***Official*** Pakistan in New Zealand 2016/17

[James]

Hard to be too enthused about this win. Glad we snapped our losing streak, but beating a hideously under prepared opponent in conditions that weren't really great standard for the first half of the match is a pretty compromised win. With Taylor looking passed it, BJ struggling and Williamson being only very good at the top, our batting is looking as weak as it has at any time since the Marshall twins were playing test cricket. Still pleasing to see three bowlers rally well when Pakistan had us under pressure a bit in the 3rd innings.

Agree with that statement completely. Imagine the fuss most Kiwi fans would be putting up if we went to the UAE with no warm-up games. I'm expecting Pakistan to hit back hard in the 2nd Test, although it may not be seen if Misbah doesn't play.

It's a shame the schedule has us playing Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia, South Africa all over the summer and its mostly ODIs and T20s for the majority. Hoping at some stage in future we might have a team tour us for a decent 4/5 Test series.

 

[Blocky]

If his eye problem is actually that bad... then why in the blue **** was he allowed to be in the field and more crucially, why was he still in at first slip?

It's either terrible management by NZ Cricket, or a porker to explain some pretty poor form by Taylor.

 

[Athlai]

Agree with that statement completely. Imagine the fuss most Kiwi fans would be putting up if we went to the UAE with no warm-up games. I'm expecting Pakistan to hit back hard in the 2nd Test, although it may not be seen if Misbah doesn't play.

It's a shame the schedule has us playing Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia, South Africa all over the summer and its mostly ODIs and T20s for the majority. Hoping at some stage in future we might have a team tour us for a decent 4/5 Test series.

7 home Tests in a summer is hardly like the bad old days.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Don't think Pakistan have that much to worry about. Their preparation was pretty woeful. They'll do better in the second test.

 

[Flem274*]

poor henry nicholls. shows more application and scores more runs than most in this test and everyone is still determined to drop him.

a porker to explain some pretty poor form by Taylor.

lol this gonna get good

 

[Blocky]

Go troll elsewhere kid.

 

[NZTailender]

Go troll elsewhere kid.

Can you?

 

[James]

7 home Tests in a summer is hardly like the bad old days.

It's getting better I agree, but there's still the issue of touring teams not getting sufficient warm-up matches and that would be corrected if there weren't so many touring teams across the summer. And two of the three Test series across the summer are only 2 Tests would isn't ideal.

We can't get everything though, and as you say it is better than it once was.

 

[African Monkey]

poor henry nicholls. shows more application and scores more runs than most in this test and everyone is still determined to drop him.

I'm in the same boat as most on here as he is ugly as hell defensively, but he does show a bit of character especially in tough conditions. Will probably get a decent run throughout the summer.

 

[Shri]

Hey, has anyone ever told you that your username is kinda racist?

 

[African Monkey]

Hey, has anyone ever told you that your username is kinda racist?

Haha it was made a long time a go when I was still at school but you would be the first to bring it up. There's no racism behind it I can assure you .

 

[Moss]

If Taylor is indeed out for the next test I would hope a specialist batsman comes in as opposed to a Ronchi or Neesham (who I rate, but as someone mentioned not a top 5 option).

Of course I have no concrete suggestions Maybe Will Young? Or if that's one debutant too many, I wouldn't mind Brownlie as a short term option.

 

[Blocky]

If Taylor is indeed out for the next test I would hope a specialist batsman comes in as opposed to a Ronchi or Neesham (who I rate, but as someone mentioned not a top 5 option).

Of course I have no concrete suggestions Maybe Will Young? Or if that's one debutant too many, I wouldn't mind Brownlie as a short term option.

Will Young has done absolutely zero to deserve a call up, I'd rather see Popli in there.

 

[Mike5181]

Popli's in even worse form than Will Young this season.

 

[_Ed_]

On Plunket Shield form, it's hard to go past Guptill...

 

[Blocky]

On Plunket Shield form, it's hard to go past Guptill...

I'd rather give Craig McMillan another run in the team.

 

[SteveNZ]

Will Young has done absolutely zero to deserve a call up, I'd rather see Popli in there.

Popli is in dire form. Scored no runs as an O/S player in England and come back in crap form.

I actually have no idea who should bat 4. Nicholls would probably have to move up, and that scares me. All Will Young had to do was score a ton and scratch around a bit more, and he'd have been right in line. As it stands, Nicholls 4 de Grandhomme 5 Neesham 6 etc.

 

[Blocky]

Popli is in dire form. Scored no runs as an O/S player in England and come back in crap form.

I actually have no idea who should bat 4. Nicholls would probably have to move up, and that scares me. All Will Young had to do was score a ton and scratch around a bit more, and he'd have been right in line. As it stands, Nicholls 4 de Grandhomme 5 Neesham 6 etc.

BJ being out of form takes away the idea of putting Ronchi or someone else in as a keeper and having him move up.

 

[SteveNZ]

Yeah, that doesn't work now.

Of course, everyone knows who the best #5 in the country is, right? If we're playing a Test match tomorrow to save the planet, who bats 5 (if Ross is out, and even if he isn't)? Tell me it's not Martin James Guptill. You can't, because it is.

 

[Blocky]

If he wasn't a mental midget, I'd agree.. but ultimately the guy hasn't shown any ability to adapt to roles within the side in any short time frame and I'd much rather we go to youth, even if that youth isn't playing at their best at the moment than go back to a guy who can't do anything for the side.