*Official* New Zealand vs Pakistan 2022/23

[ashley bach]

Ish looks much more compact a batsman than Bracewell at test level, sure most here remember him help saving that test against England.
Still some chance of a partnership if they can make it through to stumps.

 

[Moss]

Blundell quietly playing a good knock, looked composed while the others were caught by surprise from the Pakistan resurgence post tea. Gives NZ some hope of a decent score tomorrow.

Great bowling from Pakistan though, opened the match right up.

 

[Howe_zat]

306/6 is the usually the middling side of acceptable for day 1 but noting that Agha Salman has seemingly got something out of this track unlike all others this season it might be a fair bit better than it looks right now.

 

[Moss]

306/6 is the usually the middling side of acceptable for day 1 but noting that Agha Salman has seemingly got something out of this track unlike all others this season it might be a fair bit better than it looks right now.

Seamers got a fair bit of late movement too. Could end up being the difference as the game goes on.

 

[SteveNZ]

From the highlights, looked a really good Test deck? Bit in it for the bowlers and good value for the batsmen when they got it right.

 

[trundler]

Just have a tour match immediately before tests then.

Saw a bit of the last session. Very thrilling. We gotta get NZ out for 350ish because Southee is gun with reverse and we're also batting last.

 

[Skyliner]

Woeful stuff from the Black Caps. Extremely dominant position at Tea, and then a meek capitulation in the final session to leave a sub par 1st innings total a distinct probability. The malaise continues.

 

[ataraxia]

maybe pakistan put some sleep drug in the tapal tea the NZ players were served

 

[Bahnz]

Don’t think NZ are going to offer the same old ball threat that Naseem was serving. Could get really ugly if they don’t find a way to scrap to 400.

 

[Binkley]

Don’t think NZ are going to offer the same old ball threat that Naseem was serving. Could get really ugly if they don’t find a way to scrap to 400.

Yeah - I had the same thought catching up on play this morning. Henry doesn’t bowl full enough and is reliant on a newer ball, while Southee is very skilful with an old ball he offers a very different sort of threat to Naseem - and one that I can’t see as being as effective in these particular conditions.

 

[Burgey]

Find it very hard to believe my man Daryl Mitchell didn’t ton up here

 

[Flem274*]

Find it very hard to believe my man Daryl Mitchell didn’t ton up here

One decked back through the gate and Mitchell didn't cover for it. That guy Salman that Pakistan never use actually looks a very solid 5th bowler offie, probably their bowler of the day in all honesty given Naseem's reverse spell made up for his meh opening one.

From the highlights, looked a really good Test deck? Bit in it for the bowlers and good value for the batsmen when they got it right.

Started off looking like 600 par - as flat as last game but with a bit more pace. In the second session around the 35th over Pakistan began reversing it which was well done from them to get it going early but NZ played it well, then after tea the reverse improved and the ball starting turning too.

Unsure whether Pakistan transcended the deck or the pitch is improving for bowling. Probably a mix, given I thought they did well in the second session to manufacture some reverse and Salman bowled well in that session too.

We've dropped one of our better exponents of reverse but it's understandable tbh. I think Henry has improved as a bowler over the past 18 months and everyone got Bazballed so I don't hold it against him much, but this will be his biggest test since his improvement. Can't just hammer away on the corridor here.

 

[straw man]

From what I saw I thought it was Pakistan's bowling (and a couple of misjudgments from NZ) outperforming the pitch, rather than the pitch sneakily having more in it than first thought. I think it's still a pitch where days 1-3 are very flat and you expect to score 500+ batting first.

Also agree Naseem's extra pace helps a lot on this pitch and with reverse swing - don't think he gets either of those wickets bowling 130km/h. We don't have that* though Southee is still *some* threat at his lesser pace.

* Henry does bowl the occasional spell that touches 140 of course, but doesn't tend to maintain that. And he's not big on reverse swing.

 

[Frost]

If Henry can find the right length I think he could be in business here, I don't think it's as flat as the opening session of batting made it look. Still a good for batting though all in all.
Looks like some spin is available so another chance for ish and Co to do there thing.
As bad as the slide down was for nz I don't think a 350 score is a total disaster, although would of been handy having a third seamer especially one who's a threat with the old ball- Wagner.
I have said it before( and got 'mocked' for it on this forum) but I think blundell is the best keeper batsmen nz have had since bmac, flawless with the gloves, dynamic with the bat. Although willing to admit maybe because he's more ' attacking ' he appears more effective than watling. I guess time will tell

 

[straw man]

If Henry can find the right length I think he could be in business here, I don't think it's as flat as the opening session of batting made it look. Still a good for batting though all in all.

That's pretty much the problem with Henry though isn't it, the length. I hope to just see him attack with the new ball and he earns one edge behind. Old ball is probably going to be meh.

I have said it before( and got 'mocked' for it on this forum) but I think blundell is the best keeper batsmen nz have had since bmac, flawless with the gloves, dynamic with the bat. Although willing to admit maybe because he's more ' attacking ' he appears more effective than watling. I guess time will tell

I really like Blundell's batting - proactive and plays the short ball well; now he's over that lull in form and that tentativeness that we saw after he first took the wk role, I think he will be a really good NZ batsman for the next few years.

I'm pleased he's been tidy with the gloves lately after a few errors earlier on, though think Watling was still a better wicketkeeper.

 

[Frost]

That's pretty much the problem with Henry though isn't it, the length. I hope to just see him attack with the new ball and he earns one edge behind. Old ball is probably going to be meh.


I really like Blundell's batting - proactive and plays the short ball well; now he's over that lull in form and that tentativeness that we saw after he first took the wk role, I think he will be a really good NZ batsman for the next few years.

I'm pleased he's been tidy with the gloves lately after a few errors earlier on, though think Watling was still a better wicketkeeper.

Yea, it is the problem with Henry. Early in his career he was used as the 3rd seamer and it seemed like he was told to pull his length back, weirdly now that he's started bowling a touch fuller he's finding more success.
Blundell is probably the best with the gloves in the world right now- his keeping to spin is sharp. His record with the bat(granted small sample size) is very good. Runs overseas against quality attacks in a number of batting positions

 

[Immenso]

Agree that it was good bowling by Pakistan in the air, rather than anything about the pitch.

Although both Conway and Mitchell's dismissals to the offie were both really poor batting, I thought.

 

[Flem274*]

Conway had been trying to get out for a while. I wonder if he was just tired?

 

[Shady Slim]

blundell nation get up stand up for our man lfg

 

[_Ed_]

Not an ideal start.

Well bowled, though.