*Official* New Zealand in Bangladesh 2023/24

[The Hutt Rec]

It has to be noted though that Ajaz's achievement was partly reliant on the poor performance of the rest of the bowling attack. He still bowled brilliantly, but India's spinners actually took their wickets a better average iirc. Yes, yes it's easier to take wickets when you're hunting in packs, but the size of the haul overstated the quality of the performance imo.

I guess you could say that about any large wicket haul. Hadlee's 9/52 had him bowling 23 out of 76 overs, and when you watch that back it's some of the most overcast, drizzly seam bowling friendly conditions you could ask for. You could also argue the bowlers did it with zero support at the other end, which makes it even more impressive.

It wasn't hard for the Indian bowlers to take their wickets at a better average when we got rolled for 62, either ... I don't think that should be held against him. Looking at that NZ batting line-up it was a pretty dire one for a turning wicket. Ajaz was bowling to the masters of facing spin bowling.

 

[honestbharani]

Ajaz was bowling to the masters of facing spin bowling.

I dont mean to deny any of your other points and I think you are very right on almost all the stuff there except this part. This Indian side is probably the weakest we have had against spin in my lifetime.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

I dont mean to deny any of your other points and I think you are very right on almost all the stuff there except this part. This Indian side is probably the weakest we have had against spin in my lifetime.

Compared to most other sides though, they’re still better.

 

[Moss]

I dont mean to deny any of your other points and I think you are very right on almost all the stuff there except this part. This Indian side is probably the weakest we have had against spin in my lifetime.

Have to say though that Mayank’s batting against spin was a treat to watch and pretty much showed the rest of the participants in that game how to handle that particular wicket. In that sense, not an undeserved MoM. Like with Latham, the opening gig probably puts his abilities against spin in the shade somewhat.

 

[SteveNZ]

I definitely think Bracewell deserved it at Hobart, but that was decided by a phone in public poll where Australian fans couldn't handle losing a game, so I can sort of accept that one. The methodology was ridiculous and invalidates the whole award, for me.

Ajaz I just think he achieved something only two others have done in the history of the game. Maybe sharing it with Agarwal would have been a good option, I have no problems with that either, and I'm not taking anything away from a great game by him.

I think these work me up a bit because I was at the 2008 league world cup final, and remember all the boos when Lockyer was awarded man of the match, it just seemed so petty by the people deciding the award lol. I've been scarred for life ever since!

Oh yeah that was the absolute kicker, the 2008 RLWC final. I think from memory their defense of that was that they made the decision with 10 or so minutes to go...and from memory (watched a replay the other day) we went up with Slater's horror pass in the 65th minute or so. They do it with NRL GFs, too for the Norm Smith. But yeah, horrible.

 

[Skyliner]

Stuff

i.stuff.co.nz

 

[The Hutt Rec]

Glad both of them are out. Happy to give Jamieson a go in the ODI side, but he shouldn't be in the T20 team. And there's no point Williamson playing, his time will be much better spent further rehabbing his ACL.

 

[ataraxia]

Ok they haven't called up Foxcroft? Evidently feeling pity for Otago's Super Smash side lol

 

[Nintendo]

Ok they haven't called up Foxcroft? Evidently feeling pity for Otago's Super Smash side lol

Foxcroft's been in dreadful form hasn't he?

 

[Athlai]

Glad both of them are out. Happy to give Jamieson a go in the ODI side, but he shouldn't be in the T20 team. And there's no point Williamson playing, his time will be much better spent further rehabbing his ACL.

The 2.9 million dollar T20 specialist

 

[ataraxia]

Foxcroft's been in dreadful form hasn't he?

Not the best, but NZ normally pick players when they're in bad form anyway

 

[Xix2565]

I dont mean to deny any of your other points and I think you are very right on almost all the stuff there except this part. This Indian side is probably the weakest we have had against spin in my lifetime.

Spin bowling has been more effective now than at any point pre DRS/when pitches weren't consistently spicy. We've literally seen past famed batting lineups fall apart when they got the odd pitch where some bowlers suddenly became super effective. Please don't fall victim to nostalgia.

 

[Moss]

Glad both of them are out. Happy to give Jamieson a go in the ODI side, but he shouldn't be in the T20 team. And there's no point Williamson playing, his time will be much better spent further rehabbing his ACL.

Agreed. Hesson bringing Jamieson to RCB on the basis of test performances was one thing, but NZ making him an automatic selection in white ball over Milne and others is even sillier.

He bowled very well in BD without luck (and batted surprisingly sensibly), but still someway off his best. Just needs to make tests the priority.

 

[RMBolton]

Foxcroft's been in dreadful form hasn't he?

Still a better T20 pick than Ravindra.

 

[jcas0167]

Foxcroft's been in dreadful form hasn't he?

Definitely not the dominant force he was last season. Hopefully the Otago captaincy isn't affecting his batting.

 

[Bahnz]

I know Sears has looked pretty mediocre this season, but if you're not going to pick him in a dead rubber match against a touring Bangladesh side then when will you?

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

I know Sears has looked pretty mediocre this season, but if you're not going to pick him in a dead rubber match against a touring Bangladesh side then when will you?

I simply don't believe he's done enough this year. Glad to see O'Rourke got the chance ahead of him as he's definitely been more of the form player this year. I wonder if Sears is still suffering from some niggles - I'd like to see players selected when they're on top of their game, as NZ have previously been wonderful at timing selections poorly and then using that against the young player selected.

 

[straw man]

Would like to see more of an opportunity for Chapman and Clarkson with the bat today (and to a lesser extent Blundell). Guess it requires Nicholls and Latham to not fill their boots in friendly conditions though.

edit: well there goes Rachin, guess that increases the chance of testing the lower order.

 

[Flem274*]

Knee jerk maybe but Ravindra has looked a lot more like the player we know opening in NZ than the world cup version on mega motorways.

Probably not ready to bump Latham out of the test opener spot.

 

[Athlai]

Knee jerk maybe but Ravindra has looked a lot more like the player we know opening in NZ than the world cup version on mega motorways.

Probably not ready to bump Latham out of the test opener spot.

Yes that is a knee jerk reaction