I think sometimes Wagner looks ordinary when the other bowlers are doing well and his intensity isn't needed as much. Always seems to do much better when the team really needs him. We needed him here.
You have to keep in mind rising expectations too. That period was a big improvement from what came before but you are expected to win handsomely and on a consistent basis now which is a shift in itself.
I just hope he has some sort of plan towards the World Cup. Here's the side I'd like us to have over there:
We have 3 ODIs scheduled along with the 2 tests in Pakistan (after last year's tour was called off). If it goes ahead it could almost be a trial for World Cup planning in India. For instance I think it will be handy to have a batter (batsman) who bowls some decent white ball spin. Who do you choose from Phillips, Bracewell, Chapman, and Ravindra (obviously form, injury, selectorial gut feel, team balance comes into it)?
That's true, but it seems from all reports that he's lost a yard and his effectiveness along with it. The mongrel is still there, no doubt, but even in that SA series he was getting treated with disdain by their tailenders. No bigger fan than me of Wagner, and yes we needed the variety and the knack of getting us into the contest, but I'm not sure he would've made much different on pancake pitches with a Duke that lost its air after 20 overs.
its definitely sears
I think without Wagner NZ are going to need to completely rethink the make-up of the bowling attack. There's no way they'll simply find a replacement who can fill his role, to paraphrase the Warne/Bradman quote: I think we'll see another Hadlee before we see another Wagner. Wagner effectively filled the role of a quality spinner and made it possible for NZ to play 4 seamers in grassy conditions and get by with a spinning all-rounder elsewhere. Now that there's no longer someone capable of putting in 10-12 over spells with the old ball that break partnerships and halt momentum, NZ need to shift back towards a more traditionally balanced attack and that means finding a spinner and playing him consistently. Longer term Sears, Lockie, Tickner and maybe Fisher are reasonable options for first change, but their role will be dramatically different to Wagner's and the selectors will need to be conscious of this.
I see Shipley as a potential replacement for CDG, I think he's in the genuine allrounder bracket rather than predominantly a bowler, probably the same as Smith?
Shipley hasn't really shown any ability to construct a big innings in FC cricket. More of a handy lower order bat who discovered by chance that his good eye and quick hands were well suited to clubbing runs in T20's. Bit like NZ's answer to Andre Russell. Smith a stronger bet, but I get the feeling from his numbers last season that he's been putting more of his energies into becoming a bowler who can serve as a decent number 8 of late.
Ahhahahajja my brethren will be in all the match threads dissecting this and selecting for the next wc within 8 hours
