*Unofficial* New Zealand Black Caps Thread

[Howsie]

Haha yeah I don’t think attempting to play a pull shot and missing it that one time against a guy who bowls 150k an hour qualifies as being “scared” of the short ball ?

 

[Flem274*]

The thing that won't load for you is a video of Chapman getting sconed by Stanlake in that 240 vs 240 Eden Park T20I from 2018

That predates his scores against India A then.

 

[Howsie]

I actually just watched the highlights of that game, how depressing is it that was Ben Wheelers last game for New Zealand. Such a talent, injuries and got stuck behind Boult but if he was to pop up now… He’d definitely be the next big thing considering the bowling talent around at the moment

 

[thierry henry]

Wheeler is a couple of years younger than I thought actually. At 30, he'd have been the same age as the youngest guy in the team in the first ODI against Australia.

Has played surprisingly little cricket overall given its been 12 years since his domestic debut.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Also Adam Milne is still only 30 (younger than 31 year old Lockie Ferguson).

 

[thierry henry]

Also Adam Milne is still only 30 (younger than 31 year old Lockie Ferguson).

He actually would've been our youngest player in said first ODI v Australia

 

[straw man]

I actually just watched the highlights of that game, how depressing is it that was Ben Wheelers last game for New Zealand. Such a talent, injuries and got stuck behind Boult but if he was to pop up now… He’d definitely be the next big thing considering the bowling talent around at the moment

Think he showed clearly enough that he shouldn't be an NZ limited overs bowler, but looked a great backup left arm swing bowler to Boult for a while. There was some tour match in England a few years ago iirc where he took a 4-fer, excelling with the Duke as you'd expect, and got some good press.

If he could magically stay fit and put together a good season for CD he could still be a surprise NZ callup in the right conditions. Surprised when I checked just now he managed four FC games for CD last season. After Boult and Wagner, next-gen NZ bowlers really short of left-armers. Nuttall a disappointment too.

 

[NZTailender]

Pretty sure I walked past KJ on K road today. Tall unit, but at the same time, not as tall as he seems on field

@thierry henry

 

[thierry henry]

Only real question here is how you can not be sure it was KJ? Like how much more distinctive looking does someone have to be?

 

[_Ed_]

Meanwhile, Tim Seifert scored 27 (35) with one four in today's CPL game. Perhaps not one of the great T20 innings.

 

[NZTailender]

Only real question here is how you can not be sure it was KJ? Like how much more distinctive looking does someone have to be?

I don't have the best eyesight even with glasses.

We made eye contact and he seemed kind of nervous, as if he wanted to be recognised but not approached and bothered

 

[thierry henry]

I don't have the best eyesight even with glasses.

We made eye contact and he seemed kind of nervous, as if he wanted to be recognised but not approached and bothered

I'm suspicious. I've always thought KJ was maybe between 6'7" and 6'8" rather than the full 6'8", but that's an extremely unusual height. Hard to imagine if it was him that you'd think "he's kinda tall, I guess".

 

[Zinzan]

Pretty sure I walked past KJ on K road today. Tall unit, but at the same time, not as tall as he seems on field

@thierry henry

Classic, I ran past him jogging around Mt Eden a couple of years back and thought exactly the same. He actually looked shorter but more solidly built in person than on TV.

He only had to look up at me slightly to catch my eye.

 

[SteveNZ]

Mmm...I'm dubious that KJ could ever look shorter. I've stood behind him at fine leg, the guy is a ****ing giant. 6'8 and broad across the shoulders like you wouldn't believe. Anywhere over 6'6 to me is '**** look at that guy' height and he is 100% that. Plus the guy is just a good, good looking hombre.

Tallest guy I ever played and I think potentially have been in the same company as (as opposed to seeing on a basketball court, ie Alex Pledger) Will Jefferson, who was 6'10. That was an incredible experience. Running in to bowl, you could just see him in the distance. And also was in the same bar as him, and almost literally the whole place wouldn't stop looking at him like he was in the giraffe enclosure.

 

[SteveNZ]

Anyway, now that I've baited TH in with height porn, I really want to know what he thinks of Gary Stead. And in fact I want to know what everyone thinks of him, why if we were so good from 2019-21 that he doesn't get any praise, yet now that we're (relatively) **** a lot of people want to say he's no good and never has been, and Kane did all the heavy lifting.

 

[Zinzan]

Anyway, now that I've baited TH in with height porn, I really want to know what he thinks of Gary Stead. And in fact I want to know what everyone thinks of him, why if we were so good from 2019-21 that he doesn't get any praise, yet now that we're (relatively) **** a lot of people want to say he's no good and never has been, and Kane did all the heavy lifting.

Obviously hard to comment on his tactical and technical expertise, but for me he just seems like that 'nice dad' type character who drives the sons and his friends around wherever they want to go. Doesn't seem to have an authoritative bone in his body. Not really a good captain/coach balance given KW's placid personality as well.

 

[ataraxia]

One pattern that has kept on occurring is a domestix stalwart being randomly called up to play tests against CW's wishes, and then succeeding. I'm no expert but I have thought we do give the Steady approach not enough credit. Recently, however, the returns have been really crap.

 

[Bahnz]

Was interesting to read in Ross’ book that Stead is a proponent of always playing a spinner while Kane thinks they’re a waste of time unless the pitch is ragging. Kane‘s pov certainly seems to have won out.

 

[Flem274*]

Was interesting to read in Ross’ book that Stead is a proponent of always playing a spinner while Kane thinks they’re a waste of time unless the pitch is ragging. Kane‘s pov certainly seems to have won out.

I see.

Fire Gary Stead, Gavin Larsen and Kane Williamson (from captaincy).

 

[thierry henry]

Anyway, now that I've baited TH in with height porn, I really want to know what he thinks of Gary Stead. And in fact I want to know what everyone thinks of him, why if we were so good from 2019-21 that he doesn't get any praise, yet now that we're (relatively) **** a lot of people want to say he's no good and never has been, and Kane did all the heavy lifting.

tbh I wouldn't have a clue. I've never really been a believer in "personalities" in cricket anyway, it's like 99% about how good you are at batting and bowling. But that's just like, my opinion man.

I'm certainly not saying Stead inspires me as a personality or in terms of any tactics or anything. If anything, my theory might explain why Stead and Williamson had success despite possibly being bad at their jobs. Because it doesn't really matter, and we win because we have/had good players.

I've never professed to be insightful about what makes cricket teams tick, I'm busy enough just pedantically correcting falsities about past events. It's not glamorous work but it's an honest way to make a posting living.