New Zealand Off Season 2014

[Flem274*]

Well if that rumour list is true we've brought back Worker..

Weerasundara, How/Smith, Young, Hay, O'Donnell, KNB, Kruger

Winner.

 

[Kippax]

Yeah they should really put Raki onto the CD roster tbh. If nothing else, he'd put an exotic talking point into the HRV side's top 6.

"They sure need it" - Sky viewers.

 

[Blocky]

Ben Horne confirming he'll be playing at ND this year as a keeper batsman.

 

[Kippax]

 

[Kippax]

Neil Hood appointed CEO of Central Districts | Stuff.co.nz

Hood is the guy who wrote this column below, last year -

Enthralling match turned to despondency when players... | Stuff.co.nz

■ Rumour has it that one of the better-performing "foreign-Legion" Central Districts Stags has become such a hot commodity he now is seriously considering walking out on Central Districts at the end of the summer.

The player's performances have been good enough for him to be bandied around as a possible Black Cap this season.

Considering the player was persevered with despite almost two years of poor performance ahead of other talented locals, a move back to the big city will be viewed by some as a major slap in the face.

However, it shouldn't be surprising as part of my argument over the past few years against the Stags importing so many players from outside the region, has been that as soon as they are successful, they are likely to disappear back to the city.

The other day a CD stalwart called me to discuss how eight of the CD Stags' lineup in a Plunkett Shield game were produced from outside the CD region and questioned whether this threatened the continuing viability of Central Districts as a major association. While I think that isn't likely in the short term at least, continuing to head down the direction of utilising more and more players produced outside the region is a dangerous strategy.

It's perhaps important then that I again remind people of the whole reason the Central Districts Cricket Association was formed.

Simply put, it was perceived (rightly from all accounts I've ever heard) that the players in the district areas that make up CD were not getting a fair crack at first-class cricket by the Wellington and Canterbury major associations they had to play for at the time.

 

[RxGM]

How are Auckland going to fit their captain in the XI?

Guptill, Raval, Carlchopa, Craigchopa, Colin, Colin, Brachopa would be the full strength top seven wouldn't it? No room for Nicol. If they've pulled Nicol home at the expense of Raval then they're mad, because whether you rate Raval or not I think he's a better opener than Nicol who is 'just' a reasonable and solid domestic batsman most of the time.

That list does not even include Kitchen & MacIntosh. If I was Anaru, I would head down to Otago take Broom's spot and possibly even make the WC squad.

 

[Adwalks]

While a number of those rumours in terms of player moves are being ticked off and proved to be correct. One I can guarantee to be false is the Bracewell off to Canterbury. He'll be taking Broom's spot at the top of the order this season.

 

[RxGM]

I expect that the new national contract list will be announced in the coming week after Hesson returns from West Indies and finalises a few things, though I think everything should be pretty straight forward this year this is last years contracts.


Corey Anderson*– Northern Knights*
Trent Boult*– Northern Knights*
Doug Bracewell*– Central Stags*
Dean Brownlie*– Canterbury Wizards*
Grant Elliott*– Wellington Firebirds*
Peter Fulton*– Canterbury Wizards*
Martin Guptill*– Auckland Aces*
Tom Latham*– Canterbury Wizards*
Bruce Martin*– Auckland Aces*
Mitchell McClenaghan*– Auckland Aces*
Brendon McCullum*– Otago Volts*
Nathan McCullum*– Otago Volts*
Kyle Mills*– Auckland Aces*
Colin Munro*– Auckland Aces*
Hamish Rutherford*– Otago Volts*
Tim Southee*– Northern Knights*
Ross Taylor*– Central Stags*
Neil Wagner*– Otago Volts*
BJ Watling*– Northern Knights*
Kane Williamson*– Northern Knights

I would expect the following changes are no brainers
Out: Fulton, Brownlie, Bracewell, Elliott, Martin
In: Sodhi, Craig, Neesham, Ronchi

Which leaves only one contract slot* available for Milne, Henry, Bennett, etc to fight over,

*two if you think Rutherford will lose his contract - I don't.

 

[BackFootPunch]

Ian Butler has retired from all forms of cricket.

Was a pretty awesome effort to get back to the top level after the injury problems he had. Thought he may have got another crack in Tests after his Plunket Shield season a couple of years ago. Will be a big loss for Otago.

 

[Flem274*]

Wow that was abrupt. Was having a good run around the county scene wasn't he?

 

[BackFootPunch]

Wow that was abrupt. Was having a good run around the county scene wasn't he?

Yeah he'd made a pretty good start with Northants but hasn't played for a while so must have got injured I think. Obviously the heart just wasn't in it.

 

[Blocky]

You might find that he's retired from NZ Cricket and will be seeking a local county contract next season. That's what I've heard anyway.

 

[Flem274*]

Contract list looks solid

Corey Anderson – Northern Knights
Trent Boult – Northern Knights
Mark Craig – Otago Volts
Martin Guptill – Auckland Aces
Matt Henry – Canterbury
Tom Latham – Canterbury
Mitchell McClenaghan – Auckland Aces
Brendon McCullum – Otago Volts
Nathan McCullum – Otago Volts
Kyle Mills – Auckland Aces
Adam Milne – Central Stags
Colin Munro – Auckland Aces
Jimmy Neesham – Otago Volts
Luke Ronchi – Wellington Firebirds
Ish Sodhi – Northern Knights
Tim Southee – Northern Knights
Ross Taylor – Central Stags
Neil Wagner – Otago Volts
BJ Watling – Northern Knights
Kane Williamson – Northern Knights

 

[Bahnz]

Hmmmm, I'm guessing an ordering of:

Southee
Taylor
McCullum
Williamson
Boult
Watling
Wagner
Anderson
Neesham
Guptill
Mills
NcCullum
McClenaghan
Latham
Craig
Ronchi
Sodhi
Milne
Henry
Munro

 

[RxGM]

Surprised to see Rutherford dropping out though not disappointed, but I guess Milne's rating numbers were impossible to ignore.

 

[RxGM]

Hmmmm, I'm guessing an ordering of:

Southee
Taylor
McCullum
Williamson
Boult
Watling
Wagner
Anderson
Neesham
Guptill
Mills
NcCullum
McClenaghan
Latham
Craig
Ronchi
Sodhi
Milne
Henry
Munro

No way Brendon isn’t top dog.

An argument could be made that he is our most valuable ODI and T20 player and top 3 for tests. Were as southee is probably ranked about 6-8 in T20 and 4-5 in ODI (1st in tests)

I also think Watling & Boult are a bit high as they lose out due to last of perceived Limited Overs value compared to the all rounders.

 

[hendrix]

nah, Southee is undeniably our most important player.

 

[BackFootPunch]

So we've got one established Test opener (with 4 games under his belt) in our 20. And Guptill too, though surely he's not in the frame again yet.

Does that mean the A tour to England is gonna be a straight trial to find someone to partner Latham? Perhaps Bracewell is closer than we think.

 

[Bahnz]

Milne is out of the NZA tour.

Adam Milne eyes more game time for Black Caps | Stuff.co.nz

Really starting to get the same vibe about him that I got from Richard Sherlock circa 2005.

 

[hendrix]

Milne is out of the NZA tour.

Adam Milne eyes more game time for Black Caps | Stuff.co.nz

Really starting to get the same vibe about him that I got from Richard Sherlock circa 2005.

He's only 22.

They're being cautious and frankly we have that luxury with the number of fast bowlers at our disposal.

If he's a regular in either the Test or ODI side for 4-5 years (e.g. 26-31) I think it'll all be worth it.