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*Official* New Zealand domestic season 2022/23

ataraxia

International Coach
The selections of Cooper and MJ Hay feel a little odd imo, but I guess we need some openers, and the ones who've been doing well are old. So I guess Hay's an ok selection, and I'd rather have a Cumming/Heaphy in the other spot. Solia got selected in India and followed that up with a very good Plunket season, but still eh. Abbas should be there IMO.

But it's a decent squad IMO. Quite a few unavailabilities.
 

Bahnz

Hall of Fame Member
Nah, it's not just about age.

There's not enough sure(ish) future bets in that team regardless of age.

I'd say there's only 2 and a half sure(ish) things on that potential 11 (Foxcroft and Ashok, plus O'Rourke as the half).

And to make it worse, I reckon Ashok and O'Rourke will possibly only play 1 game each, based on the intra-squad competition from old guys for their respective playing roles.

In a normal or perfect world I'd wait for the 2 seasons rule, so Abbas wouldn't feature as a contender until end of next season. But 1) Abbas is clearly the real deal on talent and technique. 2) the rest of the age structure merits raising someone too early.

It's not a televised full international. No one will care if someone like Abbas failed. The only people taking much notice would be him and his coach.
If it's not just about age then maybe don't lead with an excel spreadsheet showing the player's ages.

Imo Abbas hasn't earned a call-up anymore than Mariu or Severin have. Tim Robinson was a 19 year old averaging 60+ last year. Now he's averaging 20. Let's not jump the gun.
 

DougieRydal

School Boy/Girl Cricketer
You'd have to wonder of the wisdom in Auckland picking George Worker today (aged 33) over Quinn Sunde (22) in this round of PS games. The Aces are bottom, wouldn't you rather blood a youngster who scored an unbeaten 50 in his only FC innings?

Did I miss something?
 

Bahnz

Hall of Fame Member
There's another element to Abbas getting fast tracked into NZA that I don't like. It's the idea that he fills a gap in the nation side - i.e. Colin's spot. Don't get me wrong, it looks like there's a bit to work with, but he's yet to even take a first class wicket. Let's not push him into a roll (i.e. middle-order batting all-rounder) before he's really shown any capability to do it. That's what we did with Rachin. Rushed him in as a spin-bowling allrounder when he was still averaging 50+ with the ball in Shield cricket, and promptly binning him when it became apparent that he wasn't equipped to perform that roll. It's given him a ton of mixed messages about what kinda player he should be, when he should've been spending his early 20's focussing on becoming the next Williamson: a great top-order bat who can occasionally bowl some handy partnership breakers. If Abbas is playing for NZA, then it should be as a batsman, which means he's competing for Bruce and Foxcroft's spots. I really don't think there's a strong case that he deserves a spot ahead of either.
 

Fuller Pilch

Hall of Fame Member
You'd have to wonder of the wisdom in Auckland picking George Worker today (aged 33) over Quinn Sunde (22) in this round of PS games. The Aces are bottom, wouldn't you rather blood a youngster who scored an unbeaten 50 in his only FC innings?

Did I miss something?
And 90 in the tour match against England.
 

Immenso

International Vice-Captain
There's another element to Abbas getting fast tracked into NZA that I don't like. It's the idea that he fills a gap in the nation side - i.e. Colin's spot. Don't get me wrong, it looks like there's a bit to work with, but he's yet to even take a first class wicket. Let's not push him into a roll (i.e. middle-order batting all-rounder) before he's really shown any capability to do it. That's what we did with Rachin. Rushed him in as a spin-bowling allrounder when he was still averaging 50+ with the ball in Shield cricket, and promptly binning him when it became apparent that he wasn't equipped to perform that roll. It's given him a ton of mixed messages about what kinda player he should be, when he should've been spending his early 20's focussing on becoming the next Williamson: a great top-order bat who can occasionally bowl some handy partnership breakers. If Abbas is playing for NZA, then it should be as a batsman, which means he's competing for Bruce and Foxcroft's spots. I really don't think there's a strong case that he deserves a spot ahead of either.
But Foxcroft in that top 6 bowls? What is wrong with a young specialist batsman at 6 ???
 

Immenso

International Vice-Captain
You'd have to wonder of the wisdom in Auckland picking George Worker today (aged 33) over Quinn Sunde (22) in this round of PS games. The Aces are bottom, wouldn't you rather blood a youngster who scored an unbeaten 50 in his only FC innings?

Did I miss something?
Too many domestic contracts places. The 15th and 16th places constrict selections from outside the squad at this time f the season, for presumably 'soft skill' or 'people management' or 'social' reasons rather than cricketing foresight reasons.
 

ataraxia

International Coach
There's another element to Abbas getting fast tracked into NZA that I don't like. It's the idea that he fills a gap in the nation side - i.e. Colin's spot. Don't get me wrong, it looks like there's a bit to work with, but he's yet to even take a first class wicket. Let's not push him into a roll (i.e. middle-order batting all-rounder) before he's really shown any capability to do it. That's what we did with Rachin. Rushed him in as a spin-bowling allrounder when he was still averaging 50+ with the ball in Shield cricket, and promptly binning him when it became apparent that he wasn't equipped to perform that roll. It's given him a ton of mixed messages about what kinda player he should be, when he should've been spending his early 20's focussing on becoming the next Williamson: a great top-order bat who can occasionally bowl some handy partnership breakers. If Abbas is playing for NZA, then it should be as a batsman, which means he's competing for Bruce and Foxcroft's spots. I really don't think there's a strong case that he deserves a spot ahead of either.
It's effectively an NZ domestix side – squad balance improves by getting rid of a bowler!
 

vandem

International 12th Man
NZ A is a younger squad than the NZ A touring team to Bangladesh, so an improvement. Hay and O'Rourke and Ashok have test career potential to me. Mariu and Abbas and Kris Clarke and perhaps Joey Field next in line, if they keep making a contribution (and avoid injury) should get their NZ A chance next season or two.

I don't mind a few 29-30 year players who probably won't ever get a test starting spot, but perhaps McConchie + R O'Donnell + Bruce is 1 too many middle order journeymen. At least Joe Carter's injury opened a slot for Foxcroft.

Solia I understand, perhaps they can get a few test seasons from him in a de Grandhomme role.

Good to see Randell get a run, looks like a potential test 3rd seamer to me. When I have seen him bowl he has steady lines, gets a little movement, has good stamina.
 

HeathDavisSpeed

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Looks like pretty murky conditions for Otago at the end of the day there. Compare Rutherford's dismissal with, say, Foxcroft. I feel the Southerners have suffered a bit of a raw deal there.
 

Bahnz

Hall of Fame Member
Looks like pretty murky conditions for Otago at the end of the day there. Compare Rutherford's dismissal with, say, Foxcroft. I feel the Southerners have suffered a bit of a raw deal there.
Haha yeah, Lockrose's dismissal in particular gives WC 2007 final vibes.
 

vandem

International 12th Man

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