Since his 90 vs England last summer he's had scores of 7, 3, 17*, 6, 6, 0, 2, 11, 5*, 4. Or 61 runs @ 7.62.I think Blundell is a decent player too but either as an opener or when he doesn't have the pressure of the world on him. You feel like the last 3 test matches in particular, for most of those innings he's come in after small collapses and felt the weight of the innings entirely on his shoulders. Batting at 6 or 7 though you're always going to run that risk so you've got to ask yourself will he get better in those situations or is he more of a pace on the ball type opening? He averaged 35 with the bat opening, including a century in Australia which is no mean feat, but for the first time in yonks we actually have a few people who could open the batting and I don't think he's top 2 in the country for that overall, but maybe he could do the job for a time.
I suspect NZ will keep the faith for the 2nd test so barring a double ton, I'd like to see Cleaver or Fletcher a run vs SA. I think asking Conway to keep is a surefire way to make sure we don't get the best out of him with the bat when really he's our 2nd best bat currently.
They need to include Cleaver in the squad again, that seemed to do the trick last time.I need to start doubting Blundell again. I posted this just before he scored 57* vs Bangladesh, after he had 6 innings where he scored 13, 2, 8, 0, 11, 0. He then had a run of form for a year where he scored 1025 runs @ 68.33.
Since his 90 vs England last summer he's had scores of 7, 3, 17*, 6, 6, 0, 2, 11, 5*, 4. Or 61 runs @ 7.62.
So anyway, let's give Cleaver or Fletcher a run vs Australia
They need to include Cleaver in the squad again, that seemed to do the trick last time.
Didn't realise his recent run has been quite that bad.
Not sure why he's batting ahead of PhillipsI need to start doubting Blundell again. I posted this just before he scored 57* vs Bangladesh, after he had 6 innings where he scored 13, 2, 8, 0, 11, 0. He then had a run of form for a year where he scored 1025 runs @ 68.33.
Since his 90 vs England last summer he's had scores of 7, 3, 17*, 6, 6, 0, 2, 11, 5*, 4. Or 61 runs @ 7.62.
So anyway, let's give Cleaver or Fletcher a run vs Australia
I don't see much point in batting him above Phillips as well tbfThey need to include Cleaver in the squad again, that seemed to do the trick last time.
Didn't realise his recent run has been quite that bad.
Yeah very nicely directed, right height, seamed in a little to chase the batsman - was a good bouncer.Very nicely done by O'Roruke
Like its a smaller sample size but he has a better record at 7I don't see much point in batting him above Phillips as well tbf
6th Position | 2020-2024 | 17 | 26 | 2 | 530 | 106 | 22.08 | 1249 | 42.43 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 65 | 1 |
7th Position | 2021-2023 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 564 | 138 | 94.00 | 945 | 59.68 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 75 | 1 |
Oof I didn't realise it was that bad. Includes 14/4 in Bangladesh. Of course, was insanely productive for several series prior to that. All batters have ups and downs, but that's why I wrote yesterday that for Blundell it seems to be series-by-series. Either the whole series is an up or the whole series is a down.Since his 90 vs England last summer he's had scores of 7, 3, 17*, 6, 6, 0, 2, 11, 5*, 4. Or 61 runs @ 7.62.
Out to 2 different shots to the short-ball as well. Can't survive in test cricket doing that. It was Hamza's problem first time around as well.Fell for the short ball.