*Official* Pakistan v New Zealand in the UAE 2018

[trundler]

Unimpressive FC record looks like. My memory of him must've been shaped by that one wonder ball which I can't clearly recall anyway.

 

[NZTailender]

He was never really up to chuff in long format - though I do wonder if there was also a hesitation to play him in that format even at domestic level. Even in ODIs he seemed out of his depth beyond short bursts. An ideal T20 player.

 

[trundler]

Sounds like a waste man.

 

[The Hutt Rec]

Took a lot of wickets in ODIs though ... was playing a few until he got hit in the face while batting vs Pakistan and was out for quite a while, but he was never a first choice pick. Then went on the t20 circuit and got a bit fat.

 

[_Ed_]

He certainly did bulk up a lot - I remember him being pretty lanky when he debuted with all those ODI wickets in South Africa.

 

[TheBrand]

Always liked Mitch McClenaghan. Think he has best strike rate after Starc in the last few years in ODI's. 2nd quickest to 50 ODI wickets of all time. Pretty unreal. There was interview with BMac I remember where he was talking about Mitch and saying he's one of the smartest bowlers he's ever played with, knows exactly what his plans are at all times against all batsman.

I think he turned down a NZC contract to be a T20 merchant which is a shame, cos I would have loved to see him in the frame for the WC. Has bowled alright this season in the Ford Trophy. Had a terrible season for the Thunder in BBL last year but always puts up good numbers for Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

Also played poker against him once at SkyCity Auckland, think he bluffed me. I still like him though.

 

[Mike5181]

I don't want to say it was all luck because there were some good performances in there, but his numbers towards the end of his ODI career certainly reflected his skill level better than that crazy first year or so.

 

[Athlai]

McClenaghan was a pretty good ODI bowler that randomly had ATG ODI bowling stats.

 

[TheBrand]

I don't want to say it was all luck because there were some good performances in there, but his numbers towards the end of his ODI career certainly reflected his skill level better than that crazy first year or so.

I actually have a theory for this.

If you compare his bowling stats as an opening bowler (start of his career) vs 1st or 2nd change (end of his career) there is a huge disparity there. I'm technologically ******** otherwise I'd post screenshots from cricinfo to back up my point. Haha.

 

[Bahnz]

I also though McClenaghan looked really good at the death in the early stages of his career, especially to left-handers. Got within a bees dick of the off-stump at the point of release, and was able to generate just enough reverse to make a real nuisance of himself. Later on he resorted more and more to IPL tactics - cutters and slower-balls, and I think it reduced his effectiveness in most conditions.

 

[thierry henry]

Oh yeah whatever happened to him? He was fantastic in the last world cup and bowled my favourite ball of that tournament. Where'd he disappear? Lost form or behind the 3 quicks in the pecking order?

The 2015 ODI World Cup? That's unlikely as he played 1 game and didn't take any wickets.

 

[_Ed_]

Might have been referring to the World T20 - he was a big part of our semi-final run in that. IIRC he bowled really well in a game where we defended a low total against Australia.

 

[thierry henry]

I don't want to live in a world where that's what "the last World Cup" means

 

[_Ed_]

At least it featured enough teams to justify the 'world' part.

 

[Moss]

Abbas out of the third test (and likely the South Africa tour?):
Mohammad Abbas set to miss third Test with shoulder injury - ESPNcricinfo

That's pretty galling for Pakistan if he doesn't make it to South Africa. Though in this series Hasan Ali has been far more of a menace thus far. A recall for Amir or Junaid maybe? Or does Mir Hamza slot back in?

EDIT: Forgot about the next big thing and potentially latest in a long line of kiwi tormenters, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

 

[Borges]

Oh! This would make the series in South Africa a lot less interesting.

Though in this series Hasan Ali has been far more of a menace thus far.

Yes. In this series, Hasan Ali has outbowled Abbas and CdG has outbowled Boult.

 

[NZTailender]

Oh! This would make the series in South Africa a lot less interesting.




Yes. In this series, Hasan Ali has outbowled Abbas and CdG has outbowled Boult.

CdG outbowled Boult in Dubai only.

 

[nzfan]

I can feel the change coming, sommerville will get a game. Tom Blundell may not be chosen likely. No point really if BJ watling keeps.

 

[Gomez656]

Yes great news for Pakistani Coach ( for M.Abbas)
But he will be possibly missed in Southafrica as well.

I said great news because he was wicket less in last 4 innings with 162 plus overs

https://m.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news...-third-new-zealand-test-pakistan-cricket-team

Young Shaheen has opportunity to show case his talent for 5 day test

 

[Flem274*]

i went full circle with mitch m. rightly wrote him off as **** when he started his domestic career but after people started moaning he took jammy odi wickets i pointed out controlling the bounce of someone who hits the deck as hard as he does isn't easy.

2015 mitch m would make the current team comfortably, which shows how much depth we've lost. he, mills and henry were all left out in 2015 and they were a world class trio at the time.