**Official** England in New Zealand 28 Nov-18 Dec 2024 - 3 Tests

[Bahnz]

So glad Harmison is sticking the boot in about NZ's catching. The kiwi commentators all seem like they're way to chummy with the administration to make too much of a point of it.

 

[anonymouskefe]

More like Were in the running for wtc final Scotty this test has put that dream to bed

 

[Bahnz]

More like Were in the running for wtc final Scotty this test has put that dream to bed

NZ can still make it with a 2-1 series win if Aus v Ind ends 2-2 and Aus v SL ends 1-1. Not super likely admittedly, but not super unlikely either.

 

[Burgey]

Hopefully Woakes is doing enough here to book a ticket for the Ashes next year.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

I always hate having to talk **** about NZ players (well unless it's Kugz). Guys like Blundell and Nicholls made some great contributions to the side. But Stead and co need to get real here. Blundell's 34. He's a liability with the gloves. He can't buy a run and hasn't been able to for 2 years. FFS, this is not a hard selection decision to make.

I wish selectors understood "regression to the mean". When a guy who averaged mid 30s in domestic cricket somehow averages 40-50 for a decent period and starts to trend down for a reasonable sample size, chances are you caught him in a purple patch and he's got getting back to those heights. We've seen it with Nicholls, we're seeing it with Mitchell and Blundell now. Not saying Mitchell is in the same boat as Blundell but he's massively overachieved in his international career so far.

 

[anonymouskefe]

NZ can still make it with a 2-1 series win if Aus v Ind ends 2-2 and Aus v SL ends 1-1. Not super likely admittedly, but not super unlikely either.

Yeah 3-0 would have given us a far better chance are Sa still in it too? Pretty sure they have 3 more tests at home after this sl Test

 

[Burgey]

So glad Harmison is sticking the boot in about NZ's catching. The kiwi commentators all seem like they're way to chummy with the administration to make too much of a point of it.

How many did they end up shelling? Will proabbly end up the differnece in the game with the way things are going.

 

[Burgey]

Not saying Mitchell is in the same boat as Blundell but he's massively overachieved in his international career so far.

How dare you.

 

[Johan]

Burgey yapped about Latham's wicket and Woakes packed up Williamson and Blundell, you just can't make this **** up

 

[PlayerComparisons]

How many did they end up shelling? Will proabbly end up the differnece in the game with the way things are going.

5 dropped catches off Brook

 

[King Kane]

This is like the reverse of the India series where England have ambushed us like we ambushed India while we've been complacent like India at home

They will probably stick with the same team for the next test in Wellington but Conway and Blundell should be on notice, perform or play Super Smash.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

How dare you.

*overachieved in terms of perspiration

 

[straw man]

How many did they end up shelling? Will proabbly end up the differnece in the game with the way things are going.

Eight - no exaggeration and none of those were half chances. Genuinely the worst I've seen from NZ in an innings.

 

[ataraxia]

There are three quality keeper candidates on the bench (with Fletcher injured). Could we, god forbid, consider playing one of them? If Blundell doesn't score a ton this series and is picked for the Zimbabwe tour I will probably complain about it relentlessly on CW.

There's also a chance that a new keeper could rejuvenate the fielding side.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Can Young keep?

If not we could drop Blundell and have Latham keeping and batting at 6 like Pope with Young opening, a big risk though with how Latham is catching.

Easier to catch with gloves on

 

[Bahnz]

I wish selectors understood "regression to the mean". When a guy who averaged mid 30s in domestic cricket somehow averages 40-50 for a decent period and starts to trend down for a reasonable sample size, chances are you caught him in a purple patch and he's got getting back to those heights. We've seen it with Nicholls, we're seeing it with Mitchell and Blundell now. Not saying Mitchell is in the same boat as Blundell but he's massively overachieved in his international career so far.

IIRC, Blundell had bloody good FC stats when he made his debut, low to mid-40's average. Certainly had a couple of seasons averaging around the 50 mark in the mid 2010's. Mitchell I think is a slightly different case of someone who genuinely developed late, but yeah he was never a 50+ averaging bat, and even 45 is probably a bit high. He's 34 now though, so getting old could be a part of his decline as well.

 

[Johan]

Scenes before NZ 500/8

Mitchell 264
Phillips 181

 

[Bahnz]

How many did they end up shelling? Will proabbly end up the differnece in the game with the way things are going.

8 - funny thing is, the two most difficult chances (a Phillips flyer in gully and a hard catch for Southee running back and looking over his shoulder) were taken.

 

[Silver Silva]

I wish selectors understood "regression to the mean". When a guy who averaged mid 30s in domestic cricket somehow averages 40-50 for a decent period and starts to trend down for a reasonable sample size, chances are you caught him in a purple patch and he's got getting back to those heights. We've seen it with Nicholls, we're seeing it with Mitchell and Blundell now. Not saying Mitchell is in the same boat as Blundell but he's massively overachieved in his international career so far.

Conway too he started like a house on fire in all formats but now is regressing ..

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I wish selectors understood "regression to the mean".

Rhys Mariu is averaging about 70 in 1st class now. Get him in