England in New Zealand 28 Nov-18 Dec 2024 - 3 Tests

[honestbharani]

anderson and borad

You mean Borat?

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

You mean Borat?

Very nice!

 

[Skyliner]

Why on earth would anyone think the catching needs work?! Just show up and hope for the best.

 

[SteveNZ]

Why on earth would anyone think the catching needs work?! Just show up and hope for the best.

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You're being mischievous...he meant it's not something that requires more work than they're currently doing, in his opinion.

Although being the 2nd worst catching side in the world in 2024 ahead of Bangladesh and we'll behind other sides is pretty hard to take. I don't think I've seen too many sides that really wanted to be a good fielding side and give it the energy it deserves, that somehow turned out to be below par.

 

[Skyliner]

You're being mischievous...he meant it's not something that requires more work than they're currently doing, in his opinion.

Although being the 2nd worst catching side in the world in 2024 ahead of Bangladesh and we'll behind other sides is pretty hard to take. I don't think I've seen too many sides that really wanted to be a good fielding side and give it the energy it deserves, that somehow turned out to be below par.

Sorry for being so mischievous Steve, though I can’t help but feel that Cricinfo is partially responsible.

 

[Skyliner]

Santner joins a Black Caps squad seeking answers ahead of second Test

Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner is a good chance to play against England at the Basin Reserve but other changes to New Zealand's line-up appear slim.

www.1news.co.nz

‘Stead was not as forthcoming about other changes and would not commit to selecting the in-form Will Young, not included in the Christchurch XI, for the Basin, despite the batting struggles of opener Devon Conway and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell, among others.
Blundell scored 17 in the first innings and a first-ball duck in the second at Hagley Oval, with Conway looking similarly out of form in scoring 2 and 8.
Asked whether a change in the order, with Phillips moving above Blundell into No.6, was an option, Stead replied: “We’ve got a lot of faith in Tom Blundell. Glenn Phillips has done an amazing job batting with the tail as well and has become really adept at that. Tom Blundell played some critical innings for us a few Tests back in Asia as well. We think he’s our man to keep coming right and we have a lot of faith in him doing so.”

 

[anonymouskefe]

cant see how he can continue to pick a keeper who cant even catch the most basic of chances let alone hold a bat

 

[SteveNZ]

Tom Blundell played some critical innings for us a few Tests back in Asia as well. We think he’s our man to keep coming right and we have a lot of faith in him doing so.”

He can't keep trotting this rubbish out.

He played a decent knock in Pune at an important time (41) and made a completely inconsequential 60 in Galle when we were following on from 88 in reply to 600. Otherwise, in 14 matches since his 90 v England at the Basin, he's averaged 13. And dropped a number of chances, and missed stumpings on the subcontinent.

I don't mind people saying he's the best wicketkeeper in NZ, which is hard to prove if they don't think Hay is ready. And we were all fans of Blundell at his peak. But it's bullshit to say he's played some critical innings' - he played one, which at 41 is a reasonably low bar albeit in a low scoring series - and that there's any reason to have faith.

 

[SteveNZ]

I still don't have an issue with Will Young not being there because he'd have to open, or Latham/Conway would have to keep and none of those are feasible.

The only change I'd make for the Basin is Santner for Southee, but it won't happen.

And I'd also swap Blundell for Phillips but dunderhead Stead says GP bats well with the tail

 

[jcas0167]

And Phillips does bat well with the tail. Kane would probably bat well with the tail too. It's not a great argument for deciding the batting order. Speaking of the tail, Southee left Phillips stranded by going for another six in the first innings. For his final tests if there an established batsman at the crease (say like Dean Brownlie on 70 odd at the Gabba) could he try giving them the strike and not get caught on the ****ing boundary? Too late for that discussion?

 

[flibbertyjibber]

He's like KP. He plays how he plays...

 

[wpdavid]

He's like KP. He plays how he plays...

How much longer will you be in NZ? Sounds like you're having a blast.

And did you go to Pakistan as well, or did I imagine that?

 

[Molehill]

So, what does the England Selection Committee do?

I'm sure the original plan was Robinson to keep and Pope back to 3. But, Pope kept excellently, scored key runs at 6 and Bethell came to the party at 3 in the second innings. My guess is they'll leave it as it is and Robinson can have a nice holiday in NZ for a couple of weeks.

Other question would be rotating bowlers. Potts for Woakes/Atkinson would seem sensible.

 

[Yeoman]

So, what does the England Selection Committee do?

I'm sure the original plan was Robinson to keep and Pope back to 3. But, Pope kept excellently, scored key runs at 6 and Bethell came to the party at 3 in the second innings. My guess is they'll leave it as it is and Robinson can have a nice holiday in NZ for a couple of weeks.

Other question would be rotating bowlers. Potts for Woakes/Atkinson would seem sensible.

I imagine the opposite, that Pope will go to 3 and Robinson keep, but let’s see. I would be cautious about reading too much into Bethell’s second innings 50 when the pressure was off. In the first innings he did not seem a fit for no 3 (not unreasonably as he’d never batted there before).

 

[Molehill]

I imagine the opposite, that Pope will go to 3 and Robinson keep, but let’s see. I would be cautious about reading too much into Bethell’s second innings 50 when the pressure was off. In the first innings he did not seem a fit for no 3 (not unreasonably as he’d never batted there before).

I completely agree with you, which is why I wondered after that first innings if Bethell would ever play Tests again. But then I think logically, and that's something that doesn't generally happen with this team.

 

[mackembhoy]

Well we normally name our test team 2-3 days out. So doubt we'll have long to find out.

I'd bring Robinson in. Pope was slated to bat 3 until Smith dropped out, then Cox and finally Robinson passport issue.

Smith comes back in for Zimbabwe and India. Which means Pope will have to be back at 3 to be in side.

So Pope after a confidence booster at 6, needs to strap back in to show why he arguably is the best were gonna get at 3.

Crawley has had a worse time since India than Pope, which defs gone under the radar.

Even though as partnership him and Duckett have been exemplary.

 

[mackembhoy]

Well we normally name our test team 2-3 days out. So doubt we'll have long to find out.

I'd bring Robinson in. Pope was slated to bat 3 until Smith dropped out, then Cox and finally Robinson passport issue.

Smith comes back in for Zimbabwe and India. Which means Pope will have to be back at 3 to be in side.

So Pope after a confidence booster at 6, needs to strap back in to show why he arguably is the best were gonna get at 3.

Crawley has had a worse time since India than Pope, which defs gone under the radar.

Even though as partnership him and Duckett have been exemplary.

Yep Crawley 8th highest run scorer for the regular players since India(Woakes and Bashir only ones with less). He's also only averaging 21.

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com

 

[Molehill]

Well we normally name our test team 2-3 days out. So doubt we'll have long to find out.

I'd bring Robinson in. Pope was slated to bat 3 until Smith dropped out, then Cox and finally Robinson passport issue.

Smith comes back in for Zimbabwe and India. Which means Pope will have to be back at 3 to be in side.

So Pope after a confidence booster at 6, needs to strap back in to show why he arguably is the best were gonna get at 3.

Crawley has had a worse time since India than Pope, which defs gone under the radar.

Even though as partnership him and Duckett have been exemplary.

I guess the point they would make is that who is more likely to have a future in the England side, Bethell or Robinson? We know as soon as Smith is back that Robinson is out, so does it make more sense (loosely) to keep Bethell in and see what he can do?

 

[mackembhoy]

I guess the point they would make is that who is more likely to have a future in the England side, Bethell or Robinson? We know as soon as Smith is back that Robinson is out, so does it make more sense (loosely) to keep Bethell in and see what he can do?

That sort of logic wouldn't surprise me with this setup.

I hope not as I think Robinson was unfairly overlooked in the summer, he should have been in the backup batsman role instead of Cox.

But he's an idiot for costing himself a test cap with his expired passport. So only himself to blame this time if Bethell gets the nod.

 

[CartyDurham]

Be interesting to see if Stokes is going to play as a batsman only , due to this back problem

they may have to bring in another bowler or see Root take on bowling more overs

if Stokes can bowl I think they will bring in Potts for Woakes and keep the rest as is