*Official* 2022 New Zealand Tour of England, Ireland, Scotland & Netherlands

[kevinw]

Please explain to me what Leach is doing in a test team.Even team like Bangladesh have better spinners

He's the best spinner England have. Even Murali would've struggled on day one of this track.

 

[Skyliner]

Think Southee and Boult would have loved first use of the conditions knowing Trent Bridge usually swing friendly.

But really, given what NZ are used to at home (challenging first sessions, easier batting conditions later on) Latham and co. should be up for it.

given what NZ are used to at home (challenging first sessions, easier batting conditions later on) Latham and co. should be up for it.

————

Latham will be ‘up for it’ in the home summer against Sri Lanka at Hagley. A huuuge hundred awaits.

 

[Moss]

Great to see Mitchell-Blundell repeat their heroics. Thought the top 4 could’ve done better given the start, but these two are really making the opportunities count. Hopefully they can blunt the new ball threat tomorrow and allow the lower order a license. Need 450 on this pitch, looks like. Given Anderson-Broad’s prior expertise in bowling dry, surprising how profligate England were.

 

[thundaboult]

tbh though, even if we win every test from now on in this wtc cycle...we're not making the final, are we? we have lost 4 matches already + i highly doubt the other top contenders will be cancelling series due to covid now...

 

[Pup Clarke]

I really like Leach, but I don't think it's preposterous to think he's not going to get better, or even maintain his average if he were to get a consistent place in the team. Not every spinner 'gets better with age' as the old adage says, and he may have reached his ceiling

I don't think it'd be unfair on him for England to look at other options, like a Bess, Parkinson or Virdi. Or even try and integrate Carson from Sussex into a few training squads. Was seriously impressed with him in the CC last season

 

[NZTailender]

That was a better scorecard to wake up to than the last test.

Mitchell quietly becoming NZs mvp in all formats

 

[Immenso]

Wonder if it is a record for a NZ-raised player then.

No, looks like Bruce Martin played 115 FC before his test debut.

 

[ashley bach]

That was a better scorecard to wake up to than the last test.

Mitchell quietly becoming NZs mvp in all formats

I'm surprised so many seemed to of had their doubts concerning Mitchell.
Hopefully with a little luck he can get a big ton tomorrow, and end any queries regarding his selection or ability.
He's looked good across all formats, and can see him as being huge value for NZ in the next 4-5 years.
Just what the doctor ordered for NZ in this time of slight rebuilding and mini crisis.

 

[kevinw]

I really like Leach, but I don't think it's preposterous to think he's not going to get better, or even maintain his average if he were to get a consistent place in the team. Not every spinner 'gets better with age' as the old adage says, and he may have reached his ceiling

I don't think it'd be unfair on him for England to look at other options, like a Bess, Parkinson or Virdi. Or even try and integrate Carson from Sussex into a few training squads. Was seriously impressed with him in the CC last season

Virdi doesn't get a game at Surrey. Bess is very, very mediocre and Parkinson didn't look obviously better last week.

 

[Flem274*]

Well this was a good score to wake up to

 

[Frost]

Sooo based on how Mitch is performing is Gdg done? Maybe Gdg at home and england and mitch everywhere else?

 

[Skyliner]

David Long writing for Stuff -

‘The big moment

Latham getting out pulling a ball the delivery after Young went. It was a shot he didn’t need to play, but by losing his wicket when he did New Zealand lost their early dominance.

Had the Blacks Caps captain been able to hang around and build a partnership with Devon Conway they would have been in the box seat even more so.

Best with the bat

Mitchell continues his golden spell in the Black Caps team, after scoring a century at Lord’s he achieved what everyone above him in the batting order failed to do at Trent Bridge, make it to the half century mark.’

 

[Pup Clarke]

Virdi doesn't get a game at Surrey. Bess is very, very mediocre and Parkinson didn't look obviously better last week.

I don't necessarily disagree with you, and I don't really rate any of the three above as long-term test options. But I'm questioning whether it's worth investing in a young spinner who may not be ready now, but has the skillset to be test match ready bowlers in the next 3-4 years

Also let's be fair, Parkinson has played one test. Let's withhold judgement until we see more of him surely?

 

[Flem274*]

Leach is a good bowler tbh. Can't be judged on day 1 of a game in England.

I thought he was pretty good on your extended subcontinent tour.

 

[kevinw]

I don't necessarily disagree with you, and I don't really rate any of the three above as long-term test options. But I'm questioning whether it's worth investing in a young spinner who may not be ready now, but has the skillset to be test match ready bowlers in the next 3-4 years

Also let's be fair, Parkinson has played one test. Let's withhold judgement until we see more of him surely?

Not sure we have the luxury of letting a spinner learn his trade in the Test squad. More important is for counties to actually pick spinners and let them gain experience there. Surrey have so many pace options than I can't believe Virdi or Moriarty can't get a game. The leggies at Sussex and Leicestershire are breaking through at least. I think Bess will end up like SCurran, a county number six who can bowl a bit. Parkinson will tour this Winter and Leach will do fine too as it suits his style of bowling. Leach hasn't played a home test for three years more or less.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Not sure we have the luxury of letting a spinner learn his trade in the Test squad. More important is for counties to actually pick spinners and let them gain experience there. Surrey have so many pace options than I can't believe Virdi or Moriarty can't get a game. The leggies at Sussex and Leicestershire are breaking through at least. I think Bess will end up like SCurran, a county number six who can bowl a bit. Parkinson will tour this Winter and Leach will do fine too as it suits his style of bowling. Leach hasn't played a home test for three years more or less.

Agreed. If Parkinson could bat (or if Bess could, well, bowl) the upside might be enough to tempt a switch. But as it is Leach hasn't yet been given a run at home and he's done well away when conditions have suited, so deserves to keep his spot at the moment.

 

[Moss]

Sooo based on how Mitch is performing is Gdg done? Maybe Gdg at home and england and mitch everywhere else?

Don’t think they’re competing for the same spot any more. Mitchell’s bowling has been barely used (which is probably a mistake), but he’s shown he’s not out of place in the top 5. He’s putting in a serious bid as a recognised batsman.

CdG is more likely competing with the likes of M Bracewell and, I don’t know, Ravindra maybe (though i hope not) for that allrounder role at no.7. I doubt he’ll be first choice for an away series in Pakistan. At best he’s looking at a home summer and realistically not much beyond that. Unfortunate that he’s injured for the remainder of this series.

 

[Bahnz]

David Long writing for Stuff -

‘The big moment

Latham getting out pulling a ball the delivery after Young went. It was a shot he didn’t need to play, but by losing his wicket when he did New Zealand lost their early dominance.

Had the Blacks Caps captain been able to hang around and build a partnership with Devon Conway they would have been in the box seat even more so.

Best with the bat

Mitchell continues his golden spell in the Black Caps team, after scoring a century at Lord’s he achieved what everyone above him in the batting order failed to do at Trent Bridge, make it to the half century mark.’

He may not have needed to play it but tbh the ball was a long hop and deserved to be hit. Latham just executed terribly.

 

[Bahnz]

Mitchell deservedly getting a lot of praise this morning, but Blundell also deserves a mention. Had a mare of a season last summer, with many media people starting to make noise about Fletcher. He’s come out to England and played two vital innings, one of which should’ve been match winning, and the other that has helped to lay an excellent foundation in conditions that many thought would be to his disadvantage. He’s earnes himself a lot of credit in the past couple of innings.

 

[Jarquis]

one hates to admit it, but alpha posting

I won’t apologise for hoping people are better than that… just like TJB didn’t apologise for his horrendous post in the first place