2024–25 NZ domestic season

[RMBolton]

“This chase is still regulation by T20 standards” says Sumo.
You cannot base your assumptions on how the mens teams play Sumo. You’d think he would have learnt this by now, or is he trying to fool the viewers(?)

Take Sumo's commentary with a kilo of salt, especially when the Sparks are on.

The other thing is the lack of depth, players don't seem to get dropped. Look at someone like Tamsin Newton whose career seems to have nose dived, this year she scored 41 runs from 8 completed innings (batting I think in the top 5 each week). I assume there aren't other batters in the CD region knocking down to the door to get picked. I know they're the weakest team, so maybe not the best example, but I think the point stands. The depth isn't there so poor or downright terrible form isn't enough to see you dropped from the squad.

For now, I accept it for what it is. At least it makes it obvious who the quality players are. If it's still like this in 5 years, then there'll be real problems.

 

[SteveNZ]

Next season will be the 20th anniversary of their only T20 title. I wonder what fun way they'll find to lose the Final then...

They won that final 19 years ago with noted Cantabrian Baz McCullum scoring 62 off 22, including humping Chris Martin for 50 off 3 overs.

They got behind the game yesterday and tried too hard to blast CD out. Pitch was more conducive to changes of pace and getting guys out trying to force pace, which CD didn't need to do.

Shout out to Ben Smith, CDs coach who is about the best bloke in cricket and has done a lot with that group. Could do worse than have someone like him in the top job, with his nous and cricketing brain.

 

[thundaboult]

They won that final 19 years ago with noted Cantabrian Baz McCullum scoring 62 off 22, including humping Chris Martin for 50 off 3 overs.

They got behind the game yesterday and tried too hard to blast CD out. Pitch was more conducive to changes of pace and getting guys out trying to force pace, which CD didn't need to do.

Shout out to Ben Smith, CDs coach who is about the best bloke in cricket and has done a lot with that group. Could do worse than have someone like him in the top job, with his nous and cricketing brain.

no homo daw

 

[NZTailender]

They won that final 19 years ago with noted Cantabrian Baz McCullum scoring 62 off 22, including humping Chris Martin for 50 off 3 overs.

Another ridiculously overpowered Canterbury side as well

Imagine Chris Martin, captain Richard Jones, Scott Styris, Paul Hitchcock et al going into the one day final a couple years later and this **** pops up and does it again

 

[Skyliner]

Jamieson has impressed over this campaign with his aggression and ability to swing the ball. He probably should be in the squad for the Champions Trophy but am happy he is not because he needs to be handled with care. He is needed as a key weapon in test cricket.

 

[Immenso]

Dream11 Super Smash breaking new ground

New Zealand’s Dream11 Super Smash competition is knocking engagement records out of the park, breaking boundaries in broadcast viewership, digital exposure and merchandise sales for the 2024-25 season.

www.nzc.nz

Some PR / marketing guff

But some stuff of interest

 

[jcas0167]

Dream11 Super Smash breaking new ground

New Zealand’s Dream11 Super Smash competition is knocking engagement records out of the park, breaking boundaries in broadcast viewership, digital exposure and merchandise sales for the 2024-25 season.

www.nzc.nz

Some PR / marketing guff

But some stuff of interest

The Wellington replica tops were sold out when I visited the Merch vendor around 6pm yesterday. That's great to see the viewing figures although presumably broadcast rights will go back to Sky next year? Hopefully they can arrange for a channel like Duke to have some of the games too.

 

[Immenso]

Another way of looking at this is that modern kits are rubbish, And people (adults) will spend money on something that is more than just 'a colour combo'. E.g. an identifiable pattern.

a retro-style playing kit was introduced which proved immediately popular among players and fans.

Designed to replicate Major Associations’ former uniforms, the retro shirts flew off the shelves with the public snapping up 50 percent of Dynasty’s stock within 24 hours of it going on sale in December.

“The hugely positive response to the launch of the retro kits showed how engaged fans were from the start and it really set the tone for the season ahead.

Or. maybe they just like the retro novelty ....

 

[wellAlbidarned]

90s aesthetic is hip this isn't complicated

 

[RMBolton]

The Wellington replica tops were sold out when I visited the Merch vendor around 6pm yesterday. That's great to see the viewing figures although presumably broadcast rights will go back to Sky next year? Hopefully they can arrange for a channel like Duke to have some of the games too.

If Sky gets it, they'll send some games over to Prime, but it won't be what they get now. I doubt they'll work with TVNZ unless they're really desperate.

Sad, that. This is probably the biggest exposure, the biggest profile, that SS has ever had, & may likely ever have. Sky never televised the entirety when they held it, so I don't trust them not to go back to what they did in the past. It's also probably me being paranoid but I can see Sky being supportive of BBL involvement, so I don't see it being in their interest to put effort into SS.

 

[SteveNZ]

Another ridiculously overpowered Canterbury side as well

Imagine Chris Martin, captain Richard Jones, Scott Styris, Paul Hitchcock et al going into the one day final a couple years later and this **** pops up and does it again

Or club stalwart Gene Andrews, who played one of his 3 T20s for Auckland - 5 overall appearances, by batting at 9. Gene is an opening batsman who couldn't bowl a watermelon down a ravine. He did score 3* off 6 balls though at the death.

 

[jcas0167]

Dylan Cleaver discusses the final. Points out Canterbury erred in a number of ways. On CD:

CD’s was the sort of performance you’d expect from a team full of internationals, completely comfortable in the game plan and their specific roles in it. Instead they were a collection of minor association veterans (Angus Schaw), young thrusters hoping to make their mark on the professional game (Toby Findlay, Curtis Heaphy and Will Clark), or something in between (Jack Boyle, Brett Randell and Jayden Lennox). They housed one current international (Young) and a few former Black Caps wondering if they’ll ever get another crack (Tom Bruce, Cleaver and Blair Tickner

The Bounce | Dylan Cleaver | Substack

New Zealand's sharpest sports writing and independent analysis. Click to read The Bounce, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.

dylancleaver.substack.com

 

[DougieRydal]

The Wellington replica tops were sold out when I visited the Merch vendor around 6pm yesterday. That's great to see the viewing figures although presumably broadcast rights will go back to Sky next year? Hopefully they can arrange for a channel like Duke to have some of the games too.

TVNZ have the rights for another year, the deal ends after the 25-26 season. I reckon NZC are going to find the going tough getting a good deal out of Sky after that.

 

[Immenso]

59/7 declared: Hawke’s Bay captain explains unusual first innings call after Hawke Cup loss

'It was a huge risk and it hasn’t paid off.'

www.nzherald.co.nz

 

[Bahnz]

TVNZ have the rights for another year, the deal ends after the 25-26 season. I reckon NZC are going to find the going tough getting a good deal out of Sky after that.

I dunno, the viewership numbers are pretty big, and it's not like there's a ton of content to fill Sky's schedule in the November-February daytime - early evening window. Also TVNZ will likely be working with a very limited budget when the current contract runs out. I tend to think Sky will muscle TVNZ out of the picture.

 

[RMBolton]

I dunno, the viewership numbers are pretty big, and it's not like there's a ton of content to fill Sky's schedule in the November-February daytime - early evening window. Also TVNZ will likely be working with a very limited budget when the current contract runs out. I tend to think Sky will muscle TVNZ out of the picture.

Sky probably will have to pay slightly more than their normal lowball stuff, but just enough that it's out of TVNZ's reach. Too bad WBD doesn't have the money either; it'd be better than half the stuff they have on.

I think whatever growth has happened over the last few years will recede under Sky. I know I'm repeating myself, but SS will suffer very much under Sky. It won't get the same profile it does with TVNZ, & anything less than being fully televised on Prime will be a step back. Ideally, I think televising the Hallyburton Johnstone Final would be good too.

Which reminds me. The Dream11 sponsorship probably expires around the time of the new broadcast deal, & I've got the feeling they won't renew. I wonder who would step in as a sponsor then? Also, with Dream11 gone, that would also spell the end of the Fancode broadcast deal in India. I wonder how much Sony would pay to add Super Smash to the current NZC broadcast deal...

 

[Neil Young]

Good point...LA spinners are different I reckon. Not sure why. Like they actually try to turn it but can't.

My phobia is from seasons in England where the most dangerous bowler on a wet pudding of a wicket was the 50 year old guy with a beer gut, takes 7-for with his nudes, then heads into the bar for warm piss in 30 degree heat.

Hahahaha. I love playing cricket in England. It rocks.

 

[SteveNZ]

Hahahaha. I love playing cricket in England. It rocks.

Hahaha me too. I miss it. Especially the weekend I was dismissed on the Saturday by a 62 year old, and a 12 year old on the Sunday. I could tell English league cricket stories from sun up to sun down, with some left spare for the next day

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Hahaha me too. I miss it. Especially the weekend I was dismissed on the Saturday by a 62 year old, and a 12 year old on the Sunday. I could tell English league cricket stories from sun up to sun down, with some left spare for the next day

Stories like these could make for a whole thread on its own.

 

[SteveNZ]

Stories like these could make for a whole thread on its own.

Oh man, they just flood in. Played at Lord's on the main ground in 03, and at the end of the night was at a gothic pub drinking garlic and vodka shots. The post-match showers v a West Indian XI were a memorable time. Not seeing a delivery that splashed out of a puddle on a pitch that was deemed playable. Being given lbw basically every time I swept a spinner and missed. My first warm beer skol post match, which came back up as quickly as it went down (actually much quicker up)

Glory days