*Official* New Zealand vs Pakistan 2022/23

[thierry henry]

has been a quality innings by Sarfraz, but NZ going on the defensive this entire session instead of attacking and looking to bowl them out is a strategic blunder IMO. Should always look to win, looking to draw never works. Too many gaps, easy singles, gives loads of confidence to the opposition, and bowlers don't have reliable plans for this.

Looking to draw is great….just set a target which allows it by declaring later

 

[Flem274*]

This business of "playing for the new ball" has been absolute rubbish from NZ for a long time now. If they lose this, hope it forces a good long look at their bowling attack composition and tactics.

The ball isn't swinging and our selectors will go full English and blame everything but themselves. We should have been nuturing more than just a world class fast medium barrage for 5 years now but chose not to.

 

[Meridio]

Okay...so we're not taking the new ball? But then what has been the point of the last hour - were we actually playing for the draw?

 

[subshakerz]

I think if Stokes was captaining, you would see a lot more chirping and energy in the field. They seem to be waiting for something to happen. Hopefully Pakistan does something stupid or the new ball changes things.

 

[Athlai]

The new ball is shiny and chrome

 

[Flem274*]

Okay...so we're not taking the new ball? But then what has been the point of the last hour - were we actually playing for the draw?

would be too talkback to accuse them of giving up but im not really sure where our tactics are at since tea.

 

[TheBrand]

This captaincy from Southee is bizarre... bowling Henry for so long makes no sense.

 

[Meridio]

Ajaz needs to work on his fitness for sure. Not getting enough pace and bite into his deliveries and been a liability in the field.

Yeah imo there's been noticeably less snap in his action this series, can see it on the lack of follow through rotation. His back leg doesn't drive through, it just stops.

 

[Moss]

Yep it's been very obvious that that's been the tactic here for quite some time. But even given that our attempts at bowling dry have been awful

And if that was the tactic, why bowl Henry unchanged in that time? Also, seemingly giving up on taking wickets when Pakistan were 203 for 6, just makes a mockery of the declaration. Southee has a lot of answering to do.

 

[Shady Slim]

when there was say 25 overs or so to come the asking rate was around about 4.5, they've done so well to be ticking over such that it's only 4 now; even if they were going along at a healthy three and a half over the asking rate would be up at like sixish right now instead of the four that it is

 

[Burgey]

Gotta admit my boi Ajaz has been completely rekt in this series. I'm not sure what makes this series different to SL and India (perhaps those pitches actually having fast turn helped) but this has been woeful from him.

I haven’t watched much of this series at all, but even with this being the case it seems weird he’s bowled about 5 or 6 overs on a day five deck

 

[Meridio]

And if that was the tactic, why bowl Henry unchanged in that time? Also, seemingly giving up on taking wickets when Pakistan were 203 for 6, just makes a mockery of the declaration. Southee has a lot of answering to do.

Yep, it's utterly bizarre. Nonsensical. Have to take the new ball now, it's our only real hope of avoiding defeat now - rolling them, and the variable bounce from a new ball could do that.

Well okay the bad light could also save us from defeat...but that's weak as piss

 

[Flem274*]

come on aleem you've taken us off in lighter weather.

 

[subshakerz]

Ugh, this is way too easy. No pressure, easy singles, not trying to dry runs or attack for wickets. Low intensity cricket.

Edit: forgot about Pakistan's trademark brainfades

 

[Burgey]

If NZ wants to win they need to go all in and give the ball to my man Daryl Mitchell

 

[jcas0167]

Take the new ball you *****.

Edit: Great celebration from Henry.

 

[Athlai]

Never doubted

 

[_Ed_]

Henry! We never doubted him.

 

[Burgey]

Backing a tie here

 

[Socerer 01]

taht is a gift wtf