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

[wellAlbidarned]

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.

My point is that there's been some really good selections over the years but we could do with learning to take the W and move on from those kinds of guys a little quicker once they decline. As harsh as it is, they should be on a shorter leash than your generational talents.

 

[straw man]

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.

I've been more patient with Blundell than most, but this match was not just two more batting failures but yet another bad drop off an edge, and other mistakes with the gloves too. We just can't afford those. So it's time to move on.

I could be convinced on any of Hay, Chu or Cleaver right now.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

Just want to say I stupidly didn't get the radio synched up today, and jesus that last commentary stint by Sumo very nearly drove me to tears.

 

[Bahnz]

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

Conway averaged 50+ in 3 successive seasons for Wellington. I think there are a couple of different factors in his decline, including more sophisticated analysis departments identifying weaknesses that went unnoticed in domestic cricket, batting out of position (he always played at number 3 for Wellington) and probably some stuff in his personal life as well.

 

[wellAlbidarned]

yeah I wouldn't put Conway in the same category, he had years of averaging 45-55 across all three formats

 

[King Kane]

George Harper Jnr has at least been an improvement as the crowd commentator than that other Cuzzy Bro bloke they had doing it before him.

 

[anonymouskefe]

Conway was averaging over 50 in all international formats at one stage. I think personal life might have had a bigger impact that most think

 

[thundaboult]

Ajaz patel takes 10 wickets in an innings. Dropped and rewarded with a handful of tests over the next 3 years + replaced by michael bracewell the ultimate bits and pieces test cricketer who once forgot to ground his bat while running for an easy single.

Rachin ravindra has the greatest world cup of all time for a new zealand batter, rewarded with not being picked for the test team right after the tournament ends.

Will young becomes player of the series in the greatest new zealand cricketing win of all time. Rewarded by being dropped so we can carry blundell.


Tim southee, neil wagner, henry nicholls, tom blundell trudge on garbage patches for extended periods....rewarded with more chances to keep entering garbage patches.

 

[ataraxia]

Well I'm not sure why everyone is so pessimistic here tbh. We've got the lead and have taken 18 wickets to England's 15. Well on top.

 

[Burgey]

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.

EIGHT? How can that even be a thing?

 

[Bahnz]

That's stone dead I'm afraid.

EDIT: yikes, maybe not. Bad luck.

 

[King Kane]

Phillips reviewing but that looks out too.

 

[anonymouskefe]

Ajaz patel takes 10 wickets in an innings. Dropped and rewarded with a handful of tests + michael bracewell the ultimate bits and pieces test cricketer who once forgot to ground his bat while running for an easy single.

Rachin ravindra has the greatest new zealand batsman world cup of all time, rewarded with not being picked for the test team right after the tournament ends.

Will young becomes player of the series in the greatest new zealand cricketing win of all time. Rewarded by being dropped so we can carry blundell.


Tim southee, neil wagner, henry nicholls, tom blundell trudge on garbage patches for extended periods....rewarded with more chances to keep entering garbage patches.

I’ll never forget when Conway had the opportunity for his first test after dominating the white ball internationals. Stead being stead picked young instead

 

[Burgey]

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

I yap about everything. Why this bothers you does not concern me. I hope he takes 10 fer and secures an Ashes starting spot next year.

 

[thierry henry]

Tucker absolutely firing us

 

[Johan]

with all the technicality aside, this is 2-6

 

[Johan]

I yap about everything. Why this bothers you does not concern me. I hope he takes 10 fer and secures an Ashes starting spot next year.

it doesn't, just bants mate.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

@Prince EWS Upper thigh

 

[King Kane]

Umpire's call on height, the umpires are looking for a day off tomorrow along with our players.

 

[Bahnz]

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.

Thankfully, Stead won't be coach anymore, so decent chance of some change happening at last.