*Unofficial* New Zealand Black Caps Thread

[straw man]

Deciding on form is difficult because we've played **** all ODIs in the last 12 months and if you go back 18 months our leading wicket taker is....Trent Boult.

I think Young is better served opening, and I'm not convinced about Conway's overall form and eye. I'd also like to see Phillips up the order to get more of our of him...problem is we haven't got a huge reserve of lower order guys with recent form. Chapman and Latham averages are the wrong side of 30. Unless we give Conway a run lower down, it may pay to start bringing some more newer blood through lower down, or give a guy like Clarkson more of a secure run.



Young
Ravindra
Williamson
Mitchell
Phillips
May+
Clarkson/Bracewell
Santner
Henry
Duffy
O'Rourke

I had to remind myself of who was contracted in the end, as they may prefer those players, and Clarkson is. However I *think* he was injured for a bit and has only just come back, which might be why he didn't make the NZ squads for Sri Lanka. I don't rate him particularly highly, though is the sort of player that might sneak into a squad as wildcard 15th player who half-covers a couple of bases, like Neesham did at times.

New Zealand 2024-25 central contract list: Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young

I think Conway is debatable based on form, though I lean towards still including over Chapman and Latham.

 

[DougieRydal]

I don't think Clarkson injury was why he wasn't selected, they made a point of naming 2-3 players who were injured and therefore not picked, I think he's one of the those guys who's had a handful of chances, done nothing and they're looking elsewhere.

 

[Flem274*]

They've never rated Clarkson and only grudgingly gave him an opportunity.

 

[ataraxia]

I don't think Clarkson injury was why he wasn't selected, they made a point of naming 2-3 players who were injured and therefore not picked, I think he's one of the those guys who's had a handful of chances, done nothing and they're looking elsewhere.

They eventually named him as injured too ftr

 

[DougieRydal]

They eventually named him as injured too ftr

I think that's more embarrassing then being left out, being forgotten when naming a squad and then added later.

 

[Immenso]

Test match spinners over the last 2 years:
(look at Santner go .... , benefited form missing Pakistan roads, though)

 

[Immenso]

But, as it is Champions Trophy coming up. The same query for ODI spinners:

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Did NZC change their YouTube highlights guy?

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Oh no wait that Guptill highlight reel is mostly him taking singles.

 

[Bahnz]

Sears in and Duffy out for the Champions Trophy squad. Gotta say that's very harsh on Duffman.

 

[ataraxia]

Five pacers: Henry/Ferguson/O'Rourke/Smith/Sears. Where have all the 30-year-olds gone?

 

[jcas0167]

 

[straw man]

Sears in and Duffy out for the Champions Trophy squad. Gotta say that's very harsh on Duffman.

Yeah I'm shocked they think all three of Smith, O'Rourke and Sears are better than him in white ball cricket.

 

[_Ed_]

Happy to see Sears back in the mix.

Less thrilled about O'Rourke and Smith - they're not filling me with confidence as white-ball bowlers at the moment. I'm sure they can improve, but I don't really want that to be at the expense of their red-ball development.

Duffy's extremely unlucky. Feel for him.

 

[jcas0167]

Yeah I'm shocked they think all three of Smith, O'Rourke and Sears are better than him in white ball cricket.

Smith is presumably picked over him for his batting although I would have still gone with Duffy given his recent form. Especially given O'Rourke is learning the ropes in ODI's and Sears is returning from injury.

 

[Immenso]

Wow. I actually think that is a bad selection.

I mean, Duffy has leaked runs in sub continent , but as do all the newer seamers.

I don't think one SS game back is enough for Sears, although obviously am delighted he is back fit abd playing and in the mix.

 

[ataraxia]

Where's Milne?

 

[Prince EWS]

Where's Milne?

I don't think he was ever going to make this squad but it's an interesting question as to what he's actually doing at the moment. His short-term contract with the Renegades ended before Christmas and he hasn't popped up anywhere else since, I'm surprised he didn't come home to play a few games of SuperSmash if he wasn't busy with something else.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Lol they're going to ruin O'Rourke too, great job.

 

[vandem]

Where's Milne?

Milne no NZC contract and playing for Sharhjah Warriors (captained by Southee) in ILT20 in UAE. His BBL Aussie stint was for 3 games only as an injury (or non-availabilty?) sub for Usama Mir.

Ferguson also no NZC contract and playing in ILT20, but obviously higher in pecking order than Milne. Perhaps Sears return from injury meant selectors didn't think a second non-contracted quick was needed.