boring, no-talent trundler to a valuable member of the national side in the amount of time it takes to fly from Dunedin to Tauranga.

 

[straw man]

Hardest NZ selection poser in years. Only way to fairly resolve the choice of who sits out between Wagner, Boult, De Grandhomme and Ajaz is an old-fashioned game of tackle bullrush imo.
Sorry Ajaz.

 

[Arachnodouche]

Can't believe they're even contemplating benching Wagner. His short ball hack and ott celebrations make me want to throw rotten tomatoes at his face but I have no doubt he'll contribute significantly in the game, with ball and/or bat.

 

[Bahnz]

Fantastic article on Boult in the cricket monthly magazine. Found this bit particularly interesting:

There has, of course, been evolution: on the 2013 tour to England, Boult, enamoured of the Dukes ball's prodigious movement, began bowling outswingers to compliment his natural inswing to the right-hander.In his first Test at Lord's, he thought, "Man, this is amazing, I can swing it around everywhere." But it never brought him much success. He remembers it moving too much, and mixing the inswing and outswing actions resulted in a side strain. So he decided never to bowl outswing again.

Always wondered what happened to those big inswingers he bowled during the 2013 tour. Bit of a pity as it would’ve made him even more of a nightmare for right handers, but at the same time he’s done alright without it.

Also a bit sad to hear he still hasn’t gotten over 2019. Here’s hoping he can make some happier memories over the weekend.

 

[Moss]

Hardest NZ selection poser in years. Only way to fairly resolve the choice of who sits out between Wagner, Boult, De Grandhomme and Ajaz is an old-fashioned game of tackle bullrush imo.
Sorry Ajaz.

Should come down to: does the pitch really necessitate picking a spinner? If so, select Ajaz - I would probably take the hard call and leave out Boult on form then. If not, go with four seamers and seam bowling allrounder, it’s worked so far. Mitchell over CdG if the idea is to bolster the batting.

 

[thundaboult]

this is the only correct answer

i've had my fair share of hot air balloon deflations like anything in australia 2015 or constant close games like our entire 2019 wc campaign. all i want to do is drop my pants and rub one out to a glorious new zealand wtc final victory where we crush the enemy like the world crushes our dreams.

yes please.

enough with the thrillers

a comfortable win shall do nicely....the neutrals have had enough fun off the cinematic drama/entertainment we provide

 

[nzfan]

I'm quite interested in knowing which 5 from the NZ squad are going to be sent back this week. Let me make a guess, it's going to be Doug, Duffy, Rachin, Young and Henry? It must suck to be on the flight back home when the finals is going on. India will keep all 20 as they're happy to foot the bill for the extra 5 that ICC wouldn't pay for. We are in the finals but we're making arrangements to send the 5 players back. That is not correct. Besides there is money to be shared whether we win or lose. This makes it worse as the players are going to be sent back meaning it's shared between 15 rather than 20. In my opinion that is not correct. In an ideal world you would keep Duffy and Rachin in the squad just for the experience and they are the ones that are going to be around for a long time not the older ones in the team.

We have spoken about the good culture in black caps team but I don't like this part of the culture. The NZC should have kept all 20 together. It's stupid to have players traveling back and quarantining in NZ when the finals is going on. NZC should have put the foot down and said we will have all 20 together. Fly all of them back together. The extra cash would help players like Doug, Henry or if CDG is going to be on the flight back home early. They don't have many years of cricket left.

Despite how good the team performance is etc.. leaves a bit of bad taste. I guess the players that are being sent back will remember this and if they put leagues ahead of test matches in future then we shouldn't be blaming them.

 

[thundaboult]

I've been torn up about what our side should be for the final, but I've had an awakening. We don't need a spinner ... we've got Wagner who is an insane long-spell bowling fourth innings beast. He sort of plays the spinners role in our side (if we're not playing in the subcontinent). Side should be:

Latham
Conway
Williamson
Taylor
Nicholls
Watling
CDG
Jamieson
Wagner
Southee
Boult

wags has to play, we have seen time and time again that no conditions can deny him, and during crunch moments he is THAT guy with THE character...sorry ajaz

CDG over mitchell is a good shout as well

 

[Bahnz]

I'm quite interested in knowing which 5 from the NZ squad are going to be sent back this week. Let me make a guess, it's going to be Doug, Duffy, Rachin, Young and Henry? It must suck to be on the flight back home when the finals is going on. India will keep all 20 as they're happy to foot the bill for the extra 5 that ICC wouldn't pay for. We are in the finals but we're making arrangements to send the 5 players back. That is not correct. Besides there is money to be shared whether we win or lose. This makes it worse as the players are going to be sent back meaning it's shared between 15 rather than 20. In my opinion that is not correct. In an ideal world you would keep Duffy and Rachin in the squad just for the experience and they are the ones that are going to be around for a long time not the older ones in the team.

We have spoken about the good culture in black caps team but I don't like this part of the culture. The NZC should have kept all 20 together. It's stupid to have players traveling back and quarantining in NZ when the finals is going on. NZC should have put the foot down and said we will have all 20 together. Fly all of them back together. The extra cash would help players like Doug, Henry or if CDG is going to be on the flight back home early.

I’ll be incandescent if Santner is in the squad. Much more important for Henry to be in the squad in the event that one of Boult or Southee pull a hammy in the morning warm-ups.