*Unofficial* New Zealand Black Caps Thread

[thundaboult]

The term Bazball may be annoying, but I think McCullum deserves real appreciation for what he's done for England. On this forum the attitude towards his captaincy 2013-2016 seems to be pretty cynical (at least in proportion to NZ's real improvement in that area). Credit to the guy for having a vision even if things backfire on occasion,

Love what he's doing for test cricket, its fun to watch. Can't ask for more. Test cricket to me has always been the most boring format in the game but if its going to be played like this...all for it. Come back to coach NZ sometime soon, Brendon. The dullards, tuk tukers and trundlers are doin us in.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

I was quite looking forward to the Pakistan series, but it doesn’t appear to be on TV here, and no thread on here either.

 

[Nintendo]

Foxcroft started the super smash off well, 2-14 from his 4 and 73(57)

 

[ataraxia]

Purposely obstructed a throw though

 

[Flem274*]

I agree with a lot of the recent sentiment in this thread. I hope Boult's semi-retirement, KJ's injury and the increasing evidence for Wagner being done finally convinces a very reactive and conservative regime to begin building some depth and consider the bowling balance as a unit rather than picking individual by individual.

Ferguson might have been a wasted talent if this form slump stays permanent but going forward I would like to see

Conway
Latham
Williamson
Young
Nicholls
Mitchell
Blundell (wk)
Jamieson
Southee
Sears
Ajaz

With Shipley, Smith, Rachin, Ferguson, Henry etc in test squads. Some batsmen too like Chapman.

Please.

 

[Howsie]

I swear Henry Nicholls being next to useless the last few years has gone unnoticed by everyone but me ? Hell even if you go from the start of 2019 he only averages 34, and they majority of those innings have come in the cushy position of number five behind two of our greatest batsman ever.

Give Will Young a proper run in the middle order or go to Phillps. But just stop giving this hack a run because he was once good for about two minutes.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I agree with a lot of the recent sentiment in this thread. I hope Boult's semi-retirement, KJ's injury and the increasing evidence for Wagner being done finally convinces a very reactive and conservative regime to begin building some depth and consider the bowling balance as a unit rather than picking individual by individual.

Ferguson might have been a wasted talent if this form slump stays permanent but going forward I would like to see

Conway
Latham
Williamson
Young
Nicholls
Mitchell
Blundell (wk)
Jamieson
Southee
Sears
Ajaz

With Shipley, Smith, Rachin, Ferguson, Henry etc in test squads. Some batsmen too like Chapman.

Please.

Good side, but Phillips for Nicholls.

 

[Flem274*]

On consideration I agree. Had Nicholls there as a reprieve but I forgot Phillips. He gets this series (since he's there) and then we see for SL.

 

[Moss]

On consideration I agree. Had Nicholls there as a reprieve but I forgot Phillips. He gets this series (since he's there) and then we see for SL.

There’s a series against England before SL. Good time to make a change though wouldn’t write Nicholls off either.

I think Macewell is a lock in for the time being as someone who performs Lord Colin’s role, though England’s army of hitters on smaller NZ grounds doesn’t seem like a recipe for success.

 

[Flem274*]

There’s a series against England before SL. Good time to make a change though wouldn’t write Nicholls off either.

I think Macewell is a lock in for the time being as someone who performs Lord Colin’s role, though England’s army of hitters on smaller NZ grounds doesn’t seem like a recipe for success.

Yeah I'd hate this though agree on the probability. With Wagners impending doom we can't skimp on a real spinner anymore. Gotta show the faith in Ajaz

 

[jcas0167]

Michael Bracewell take a bow. Wisden ODI innings of the year.

John Bertram, the grand Bracewell patriarch, played for Rangitikei in the Hawke Cup. His sons, Douglas, Mark, John, and Brendon all played at first-class level. The last two have played Test cricket, as have Brendon’s son Douglas and Mark’s son Michael. For once, the phrase “cricket runs in the blood” is not be an exaggeration.

Wisden’s men’s ODI Innings of the Year, No.1: Michael Bracewell’s 127* | 2022 in Review

First place in Wisden’s men’s ODI innings of the year countdown, part of the 2022 in Review series, is Michael Bracewell’s 127 not out against Ireland at Malahide. Abhishek Mukherjee pays tribute to a remarkable performance.

wisden.com

 

[Athlai]

Michael Bracewell take a bow. Wisden ODI innings of the year.

Wisden’s men’s ODI Innings of the Year, No.1: Michael Bracewell’s 127* | 2022 in Review

First place in Wisden’s men’s ODI innings of the year countdown, part of the 2022 in Review series, is Michael Bracewell’s 127 not out against Ireland at Malahide. Abhishek Mukherjee pays tribute to a remarkable performance.

wisden.com

Wag he is

 

[_Ed_]

https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/milne-replaced-by-tickner-in-white-ball-squads/?fbclid=IwAR0jWmG6ZLyk2npFpJC0xRmWhE8jZYLwUYluEF65NYkl5SRJlKq7O7I6WoA

Sigh.

 

[SteveNZ]

https://www.nzc.nz/news-items/milne-replaced-by-tickner-in-white-ball-squads/?fbclid=IwAR0jWmG6ZLyk2npFpJC0xRmWhE8jZYLwUYluEF65NYkl5SRJlKq7O7I6WoA

Sigh.

I always find fans of the game love when cricket fishheads talk about 'bowling loads'...

On the face of it, Tickner should be a SteveNZ XI favourite - certainly fits the mould as a tall guy, capable of hitting 140+. But he just isn't. Just don't see a world in which he ever becomes a useful international option in any format. As I've said before, there's a lot more guys with more upside waiting to take the spots he keeps getting.

 

[Flem274*]

I backed him as a project player until our winter ODI tour. Without his pace he's going to battle. The pace and bounce he got during his NZ A years deservedly kept him in the selectors thoughts. As it stands, I would rather invest in Sears or if they want to yeet it (Stead and Larsen never will), Fisher. This also might be a good year to catch Duffy during one of his hot streaks and help him build on it.

He's also really unsuited to Pakistani conditions. Should have picked Dougeh. 20 @ 17 this season WAG.

 

[Nintendo]

I backed him as a project player until our winter ODI tour. Without his pace he's going to battle. The pace and bounce he got during his NZ A years deservedly kept him in the selectors thoughts. As it stands, I would rather invest in Sears or if they want to yeet it (Stead and Larsen never will), Fisher. This also might be a good year to catch Duffy during one of his hot streaks and help him build on it.

He's also really unsuited to Pakistani conditions. Should have picked Dougeh. 20 @ 17 this season WAG.

Dougeh can also, ya know, hold a bat. If NZ are gonna continue to shoot themselves in the foot with this neeshaw at 6, santner at 7 and no batting below 7 crap they may aswell pick a few bowlers who can hold a stick to lessen the nosebleed'.

 

[ataraxia]

Talking about more important formats here but surely Clarkson comes in for Neesh? Santner's fine at #7; the only problem which remains is Kane. Just tell him to hit it ffs. Devon "averages 57 in T20s in New Zealand" Conway is a more than a half-decent anchor. Re batting depth, Macewell is also an option! Just develop Phillips as a 6th bowler, and we're sweet.

in before 'but Dougeh'

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Talking about more important formats here but surely Clarkson comes in for Neesh? Santner's fine at #7; the only problem which remains is Kane. Just tell him to hit it ffs. Devon "averages 57 in T20s in New Zealand" Conway is a more than a half-decent anchor. Re batting depth, Macewell is also an option! Just develop Phillips as a 6th bowler, and we're sweet.

in before 'but Dougeh'

Does anyone know when Foxcroft is eligible?

 

[thundaboult]

Its really just time to let Milne become a full time t20 franchise specialist. Never plays intl games cuz injury, and when he does, he doesn't take wickets. He's not even close to 150 anymore, and tickner just keeps getting selected cuz we foolishly handed him a contract and now that needs to be justified lol.

 

[FBU]

What is the bowling attack going to be against England?