NZ domestic season 2023/24

[ataraxia]

Bruce is back from the BPL now I think, though not in time for this game (Hay is red-ball captain anyway, not Bruce).

 

[NZTailender]

He's 32, Stead age for a debut. Mind you with Ravindra, Mitchell and Phillips locking up the middle order his only chance would be makeshift opener or jumping Young as injury backup for the middle order.

I would've hoped he would come back for long format stuff as an elder statesman but if he genuinely believe his international career is over then fair play to him

 

[Bahnz]

Is this the first time in Smith's career that his bowling average is lower than his batting average?

Nice stuff from Abass. Really hoping he can fill his boots in the batting season and make a play for the Welly number 3 spot next year

 

[Bahnz]

I totally missed this, but fantastic to see Nathan Smith picked up a county gig, though I'm also a little worried that the county workload will end up breaking hum.

Worcestershire bring in Nathan Smith as all-format overseas player | The Cricketer

Worcestershire have signed uncapped New Zealander Nathan Smith for the entirety of the 2024 season | The Cricketer

www.thecricketer.com

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Just noting for my own reasons that Big Gus McKenzie scored more runs, took more wickets and had a better economy rate than the big hope Zac Foulkes in this recent Plunket Shield game.

Go Big Gus, the Trundly Bus.

 

[Flem274*]

Bruce will never play test cricket. I think it's fair

I totally missed this, but fantastic to see Nathan Smith picked up a county gig, though I'm also a little worried that the county workload will end up breaking hum.

Worcestershire bring in Nathan Smith as all-format overseas player | The Cricketer

Worcestershire have signed uncapped New Zealander Nathan Smith for the entirety of the 2024 season | The Cricketer

www.thecricketer.com

Yeah I'm praying to multiple deities he doesn't emerge as Sam Curran the test player. I like Curran and have been complimentary to his new ball bowling on tour here, but he needs a yard of pace to really crack it and I'm not sure the endless county grind will help him.

 

[Bahnz]

Smith now with 61 at 19 since moving to Wellington, compared to 51 at 36.7 during his time at Otago. If Duffy ever wants to play for NZ he needs pack his bags and get himself a gig in Christchurch or Wellington.

 

[Flem274*]

Are uni oval and queenstown still slow low dogs?

 

[HeathDavisSpeed]

Moving has worked so far for Georgeson though. I wonder if not opening was part of the deal for him when he moved South. He's surely done significantly better with bat and ball in all formats in the small sample size so far. I wonder if players like Bhula, Vishvaka etc. might need a change of scenery.

 

[Flem274*]

For Vishvaka he probably just needs to find an opening somewhere. He only has 10 games for Wellington across all formats.

Bhula has really flopped hasn't he, just looking at cricinfo. Still only 24 though, so still a chance for him to make something happen.

 

[ataraxia]

Smith now with 61 at 19 since moving to Wellington, compared to 51 at 36.7 during his time at Otago. If Duffy ever wants to play for NZ he needs pack his bags and get himself a gig in Christchurch or Wellington.

Funnily enough read this earlier today:

Along the way in Duffy’s journey to becoming Otago’s all-time leading wicket-taker, he’s had to watch many of his teammates depart for other associations.

Otago has had some struggles on the field prompting some players to look elsewhere.

Duffy himself has never given a move a lot of thought though. He can only wonder where the association might be if others decided to stay.

“It’s the biggest bugbear of mine. It’s frustrating, the dudes think for whatever reason they have to leave.

“We’ve lost the likes of Nick Kelly, Mike Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Michael Rae, [Michael] Rippon - if you still have those guys in your team you are fighting for titles.

“They do that, but I guess my base is here. My family and Natasha and her family. I’ve never seen any potential gain in me leaving.

“People go for opportunities, but I’ve always had the opportunities, and I’ve always had good coaching here.

“Honestly, I can’t see myself living anywhere else as well. I hate Christchurch, and I don’t like big cities like Wellington and Auckland, and Napier and Tauranga are too far away, so why would I?

“I love the South too much.”

So no.

 

[RMBolton]

I'll never stop saying that he was robbed of a Test debut last year at Bay Oval. Top wicket taker of PS so far, called up to go to India. Seriously, he should've filled in for Henry, but no, they made Wagner open the bowling & brought in Kuggeleijn.

 

[Flem274*]

Considering their history, Duffy and KJ being long term test players together would be quite funny.

 

[Smudge]

Ebrahim outta here.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1764414482527494423

Craig Cumming paying $1.25 to be the next Volts coach.

 

[Immenso]

3 years is pretty standard term (hint, hint Steady). So, probably not much in it. But, I've not been a fan at all since the tone-deaf Ave selection.

Might be a bit awkward for Cumming snr with 2 of his sons coming through.

 

[Flem274*]

I reckon 6 years is the perfect tenure, but lower level coaches are gonna bounce around more.

 

[jcas0167]

Jeez, has been a tough season for Foxcroft after a pretty good return season last year, making the A side and getting cleared for the Black Caps after the Covid border fiasco. Hope the added responsibility of captaincy isn't affecting his form.

 

[Howsie]

I reckon 6 years is the perfect tenure, but lower level coaches are gonna bounce around more.

Sure if they can make the tough decisions when it’s time, 90 percent of coaches can’t do that though.

 

[Flem274*]

Sure if they can make the tough decisions when it’s time, 90 percent of coaches can’t do that though.

That's why I reckon 6 years. Long enough to build long term good things, short enough to keep them from stagnating or becoming mates with the players.

I know Stead did the latter, but that's because he wasn't the right guy in the first place. A bad coach is a bad coach.

 

[Immenso]

That's why I reckon 6 years. Long enough to build long term good things, short enough to keep them from stagnating or becoming mates with the players.

I know Stead did the latter, but that's because he wasn't the right guy in the first place. A bad coach is a bad coach.

Stead actually was the right guy at the right time. He was the right guy for the 2 or 3 year steady as she goes, keep it in the background, team can run it self - phase. (although even that phase almost went of the rails with Aus tour of 2019/20)

He absolutely wouldn't have been the right guy for 2012ish phase when Hesson built a team (that is the 6 year window). And he is not the right guy now (or for the last 2 years) when we've been required to start deconstructing and rebuilding.