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*Unofficial* New Zealand Black Caps Thread

Prince EWS

Global Moderator
Kinda funny that he's bowled way faster in tests (close to 146 at the Basin) than we've seen him bowl in t20's and ODI's. Seems like the kinda guy who needs time at the crease to find his rhythm.
Foulkes hasn't played any Tests yet. Confusing him with O'Rourke?
 

SteveNZ

Cricketer Of The Year
Still think if you analyse the world cup he wasn't that bad. Almost always came out to bat in no win situations.
He's a gun T20 player and here's hoping he can make the step up in ODI's
Yeah he does exist in a pretty unique environment where he's often expected to score quickly and with some level of consistency even though he doesn't face a lot of balls or get a lot of opportunities. That role in the World Cup was pretty tough, when you think that your no.7 generally gets to bowl to contribute, too
 

Bahnz

Hall of Fame Member
Nathan Smith having a good game with the bat this time (33* and 57) though a more modest 107/3 with the ball.
 

Zinzan

Request Your Custom Title Now!
Meh to that Young news. He scored a truckload for Durham last season, did he not?
Yep Young is just the latest middle order bat NZ have tried to manufacture into an opener when he's clearly not up to opening at the top level.

Looked all at sea against that good Australian attack, & not just the low scores but in just how awful he looked - like literally a walking wicket, with horrible shot selection, poor judgement of his off-stump & just not tight enough defensively.

Quite the contrast to Latham at the other end who at least had periods looking relatively at ease, even if he did throw it away softly after a start as only TL can.
 

SteveNZ

Cricketer Of The Year
Yep Young is just the latest middle order bat NZ have tried to manufacture into an opener when he's clearly not up to opening at the top level.

Looked all at sea against that good Australian attack, & not just the low scores but in just how awful he looked - like literally a walking wicket, with horrible shot selection, poor judgement of his off-stump & just not tight enough defensively.

Quite the contrast to Latham at the other end who at least had periods looking relatively at ease, even if he did throw it away softly after a start as only TL can.
At some stage, they're going to have to say to a young domestic opener, or even a relatively mature one, that we're going to back you. Whether you average 25 or 45, you're our guy - we back ourselves to mould you into doing what is a specialist job. Do what Mark Richardson did: just will and bloody hard work your way into being good at it. And it should be a specialist, ideally. Not a T20 player, not Rachin, a guy like Latham who is able to focus on his Test game unencumbered.b

I think we've seen more than enough evidence, as you say, that trying to turn someone into an opener seldom works. It's a specialist role, it requires a mindset that isn't easily developed. Will Young's career is shot because he's largely been judged as an elephant trying to climb a tree.
 

ataraxia

International Coach
Huge shout out to Nathan Smith. So far this county season he's got 13 wickets @19 and 151 runs @51.
Yep I've been enjoying following this CC season insofar as to laugh at the fact that a massive chunk of the division 1 overseas players are Kiwis shunned by Stead – N Smith, Bruce, Young; at a stretch Will Williams. All we need is Dougeh for the set.
 

Zinzan

Request Your Custom Title Now!
At some stage, they're going to have to say to a young domestic opener, or even a relatively mature one, that we're going to back you. Whether you average 25 or 45, you're our guy - we back ourselves to mould you into doing what is a specialist job. Do what Mark Richardson did: just will and bloody hard work your way into being good at it. And it should be a specialist, ideally. Not a T20 player, not Rachin, a guy like Latham who is able to focus on his Test game unencumbered.b
Well that's right, ideally & if not that I wouldn't even be against an ultra aggressive opener as an alternative approach to take the game on ala England, but Young is neither of those things. He should be one of a couple of middle order replacement players as cover for batting positions 4 -6, but behind Tom Bruce imo.
 

RMBolton

U19 12th Man
Well that's right, ideally & if not that I wouldn't even be against an ultra aggressive opener as an alternative approach to take the game on ala England, but Young is neither of those things. He should be one of a couple of middle order replacement players as cover for batting positions 4 -6, but behind Tom Bruce imo.
So, time to combat BazBall with BowesBall?
 

SteveNZ

Cricketer Of The Year
Well that's right, ideally & if not that I wouldn't even be against an ultra aggressive opener as an alternative approach to take the game on ala England, but Young is neither of those things. He should be one of a couple of middle order replacement players as cover for batting positions 4 -6, but behind Tom Bruce imo.
Yeah, it'd certainly be an upgrade. Still, I believe it has to be an opener - not that I've ever been one, but it's such a specialist mindset.
 

RMBolton

U19 12th Man
With the squad being announced on Monday, I'm not expecting too many eyebrow raisers, if any. From the sound of it, it may be Neesham & Boult's BC swansong.

I don't understand the T20 hype around Ravindra. The Cake Tin aside, the reality is that he hasn't impressed, he hasn't demanded selection, & there's just no place for him as a top order bat when we've got too many fighting for limited places (especially if they're serious about Munro) & a part-timey spinner when we've already got Bracewell & Phillips (OK, he's left arm, but still). I'm sorry, I can't be convinced he should be in the squad, especially not when his IPL reflects his T20 career as a whole - one big score & a lot of small ones. I'm not even sure if he'll become a T20 regular for NZ.
 

thundaboult

International Debutant
pak peppering in the slower balls and a-sports (channel i happen to be watching on) peppering in a s*itton ads every given opportunity...even repeating the same ad in a 1 minute window 3 times lol
 

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