New Zealand Off Season 2014

[Howsie]

State of origin in bold

de Grandhomme? I could be wrong but wasn't Noema-Barnett originally an Otago lad too?

Yeah that Canterbury batting line up looks potentially very, very weak. They've got a spot left, will definitely need to make a decent poach. Perhaps someone like Nick Kelly? Made a 60 ball 100 against Canterbury A earlier this year, against the likes of McEwan, Lonsdale, McCord, Astle and Johnston. Bowls some decent left arm spin to which is something Canterbury would no doubt love.

 

[Kippax]

Gary Stead says he sees no high quality players left in New Zealand to play any games with the 12th-15th contracts.

Stead: Canterbury cricket contracts mostly local | Stuff.co.nz

Stead said the 14, who will be named along with all the other five major associations squads today, would have a healthy local content.

The only surprise might be if Canterbury has managed to attract another batsman to the province to help offset the departures of Rob Nicol, Dean Brownlie, Brad Cachopa and George Worker.

"Obviously it is an area that has been looked closely at and we have talked with people about a position."

However while a batting berth may be vacant Canterbury was unlikely to offer a high contract ranking to entice any quality player to change allegiances.

That is because the return of Peter Fulton to the domestic list plus Neil Broom coming back from Otago will fill two of the leading contracts while the likes of Andrew Ellis, Todd Astle and Hamish Bennett, by dint of performance for the province, command among the highest rankings.

That would leave any newcomer vying for a mid tier position at best. There had been some speculation that Canterbury was seeking top order bat Jeet Raval from Auckland after losing both Nicol and Cachopa north.

Stead said Canterbury had decided to name the maximum allowable number today when they could have named fewer.

"We didn't want to play games and had basically decided where we were going to go."

Stead said it was unlikely there was going to be any high quality players left who could be in contention for rankings 12-15.

 

[Kippax]

Diamanti gets chance to shine with Canterbury | Stuff.co.nz

It means Diamanti, 33, will play in not only the province's T20 campaign, which he has for the past three seasons, but also the 50-over campaign and is eligible for the four-day series. However coach Gary Stead thought it unlikely he would play in that.

Stead spoke highly of the former Blenheim man who in recent years has been living in Perth.

"His all-round experience will be invaluable for us. We have lost a few players but the ability he shows preparing himself and his clarity at training will be a benefit to the group."

Stead said Diamanti has proved himself a match-winner at T20 level and he expected to carry that into the limited-over arena.

Diamanti will have several young pace bowlers, including Kyle Jamieson and Ed Nuttall who are contracted for the first time, to assist in mentoring.

He has relinquished the player-coaching role he held at a Perth club to commit to Canterbury.

Those contracted players from last season who were still available to miss out are Matt McEwan and Australia Simon Keen.

Stead said there was a greater emphasis on contracts for bowlers this time after the squad had previously been more batter weighted.

"The balance of the squad is a little different and you tend to use more pace bowlers because they are the ones more likely to get injured or need a rest and we were conscious we needed to develop that area."

Specialist batting stocks are wafer-thin with only Peter Fulton, Neil Broom and Henry Nicholls regarded in that category. That follows the departures of Rob Nicol, Brad Cachopa (both Auckland) , Dean Brownlie (Northern Districts) and George Worker (Central Districts).

"We did talk to some people and others approached us but nothing ultimately eventuated."

Stead said it was likely that Neil Broom would partner Peter Fulton at opening in limited-over matches while all-rounders Andrew Ellis and Todd Astle could be elevated up a place or two in the order.

"They are more than capable of doing that. A lot also depends if Tom Latham makes the World Cup squad."

Stead said there was no suggestion of Astle returning to open the batting which he did earlier in his career.

He said there was likely to be an opportunity for a well-performed A team player to press claims for a first-class opening spot.

Contenders for a top order role included Joel Abraham, Michael Davidson, Greg Dawson, Keryn Ambler, Cole McConchie and Jeff Case, with national under 19 players Leo Carter and Kenny McClure also in the mix.

Scott Styris ponders Northern Knights future | Stuff.co.nz

That means there's no wicketkeeper in ND's 14. However, Pamment said Rory Christopherson, Tim Seifert, Ben Horne and Peter Bocock would all be given a chance, while Watling may be available here and there between international commitments.

Cricket: Volts stick to local talent | Otago Daily Times Online News : Otago, South Island, New Zealand & International News

Left-arm quick Blair Soper could be considered unlucky to miss out on a contract, but King explained the length of time of Soper's recovery from shoulder surgery forced Otago's hand.

''He had surgery on the first of July and he's been given a time frame of a minimum of six months. It was a little touch and go. We're hopeful that he'll be available for the back end of the season, but there's just no guarantee of that.

''Being a bowler, he's got his workloads to consider, so there was just too much uncertainty.

Otago is likely to stay local with its final contract spot to be announced next month. All other domestic associations opted to name 14 contracted players yesterday, with the exception of Auckland, which named 13.

''We've got our own views around our local players that are in contention, but I would expect it to go to a local player. We're not hunting for someone outside the region, but you just don't know what might get thrown up in the next week or two.''

 

[Blocky]

Peter Bocock would have to be one of the most naturally gifted players around, the guy is a pisshead who turns up to most games still drunk, still managing to bat and keep amazingly. If he got serious about his cricket then he'd be a no brainer for ND and a much better player than Hornet the Junior.

 

[Prince EWS]

Stead said there was no suggestion of Astle returning to open the batting which he did earlier in his career.

Aww

 

[Kippax]

Bocock sure looks like my kind of ND player.

 

[Kippax]

Cricket: Worker welcomed back into CD fold - Hawkes Bay Today - Hawke's Bay Today News

"It's great to have Georgie back because he fits in well with our local plan," new CD chief executive Neil "Pods" Hood said last night, after New Zealand Cricket released the names of players from the six major associations earlier in the day.

Hood also ruled out the use of overseas imports for the HRV Cup T20 this summer.

He felt exceptions were possible only if injury took its toll.

Hay and Kain win contracts for CD squad | Stuff.co.nz

"We didn't approach anyone in the off season to come to us," Malan said. "I always said I'm really excited about our younger players and I'm even more excited now they've all been offered contracts again."

Malan said Robinson and the Manawatu trio of allrounder Roald Badenhorst, wicketkeeper-batsman Dane Cleaver and batsman Dave Meiring occupy spots 15 to 18 on their list and any of them could get the final contract.

 

[Kippax]

 

[Smudge]

Cricket: Volts stick to local talent | Otago Daily Times Online News : Otago, South Island, New Zealand & International News

Good read, that...

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

I dunno Smudge. His articles always give me the Trots.

 

[BackFootPunch]

I preferred his earlier work. His efforts elsewhere in Otago set a standard that's proved impossible to follow.

 

[Smudge]

I dunno Smudge. His articles always give me the Trots.

He's a **** of a human being, by all accounts. No good at indoor cricket either.

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

He's a **** of a human being, by all accounts. No good at indoor cricket either.

Got belted for a six by some shunt from Naenae who wouldn't stop talking about it afterwards. No good at cricket, no good at journalism... Lucky in cards, perhaps?

 

[KiWiNiNjA]

From playing Doctor Who to writing for the ODT. How the mighty have fallen.

 

[Flem274*]

still has loads of fangirls though, so he won't be complaining too much

 

[Dan]

still has loads of fangirls though, so he won't be complaining too much

Until they all see the light and abandon him for the agribusiness charm that is Big Daddy Kane, that is.

 

[Kippax]

Williamson staying positive after bowling action deemed illegal (From The Northern Echo)

Ahead of today’s Royal London one-day Cup game with Gloucestershire at Headingley, Williamson’s former county, he said: “Although it’s not ideal, there are worse things in life.

“Hopefully I can use it to my advantage because it means I have to put a bit more time into my bowling because I never have really before. I’ve just bowled in the nets, and perhaps that’s where my action’s lost its way a little bit.

“Although I don’t bowl a huge amount, I do enjoy my bowling. I want to get back bowling, and that’s going to require a bit of work.

“There’s no specific timescale on it just yet (getting retested), but I’ll be working to try and get it done as soon as I can.

“New Zealand are good with the situation. I’ve been in touch with them a lot recently and liaised with various coaches here too about trying to change a few things. There’s no real rush, but I do want to get back and be effective with the ball.”

 

[Kippax]

World Cup minnows to tour New Zealand | Stuff.co.nz

ICC High Performance Program Qualifier Tour, New Zealand (all games 50-overs) World Cup

AT A GLANCE

Thursday, Oct 2: Afghanistan v Auckland, Mt Maunganui

Saturday, Oct 4: Afghanistan v Auckland, Mt Maunganui

Tuesday, Oct 7: Afghanistan v Northern Districts, Mt Maunganui

Thursday, Oct 9: Afghanistan v Northern Districts, Mt Maunganui

Wednesday, Oct 15: Scotland v New Zealand XI, Rangiora

Thursday, Oct 16: Ireland v Northern Districts, Hamilton

Friday, Oct 17: Scotland v Canterbury, Christchurch

Saturday, Oct 18: Ireland v New Zealand XI, Hamilton

Monday, Oct 20: Scotland, TBC, Rangiora

Tuesday, Oct 21: Ireland v Canterbury, Rangiora

Wednesday, Oct 22: Scotland v Otago, Rangiora

Thursday, Oct 23: Ireland v Otago, Rangiora

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

****'s sake. I'd go and see Afghanistan, but I'm not going to Mount Maunganui for the privilege. Throw the Basin Reserve a ****ing bone you useless conniving ****s.

 

[hendrix]

I am so excited about Afghanistan. Just love their story. Really hope their pace bowlers get some nice green decks in the tournament