Red_Ink_Squid
Global Moderator
Lara's was exactly 150 better.The are some people out there on the internet comparing Daryl Mitchell’s 538 to Brian Lara’s 688
Lara's was exactly 150 better.The are some people out there on the internet comparing Daryl Mitchell’s 538 to Brian Lara’s 688
Quality post but I love how you’ve tactically skipped over Stuart Broad.Even in a Brendon McCullum side, you won't see that. You won't see Jack Leach, or Jimmy Anderson, or Matthew Potts, bat that way. They'll bat for the situation. And none of those guys have the ability of our guys.
I mean broad made 9 (31) and 8(35)* in 2 draw attempts vs AUS in the last ashes, he's clearly willing to apply himself when the situation calls for it.Quality post but I love how you’ve tactically skipped over Stuart Broad.
Bit of good old fashioned CW cherry picking from me, wasn't it?Quality post but I love how you’ve tactically skipped over Stuart Broad.
This is a fair point. I remember him defending Southee's approach strongly, although I don't believe Baz 'bedded it' - Tim's devil may care approach pre-dates 2013 and Baz's reign.Good rant, though it's hard to see England's tail not going down the same path when it was Bazball that really bedded in our tail's dgaf attitude in the first place.
Nope. On the decline well before and after, and went slogger years later.Having said that, I feel like there's extenuating circumstances with Broad. He was hit badly by Varun Aaron, and I think that was a turning point for him? (Seems to be borne out by his batting average from 2014 onwards)
Tbh with Boult I don't mind it so much. A lot of the time he's batting with another tailender and his approach has turned him into the most successful number 11 bat of all time. There are occasions when it ends up looking really bad (such as in the 2015 test you mentioned), but overall I think it's been to NZ's credit (think the 2011 test v Australia, which NZ would've lost without Boult's late boundaries off Siddle).Bit of good old fashioned CW cherry picking from me, wasn't it?
Having said that, I feel like there's extenuating circumstances with Broad. He was hit badly by Varun Aaron, and I think that was a turning point for him? (Seems to be borne out by his batting average from 2014 onwards) None of our guys have been badly hit, they're just scared. Or refuse to bat properly. And with one guy who does it, and bats at 9 like Broad, it's not a massive issue. If our 8-11 is Jamieson, Southee, Boult and Henry, we have 4 guys who slog without any sense of responsibility. The worst thing is, all of them have considerable ability and if anyone of them or any person says 'that's the best way for them to play', bull****. Jamieson is a former opening bat, who started his Test career playing properly but now is a slogger. Henry made 50 against a touring SA T20 team to announce himself, then chose to bat like his idol T.Southee. Boult has an incredible eye (4 handicap golfer, once won batsman of the year at a senior New Zealand club champs one-day tournament) but bats like a fools head. And we all know about the hot mess that is Southee's batting. We could carry one, but 3-4 is taking the piss.
I can't wait until that attitude and approach is gone. This series had too many lame lower order moments. It's been going on for years, ever since Jeetan Patel ran away to square leg in South Africa, then forward to Boult being caught at deep third man in the first Test of 2015 trying to save the match on the final afternoon, and to now.
Considering they hadn't taken 20 wickets at any point it's just an absolutely bewildering decision. Much like picking a four man seam attack, if the first 7 don't do the job, what makes you think picking an 8th batsman is the magic bullet. Absolute rot.I guess the thinking was "Well the top order's in rubbish nick and Tom and Daz can't keep making runs surely..."
*looks at NZ Test history from 2006-2012*Considering they hadn't taken 20 wickets at any point it's just an absolutely bewildering decision. Much like picking a four man seam attack, if the first 7 don't do the job, what makes you think picking an 8th batsman is the magic bullet. Absolute rot.
At one point I feel like we had about 3 specialist batsmen in the side to make up for lack of bowlers*looks at NZ Test history from 2006-2012*
The selectors hate him and won't give him the chance he deserves.Is it too late to bring back Neesham in the test team?
Tbf Mitchell should replace Nicholls and we should be looking for some other kind of all rounder.The selectors hate him and won't give him the chance he deserves.
That said - he really is competing for the spot Mitchell has secured for the foreseeable future.
Agree, but I guess it was just the prospect of Southee batting all the way up at eight that made them feel a bit light-headed.Considering they hadn't taken 20 wickets at any point it's just an absolutely bewildering decision. Much like picking a four man seam attack, if the first 7 don't do the job, what makes you think picking an 8th batsman is the magic bullet. Absolute rot.
Rachin should be taking some overs IMO.Tbf Mitchell should replace Nicholls and we should be looking for some other kind of all rounder.
My worst fear is they'll just expect Cdg levels of bowling from Mitchell when, at best, we should be treating him as an Astle/McMillan type bowler.